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Archiver > GenMassachusetts > 2001-01 > 0980877384
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Subject: [GM-L] The Puritan Recorder
Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2001 12:56:24 -0500
The Puritan Recorder, Boston, Thursday, June 1, 1854
Mrs. Fanny G. Atwater
Died, at Newtown, CT, Apr. 30th, Mrs. Fanny G., wife of Rev. Jason
Atwater, aged 48. Mrs. Atwater was born in Chelmsford, MA. (long obit
but nothing on family)
An Ecclesiastical Council was convened May 3, 1854, at the church in
Thorndike Village (Palmer), to consider the expediency of dissolving the
pastoral relation of Rev. S. Hine, to the First Congregational Church and
Society in Palmer.
Rev. L. Ives Hoadley, was installed pastor of the church in Auburn, on
Wed. the 17th ult.
On Thursday, the 25th ult., Mr. George Augustus Perkins, an accepted
Missionary of the A. B. C. F. M., and destined to the Armenians in
Western Asia, was solemnly ordained and set apart to this important work
in this place.
Rev. Elam Smalley, D.D., of Worcester, MA, has received and accepted a
call to the Second Presbyterian Church, Troy, NY, and was to have
commenced his labors on the 21st ult.
Another Fugitave Slave Arrest in Boston
The second arrest made under the celebrated "Fugitive Slave Law," in this
city, was made on Wednesday evening of last week. About 8 o'clock, as a
colored man, named Anthony Burns, was walking in Court Street, near the
Court House, he was taken into custody by officers Coolidge, Riley and
Laighton, acting under the orders of Watson Freeman, United States
Marshal, and the virtue of a warrant issued by United States Commisoner,
Edward G. Loring.
The prisoner submitted to his arrest without any resistance, and was
forthwith escorted to quarters in the Court House, where he was put under
a strong guard of officers for the night. The arrest was so quietly and
speedily performed that but very few persons, except the officers drafted
in readiness for the occasion, were aware of the proceedings, and thus
there was no excitement created, and none of the morning papers "had the
news."
The next morning, the prisoner was arraigned before Commissioner
Loring, in the United States Court Room, upon a complaint alleging that
he "owed service and labor" to Colonel Charles F. Suttle, a merchant of
Alexandria, VA, having clandestinely escaped therefrom on the 24th of
March last, when he left Virginia for Massachusetts.
Messrs. Seth J. Thomas and Edward G. Parker appeared as counsel for the
claimant, and Messrs. Richard H. Dana, Jr. and Charles M. Ellis
volunteered for the prisoner. Sundry legal papers tending to establish
the claim were exhibited to the Court, and in addition, William Brent, a
merchant of Richmond, testified to the ownership of Col. Suttle, and
identified the prisoner as the human "chattel."
The defendant's counsel asked a suspension of proceedings, to give time
for consultation with the prisoner and make the necessary preparations on
his behalf.
The Commissioner than called the prisoner to his side and conversed
with him, and learning from his own lips that he wished for a delay in
order to see what course he should pursue, the Court ordered the
examination to stand adjourned till Saturnday morning, at 10 o'clock.
in the meantime the defendant was committed to the custody of the
Marshal. During the proceedings the Court Room was only about half
filled with people, a large proportion of whome were officers summoned to
attend. Col. Suttle was present, and also Theodore Parker, Wendell
Phillips and some other abolitionists.
A meeting was called, and held in Faneuil Hall on Friday evening, which
was numerously attended by an excited populace, in which speeches of the
most inflammatory character were made by Wendell Phillips, Theodore
Parker, and F. W. Bird, of Walpole, and Resolutions were passed.
Attempt to Rescue the Fugitive Slave
Soon after dark on Friday evening, a crowd began to assemble in and
about the Court Square. The announcement to the meeting at Faneuil Hall
that an attempt was being made, soon greatly increased the crowd. Upon
the cry of "Rescue him," :Rescue him;" the officers immediately closed
the doors of the Court House. An attack was first made upon the Eastern
door, but the crowd upon hearing a pistol upon the Western side, rushed
round there, where in a short time at least a thousand persons were
collected. An attack upon the door was commenced with axes and a
battering ram, the latter being a stout beam, manned by about a dozen
persons, who propelled it against the door with great violence, stones
were also thrown against the windows. At each stroke of the battering
ram, cries were raised of "Rescue him," "Bring him out," &c, &c. Finally
for door yielded. At this point the Court House bell was run by the
officers on the inside for aid from the authorities. This was about
half-past nine o'clock.
As the door gave way, several persons attempted to enter the building,
but were met by the officers upon the inside, and a brief contest ensued.
Of what afterwards happened there are contradictory accounts. One
statement is that all the shots fired (some thirty or more) were from the
crowd, and that the United States Marshal and his officers did not use
fire arms.
The Courier says:--
During this struggle some thirty shots were fired by the rioters, and
Mr. James Batchelder, a special officer, who was resisting the entrance
of assilants, at the shattered door, was shot dead. The weapon
discharged at him must have been a blunderbuss, as its contents embraced
many bullets, some of them of a very large size. His bowels were
literally torn out, and he died almost instantly. He was a truckman in
the employ of Mr. Peter Dunbar, and leaves a wife and one child.
The Marshal's officers did not use their fire arms, and succeeded
finally in expelling the rioters from the doors with their clubs only.
During this scene, the Judges of the Supreme Court, the Attorney General
of the Commonwealth, and the Sherriff of Suffolk were in the building,
awaiting the return of the jury in the Wilson case, who were to come in
at 11 o'clock. Some members of the jury, who put their heads out of the
window to see what was going on, were fired at, and the balls, in one or
two instances, struck quite near them. The windows of the Justice's
court were completely riddled by bullets discharged from without.
Marshal Freeman had a very narrow escape, a ball having struck the wall
quite near him, while he was leading his men up to repulse the
individuals who had broken in. His son, who was present, ran into the
crowd, crying, "Father, you will be shot," and he was quite close to
Batchelder when he fell.
The Commonwealth, however, makes this statement:
The keepers of the fugitive fired upon the crowd, and otherwise
assailed those at the door. No shots were fired from outside; but one
man inside was killed by a pistol ball, which seems to have been fired by
one of his companions, who handled his pistol carelessly. None of the
shots fired at the people took effect; but some of those at the door were
injured by the sabres of the Marshal's helpers. Brickbats and stones
were thrown from the crowd, injuring the widows.
By order of the Chief of Police, a portion of the officers under his
command were marched to the scene of disorder to preserve the peace of
this city, and nine persons were arrested.
The Traveller of Saturday evening says:
Of the occurrences last night, we learn that Mr. Batchelder, when
killed, was standing near the door which was battered down. He attempted
to stem the tide from without when he was stabbed and shot. There is a
wound on his head, and also several wounds in his abdomen, one probably
by a knife and the other by a pistol, which a person this morning comes
forward and testifies was fired from the crowd. There was a great flow
of blood from wounds in the abdomen.
Several balls were found this morning embeded in the ceiling of the
entry-way where the attack was made.
Mr. Batchelder, who was killed, resided on Front St., Charlestown. His
wife knew nothing of his death until the next morning, when the
announcement was made to her by a lady, who saw the account of the
occurrence in the morning papers. She chanced to be in the front yard,
and immediately fainted, and was taken into the house.
The Evening Gazette states that a post mortem examination of the body
of Mr. Batchelder was held on Saturday, and ti was ascertained that he
was not shot, but stabbed, the wound being six inches deep. It is stated
above that when he was wounded, he exclaimed, "I am stabbed."
While William C. Fay, Esq., was conversing with another person on
Saturday, his remarks excited the ire of a stout negro named Wilson
Hopewell, who struck Mr. Fay. Officers William B. Tarleton and Cook, who
had been watching his movements, immediately arrested him, when a violent
struggle ensued. Wilson drew a dirk knife, but the officers wrested it
from him, and succeeded in conveying him to the Centre Watch House and
subsequently to jail. He siezed Mr. Tarleton by the throat, and did not
release his grasp till he reached the Watch House. The dirk knife was
partially covered with blood, and it is thought it may have been the
instrument used in stabbing Batchelder. It is alleged that the prisoner
was in the thickest of the melee on Friday night, and fled immediately
after the murder was committed.
The fugitive was again brought into Court on Saturday, and a further
postponement of the examination was asked and granted, till Monday at 11
o'clock A.M.
It was understood on Saturday evening, says the Daily Advertiser, that
the fugitive might be purchased for twelve hundred dollars, and that sum
was readily subscribed for the purpose. It was expected that the
necessary papers might be drawn up that night, and the object thus
immediately effected; but while the gentlemen engaged in this
philanthropic proceeding were maturing the papers, the hour of twelve
o'clock arrived, and they were obliged to cease, as no proceedings had
upon Sunday, would have binding legal force. Proceedings will be resumed
at an early hour this (Monday) morning, and we confidently trust that by
the time our subscribers read this paragraph, or very shortly afterwards,
Burns will be free,--by the philanthropic liberality of enlightened
citizens, and not by the violence of the indiscreet. The money is all
ready, in gold.
Two incidents connected with the subscription are worth mentioning:--On
Saturday evening, eight hundred dollars had been subscribed; it was
thought important that the remainder should be obtained at once, in the
hope of consummating the measure that evening. One of our liberal
merchants whose benevolence is practical and unostentatious, although he
had already subscribed $100, immediately advanced the requisite $400, and
completed the subscription. That is one incident. The other is this:
We are informed that during the day on Saturday, Rev. Theodore Parker was
asked if he wished to put his name to the subscription paper. His reply
was, "I have nothing to subscribe but brains and bullets."
The arrangements for the negotiation were not carred out, until the
proceeding had advanced so far, that Col. Suttle declined any overtures
which might be made previously to the establishment of his claim before
the Commissioner. The papers have reported that he received a dispatch
from his place of residence in Virginia, instructing him not to sell the
fugitive for any sum whatever; and informing him, if he did, his life
would not be safe on returning to his home.
The hearing was resumed and continued on Monday and Tuesday. We have
not space to give the details of the proceedings. The defence introduced
two witnesses, who swore, one that Burns was in this city March 1st, and
the other that he was here in the beginning of March. The allegations of
the claimant was, that he escaped on the 24th of March.
The popular excitement without, especially in the vicinity of the Court
House, continued unabated; but there was no violence. The arrangements
for the preservation of order by the municipal and United States
authorities were so well perfected, that it was sufficiently obvious that
no riotous demonstratiosn could result in any practical benefit. A few
temporary arrests of excited individuals were made.
A difficulty was experienced in finding food for the soldiers. The
eating houses in the Square were thronged with visitors, and Mr. J. B.
Smith's colored waiters refused to prepare food for the military.
A proposal was made in the Board of Aldermen on Monday, to
eject the United States authorities from the Court House. The Aldermen
were divided upon the question. The Mayor, by a casting vote, very
judiciously arrested a step which could only have resulted in evil. The
Traveller, after giving this statement, says:--"At a proper time we
should be glad to see the United States Court removed from the County
Court House, especially if it is to be converted into a slave prison, or
employed for purposes which virtually conflict with our local laws, and
are offensive to our ideas of justice."
The Murder Rioters brought into the Police Court. John C. Cluer,
Albert G. Brown, Jr., John J. Roberts, Henry Howe, Martin Stowell, Walter
Finney, John Morrison, Thomas Jackson, Walter Bishop, John Wesley, and
John Thompson, the eleven rioters who are charged with the murder of
James Batchelder, on Friday evening last, were brought before the Police
Court, Tuesday forenoon. George P. Sanger, District Attorney, appeared
for Government; and G. F. Farley, C. G. Davis, J. A. Andrew, M. H. Smith
and Robert Morris for the defence. After considerable discussion the
case was postponed to Friday.
A Petition for the Repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law, placed at the
Merchants' Exchange, has received two or three hundred signatures. Among
them are those of J. H. Pearson, P. & J. P. Hawes, Nathaniel Snow,
Charles Torrey, T. B. Mackay, James Villa & Co., Alpheus Hardy, J. R.
Welch, J. Ingersoll Bowditch, J. M. Forbes, and many other merchants and
business men.
The Bee of Wednesday morning says:--
The prospect at present is, that the Burns Fugitive Slave Case will
break down, on account of an error in the Virginia Court Record. The
document alleges Burns to have escaped on the 24th of March. Tuesday
afternoon it was proved that he was in Boston on the first week in March.
Behind the date of the 24th, the process cannot extend. The best
lawyers in the city are of the opinion, under these circumstances, that
the case for the claimants must fail. In this event Burns will probably
be set at liberty today.
We also learn that the cousel for the claimant, will endeavor to have
the case postponed, in order to obtain further evidence from Virginia.
The present aspect of the affair was not anticipated by either side, when
the examination commenced. So far as we can judge the public mind, there
is a hope, at least, that the case may break.
Marriages
In North Abington, 24th ult., by Rev. Isaac C. WHITE, Mr. William S., son
of Rev. Daniel HUNTINGTON, of N. Bridgewater, to Miss Lucy O. ERSKINE, of
South Abington.
In South Weymouth, 27th ult., by Rev. W. M. HARDING, Mr. Asa POOL, Jr.,
to Mrs. Sarah F. BICKNELL, both of W.
In Stoneham, 16th ult., by Rev. W. C. WHITCOMB, Mr. E. Thomas GREEN to
Miss Sarah Jane PERRY, both of S.; 27th ult., Mr. Josiah L. FOWLE to Miss
Rebecca B. WHITE, both of Woburn.
In Millbury, April 18th, by Rev. L. GRIGGS, Rev. S. J. HUMPHREY, of
Newark, OH, to Mrs. S. E. HUTCHINSON, of Millbury.
Deaths
In this City, 28th ult., Mr. Francis H., son of Hon Wm. APPLETON, 30;
Miss Emma Frances, only daughter of Mr. Edmond C. DEMING, 18y6m8d.
In Dorchester, 28th ult., Mrs. Ann TOLMAN, 84. She retired in usual good
health, Saturday evening, and fell while dressing, Sabbath morning.
In Malden, 29th ult., Samuel WENTWORTH, Esq. in his 26th yr.
In Medway Village, 19th ult., Mr. William FULLER, 67.
In Weymouth, 19th ult., Miss Bethiah BATES, 77.
In Abington, 21st ult., Mrs. Polly, wife of Dea. Jacob COBB, 75.
In South Brookfield, 22d ult., very suddenly, Mr. Samuel PERRY, 85.
In Middle Haddam, CT, 3d ult., Mr. Thaddeus TIBBALS,65. His funeral was
attended by his fourteen children, all arrived at adult years, and all
living within a mile of their father's house.
In Springfield, 19th ult., after a short illness, Mrs. Catharine L., wife
of Rev. Raymond H. SEELEY, and daughter of Hon. Timothy COWLES, of
Farmington, CT., 37.
In Hartford, CT, 22d ult., Mr. Samuel B. REDFIELD, 70.
In Detroit, MI, April 27th, Mr. Watson D. SHAW, 26. "Lovely in life,
peaceful and happy in death."
Obituaries
William A. Brown
Died in Charlton, 17th inst., at the residence of his grandfather, Gen.
Salem Towne, William A. Brown, in his 13th year, "the only son of his
mother, and she was a widow."
(My note: From the Charlton, MA Vital Records: William Abijah Brown born
4 Sept. 1841 son of Abijah & Sally. Abijah Brown of Hawkinsville, GA,
and Sally S. Towne, married 30 June 1834.
Abijah Brown husband of Sally, died 30 Dec. 1841, age 31y.
They also had a daughter, Amelia Louisa, born at Columbus, O., 17 June
1839; died 3 Nov. 1849 age 10y 7d.)
Mrs. Mary H. S. Hurd
Died, at Beaver Dam, Wis., 16th ult., Mrs. Mary H. S., wife of Rev. John
C. Hurd, and daughter of Mr. Peter Shumway, of Oxford, MA. Mrs. Hurd was
one of the early pupils of Miss Lyon, at the Holyoke Seminary; left a
husband and children.
This concludes this issue of the paper. More to follow.
http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ma/state/main/tidbits4.html
Marilyn Labbe
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