. Leading business men of Spencer, Brookfield and vicinity;. TOWN HALL. HISTORICAL SKETCH OF SPENCER. commander of the American forces offered a premium to any one who would under-take the task, if he should prove successful. Lieutenant Bemis undertook it, and bya process heretofore unthought-of effected the desired object. Instead of drilling,till then supposed to be the only practicable method, he collected a large quantity ofwood around the cannon, and setting it on fire, heated it to such a degree, that, witha cold punch, the spike was easily driven into the barrel. Thus he was the authoro
. Leading business men of Spencer, Brookfield and vicinity;. TOWN HALL. HISTORICAL SKETCH OF SPENCER. commander of the American forces offered a premium to any one who would under-take the task, if he should prove successful. Lieutenant Bemis undertook it, and bya process heretofore unthought-of effected the desired object. Instead of drilling,till then supposed to be the only practicable method, he collected a large quantity ofwood around the cannon, and setting it on fire, heated it to such a degree, that, witha cold punch, the spike was easily driven into the barrel. Thus he was the authorof a useful discovery to his country, which has ever since been followed with com-plete success. In 1774 a company of minute-men was organized, Ebenezer Mason being placedin command, and in April, 1775, the wisdom of preparation was made manifest, forthe news of General Gages march for Concord, w^as received by messenger on theafternoon of the 19th. A town-meeting had been called for April 24, to see what. Main Street, Spencer, in 1 provision the town will make for the company of minute-men should they be calledinto service, but as may be imagined, the sturdy patriots did not w^ait to learn theresult of the prospective meeting, but left at once, passing through Leicester thatsame evening, fifty-six strong. Arriving at Watertown, forty of the men enlistedfor eight months, under Captain Joel Green and Lieutenant David Prouty. This?company took part in the battle of Bunker Hill, but received no injury, being soposted as to cover the retreat of such of the troops as were actively engaged. InJune, 1776, Congress requested the opinion of the town concerning the wisdom ofdeclaring the colonies independent. The reply has no uncertain sound, and deservesall reverence and honor. Should Congress think it expedient to declare the coloniesindependent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, we do hereby fully, freely and:Solemnly engage with our lives and fortunes, to support Congress in such a meas
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