Chapter 8 - Bellingham and the Revolution

Section IV - July 4, 1776
The culmination of events in the colonies as a whole, Massachusetts Bay and the Town of Bellingham was July 4, 1776. Prior to that date there was a rebellion. After that date there was revolution. The rebellion had turned into a fight for independence. On that fateful day the voters of Bellingham went to a town meeting, called by the following warrant:
 
"Suffolk ss to the Constables of Bellingham Greeting. You are hereby required forthwith to warn & give Notis to all the freeholders and other inhabitants of said town that are qualified by law to vote in town affairs that they assemble & meet at the now dwelling house of Elias Thayer in said town on thursday the fourth instant at one o clock in the afternoon to act on the following articals (viz)
 
First to chuse a moderator for said meeting
 
2 to see if said Inhabitants will vote any matter or thing that they may think proper relating to the colony being declared Independent of Great Briton
 
3 to see what sum or sums of money the Inhabitants will Grant to pay men ordered to be raised in said town or to act any mater or thing relating thereto that they may think proper and make due return of this warrant with your doing herein. Given under our hand & seal of said town this second day of July A D 1776.
 

Aaron Holbrook ->

Jonathan Draper Selectmen

Elias Thayer -> of

Elijha Alden ->Bellingham

Stephen Metcalf ->

Suffolk ss

Bellingham July 3, 1776

By virtue of this warrant I have warned the Inhabitants of this town North of Elias Thayers to meet at time and Place with in mentioned Job Partridge Constable

Suffolk ss

Bellingham July 3, 1776

By virtue of this warrant I have warned the Inhabitants of this town South of Elias Thayers to meet at time and Place apinted Jonathan Thomson Constable"

"Bellingham July 4, 1776 being Publick town meeting

Legally warned & assembled & regulated by the selectmen and the town made choice of Stephen Metcalf Esq moderator for said meeting."

"Voted that in case the Honble Continental Congress should think it necessary for the Safety of the united colonies to declare them independent on Great Britian, the Inhabitants of this town with their Lives & fortunes will cheerfully support them in the measure."

"Voted to ad three pounds to the seven pound, which the Colonie gives to Each man that will inlist to go in to the Continental army. Then the meeting was adjurned for half an hour to this place. Then met according to adjurnment & the above Vote for granting three Pounds as a bounty for those that will inlist into the Continental army is reconsidered by a vote of town."

"The meet is Dismissed."

While today July 4 has immense significance, at the time of this meeting, the meeting of the Continental Congress and its progress toward the Declaration of Independence was not known. It would be many days before word would get to Boston of the action in Philadelphia and several more before the actual Declaration of Independence reached the area. The action of the Bellingham Town Meeting on July 4 was likely typical of meetings being held in towns all across the colony. It clearly shows the inhabitants of the small outlying towns had a clear understanding of what was going on and supported the Continental Congress.