Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-12-20
CITY oF WORCESTER,


much local interest:
CITY OF WORCESTER,
Mayors Ofhce Dec. 10, 1859.
Gentlemen of the City Council My attention
has been called by one of our townsmen Hon.
George F. Hoar,) to certain communications
received by him from Col. I. Bigelow Law
renee, of Boston, concerning the burial place
of Col. Timothy Bigelow, on the ancient pub
lie Common of this city. 1t is the desire of
Col. Lawrence to erect an appropriate monu-
ment over the remains of his distinguished an
cestor and he naturally and reasonably in
quires whether he can obtain from the City
Council of Worcester some guarantee that a
lot of sufficient size, including these remains
where they now lie, will be forever devoted to
that purpose. If he can receive such official
assurance as will protect the monument and
the land enclosed about it from disturbance at
any future time, he expresses an intention to
proceed at an early day to erect suitable
structure.
l cannot doubt that it would be source OF
satisfaction to the citizens of Worcester to see
the burial place of Timothy Bigelow honorably
designated by monument, and that they would
regard as public favor the private liberalty
which should accomplish the work. The history
OF this eminent patriot and soldier, while it is
part of the general record of the Revolution,
pUSSGSS6S uldlly FEATURES Vi LOCAL lulcTeSt anu
attraction. He was native of this town.
commencing life as an artizan with but limited
means of culture, by adding the fruits of read
ing and study to his natural character, he be-
came the leading advocate in the town of the
popular cause, against men Of superior educa-
ton and distinction. AS early as 1773, then
young man, he was chosen one of the Com
mittee of Correspondence. AT his house, and
under his counses were held the meetings of
the Political Society which gave new direc-
ton to public opinion in this section of the
province. More than year before the bat
tie of Lexington, he took with boldness posi-
tons in advance of most others, and maintain
ed them with success in opposition to the
prestige of the highest talent and Office.
Prominent in procuring the removal of Isaiah
Thomas and his press 1.-THE SPY from Boston
to Worcester, influential in rallying his fellow
mechanics of the surrounding country to the
patriot side, carrying the town Tor the bold
resolutions of IVA, though opposed by the
eloquence of its most eminent professional
advocate, he was above others the instrument
in turning the stronghold ofthe loyalists against
their abest leaders He was elected the dele
gate to the first two sessions of the Provn-
cial Congress Under his drill the original
company of minute men acquired a discipline
that elected the applause of Washington. And
teenth of April, he at once paraded his men on
the public green and marched them to the
scene of service. In the memorable winter
expedition against Quebec, he commanded one
of the divisions of the march, and with some
OF his brave townsmen, was taken prisoner
Released in the following year, he was pro-
NOTED to the command of a regiment in the
continental army, and with Massachusetts men
bore a part at Saratoga, Valley Forge, and
other critical points in the war. On the return
of peace he at length came back to his shop,
and resuming the occupation of his earlier
days, added the honor of labor to the lite of a
soldier.
His warm and generous nature, his soldierly
tastes and achievements, his intrepid adherence
to the cause of the patriots, his suferings aud
sacrifices, have passed in history and tradition
into our possession. In our possession also,
are his mortal remains and | commend to
your kind and considerate regard the opportu-
nifty now presented by one of his public spirited
descendants to set apart and designate in ap-
propriate manner the spot of his burial.
A. II. BULLOCK.
The paper was referred to the Committee on
Public Grounds.
In behalf of the Committee of Education, to
whom the subject OF Public Library was re-
terred, the Mayor stated that they were una
BILE to submit a full report till some evening
later in the present week.
On the petition of the Worcester Light In
fantry, an order was adopted appropriating
$500 for the rent of the armory of that compa
ny for the year ending Dec. 81, 1859.
The committee on claims recommended the
adoption of an order providing that the suits
now pending against the city in favor of Lee
Sprague & Co., be compromised by the pay
ment of $500, they relinquishing all claims for
damages alleged to have been received, or
liable to be received from the same cause
This is a case where the claimants allege that
the arch of the stone bridge built by the city
below Quinsigamond, is insufficient to allow
an adequate flow of water, and caused serious
Injury to their business at the grist mills. The
subject was discussed at some length, when
the order was rejected.
The DEGREES laying out and locating Agri-
cultural and Linden streets were adopted, and
the papers relating to Lexington, Concord,
Oxford, and Garden streets, were placed on
file.
After some routine business, of no special
public interest, the Board adjourned till next
Friday evening.