The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-07-09

adler Ruggles," as he is commonly
known He was a man of great power
of mind and body, and his services
would have been invaluable to the pa
tri0ts; but with a mistaken view, he
adhered to the royal side, sundered
family and friendly ties, abandoned his
possessions, and, sharing the fortunes
of the loyalists, died an exile in a
strange land
His courage, recklessness and self
confidence were proverbial. On one
occasion, while serving in the French
wars, he, against the remonstrance of
experienced boatmen, insisted on steer
ing one of the bateaux, with several
companions and a stock of ammuni-
ton and provisions on board, through
the rapids of Canadian river.
The craft was almost instantly up-
set the stores lost and the men res
cued with difficulty, Ruggles himself
in an insenSible condition. HIS cpl
grammatie remark ON regaining con-
sciousness, which has come down to
us with other anecdotes, is character
istic of the temper of the man.
More or less material illustrating his
strong qualities and distinct Individual
ity was gathered from authentic sources
by his kinsman, the late Gardner Rug
giles of Barre. whose son, Daniel Rug
giles, went from Massachusetts to Vir-
ginta, and became general in the con-
federate army
OF Timothy he says that notwith-
standing certain repellent traits, las a
scholar he was above mediocrity, and
in his language, though he might not
be always elegant, he never failed of
being forcible and impressive. In his
reasoning he was ingenious. and in pub
lie debate often eloquent. His wit was
ready and brilliant; his mind clear,
comprehensive, penetrating; his judg-
ment was profound, and his knowledge
extensive" Such was the strange
combination in the character of Briga-
der Timothy Ruggles of Hardwick.
AS judge and finally chief Justice
Of the court of common pleas, Ruggles
was familiar figure in Worcester dur
ing the fifteen years preceding the rev.
olutlon. Here he met and was on in
innate terms with many who came to
try causes before him, whose names
are now famous as participants on one
side or the other, in the great strug-
gle that came after, notably John
Adams.
The latter has left vivid recollec-
tlon OF the old brigadier's vigorous ex-
preston at the dinner table in John
Chambers house in 1852, on hearing of
the election of James Otis as represent
tive. This shows that he sensed the
situation in measure, even then.
The troubles Of the American loyal
lists or tories as they are commonly
called, furnish material for long chap
ter in the history of the exciting period
IN which they lived, and one filed with
details exceedingly unpleasant to con-
template.
OF course these remarks apply only
70 those who conscientiously opposed
the rising cause, and not to that other
class always attendant on what is
thought to be the powerful or winning
slde, acting entirely from material and
selfish motives.
The resentment of the patriots against
those known as "absentees," natural
" MANIFESTED at the time of the crisis,
seemed to increase in virulence after
the struggle was over, and some of
lhese persons ventured to return.
for several years these unfortunstes
were imprisoned, driven about. ard
otnerwlse prosecuted in a manner that
was anything but creditable to iheir
successful opponents In consequence
there was much suffering; some en-
countered great hardships, while others
met sad fates. The case of Alexander
McNeal of Boston is in mind. He re-
turned to his old home early in Feb
ruary, 1884, relying upon the forbear-
ance OF those he had known many
years. He was at once imprisoned and
soon after ordered to leave the state
He passed through Worcester on his
way to Canada, and later in the year
while travelling in the northern wilder
ness, was set upon and murdered by IT.
dams.
victim of popular spite in this vi
cinity was DR.. Samuel Stearns of Pax
ton. Although Lincoln, in his history
of Worcester, refers to him as an "as-
trologer almanac manufacturer and
quack by profession" Stearns appears
to have been man of parts and abil-
ity, which were recognized abroad
He fled to New York in 1915. and on his
return after the war was over, was i'm
prisoned for two years in the gaol in
Worcester. On his release, which was
obtained with difficulty, he went to
England, was grantedla pension by the
king, ana was received with considera-
ton by men of distinction. Herschell the
astronomer, among others. DIR. Sfearns
compiled many almanacs, and the first
materia medica or herbalist in eng
fish, published in this country, and was
the author of many books. He was
styled IAN American philosopher" in
some reference to him made in Europe
and also in an account of his travels.
Probably more or less of the feeling
against the tories was in consequence
the fact that a great deal of their land
property had been conf1scated, and that
restoration was feared by those who
coveted or already possessed it. The
cloak of patriotism, like that Of any
other virtue, may be worn to conceal
groSser motives. n.