Page:History of Gardner, Massachusetts (1860) - Glazier.djvu/93

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Town History.
89

mont. After the lapse of a few years, the General of the rebellion passed through the streets of Worcester, which he once entered at the head of an army, and received assistance from those whose homes he had threatened with desolation.

At length he removed to Sparta, in New York. As a pensioner of the United States, he derived his daily bread from the government whose forces he had encountered in arms. Declarations filed in the department of war, by himself, show that his family consisted of an aged wife, and that he lived in extreme poverty. He died September 29th, 1825, aged 78.[1]

However much the honor and integrity of Daniel Shays were questioned, his courage was never disputed. He was in the battle of Bunker's Hill, at the capture of Burgoyne, and at the storming of Stony Point: was under Lafayette, and did good service in many bloody encounters. A severe wound, received during the revolution, was honorary testimonial of intrepidity."

The first annual town meeting was held the 5th of March, 1787.

Voted, to divide the town into four school districts. Also, to raise $66 for schooling the present year, and $50 to defray town charges. Now follows a long list of roads laid out and accepted by the town. See town records, book 1st, page 58.

  1. He married Nancy Haven, a widow. The schedule of hie property in 1820, filed in the pension office, exhibits a condition of almost utter destitution. It is as follows:

    1 mare, $25: 1 old saddle, $2.50: 1 bridle, 50: 1 old cutter, $5: 1 old axe, 62½ cents: 1 hoe, 62½ cents; 1 table, $3: 3 chairs, 1.12½: 1 old scythe and snath, 1.12½; 1 old pail, 12½ cents; 1 large bible, $1; amounting to $40.62½.