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Yes, trivia buffs, it is really true. The town of Wrentham, which at the time included present day Franklin, Norfolk, and Plainville, got tired of waiting for Congress, debating in Philadelphia about whether to declare independence, and, in a town meeting voted to declare themselves independent! And it happened 250 years ago, today. There will be a small ceremony and informational sessions from Wrentham Historical Commission on Wrentham Common from 5-7 pm today. And the full text of OUR Declaration of Independence is reproduced, below...
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Declaration
of Independence, Town of Wrentham
WRENTHAM,
NORFOLK COUNTY.
June
5, 1776.
At
a general Town-Meeting of the Freeholders, and other inhabitants of
this Town, being warned, qualified, and assembled as the law directs,
at the publick Meeting-House in the First Precinct in this Town:
To Messrs.
BENJAMIN GUILD, JOSEPH HAWS, and
Doctor EBENEZER
DAGGETT, chosen
to represent this Town the ensuing year:
GENTLEMEN:
We, your constituents, in full town-meeting, June 5th,
1776, give you the following Instructions, viz:
Whereas
tyranny and oppression, a little more than a century and a half ago,
obliged our forefathers to quit their peaceful habitations and seek
an asylum in this distant land, amidst a howling wilderness,
surrounded with savage enemies, and destitute of almost every
convenience of life, was their unhappy situation. But such was their
zeal for the common rights of mankind, that they, under the smiles of
Divine Providence, surmounted every difficulty, and in a little time
were in the exercise of civil Government under the charter of the
Crown of Great
Britain.
But after some years had passed, and the Colonies had become of some
Importance, new troubles began to arise: the same spirit which caused
them to leave their native land still pursued them, joined by
designing men among themselves. Letters began to be written against
the Government, and the first Charter soon after destroyed. In this
situation, some years passed before another Charter could be
obtained; and although many of the rights and privileges of the first
Charter were abridged by the last, yet in that situation the
Government has been tolerably quiet until the year 1763, since which
the same spirit of oppression has risen up. Letters by divers
ill-minded persons have been written against the Government, in
consequence of which divers acts of the British Parliament
have been made, mutilating and destroying the Charter, and wholly
subversive of the Constitution. Fleets and armies have been sent to
enforce them, and at length a civil war has commenced, and the sword
is drawn in our land, and the whole United Colonies involved in one
common cause. The repeated and humble petitions of the people have
been wantonly rejected with disdain. The Prince we once adored has
commissioned the instruments of his hostile oppressions to lay waste
our dwellings with fire and sword, to rob us of our property, and
wantonly to stain the land with the blood of its innocent
inhabitants. He has entered into treaties with the most cruel
nations, to hire an army of mercenaries to subjugate the Colonies to
his cruel and arbitrary purposes. In short, all hopes of an
accommodation are entirely at an end. A reconciliation has become as
dangerous as it is absurd. A recollection of past injuries will
naturally kindle and keep alive the flames of jealousy. We, your
constituents, therefore, think that to be subject to or dependant on
the Crown of Great
Britain would
not only be impracticable, but unsafe and dangerous to the State. The
inhabitants of this town, therefore, in full town-meeting,
unanimously instruct and direct you to give your vote, if the
honourable American Congress
(in whom we place the highest confidence under God)
should think necessary for the safety of the United Colonies to
declare them independent on Great
Britain,
that we. your constituents, with our lives and fortunes, will most
cheerfully support them in the measure.
Touching
the internal policy of this Colony, it has been found, by long
experience, a great charge to a great number of the towns in the
Colony that they have to go to but one town in each County for the
Probate of Wills and the Register of Deeds. We, your constituents,
are of opinion, that each office would be more to the advantage of
the people, were they kept in each town, under suitable directions.
Therefore, we, your constituents, instruct you to use your influence
in the General Court to obtain an act enabling the several towns in
this Colony to keep each of said offices within the limits of the
same.
Gentlemen,
not doubting your zeal and abilities in the common cause, and your
firm attachment to peace and good order, and in the same confidence
in your sincere attachment to the publick weal, we readily submit all
other matters of publick moment that may require your consideration
to your own wisdom and discretion.
