1774 September 7 (Wednesday). Breck gives me account that yesterday there assembled at Worcester 4722 Persons who were in arrangements under their particular Heads, leading each Town, but without Arms: Those Heads treated with the Judges and other Officers of the Court. The Court House was filled with Committees of Correspondence from each Town; and the Door fastened and guarded. The court walked from Haywoods Tavern to the Court House between the Ranks, with their Hatts off; and then back; a Paper being Read, Signifying that they would Endeavor etc. — but this not Satisfying, another was drawn, and Read Promising that they would not Sit etc. in that or any other Court — under the new Regulation by the late Acts of Parliament. I dont understand that there was any Disorder. The List stands thus,
Worcester [240?]
Princetown 60
Palmer — 38
Uxbridge — 156
Harvard — 103
Sutton — 500
Westborough 200
Hubbardston 55
Westminster 120
Rutland — 150
Lunenbourg 40
Oxford Troop — 40
Athol — 51
Western — 100
N. Shrewsbury 100
Royalston 39
Winchendon — 45
S. Shrewsbury 135
New Braintry 140
Southborough 35
Northborough 85
Brookfield 216
Chauxitt — 200
Oxford — 80
Douglass — 130
Leicester 180
Oakham — 50
Grafton — 210
Spencer 164
Petersham — 70
Holden — 100
Sturbridge 150
Paxton — 80
Hardwick 220
Bolton 100
Upton — 100
Templeton 120
4722
N.B. This, except Worcester and Spencer, is the order in which the Companys Stood from the Court House and Southward, viz. Uxbridge first, Westborough Second etc. A few companys had Arms. Breck tells me also that those Gentlemen and others in the Town of Worcester who Signed an Address to Gov. Hutchinson before his going away, Signed a Recantation, which was read to the multitudes. Tis Said the people behaved with Silence, Decency and in good Order. Read Considerations of the late Measures of Parliament.