HISTORY OF NORTH BROOKFIELD

J. H. Temple’s, "History of North Brookfield, Massachusetts", 1887, contains three references to Jabez Olmsted, one of which is quite interesting. Sometimes Temple spells Olmsted an 'a' in it, and sometimes without. I copied it exactly as it was in the reference. I have added a note of my own at the end, in brackets, indicated by COH.

Page 179 of Temple

At the meeting of the Committee for Brookfield, September 4, 1713:

"Granted to new comers......80 acres of land to Jabez Olmsted (In a valley between the two Mohawk Hills and partly on them.)

Page 194 of Temple

Jabez Olmsted's property tax in 1717 was 1£ 8 p, of a total tax of 200£. His was 18th highest, out of 121 on the tax rolls.

Page 206 of Temple

THE OLD FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR, 1744-1749

War was declared by France against England, Mar. 15, 1744; and on the 29th, England declared war against France in return. This contest between the powers over the water, meant for New England a war with the Indians, with a repetition of all the atrocities and distress of former struggles with the savages .

Brookfield was no longer a frontier town. Leicester, Sturbridge, Brimfield, Western and Hardwick had been planted on her borders, and served as sentinels and guards. And settlements had been pushed up the Connecticut valley towards Canada, as far as Walpole and Charlestown, where the brunt of first assaults must be borne. The part which our people took in this war was chiefly to furnish officers for field expeditions, and soldiers to defend the distant frontier forts.

The declaration of war took the Provinces by surprise, and in a measure unprepared. Defensive forts were hastily constructed in most of the towns; and a continuous line of fortifications was built from Groton as far west as Adams. Fire-arms were put in repair; and the old men "fought their battles o'er again ", to arouse the spirit and courage of the young.

At the March meeting, 1745, Brookfield voted, "To choose a committee to require and receive the former Town Stock; of Ammunition; and to make a tax on polls and estates of 110 pounds, old tenor, to provide a new Stock of Ammunition."

Some of the old garrisons, particularly Gilbert's fort, must have been still in serviceable condition. And at least one new fort was built within our limits. This was "The old French Fort," which stood on the top of Coy's hill. Mrs. Eunice P. Cutter of Warren, who was born near by, has often heard her father and the old people describe the fort, the foundations of which had not wholly disappeared in her childhood. It was located on what is still known as " Rich land," north of the Powers' place. Probably it was what was termed a mount, i.e., a heavily timbered building, 18 or 20 feet square, and two stories high, with a look-out at the top surrounded by a balustrade and covered with a roof. These structures sometimes formed one corner of a stockade. The one in question appears to have been a part of, or adjacent to Rich's tavern, a noted hostelry on this height of land on the old Hadley road.

Col. Joseph Dwight of Brookfield took an important and honorable part in this war. He was commander of the Ninth Mass. regiment, in the memorable expedition against Louisburg in 1745, the success of which was the distinguishing feature of this war. He was commissioned Brigadier General by Gov. Shirley, Feb. 10, 1745; and in the active operations of the siege had command of the artillery, who, in order to bring their fire upon an undefended part of the town, were forced to draw their cannon by hand across a morass, where oxen and horses could not be used. The siege lasted 49 days; and the fort capitulated June 17. Gen. Dwight received special commendation from Sir Wm Pepperell; and June 20, was appointed judge of a Court of Admiralty.

Capt. Jabez Olmstead took part in this expedition. He commanded 10th Co. in Col. Samuel Willard's 4th Mass. regiment. James Fry was 1st Lieut.; and John Bell 2d Lieut. Edmund Bemis of Spencer was also a Lieut. in this Expedition. Bell and Bemis were armorers, and were allowed wages as such from Apr. 17, to June 17. Bell was allowed 7 pounds 6 shillings and 6 pence, old tenor, "on account of his sickness after his first return from Louisburg." The French had spiked their guns before surrendering, thus making them unserviceable; but Bemis built a wood fire around the breech, which so dilated the metal, that the spike was readily driven in, without injury. His ingenuity was rewarded by a handsome premium.

Jonathan Clary of Brookfield enlisted in Capt. Olmstead's Co. as drummer, Feb. 15, and died at Cape Breton June 7.

[NOTE - It should be noted that this expedition against Louisburg was the first time that an American Colonial army defeated a European army without receiving help from other Europeans! It is ironic that in the peace Louisburg was returned to the French.. COH]