William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 2

---

[145] we have to add that the ladies of New Bedford began early in the war. They held a meeting on the 18th of April, 1861, and organized for the work. Mrs. Joseph C. Delano was chosen president, Mrs. Lawrence Grinnel vice-presidentEddy, and Mrs. William Eddy secretary and treasurer. In addition to the above contributions, five hundred dollars were given by a lady to pay soldiers' wives for sewing. They also sent contributions to the St. Louis and Baltimore Soldiers' Fairs, and furnished tables at the New York and Boston Fairs.

---

Norton

Incorporated June 12, 1777. Population in 1860, 1,848; in 1865, 1,709. Valuation in 1860, $818,451; in 1865, $842,527.

The selectmen in 1861 and 1862 were Augustus Lane, William D. Wetherill, Horatio Bates; in 1863, William D. Wetherill, Horatio Bates, Benjamin E. Sweet; in 1864 and 1865, William D. Wetherill, Horatio Bates, Charles Sprague, Jr.

The town-clerk and the town-treasurer during all of these years was Austin Messenger.

1861. The first legal town-meeting, to act upon matters relating to the war, was held on the 4th of May, at which it was voted ‘that the town furnish each soldier who may enter the service of the country from Norton with a uniform, not to exceed ten dollars in cost; and that each soldier who has entered the service of the country, and who shall hereafter enter it from the town of Norton, shall receive fifteen dollars as a bounty; and a sum per month, in addition to what he may receive from the General Government or from the State, sufficient to make his pay twenty-six dollars per month, to be paid monthly.’

1862. At a regular meeting held on the 7th of April, the town voted to appropriate whatever money was necessary for the payment of State aid to the families of volunteers residing in Norton, said payments to be made by the selectmen, ‘and in accordance with a law of the Commonwealth.’ Another town-meeting was held on the 29th of July, at which it was voted ‘to pay two hundred dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist ’