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

‘ [65] well their sympathy in our struggle for national life; and many a poor wounded soldier blessed the unknown giver, as he shared in those comforts our ladies knew so well how to supply.’

Becket

The selectmen in 1861 and 1862 were Stephen W. Carter, Milton Barnes, Almeron Edwards; in 1863 and 1864, Timothy F. Snow, Stephen W. Carter, James N. Cross; in 1865, Stephen W. Carter, Miner Chaffee, Nathan W. Harris.

The town-clerk during all the years of the war was Mark P. Carter. The town-treasurer in 1861 and 1862 was Nathan W. Harris; in 1863, 1864, and 1865, Mark P. Carter.

1861. The first legal town-meeting, to act upon matters relating to the war, was held on the 7th of May; at which it was voted to appropriate two thousand dollars, for the benefit of volunteers who may enlist in the military service from Becket; and a committee, consisting of Wright Barnes, Miner Chaffee, and J. Norcott, was elected to have charge of the disbursement of the money. On the 20th of June another town-meeting was held, at which the treasurer was authorized to borrow such sums of money as may be necessary to pay State aid to the families of volunteers, residing in Becket, as limited by law, and bounties to volunteers who may enlist from this town.

1862. A properly warned town-meeting was held on the 26th of June, at which it was voted to authorize the town-treasurer to borrow money for the payment of State aid to the soldiers' families. Another meeting was held on the 24th of July, at which the treasurer was directed to borrow three thousand dollars, ‘to make up the amount paid by subscription to twenty volunteers, for three years service, who had enlisted and been credited to the quota of the town.’ The town also voted to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who should enlist to the credit of the town.

1863. No action appears to have been taken by the town, in its corporate capacity, in relation to the war during this year,