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

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[446] during the war for State aid to soldiers' families, and repaid by the Commonwealth, was as follows: In 1861, $118.34; in 1862, $1,021.24; in 1863, $1,515.70; in 1864, $1,336.94; in 1865, $800.00. Total amount, $4,792.22.

The ladies of Sherborn were very active in their labors for the comfort of the soldiers.

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Shirley

Incorporated Jan. 5, 1753. Population in 1860, 1,468; in 1865, 1,217. Valuation in 1860, $662,067; in 1865, $676,275.

The selectmen in 1861 were James P. Longley, Samuel Farnsworth, Charles A. Edgarton; in 1862, 1863, and 1864, Stillman D. Benjamin, Nathaniel Hartwell, Alfred Page; in 1865, David Porter, George Davis, Edwin L. White.

The town-clerk during all these years was Zenas Brown. The town-treasurer in 1861, 1862, 1863, and 1864 was Thomas Whitney; in 1865, James P. Longley.

1861. A town-meeting was held April 30th, at which J. K. Going introduced resolutions, which were adopted, to the following effect: 1st. To pay all volunteers, citizens of the town who have enlisted or may enlist, twelve dollars a month, the same to be paid to their families at the discretion of the town, and if any should fall in battle the money to be paid to the families during the term for which the men enlisted; single men were to have the same paid to them or their legal representatives at the end of their terms of service; they were also to be furnished with proper outfits. 2d. Voted, to raise five hundred dollars by taxation for these purposes. 3d. James P. Longley, Samuel Farnsworth, and Charles A. Edgarton were chosen a committee to distribute the money.

1862. April 28th, Voted, to raise a thousand dollars for aid to the families of volunteers. June 19th, Voted, to borrow five hundred dollars for the same purpose. July 23d, Voted, to borrow sixteen hundred dollars to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer from that town, and to pay N. C. Munson for money already advanced by him. August 23d, The treasurer was authorized to borrow whatever sums of money were required to pay bounties to volunteers to fill the quota of the town.