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

The town-clerk during the years 1861, 1862, and 1863 was Nathan Hagar; during 1864 and 1865, George W. Cutting. The town-treasurer during all of these years was Horace Hewes.

1861. No legal town-meeting to consider matters in regard to the war appears to have been held during this year.

1862. July 19th, The selectmen were authorized to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years in the military service, ‘for the purpose of crushing the Rebellion,’ until the quota ‘required of this town (17) shall be furnished,’ the bounties to be paid when the men were mustered into the service and credited. August 2d, Voted, to give each volunteer, ‘to the number of Weston's quota,’ an additional hundred dollars who shall enlist within ten days; also to give each volunteer ten dollars ‘for each individual he may induce to join the military service as part of this town's quota.’ August 19th, Voted, to give a bounty of two hundred dollars to each volunteer for nine months service who shall enlist and be credited to the town within ten days. Another meeting was held on the 29th of August, in regard to the same matter. September 29th, The selectmen were directed ‘to enlist five more volunteers.’ It was also—

Resolved, That whereas we have learned that Ralph A. Jones, one of our volunteers has fallen in battle, and that others are known to be wounded; therefore—

Resolved, That Rev. Calvin H. Topliffe be requested to proceed to Maryland and recover, if possible, the body of said Ralph A. Jones, or of any others who have since died; and further, to attend to the wants of the wounded men suffering in any of the hospitals; that in case of the death of any volunteer forming part of the town's quota, whose family is entitled to State aid, the same shall be continued by the town.

November 4th, Rev. Calvin H. Topliffe was appointed to bring home the bodies of any volunteers who have fallen, or may fall