USA > California > Register of the California Society, Sons of the Revolution in the State of California, 1902 > Part 3
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CHARLES BEACH BOOTHE
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OSGOOD, BENJAMIN
1754-1824
Private, Captain Jonathan Minott's Company from Westford, Massa- chusetts, Colonel James Prescott's Regiment "Lexington Alarm," served 10 days. Private, Captain Jonathan Minott's Company of Colonel Baldwin's Regiment Massachusetts troops. Enlisted Janu- ary, 1776, and served at siege of Boston.
JOSIAH ALONZO OSGOOD JOHN HAMILTON OSGOOD
PARRIS, SAMUEL 1755-1847
Orderly Sergeant of Colonel Paul Dudley Sergeant's Regiment at siege and evacuation of Boston. Afterwards in Naval Service, cap- tured and imprisoned at Santa Cruz, W. I .; Commissioned Lieu- tenant of Massachusetts troops 1777.
WILLIS PARRIS
PEACHY, BENJAMIN 1746-1835
Private in Company of Captains Beasley, Cummings and Wooley. Colonel Israel Shreve's Regiment, New Jersey troops. Private in Captain Elijah Davis' Company First Battalion Cumberland County, New Jersey, Militia. Private In New Jersey Continental Line. Served at Valley Forge and engaged in the battles of Monmouth, Elizabethtown and Yorktown.
GEORGE WASHINGTON PEACHY
PUTNAM, RUFUS 1738-1824
Lieutenant-Colonel of Massachusetts Regiment commanded by Col- onel David Brewer. 1775; Detailed by Washington as Acting Chief Engineer of the Army at Siege of Boston ; Appointed by Congress in 1776 Chief Engineer of Continental Army with rank of Colonel ; Resigned December, 1776, and commissioned Colonel Fifth Mass- achusetts Regiment, and was distinguished in the campaign against Burgoyne ; Commissioned Brigadler-General, Continental Army, January, 1783, and served to close of war. Erected Fort Putnam at West Point, N. Y. Member of the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati.
CHARLES PUTNAM FENNER
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RICHARDSON, JOHN
1737-1819
Private in Captain William Henry's Company. Colonel Whitney's Massachusetts Regiment, May 5, 1777-July 5, 1777; Private in Captain Josiah Wilder's Company of Colonel Nathan Sparhawk's Mass. Regiment, Bennington Alarm, Aug. 21, 1777. Served 10 days. JOHN RICHARDSON HALL
ROSE, PELEG
Private in Captain Abel Spicer's Company of Col. Samuel H. Par- sons' Sixth Connecticut Regiment. Enlisted May 8. discharged De- cember 18. 1775. Served at Roxbury during the siege of Boston. FRANK WILLIAM KING
SEYMOUR, THOMAS YOUNG
Lieutenant. January 10. 1777, promoted Captain, October 20. 1777. in Colonel Elisha Sheldon's Second Regiment Connecticut Conti- nental Light Dragoons. Served actively under General Gates in the Burgoyne Campaign. Resigned November 23, 1778. Member of the Connecticut Society of the Cincinnati.
REV. GUY WOODBRIDGE WADSWORTH THOMAS SEYMOUR WADSWORTH
SINCLAIR, JOSHUA
1759-1846
Fifer in Company of Captain Joseph Badger, Jr., New Hampshire Militia 1776. Private in Colonel Joseph Badger's Regiment New Hampshire Militia. 1776. Private in Captain Amos Morrill's Com- pany. Colonel John Stark's New Hampshire Continental Regiment. July 1, 1777. Private in Second Company, First Regiment New Hampshire Continental Line, Colonel Joseph Cilley. Enlisted for three years and served at Valley Forge and in Battle of Monmouth.
HENRY HARBINSON SINCLAIR
SINCLAIR, RICHARD
Captain In Colonel John Waldron's Regiment, New Hampshire Mi- litia, March. 1776. Captain in Tenth Regiment, New Hampshire Militia, Colonel Joseph Badger. 1776. Captain in Colonel Thomas Bartlett's Regiment New Hampshire Militia. June 29 to October 27, 1780. Served at West Point and along the Hudson River.
HENRY HARBINSON SINCLAIR
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STOUT, DANIEL
1758- 1843
Private in Company Commanded by his father Captain John Stout in Colonel Samuel Forman's Regiment, New Jersey Militia. Served at Perth Amboy, Tom's River, Monmouth Court House and partici- pated in several skirmishes in various tours from August, 1776, to 1783.
CHARLES WILLIAM ROGERS IVINS DAVIS ROGERS
STOUT, JOHN
Captain in the Second Regiment, Monmouth County New Jersey Militia, during the Revolutionary War.
CHARLES WILLIAM ROGERS IVINS DAVIS ROGERS
TAYLOR, TIMOTHY
1751-1800
Sergeant in Captain Nehemiah Beardsley's Company, Colonel David Waterbury's Fifth Connecticut Continental Regiment. May 9 to De- cember 11, 1775. Ensign of Captain Noble Benedict's Company Colonel Bradley's Battalion, Wadsworth's Brigade, 1776. Taken prisoner at Fort Washington November 16, 1776. Commissioned Lieutenant, September 1, 1777. of Captain Henry Ten Eyck's Com- pany. Second Regiment Connecticut Line, Colonel Charles Webb. Company detached and formed part of the Second Battalion of Col- onel Return Jonathan Meigs' Regiment in assault of Stony Point, July 15, 1779. Promoted Captain, December 17, 1781, Third Regiment Connecticut Line. Colonel Samuel B. Webb. Continued as Captain in Second Regiment Connecticut Line 1783, Colonel Heman Swift and served to end of War. Member of Connecticut Society of Cincinnati.
REV. ALEXANDER MOSS MERWIN
THOMPSON, HUGH
1748-1812
Private in Captain Jeremiah Talbot's Company of Colonel William Irvine's Pennsylvania Battalion, 1776. Participated in Canada Campaign and afterwards was Sergeant in Captain Jeremiah Talbot's Company, 7th Pennsylvania Line, January 31, 1777, to 1781.
Major ALFRED CLARENCE SHARPE, U. S. Army
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VAN ETTEN, ANTHONY
1726-1778 "Associator," Orange County, New York, 1775. Assassinated by Tories.
HOLDRIDGE OZRO COLLINS
VAN ETTEN, JACOB 1696- "Associator." Ulster County, New York, 1775. HOLDRIDGE OZRO COLLINS
VAN INWEGEN, HARMANUS
"Associator," and Private in Captain Westfall's Company. Colonel Klock's Regiment, Orange County, New York, Militia, 1775.
HOLDRIDGE OZRO COLLINS
VAN VLIET, JAN 1694- "Associator," Ulster County, New York, 1775. HOLDRIDGE OZRO COLLINS
WESTBROOK, JOHANNES
"Associator," Orange County, New York, 1775, and Captain in Col- onel Jacob Klock's Second Regiment, New York Militia.
HOLDRIDGE OZRO COLLINS
WOOSTER, WALTER
1745-1829
Sergeant of Captain Ell Leavenworth's Company, Sixth Regiment, "Connecticut Line," commanded by Colonel Return Jonathan Meigs. Enlisted March 2, 1777, discharged February, 1780. Par- ticipated in Colone! Meigs' Raid at Sag Harbor, May 24, 1777; se- verely wounded at King's Bridge. 1777; at west Point, winter of 1777-1778; with Washington at White Plains 1778 and with Regi- ment at Redding. winter of 1778-1779: he led the storming detach- ment at capture of fort at Horseneck. February, 26. 1779, and he participated in the capture of Stony Point July 15, 1779. After his discharge. he was appointed Revenue officer at Derby. Connecticut. and he collected the war taxes for the Continental Army. Was commissioned Captain in Connecticut Militia after close of the war.
HOLDRIDGE OZRO COLLINS
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WALKER, SETH
1756-1838
Private in Doctor Hall Jackson's Company of Field Artillery at Portsmouth, N. H., Nov, 5, 1775: Sergeant of Captain Abel Wal- ker's Company in Colonel Benjamin Bellows' Regiment New Hampshire Militia, which went to re-enforce the Continental Army at Ticonderoga, May 7, 1777; Ensign of Captain Abel Walker's Company from Charleston, N. H., Colonel David Hobart's N. H. Regiment, General Stark's Brigade at Saratoga, July 21, 1777.
WILLIAM ATHEARN HARTWELL
WELLMAN, JACOB
1750-1824
Private in Captain Levi Spaulding's Company of Colonel James Reed's Regiment New Hampshire Militia. Enlisted April 23.1775: Wounded at Battle of Bunker Hill and served during the siege of Boston.
FRANK PUTNAM FLINT
WHEELER, JOSIAH
1743-1817
Volunteer Guard of the tea ship "Dartmouth," and member of the "Boston Tea Party" Dec. 16, 1773. Captain of Company of Mas- sachusetts minute men composed of carpenters and joiners. Su- perintended erection of fortifications on Dorchester Heights at siege of Boston, 1775. Presented with a sword by Washington.
EDWARD MEADOR BLAKE
WILLIAMS, SETH
1756-1817
Private in Captain Macy Williams' Company from Easton, Mass., in " Lexington Alarm;" Private in Captain Macy Williams' Com- pany. Colonel Timothy Walker's Massachusetts Regiment, enlisted May 2. 1775; served eight months; Private in Captain Samuel Robinson's Company. Colonel Wade's Massachusetts Regiment, June 21-July 13. 1778; Private in Captain Samuel White's Company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter's Massachusetts Regiment. Served on expedition to Rhode Island, August 18,-September 8. 1778.
JOHN RICHARDSON HALL HENRY ATHERTON NICHOLS
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YOUNG, AARON
1746 1801
Sergeant of Captain Abraham French's Company, Colonel Joshua Wingate's Regimeni New Hampshire Militia. Served November. 1775. on Great-Island in the defence of Piscataqua Harbor: Pri- vate In Captain John Colfe's Company of Colonel T. Bartlett's Regiment New Hampshire Militia, 1776: Second Lieutenant, Sep- tember 8,-December 16, 1777. of Captain Ezra Currier's Company of Colonel Abraham Drake's Regiment, New Hampshire Militia, raised to re-enforce the Continental Army near Stillwater, Septem- ber, 1777.
FRANK CLARKE PRESCOTT
George Washington
February 11-22, 1731-2 December 14, 1799
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RESPONSE BY FRANK WILBUR BURNETT At the Society Dinner in Los Angeles, In commemoration of the One hundred and thirtieth anniversary of FEBRUARY. 22. 1732
E are here tonight in remembrance of one who could well have said with Coriolanus,
"I do love My country's good with a respect more tender. More holy and profound than mine own life."
For a hundred years the memory of Washington has been celebrated as that of no other man in any age or country. No other citizen has yet been honored by this great nation by making his birthday a national holiday. For a century all that is best of the intellect and the elo- quence of the land has annually contributed to the fame of his virtues and achievements. The day is more generally observed now than in the past, and there are many reasons why the memory of Washington will continue to be more and more revered as the years go by. I shall not attempt on this occasion in the few minutes allotted to me to do
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more than to remind you in a general way of what we owe to him.
Before the birth of Washington there had not existed anywhere on this earth a government where the people ruled, where life and property were protected, and where a standing army was not at once the bulwark and the danger of the government. So-called republics, ancient and mod- ern, had appeared upon the scene at intervals, but each one failed in some essential particular to be a government of the people, for the people.
When this government was launched by the fathers, with Washington at their head, it was regarded as an ex- periment, and continued to be so regarded for many years. Even Longfellow said :
"Sail on ! O Ship of State. Sail on ! O Union strong and great. Humanity with all its fears, With all its hopes of future years, Is hanging breathless on thy fate."
But the wisdom displayed in its construction was such that it has survived all dangers, increased in strength and is found to be fully adapted to the sway of empire over dis- tant lands.
What a magnificent spectacle this great nation of 80,000,000 presents, expanding, growing, overshadowing all other nations of the world. There is not now and never has been anything like it under the sun.
Washington had a pre-eminent share in bringing about the conditions which made these splendid results pos- sible. No enthusiast would claim for him all the credit, but as the years go by, the lesser names fade from memory, and that of Washington stands out more clearly as the head and front of that movement which first secured independence
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and then established our form of government.
The aggregate wisdom and foresight of the Fathers become more and more apparent as the years go by. This country, progressing upon the lines then formed, has reached a position among the nations of the world without a parallel in modern times. England which, at least twice in our history, would have consigned us to perdition, now exhibits as much anxiety to claim relationship as an heir to a large estate. All Germany is singing our praises, and Prince Henry is coming here on a courting trip. In fact all Europe is making "goo-goo" eyes at us.
We accept these advances in a friendly way, but we know the attention is reluctantly bestowed. In fact our progress and present position have commanded it. And what we are now and what we may become, we owe to Washington more than to any other one man. It is there- fore fitting that his birthday should be celebrated as it will be celebrated as long as this government continue.
"Nothing can cover his high fame, but heaven: No pyramids set off his memories, But the eternal substance of his greatness, To which I leave him."
Biographies
GEORGE WASHINGTON PEACHY
Son of BENJAMIN PEACHY A Soldier of the Continental Army
HE Society Sons of the Revolution in the State of California occupies the unique position of having upon its membership roll the son of a soldier who served through numerous campaigns, participated in many battles and endured all the rigors and hardships of Valley Forge during the war of the Revolution.
Benjamin Peachy was born in New Jersey, on Decem- ber 26, 1746, and died in Washington, Davis County, Indi- ana, in 1835. His first enlistment was in the spring of 1777, when he was assigned to the New Jersey Regiment commanded by Colonel Israel Shreve. Subsequently he served in the First Battalion of the Cumberland County, New Jersey Militia, and finally he enlisted in the New Jer- sey Continental Line where he remained until the close of the war.
He was engaged in the Battles of Elizabethtown, Mon- mouth, Yorktown, and in numerous skirmishes, and he was one of the heroic band whose endurance and bravery during the terrible winter at Valley Forge were the preservation of the establishment of the Continental army. His name and services appear at large in the New Jersey State offi-
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cial records, and on the rolls of the Pension office at Wash- ington.
His first wife was Miss Patterson, daughter of the owner of the town site of Patterson, New Jersey.
Soon after the declaration of peace, with his family he moved to Mason County, Kentucky, of which he was one of the first settlers. Here his wife died, leaving him several sons and daughters, who, as they arrived at maturity, mar- ried and established homes for themselves in Kentucky and Indiana.
In his old age, a mutual attraction sprang up between him and Miss Elizabeth C. Broadus, the daughter of a neighbor, but the course of true love in their case was ob- structed by the shot-guns of her brothers, who threatened his life, should he presume to persuade their sister to a marriage, so great was the disparity in their ages. Her family moved to Washington, Indiana, and while they were there, Benjamin took occasion to visit two of his married sons living in that place. The ever youthful Cupid laughs at the obstructions against his mischief by hoary Time, as well as of locks and bars, and so, on a bright moonlight night, this aged Romeo carried his Juliet over the State line into Illinois, where they were married. Benjamin Peachy being a man of position and comparative wealth. the family of his bride was soon reconciled to the inevitable. and the happy pair returned to the Kentucky home in Ma- son County, where on May 18, 1829, was born their son GEORGE WASHINGTON PEACHY, literally a SON OF THE REVOLUTION.
Both Benjamin Peachy and his wife, longing for the companionship of their relatives, while GEORGE was an in fant, moved to Washington, Indiana, where a farm was purchased and upon which the family resided until the death
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of Benjamin. In 1831 was born to this aged father a daughter, named Martha Jane Peachy, who was married at San Joaquin, California, to Colonel R. W. Stephenson, who became a distinguished officer in the Confederate Army un- der Gen. Price.
In the vicinity of the home of Benjamin, lived another soldier of the Revolution named George Lashly, and the most enthusiastic love of his country was impressed upon the heart of the little GEORGE in listening to the oft re- peated stories by these veterans of their campaigns, their battles, their bleeding feet at Valley Forge, and the great tenderness and solicitude of Washington for his suffer- ing command. The lessons of patriotism of these old he- roes, and their hatred of England, have never been forgot- ten by that boy, and probably there is no one living with a more thorough detestation of England and English traits than GEORGE WASHINGTON PEACHY, who received his name through the veneration of his father for his Great Captain.
After the death of Benjamin, his widow went to live with relatives in Ohio, leaving GEORGE at Princeton, Indi- ana, with James Finney, with whom he remained until he was thirteen years old, learning the trade of harness and saddle making. In later years he was engaged in the har- ness, saddle and leather business in Louisville, Kentucky, and New Orleans, Louisiana, finally settling in Evansville, Indiana, when he was married October 16, 1849.
On March 24, 1853, with his wife and two children he started overland for California, and the journey consumed six months, lacking eleven days, his family suffering all the hardships and perils of such a migration. He settled in Stockton, and he has lived in Sacramento, Marysville and Susanville. On April 8, 1881, he removed to Los Angeles,
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where he has carried on an extensive manufactory of sad- dles, harness and leather findings.
In stature he is six feet and six inches, and well pro- portioned, weighing three hundred and twenty pounds. In appearance he is a dignified, handsome, elderly gentleman of a robust constitution that bids fair to carry him through many years of useful old age.
His spacious home stands upon extensive grounds in East Los Angeles, and here in the society of his charming wife and children, he lives the life of an exemplary Chris- tian, in the respect and affection of his neighbors and asso- ciates.
Major General NATHANIEL FOLSOM Ancestor of HENRY ATHERTON NICHOLS WILLARD ATHERTON NICHOLS
ATHANIEL FOLSOM, the son of Jonathan Folsom and Anna Ladd, his wife, was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, in 1726.
Nathaniel was fourteen years of age when his father, who was a farmer, died, leaving a large family, some of them quite young. Nathaniel learned a trade and became a good mechanic, but his tastes led him to a military life, and he was carly made an officer of the militia.
In 1755 he was in command of a Company of the New Hampshire Regiment which marched through the woods to join the forces of Gen. Sir William Johnson in the "Crown Point" expedition. Upon their arrival, the New Hampshire troops were stationed at Fort Edward, and on the 8th of September, a scouting party having brought in news of burning wagons in the road, Captain Folsom, with his Company and part of another, was despatched to ascertain the cause. He fell in, soon after four o'clock in the after- noon, with the retreating army of Dieskau, near Bloody Pond, and immediately engaged in battle until night.
The enemy then continued their retreat, having suf- fered heavy loss, and Folsom returned to camp, bringing with him, besides his own wounded, many prisoners and all the enemy's baggage and ammunition. By this brilliant exploit, with a loss of only six men of his command of one
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hundred and twenty men, against 1,000 of the enemy, as well as by his conduct through the campaign, Captain Fol- som gained the reputation of an energetic, skilful and brave officer.
Upon his return from this campaign he engaged suc- cessfully in mercantile business, but kept up his interest in the militia. He was appointed Major in 1767, and soon after Gov. John Wentworth made him Colonel of a Regi- ment. In 1774 he was appointed Justice of the Peace. Al- though the Government showed him marked favor, Col. Folsom, from the beginning of the contest with the Crown as to taxation, took decided ground against the Stamp Act and joined his countrymen in all later remonstrances.
He was for several years prior to the Revolution, a member of the Assembly of the Province and was a promi- nent member of the opposition, or liberal party. He was a member of the Assembly in 1774 which came into conflict with Gov. Wentworth as a result of its decision to corre- spond with other colonies as to their grievances against the ministry. The Governor dissolved the House and dispersed them as a treasonable gathering. They met immediately thereafter at a private house and issued a call to all the towns of the Province to elect deputies to meet for the choice of delegates to a general congress. Eighty-five del- egates chosen therefor by the different towns met in Exeter on the 21st day of July, 1774, and chose two delegates to the General Congress to be held in Philadelphia. Colonel Nathaniel Folsom was one of the two elected, and he at- tended the Congress.
After his return to Exeter, he took command of an armed and mounted force of prominent Exeter men to pro- ceed to Portsmouth to guard the return of a party which made a successful raid upon Fort William and Mary to ob-
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tain the supply of guns and ammunition stored there. This plan had been secretly and carefully prepared by some citi- zens of Exeter and vicinity for the purpose of obtaining munitions for the conflict they so clearly saw must come. Col. Folsom's advocacy of his countrymen's rights, and es- pecially his connection with this raid upon Fort William and Mary,-an overt act ante-dating Lexington, -- cost him his royal commission as Justice of the Peace.
He was again elected to the New Hampshire Assembly in 1775, and, the Liberal party being dominant, he was cre- ated, in recognition of his military ability and patriotism, Major General of all the troops of New Hampshire, three Regiments of which were encamped around Boston. He at once repared to Cambridge and took command of the New Hampshire troops then in the field. He served in the Siege of Boston, being stationed at Winter Hill. He remained in the field until Congress adopted the army, including his three Regiments, and appointed its commanders. Gen. Fol- som then returned to Exeter to continued hard work in the public service. He was retained as Major General of the State militia who were continually kept in readiness for active service. More than fifty times during the war, de- tachments from his command were sent to the front.
Early in 1776 the State Legislature elected Gen. Fol- som a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, an office which he held,-being a part of the time its Chief Justice-until his death in 1790, and in 1776 he was chosen one of the first Councillors of the State.
During the war of the Revolution he was also four years a member of the Committee of Safety, was repeatedly chosen to the Legislature, and in 1777, and again in 1779, was elected a delegate to the Continental Congress, in which he took his full part.
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On the 10th of January, 1778, Congress appointed Gen. Folsom one of a committee of five of its members to proceed to Valley Forge to inspect the army and its conditions, and to report as to reforms required to secure future efficiency. They remained nearly three months in camp and their re- port was adopted almost in its entirety by Congress. Gen. Washington had no warmer supporter than Nathaniel Fol- som.
The enumeration of the many public offices, embracing judicial, legislative and executive duties, held at the same time by Nathaniel Folsom during the war, although not un- common as to the two branches last named, pointed to a de- fect in the constitution of the State ; but the perfect confi- dence reposed in Gen. Folsom's honesty and patriotism si- lenced all opposition as to him.
Nathaniel Folsom married, first, Dorothy Smith, by whom he had six children, the third child, Deborah, marry- ing John Taylor Gilman, of Exeter. Dorothy Folsom died February, 1776. He married, second, Mrs. Mary (Sprague) Fisher, by whom he had one daughter.
Nathaniel Folsom died the 26th of May, 1790, in Exe- ter, New Hampshire, his native town and the home of his ancestors for three generations. A contemporary notice describes him as exemplary in all the relations of life, a faithful public servant and a sincere Christian.
Colonel NICHOLAS GILMAN
Ancestor of HENRY ATHERTON NICHOLS WILLARD ATHERTON NICHOLS
ICHOLAS GILMAN, the son of Colonel Daniel Gil- man and Mary Lord, his wife, was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, October 21st, 1731.
In 1755 he marched as Lieutenant of the First Company of the New Hampshire Regiment, commanded by Colonel Peter Gilman, his uncle, to join the operations around Lake George in that year.
Prior to the Revolution, he held many important civil and military appointments under the Wentworths. He was, however, an ardent supporter of the protest against Stamp duties, and especially against the duties on tea in 1770. In 1774 some prominent citizens formed a plan to strip Fort William and Mary, in Portsmouth harbor, of its arms and ammunition for use in the conflict that seemed sure to come. Col. Nicholas Gilman was one of the armed party from Exeter that marched to Portsmouth to cover the return of the successful raiding party on their way up river in boats with their captured powder and guns.
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