USA > Massachusetts > History of the Military company of the Massachusetts, now called the Ancient and honorable artillery company of Massachusetts. 1637-1888, Vol. II > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66
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This very complete history of the Ancient and Honorable Company of Boston (five volumes). the oldest military organization C in this country, and next to the Honourable artillery Company of London, probably the oldest in the world, comprising, as it does, a membership from 1637. to 1903. is one of the most valuable publications 13 in the United states. It contains portraits of most of its past commanders, with brief historical gonealogical sketches of all of its captains, non-commissioned officers and privatos, with their dates of joining, and much other valuable information.
In it are the records of Captain William Davis, my grogrand- father who married (2 ) Huldah Symmes, daughter of Rev. Zechariah Symmes. first minister of Charlestown. Mass, whose daughter. Huldah, married (Edward Rainsford, founder of the "Old South Church", and was brother f Sir Richard Reinsford, Lord High Chancellor of England (see p. 129. jol. I. ) Captain Davis was captain in 1643, 1664 and 1672, having been elected sergeant, ensign and lieutenant prior thereto. He was in King Philip's war 1675-6 and was wounded. He was for many years Selectman of Boston; also, overseer of the poor, and one of the founders of the "01d
south Church". Two of his sons, Benjamin and William, also joined the hcient and Honorable Artillery Company. the former in 1673 and the atter in 1677 (see p.p. 129-130, Vol. I. )
Another gr grandfather, John Goldthwaite, of Salem and Boston (1/11) (1720) joined (see p. 375, Vol. I) and subsequently two of his sons, Captain Joseph (1732) and Benjamin (1740), both Colonial soldiers of distinction. (See my records. - printed - of their long military service. ) Many contemporaries of these, my ancestors -- whom I had heard my mother and grandmother refer to -- joined during the 18th century
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During the 19th century, many of my friends -- mostly members of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion -- joined this celebrated company, as well as friends whom I had known in the "Boston Tigers" and "First Corps of Cadets". These I have indicated by a red check. The index is very correct and in every way the entire work is almost invaluable to mo as a book of reference.
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3337
FANEUIL HALL, 1805, BEFORE ENLARGEMENT.
HISTORY
OF The Military Company of the Massachusetts
NOW CALLED
The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts.
1637-1888.
BY OLIVER AYER ROBERTS, HISTORIAN OF THE COMPANY.
VOLUME II. - 1738-1821.
BOSTON: ALFRED MUDGE & SON, PRINTERS, 24 FRANKLIN STREET. 1897.
1142462
THIS VOLUME
Is Dedicated to the memory OF
MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM HEATH (1765), MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN BROOKS (1786),
MAJOR-GENERAL BENJAMIN LINCOLN (1786), MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN HULL (1788),
OFFICERS IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
AND MEMBERS OF
THE ANCIENT AND HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY, WHO, WITH THEIR COMRADES IN ARMS,
" . . . Shook the feudal tower, And shattered slavery's chain as well; On the sky's dome, as on a bell, Its echo struck the world's great hour."
ARMORY OF THE ANCIENT AND HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY
OF MASSACHUSETTS.
FANEUIL HALL, BOSTON, December 25, 1896.
To the Members of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts :
The Committee on Military Museum and Library have now the pleasure of presenting the second volume of the History, from June 1, 1738, to June 1, 1822.
The third volume is now well under way, and it is hoped will be in print before the end of the present year, and that the close of 1898 will find the fourth and last volume completed.
EDWARD WYMAN, Chairman. ALBERT ALONZO FOLSOM. GEORGE HENRY ALLEN. WILLIAM PARKER JONES. HENRY WALKER.
WILLIAM LITHGOW WILLEY, Secretary.
PREFACE.
HE kind reception accorded the first volume of the History of the Ancient and T Honorable Artillery Company was extremely gratifying to the Committee on Publication and to the historian of the Company, and has been helpful in the preparation of this second volume.
It was originally intended that this volume should cover the entire period of the second century of the Company's existence; but the large number of members of the Company active in the Revolutionary War, and the prominent parts they took in the stirring events in and around Boston during that period, defeated the original intention. This volume, therefore, ends with the town government of Boston (1821), and the third volume will commence with the year 1822, when the city government of Boston was inaugurated.
In 1783, just after the declaration of peace, the population of Boston numbered about ten thousand; in 1821, forty-five thousand. Young men from various parts of New England rushed to its metropolis and established themselves in trade or mechanical pursuits. Many of them became members of the Artillery Company, some of whom, after a short residence in Boston, removed to other localities. It has been impossible to learn whence some of them came or whither they went. The facts recorded concerning these members are therefore comparatively few.
The arbitrary system adopted in the former volume is continued in this. Each year, from 1738 to 182r, is complete in itself. The records of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company are given in full in this and the preceding volume, from the earliest preserved record (1698) until the year 1800. Subsequent to the last mentioned date, those portions of the records which are of value in presenting a correct account of the Company are inserted in the text. During the present century, the records have been kept with much care, and enter largely into the details of Company affairs. Such matters as reports of committees on arrangements for anniversaries, names and number of guests invited, names of members admitted or discharged, and minor details of Company business are omitted, while the essential facts, constituting a portion of the history of the Company, have been recorded in their appropriate places.
The index of this volume is constructed on the same principle as that in the preceding volume. Every student of local history, or searcher after genealogical facts,
1
VIII
PREFACE.
has probably had his patience tried in looking up a-large number of references, many simply trivial, with no clew as to which reference would afford knowledge of the subject. To obviate this perplexity, the first reference under each name in the index refers to a biographical sketch or to the fullest information regarding that subject in this volume. Other references are incidental. The great value of this method is a sufficient reason for a departure from the common style.
The compiler is under increased obligations to many persons who have furnished biographical data. The names of those persons, near and far, who have rendered this valuable service, are too many for enumeration. A part of them, however, are mentioned in the notes.
His special indebtedness for valuable assistance rendered is to Mr. John Ward Dean, editor of the "New England Historical and Genealogical Register," Boston, and librarian of the New England Historic Genealogical Society ; also to Mr. William Prescott Greenlaw, of Cambridge, assistant librarian of the above-named society, who has cheerfully rendered every assistance sought by the author in the preparation of this volume.
With a knowledge of its imperfections, but trusting in their fraternal forbearance, this volume is respectfully submitted to the members of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company.
If it is believed that on these pages justice has been done to the memory of those members of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company who fought for the independence of the colonies, and of those who, holding high civil or military authority, fashioned the state, then the patient toil of years will be amply rewarded.
CHRISTMAS DAY, 1896,
MELROSE, MASS.
OLIVER A. ROBERTS.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
FRONTISPIECE - FANEUIL HALL, 1805, BEFORE ENLARGEMENT.
PORTRAIT - DANIEL HENCHMAN (1712) .
facing page 2
PORTRAIT - JOSEPH DWIGHT (1734)
25
PORTRAIT -JOHN CARNES (1733)
49
PORTRAIT - EBENEZER STORER (1732)
51
PORTRAIT - JOSEPH JACKSON (1738)
46
60
PORTRAIT - WILLIAM TAYLOR (1738)
99
PORTRAIT - THOMAS MARSHALL (1761)
116
PORTRAIT - JOHN WINSLOW (1764) .
121
PORTRAIT - THOMAS DAWES (1754) .
66
138
PORTRAIT - WILLIAW HEATH (1765)
=
44 162
PORTRAIT - MARTIN GAY (1761)
=
=
192
PORTRAIT - BENJAMIN LINCOLN (1786)
64
229
PORTRAIT - ANDREW CUNNINGHAM (1786)
46
280
PUNCH BOWL . .
46
286
PORTRAIT - ROBERT GARDNER (1794)
304
PORTRAIT - BENJAMIN RUSSELL (1788)
312
PORTRAIT -JAMES PHILLIPS (1790) .
66
319
PORTRAIT - DANIEL MESSINGER (1792)
322
FANEUIL, HALL, 1806, AFTER ENLARGEMENT
329
OLD FLAG OF THE ARTILLERY COMPANY .
44
331
PORTRAIT - PETER OSGOOD (1797) .
342
MEETING-HOUSE OF FIRST CHURCH, ON SUMMER STREET
351
PORTRAIT - ARNOLD WELLES (18II) 66
355
OLD FLAG OF THE ARTILLERY COMPANY .
. 360, 361
PORTRAIT - JOHN ROULSTONE (1812)
facing page 383
PORTRAIT - HENRY A. S. DEARBORN (1816)
66
386
PORTRAIT - EBENEZER MATTOON (1817) .
392
PORTRAIT - ZACHARIAH G. WHITMAN (18IO) .
401
PORTRAIT - BENJAMIN LORING (1810)
402
CERTIFICATE OF MEMBERSHIP, 1819 .
411
PORTRAIT - GEORGE WELLES (1807)
= 418
PORTRAIT -- WILLIAM H. SUMNER (1819)
46 4.36
144
PORTRAIT - SAMUEL BARRETT (1755)
165
OLD FLAG OF THE ARTILLERY COMPANY .
PORTRAIT -JOHN BROOKS (1786)
223
PORTRAIT - WILLIAM HULL (1788) .
245
44
270
PORTRAIT - AMASA DAVIS (1786)
I68
PORTRAIT - JAMES "CUNNINGHAM (1761)
46
HISTORY
OF THE
Military Company of the Massachusetts
NOW CALLED
The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts.
THE Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts had but a moderate T degree of prosperity during the closing years of its first century and the opening years of its second century. Immigration had comparatively ceased, currency was inflated, commerce restricted, industries were crippled, natural rights and chartered privileges threatened.
The first enumeration of the inhabitants of the town of Boston now known was in 1722, during the prevalence of the small-pox, when the selectmen ordered a "perlus- tration of the town." It was then reported that the number of inhabitants was 10,567, " besides those who had died or removed out of town." The same year Mr. Bonner estimated the population to be 12,000. This was probably nearly the correct number just prior to the appearance of the small-pox in 1722. In 1738, the population was estimated at 16,000. From the latter year until the Revolution the population of the town remained nearly stationary. In 1776, it numbered 2,719 white inhabitants only. During the period from 1738 to 1774 the people poured out their treasure and blood in various Indian and French wars, seeking to maintain the integrity of the British posses- sions, and to add to their area and value. The town and the Artillery Company lost many of its volunteer soldiery in these conflicts, and their places were not more than supplied, as to numbers, by the new-comers.
There were heavy and discouraging burdens placed upon the people by the British government, and the small-pox, in 1738, again showed its fatal presence among the people. The province and the town of Boston labored "under the greatest hardships, difficulties, and distresses upon many accounts," which appeared to be daily increasing, without any prospect of relief.
Notwithstanding these discouraging conditions, the Artillery Company pursued the even tenor of its ways, held its meetings and drills regularly, and experienced a healthy growth. Its members continued to exercise their former influence in town affairs, and were prominent in all public matters. A majority of the overseers of the poor, assessors, constables, clerks of the market, and also many of those citizens who held minor offices in the town government, were members of the Company. Joseph Marion, nephew of John (1691), was untiring in his proposal to the town to reduce its annual expenses, and Capt. Nathaniel Cunningham (1720) presented a valuable paper to the town as instruc-
2
HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
[1738
tions for its representatives in the General Court, which is given in full in the Boston Town Records, as printed by the Record Commissioners, 1729-1742, pp. 197-201.
The history of the British Empire in America, by Mr. John Oldmixon, which was reprinted, with amendments and corrections by the author, in 1741, gives a vivid description of Boston as it was when the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company entered upon the second century of its existence. "The capital of New England," says Mr. Oldmixon, "is Boston, and the biggest city in America, except two or three on the Spanish continent. . . . The bay of Boston is spacious enough to contain in a manner the navy royal of England." Castle Island is well described, and the defences of Boston are clearly outlined. The Castle protected the town with one hundred cannon, and five hundred men were exempted from military duty in time of war, "to be ready to attend the service at the Castle at an hour's warning." "There is a large pier at the bottom of the bay, eighteen hundred or two thousand feet long, with a row of warehouses on the north side. The chief street of the town comes down to the head of the pier ; at the upper end of it is the Town-house, or Exchange, a fine building, containing besides the walk for the merchants, the Council Chamber, the House of Commons, and a spacious room for the courts of justice. The Exchange is surrounded with booksellers' shops. There are five printing-houses, between three and four thousand houses, eight military companies, and one troop of horse, twenty-four thousand population and ten churches in Boston. . .
"The conversation in this town is as polite as in most of the cities and towns of England ; many of their merchants having traded into Europe, and those that staid at home having the advantage of society with travellers ; so that a gentleman from London would almost think himself at home at Boston, when he observes the number of people, their houses, their furniture, their tables, their dress and conversation, which perhaps is as splendid and showy as that of the most considerable tradesman in London. Upon the whole, Boston is the most flourishing town for trade and commerce in the English America. Near six hundred sail of ships have been laden here in a year for Europe and the British plantations. The streets are large and the buildings beautiful. The goodness of the pavement may compare with most in London; to gallop a horse on it is three shillings and fourpence forfeit. .. .
"The neck of land between the town and the country is about forty yards broad, and so low that the spring tides sometimes wash the road. The town is near two miles in length, and in some places three quarters of a mile broad." 1
1738. The officers elected were : Daniel Henchman (1712), captain ; Ebenezer Bridge (1717), lieutenant ; Jeremiah Belknap (1724), ensign. Joseph Gold- thwait (1732) was first sergeant; William Warner (1733), second sergeant ; John Wendell, Jr. (1735), third sergeant ; Habijah Savage (1733), fourth sergeant, and Thomas Simpkins (1727), clerk.
The gentlemen selected to visit and examine the public schools, June 26, 1738, besides Rev. Messrs. Sewall, Chauncy, Hooper, Mather, and Byles, were Hon. Thomas
1 The British Empire in America, containing the history of the discovery, settlement, progress, and state of the British Colonies of America. By John Oldmixon. Vol. I., p. 193 et seq. London, 1741.
DanHenchman
3
HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1738]
Hutchinson (1694), Hon. Adam Winthrop (1694), Hon. Ezekiel Lewis (1707), and Hon. Jacob Wendell (1733).
The members of the Artillery Company recruited in 1738 were : John Daniel, Joseph Edwards, Jacob Emmons, Samuel Haley, Joseph Jackson, Arthur Savage, William Taylor, and Sendall Williams.
John Daniel (1738), a tanner, son of William and Dorothy Daniel, was born in Boston, Nov. 6, 1700. He married, (1) Elizabeth -, in 1726; (2) Mary, "the only daughter of Thomas Clark," (published) Oct. 26, 1728.
He was a member of the First Church in Boston, but on the organization of the West Church, Jan. 3, 1736-7, he became one of the seventeen original members. He was an owner of real estate in Charlestown. Mr. Wyman, in " Genealogies and Estates of Charlestown," gives Mr. Daniel's (1738) residence as in Boston.
Joseph Edwards (1738), goldsmith, of Boston, son of John (1699) and Civell (Sibell) (Sivill) Edwards, and brother of Capt. Thomas Edwards (1724), was born in Boston, June 11, 1707. His nephew, John, Jr., joined the Artillery Company in 1747. He probably lived in or near his father's house on Cornhill, as, in 1733, April 18, he was assessed eight shillings for repairing the pump in Cornhill. He held town office from 1746 to 1752 inclusive, and was second sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1742, and ensign in 1754. In the provincial militia he attained the rank of captain.
Jacob Emmons (1738), probably son of "Jacob Emms and Mary, his wife," was born in Boston, May 16, 1701. He married Mary -- in 1727.
He held office in the town of Boston in 1740, 1743, and 1745. At a meeting of the selectmen, June 6, 1744, "Voted, that Mr. Jacob Emmons [1738] be prosecuted for receiving one Eliza Wormwood into his house from Lynn and not informing thereof as the law directs." He was third sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1742.
Samuel Haley (1738), son of "William and Sarah Healey [Haley]," was born in Boston, Sept. 11, 1715.
He served as a constable of Boston in 1753, and resided at "the South End," on " Orange Street." He was a member of the Boston militia, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
Joseph Jackson (1738), distiller, of Boston, was born in 1707, and married, May 1, 1732, Susannah Gray. They were the parents of Col. Henry Jackson. Joseph Jackson (1738) was fourth sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1742, ensign in 1746, lieutenant in 1749, and captain in 1752. He succeeded Col. Phillips (1725) as treasurer of the Artillery Company in 1763, and continued in that office until the Revolution. He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity ; he attended the installation ceremony at Concert Hall, Oct. 1, 1755, when Jeremy Gridley, Esq., was installed as grand master of Masons in North America, and walked in the Masonic procession, as grand treasurer, at the interment of the remains of M. W. Jeremy Gridley, Sept. 12, 1767.
Joseph Edwards (1738). AUTHORITY: Bos- ton Records.
Jacob Emmons (1738). AUTHORITY : Bos- ton Records. Joseph Jackson (1738). AUTHORITIES : Rec- Ed. 1842.
ords of Boston Selectmen, 1752-1772; Hill's Hist. of Old South Church; Drake's Hist. of the Society of the Cincinnati; New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg., 1892; Whitman's Hist. A. and H. A. Company,
4
[1738
HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
He was prominently identified with the militia, being captain for several years (1752-8) of a Boston company ; became major of the Boston regiment in 1758, and was its colonel from 1761 to 1766. He served as selectman of Boston from 1752 to 1760, when, in March, 1761, he was excused from serving at his own request, but was elected again in 1764, and continued to serve until 1773, when he declined the office. He was a fireward from 1748 to 1765, when he declined, and was on the committee, from 1749 to 1777, for the purchasing of grain, the care of the granary, and for giving all needful directions to the keeper regarding the quantity of grain to be sold and the price thereof. He served on very many special committees, and stood side by side with Hancock, Adams, Molineaux, etc., during the stirring events of his time.
In 1756, an act was passed by the General Court authorizing the town of Boston to have a series of lotteries, " for raising monies to pave and repair the Neck." Col. Jackson (1738) was one of the managers named in the act. Nine drawings were made prior to March, 1760, the board of managers remaining the same.
He became a member of the Old South Church, Aug. 18, 1754, and was very active in its affairs. He was appointed a justice of the peace, Sept. 14, 1756.
Col. Jackson (1738) was one of a committee of the town which waited on Lord Colvil in 1752, Gov. Pownall in 1760, and Gov. Bernard in 1768, presenting con- gratulatory addresses from the town of Boston. In 1766, at a critical time, he was on the important committee concerning the secret depositions accusing prominent men and injuring the town. James Otis was chairman ; Col. Jackson's (1738) name stands next, and John Hancock's third. In 1768, the regiments arrived in Boston from Halifax and Ireland, and troubles multiplied. The invasion of the town, the seizing and impressment of inhabitants of Boston, the obstruction of navigation, and the menace of famine, incited the people to address the governor and ask that the war-ship "Romney " leave the harbor. A true statement of affairs was likewise sent to the London agent. In these patriotic offices Col. Jackson (1738) shared.
Oct. 4, 1769, with the Messrs. Cushing, Samuel and John Adams, Otis, Warren, etc., Col. Jackson (1738) was appointed to vindicate the character of the town from false representations contained in memorials to the king ; and a little later he was one of the committee which transmitted the town's vote of thanks to Col. Barré for waiting upon the sovereign in person and presenting their petition. He was one of the select- men of Boston, March 6, 1770, the day after the Massacre, and was one of a committee to wait on the lieutenant-governor and inform him that " it is the opinion of the town that the inhabitants and the soldiery can no longer dwell together in safety." "The imme- diate removal of troops was demanded." Col. Jackson (1738) set and maintained a military watch while the meeting of March 6 was in session.
June 24, 1771, he was moderator of the town meeting, and was thanked for his prompt despatch of business. He was also, March 5, 1772, one of a committee "to return the thanks of the town to Joseph Warren, Esq., for the oration delivered by him at their request, in commemoration of the horrid massacre perpetrated on the evening of the 5th of March, 1770, by a party of soldiers of the Twenty-Ninth Regiment, and to desire a copy thereof for the press."
He was about seventy-five years of age when he ceased to hold public office. His continuance therein, his military promotions, and the committees of "the true and the tried " upon which he served, evince his personal ability and worth, and the esteem and confidence in which he was held by his countrymen. He died at Boston, April 10, 1790,
5
HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1738]
aged eighty-three years. He was buried under arms, by the Artillery Company, in the King's Chapel Burial-Ground, though he was not in commission at the time. A band of music, the first in Boston on such an occasion, accompanied the funeral procession. His property inventoried over three thousand pounds.
Arthur Savage (1738), son of Habijah (1699) and Hannah (Phillips) (Anderson) Savage, was born July 19, 1715. Thomas (1739) and Capt. Habijah (1733) were brothers of Capt. Arthur (1738). His marriage does not appear to be recorded in Boston records. He held minor town offices in 1738, 1750-2. He was active in the militia, and rose to the grade of captain, serving in that capacity at Fort Frederick from Nov. 21, 1740, to May 20, 1742.
Capt. Arthur Savage (1738) died Jan. 25, 1765.1
William Taylor (1738), of Boston, son of John and Ann (Winslow) Taylor, of Milton, was born in Milton in 1714. He married (1) Faith, daughter of Knelem and Abigail (Waterman) Winslow, and (2) Nov. 30, 1749, Sarah Cheever, widow of Capt. Habijah Savage, Jr. (1733), son of Lieut .- Col. Habijah Savage (1699). He was iden- tified with the militia, and rose to the rank of colonel. He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity.
He was clerk of the Artillery Company in 1741 and 1742, second sergeant in 1743, ensign in 1756, lieutenant in 1757, and captain in 1760. He died at Milton, Mass.,2 Feb. 16, 1789, aged seventy-five years, and was buried in King's Chapel Burial-Ground.
Sendall Williams (1738), cooper, of Boston, was a son of Dea. Jonathan Williams (1711), of the First Church, and grandson of Dea. Robert Williams. His mother was Mary (Hunlock) Williams, granddaughter of Samuel Sendall. Dea. Jonathan (1711) and Mary Williams had two sons, Jonathan, Jr. (1729), and Sendall (1738). The latter was born Feb. 26, 1705, and married, Feb. 14, 1739-40, Elizabeth Smart, widow of John Smart, of Boston.
Sendall Williams (1738) was appointed by the selectmen, Dec. 4, 1734, one of three persons to take care of the Old and South burying places. One of the said persons, with one assistant, was obliged " to attend the funeral of every white person at the gate of the burying-place, to conduct the corpse to the grave, and to see the same covered up," and also to lock and unlock the gates at proper times. The price for digging a grave was from five to ten shillings. July 14, 1736, being summoned before the select- men, Sendall Williams (1738) was informed by them "That Complaints were Exhibited him for his Uncertain and Irregular Ringing the Bell at 9, 5, and 11 O'clock. He offered some Reasons for Excusing the same; and withal Signified his readiness to resign that Office, when his Quarter is up." Upon the 30th of August following, Mr. Williams (1738) resigned the care and ringing, daily, of the South Church bell.3
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