USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Celebration of the centennial anniversary of the evacuation of Boston by the British Army, March 17th, 1776 > Part 15
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" Your letters were much admired at our Head Quarters in town. They were sent out, but your father [in Salem] tells me he never received his. You will easily believe they were not relished by those at the head of affairs on the other side. They are at present kept secret, but you will naturally suppose must have created a prejudice against you, so far as they are known.
"I did not eare in my last to mention the contempt thrown upon our places of Worship. The Old North pulled down; Dr. Sewall's [Old South] made a riding school for the Light Horse, - the house gutted, and the inside totally destroyed; Dr. Cooper's [Brattle street], Mr. Howard's [West Church], and Dr. Byles' [Hollis street] turned into barracks, without any appearance of necessity ; Mr. Moorhead's [Federal street] filled with hay ; Mr. Stillman's [Baptist] made an Hospital. Such conduct would disgrace barbarians. I am quite sick of Armies, and am determined, if possible, never to live in the same place with any considerable body of forces.
" I referred you to Mr. W --. You must make some allowances for the losses he hath met with, which have too much actuated his mind. He is a sensible man, and I hope will meet with encouragement.
" I attended last week a meeting of the Overseers and Corporation [of the college] at Watertown, for the first time since our enlargment. We voted General Washington a degree of LL.D. He is a fine Gentleman, and hath charmed everybody since he hath had the command.
" I find a committee of overseers appointed, at the motion of the General Court, to examine the political principles of those who govern the college. I hope no evil will come to several worthy men there. I hear your letter was taken as a resignation [as a Tutor]. Mr. Professor Sewall at present officiates in your place. The President is in haste to move the Students to Cambridge. The Buildings are in a shocking state, having been improved for barracks.
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The Library and Apparatus are safe at Andover. The soldiers are all gone from Cambridge to the Southward, where they expect the seat of action will be.
" Dr. Warren's body hath been brought from Bunker's Hill, and was buried yesterday with all Military Honors, and those of Masonry. It was carried from the Representatives' Chamber to the King's Chapel. Dr. Cooper prayed. Mr. Perez Morton delivered a spirited oration, wherein he publicly urged an entire disconnection with Great Britain. This is the fashionable doctrine, and I again say that I do not see that Great Britain can prevent it. When she rejected the last petition of the Congress it was all over with her.
" I am yours, very sincerely,
"A: ELIOT."
DIARY OF TIMOTHY NEWELL.
There is a lively and piquant character in the following extracts from the diary of Timothy Newell, Esq., one of the selectmen of Boston. He remained in the town during the siege. As a deacon, and one of the committee of Brattle-street Church, he made laborious and zealous efforts to preserve and save from abuse the costly and elegant structure, which had then been built only two or three years for the society. The diary is printed in full, in the Collections of Mass. Historical Society, 1th Series, Vol. 1. The following are extracts : -
Memorandum, 14th Sept., 1775.
Messrs. Auchinclosh, Morrisson, and another person came to me, as three Scotch- men had been before - they showed me a paper directed to me setting forth that " The Revd. Mr. Morrisson was permitted by his Excelleney Gen1. Gage to preach and desired he may have the use of D' Cooper's Meetinghouse - signed by about 30 Scotchmen and others - viz. B. Hallowill J. Forrest &c. - I desired they would leave the Paper for my consideration. - They did not chnse I should keep it and began to urge their having the house. - For answer I told them, I looked upon it a high insult upon the Society their proposing it, and turned my back upon them and so left them. P.M. Messrs. Black, Dixou, Hunter, came and told me his Excellency the General, had consented they should have our Meetinghouse and desired I would deliver them the Key. I told them when I see such an order I should know how to proceed. One said to me - so, you refuse to deliver the Key. I answered with an emotion of resentment, Yes I do.
15th. As I was attending a funeral, the Provost M' Cunningham, came to me and told une " It was his Excellency the Gens command, I should immediately deliver him the Key of D' Cooper's Meetinghouse - I replied, I must see the Governor -he told me he would not see me till I had delivered the Key. I told him, I must see the Gen- eral, and refused to deliver the Key. He left me in a great rage and swore he would
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immediately go and break open the doors. I left the funeral and proceeded to the Governor's, - calling on Capt. Erving to go with me. - He excused himself, and so I went alone. The Governor received me civilly. I addressed myself to him and most earnestly intreated him that he would be pleased to withdraw his order, urging that D' Elliot, in order to accommodate our people, was to preach in said Meeting- house next Sabbath, or the Sabbath after, and that the person they proposed was a Man of infamous character, which had it been otherwise, I should not oppose it &c. And I desired his Excellency would consider of it. He told me he would and that I might keep the Key, and if he sent for it he expected I would deliver it, - so left him. -- I had not been, I believed 20 minutes from him before the Provost came with a written order to deliver the Key immediately, which I did accordingly. When I at first urged the Governor to excuse my delivering the Key for the reasons given - he replied that a number of creditable people had applied to him, and he saw no reason why that house should not be made use of as any other. Gen1 Robinson (when I mentioned the preacher being of an infamous character) said he knew no harm of the man, but this he knew that he had left a very bad service and taken up
with a good one. The next day the Provost came to my shop, I not being there, he left word that he came for the apparatus of the Pulpit and that he must have the Key under the pulpit, supposing the enrtain and enshions were there. The Provost the same day came again. I chose not to be there. He left orders to send him the aforesaid and swore most bitterly that if I did not send them, he would split the door open -- and accordingly I hear the same was forced open and that if Dr Cooper and Dr Warren were there, he would break their heads and that he would drag me in the gutter, &c. &c. &c. -- This being Saturday afternoon, I chose not to be seen - spent the evening at Major Phillips's -consulted with a few friends - advised still to be as much ont of the way as possible. - Dr Elliot invited me to come very early in the morning (being Lords day) and breakfast with him and also dine, which I did and returned home after nine at night - found Serjent with a Letter had been twice at our house for me - Thus ends a Sabbath which exclusive of the perplexities and insults before mentioned, has has been a good day for me.
P. S. Capt. Erving and myself being the only persons of the Committee remaining in town, I acquainted him of the demands of the General; who advised me that if the Gen' insisted on the delivery of the Key, to deliver the same. The next week several of our Parish thought proper to petition the Gen1. - I advised with Foster Hutchinson Esqr, who thought it very proper, and accordingly at my desire he drew a petition, but upon further consideration and hearing of the opinion of the General, he thought it best not to present it.
5 Began taking down houses at the South end, to build a new line of Works 19th. - A good deal of cannonading on both sides the lines for many days past. Several shots came thro' houses at the South end. Capt. Poulet lost his leg, &c. &c. &e.
27th. These several days past have been tolerably quiet. The works at the South- ward go on. Yesterday the Cerberus Man of war arrived in 7 weeks from London - brings advices of coercive measures by Administration -5 Regiments - one thousand Marines, another Admiral with a fleet of men of war &c. - and General Gage called home.
3d October. This morning two bomb Ketches and several armed vessels with some soldiers sailed on a secret expedition, it is said to demand a Ship belonging to Ports- mouth, retaken by our whale boats, and carried into Cape Ann -also to demand of that town 40 seamen which they took from the man of war - if not delivered in 24 hours to bombard the town.
25
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6th. The Provincials from Lams Dam discharged their cannon at the Regulars, as they relieve guard at the lines - One Corporal killed with a cannon ball.
10th. A negro man belonging to wheeling a barrow load of in the Streets, the Provost came up to him and caned him to a great degree. The negro conscious of his innocence asked him why he did so - he was told it was for wheeling his barrow at the side of the street and not in the middle. - General Gage sailed this day for London and left several thousand Inhabitants in town who are suffering the want of Bread and every necessary of life.
13th. Colonel Birch of the Lighthorse Dragoons went to view our Meetinghouse [Brattle St. ] which was destined for a Riding School for the Dragoons. It was de- signed to elear the floor, [and] to put two feet of tan covered with horse dung to make it clastic. - But when it was considered that the Pillars must be taken away, which would bring down the roof, they altered their mind, - so that the Pillars saved us.
17th. Two floating batteries from the Provincials, from Cambridge river, fired a number of cannon into the Camp at the Common, the shot went thro houses by the' Lamb Tavern &c. - A deserter who came in this morning, says one of the Cannon split, and killed and wounded several. 5 or 6 hats, a waistcoat and part of a boat came on shore at the bottom of the Common.
25th. Several nights past the whole army was ordered not to undress - the cannon all loaded with grape shot from a full apprehension the Provincials would make an attack upon the town. The streets paraded all night by the Light Horse.
27th. The spacious Old South Meeting house, taken possession of by the Light horse 17th Regiment of Dragoons commanded by Lieut Colo Samuel Birch. The Pulpit, pews and seats, all eut to pieces and carried off in the most savage manner as can be expressed and destined for a riding school. The beautiful carved pew with the silk furniture of Deacon Hubbard's was taken down and carried to 's house by an officer and made a hog stye. The above was effected by the solicitation of General Burgoyne.
30th. A soldier, one of the Light-horse men was hanged at the head of their camp for attempting to desert. Proclamation issued by General Howe for the Inhabi- tants to sign an Association to take arms &c.
November 4th. A Proclamation issued for people to give in their names to go out of town, but before the time limited expired a stop was put to it. This like others of the kind seems only designed to contime the vexation of the people.
gth. Several Companies of Regulars from Charlestown went over to Phip's farm to take a number of Cattle feeding there. The Provincials came upon them and soon drove them on board boats after an engagement - it is said several are and none killed, but they supposed many of the Provincials killed.
16th. Many people turned out of their houses for the troops to enter. The keys of our Meeting house cellars demanded of me by Major Sheriff by order of General Howe. Houses, fenees, trees &c. pulled down and carried off for fuel. My wharf and barn pulled down by order of General Robinson. Beef, Mutton, Pork at 1 / 6 pr pound, Geese 14 / Fowls 6 / 8. L. M.
19th. A large ship arrived from Plymonth in England with almost every kind of provisions dead and alive, hogs, sheep, fowls ducks, eggs, mince meat &e. Ginger- bread &c. Memorandum 25 Regiments of Kings troops now in this distressed town.
24th November. A transport Ship carried about 400 of our Inhabitants to Point Shirley. One poor Dutch woman attempted to carry with her about 60 dollars. Morrison the deserter seized them and carried them to the town Major. Ten dollars was stopped by him.
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1st December. A large Brigt with ordnance stores, a very vahiable prize from London taken by Capt" Manly in a Schooner Privateer from Beverly.
34. A Transport Ship sailed for Point Shirley, with about three hundred Inhabitants.
7th. A Brigt Privateer called the Washington brot in here Martindale, Captain, with six carriage guns and seventy five men taken by the Fowey man of war. The People sent to England in a man of war.
8th. Three Ships, from London, Glasgow and Liverpool, with stores for the army - a Brigt from Antigua with Rumu, taken by the whale boats &e. in our Bay.
13th. News of several more Store Ships being taken by the Continental Privateers and whale boats.
17th. Sabbath morning was discovered new works going on at Phips's farm very near - upon which a cannonade and bombardment ensned and continued the 18, 19, and 20, from the Battery's of Charlestown and Boston Point. The man of war of 32 guns which lay opposite kept a constant fire. The first day a shot from Millers hill took her quarter and went thro' and thro' her - a shot the next day passed my house and struck young Dr Paddocks hat upon his head, as he was on D' Lloyd's hill, the ball fell into his yard. The man of war slipt away in the night.
28th. Several Transports with Troops sailed on an Expedition.
30th December. Admiral Shuldam arrived from England in the Chatham man of war of 50 guns to supersede Admiral Graves. The Kings speech arrived.
1776. January 8th. Monday at half past 8 P.M being dark weather the Provin- cials attacked Charlestown, burnt the houses, remaining at Neck of land, carried off a serjent and a number of Men.
Just as the faree began at the Play-house of the Blockade of Boston - which with much fainting, fright, and confusion, prevented the scene.
16th. The Old North Meeting house, pulled down by order of Gen1. Howe for fuel for the Refuges and Tories.
2nd February. Just at 11 oclock at night, some wanton soldier or officer fired a bomb from the battery, at New Boston, which bursted in the air, did no harm, but made such an alarm as occasioned a great blustering.
4th. At half past nine in the evening, 3 cannon fired from the lines at Charlestown and a number of small arms at the Soldiers pulling down the Mills - say two men killed and one wounded. The next day many cannon fired.
13th. This night a large body of the troops about 3. oclock set off on the Ice from the fortification, landed at Dorchester Neck and set fire to all the houses and barns, brot off six prisoners who were Centinels. Colo Lesslie from the Castle, assisted with the Troops there, and returned at seven o'clock - No engagement en- sned - The Provincials guards run off.
Thursday 25th .* From the accounts of Dr Gilson, and some other Deserters from the Continental army, great preparations were making to attack the Town, - caused very alarming apprehensions and distress of the Inhabitants.
2nd March Saturday night half past 11, began from the Country, Bombardment and cannonade which continued on both sides till morning and then ceased and began again Lords day evening at 9 and so continued all the night, and tho' several honses were damaged and persons in great danger, myself one, no one as I can learn re- ceived any hurt.
4th March. Monday - soon after candle light, came on a most terrible bombard- ment and cannonade, on both sides, as if heaven and earth were engaged. Five or
* Must be 29th, as the 2d March was Saturday. [Transcriber. ]
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six 18 and 24h shot struck Mr. Chardon's house, Gray's, Winnetts, - our fence &c. - Notwithstanding, the excessive fire till morning, can't learn any of the Inhab- itants have been hurt, except a little boy at M' Leaks, had his leg broke - it is said some of the soldiery suffered.
5th Tuesday. - This morning the Provincials were discovered fortifying the heights of Dorchester - About 12 oclock 7 Regiments of the Kings Troops, em- barked iu Transports, commanded by General Jones which were to land at Dor- chester-Neck and the main body, with the Light Dragoons were to go out at the lines in the night &c. &e. Eight or ten Ships sailed below - but whether, a Hurrycane, or terrible sudden storm which arose, in the evening prevented, or a pretence only, can't say - nothing was attempted, - Indeed the violence of the storm rendered it impossible for any boat to land - Some of the Transports were driven on Governors Island, but got off and returned.
6th. This day the utmost distress and anxiety is among the Refugees and associ- aters &e. &c. &c., orders being given to embark the King's Troops and evacuate the Town. Blessed be God our redemption draws nigh.
7th Thursday. The last night and this day the Troops are very busily employed in removing their stores, cannon, ammunition - some of the Dragoons on Board, the Refugees &c. &c., in shipping their goods &c. The Selectmen write to the command- ing officer at Roxbury, at the earnest desire of the Inhabitants and by permission of . Gen! Howe.
March 8th. The town all hurry and commotion, the troops with the Refugees and Tories embarking.
9th Saturday. 1ยบ. Do. Do. Received answer from the lines from Colo Learned commanding officer at Roxbury - (see the above) - Saturday evening 9 oclock, began cannonade, which continued the whole night - One 18 pound shot came thro' our house, another thro' the fence and summer house into the Garden, and several shot, thro' my neighbours' Houses.
10th Lord's day P M. Embarking orders are given to deliver Creen Brush esqr all the woolen and linen goods - Some persons delivered their goods, others he forced from them, to a great value. Shops, stores, houses, pluindered, vessels eut to pieces &e. &e. Very distressed times.
11th Monday. Cannonade began about half past 7 from Hatch's wharf and other battery's at near the fortification, which continned most of the night.
12th. This day and night quiet - the Soldiers shut up in their Barracks, except some who were abont, phimdering. The wind high at N. W. The Inhabitants greatly distressed thro' fear the Town would be set on fire by the Soldiers.
13th Wednesday. The Inhabitants in the utmost distress, thro' fear of the Town being destroyed by the Soldiers, a party of New York Carpenters with axes going thro' the town, breaking open houses &e. Soldiers and sailors plundering of houses, shops, warehouses - Sugar and salt &e. thrown into the River, which was greatly covered with hogsheads, barrels of flour, house furniture, carts, trucks &c. &e. -- One Person suffered four thousand pounds sterling, by his shipping being cut to pieces &c. - Another fice thousand pounds sterling, in salt wantonly thrown into the River.
1 4th March. Thursday. The same as above except somewhat restrained by the General.
15th Friday. The General sent to the Selectmen and desired their immediate attendance, which we did accordingly. It was to acquaint us that as he was abont retreating from the Town, his advice was for all the Inhabitants to keep in their
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houses and tho' his orders were to injure no person, he could not be answerable for any irregularities of his troops. That the Fowey man of war would continue in the harbour till the fleet sailed, loaded with carcases and combustibles, that in case the King's troops met with any obstruction in their retreat he should set fire to the Town, which he wished to avoid - That he thought it his duty to destroy much of the prop- erty in the town to prevent it being useful to the support of the Rebel army. The General further said to us, that who ever had suffered in this respect (who were not Rebels) it was probable upon application to Government, they would be considered - That Letters had passed between him and Mr Washington. That he had wrote to him in the style of Mr Washington. That however insignificant the character of his Excellency, which to him was very trifling - it onght not to be given to any bnt by the authority of the King. He observed the direction of our Letters to him was -To his excellency General Washington, which he did not approve and whatever Intelli- gence had been given to the Rebels, tho' in his letters to him, he did not charge him with being a Rebel. He further said he had nothing against the Seleet-men, which if he had he should certainly have taken notice of it - The General told us the Troops would embark this day and was told by General Robertson it would be by three o'clock. The Regiments all mustered, some of them marched down the wharf. Guards and Chevaux De Freze, were placed in the main streets and wharves in order to secure the retreat of Out Centinels. Several of the principle streets through which they were to pass were filled with Hhds' filled with Horse-dung, large limbs of trees from the Mall to prevent a pursuit of the Continental Army. They manifestly appeared to be fearful of an attack. The wind proved unfavorable, prevented their embarking. They returned to their quarters. Soon after several honses were on fire. The night passed tolerably quiet.
16th Saturday. Rain. Great distress plundering &c.
17th Lord's day. This morning at 3 o'clock, the troops began to move - Guards Chevaux de freze, Crow feet strewed in the streets to prevent being pursued. They all embarked at about 9 oclock and the whole fleet came to sail. Every vessel which they did not carry off, they rendered unfit for nse. Not even a boat left to eross the River. - Thus was this unhappy distressed town (thro' a manifest interpo- sition of divine providence) relieved from a set of men whose unparalled wicked- ness, profanity, debauchery and cruelty is inexpressible, enduring a siege from the 19th April 1775 to the 17th March 1776. Immediately upon the fleet's sailing the Select Men set off, through the lines, to Roxbury to acquaint General Washington of the evacuation of the town. After sending a message Major Ward aid to General Ward, came to us at the lines and soon after the General himself, who received us in the most polite and affectionate manner, and permitted ns to pass to Watertown to acquaint the Council of this happy event. The General immediately ordered a de- tachment of 2,000 troops to take possession of the town under the command of General Putnam who the next day began their works in fortifying Forthill &c., for the better security of the Town. A number of loaded Shells with trains of Powder covered with straw, were found in houses left by the Regulars near the fortifycation.
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THE BOSTON MINISTERS DURING THE SIEGE.
Dr. Charles Chauncey, of the First Church, or the Old Brick, being very obnoxious to the royalists, left Boston at the beginning of the siege, and returned when it closed. On the records of the society the only recognition of the troubles of the time is found in this entry, under date of Angust 13, 1776 : -
" At a Meeting of the Church and Congregation :
" Voted : That all the Leaden Weights of the Windows of this Church be delivered to the Commissary of this Collony, upon condition Iron Weights be placed in their stead, and the difference paid in Cash."
Dr. John Lathrop, of the Old North Church, which was destroyed for fuel, left the town. On his return, his Society united in 1779 with Dr. Ebenezer Pemberton's, afterwards making the 2d Church. John Hunt and John Bacon were associate pastors of the Old Sonth. Mr. Bacon, from some causes of dissatisfaction, was dismissed Feb. 8, 1775. IIe went to Stockbridge, and entered political life. Mr. Hunt happened to be absent on a visit in Brookline when the gates were shut on Boston Neck. When he applied to be admitted, he was refused because he would not agree to remain. He went to Northampton, where he died of consumption Dec. 30, 1775. The parsonage of the Society, adjoining the Meeting-house, which was built by Gov. Winthrop for his residence, was burned by the British for fuel, as were also some fine button-wood trees which surrounded it. To the same use was put all the interior work of the Meeting-house, except the sounding-board and the east galleries. A richly-wrought, canopied and damask-furnished pew, de- signed for high magistrates, and rivalling that in King's Chapel, was taken to John Amory's house and used as a hog-sty. The edifice was so outraged and defaced that it was several years before the remnant of its impoverished congregation was able to restore it to its designed purpose. From Nov. 9, 1777, to Feb. 23, 1783, - except an interval of five months between 1781-2, when they occupied the Representatives room in the Old State Honse, - the congregation worshipped in King's Chapel, where their next pastor, Dr. Eekley, was ordained Oct. 27, 1779. The Old South, after being repaired, was rededicated March 2, 1783.
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The pulpit recently standing in it was substituted in 1808 for the one built at the restoration of the edifice.
The Rev. Joseph Howe, pastor of the New South Church, died at Hartford, Aug. 25, 1775.
Dr. Cooper, of Brattle-street Church, having taken so prominent a part as a patriot as to have been menaced by a British officer, left Boston with his wife, April 16, 1775, leaving his child, library, furniture and plate, intending soon to return to the town, after riding about the country for his health. He made his home at Weston, and returned to Boston after the Evacuation. The fate of his Meeting-house is referred to in Deacon Newell's diary.
The ministers of the two Baptist Societies, with very similar names, were Rev. S. Stillman and Rev. I. Skillman. The latter remained in the town.
Dr. Mather Byles, of Hollis street, with tory proclivities, remained, but was inactive. His congregation on their return soon superseded him.
Mather Byles, Jr., Rector of Christ Church, closed his ministry the day before the battle of Lexington.
Mr. Troutbeck, of King's Chapel, went off in Nov., 1775, and Dr. Caner, the rector, left on the Evacuation, as did also William Walter, the rector of Trinity Church. The associate of Mr. Walter (Mr. Sam- uel Parker), in a funeral sermon which he preached upon Dr. Andrew Eliot, said, that " Thinking as an Episcopal clergyman he would be obnoxious to the returning inhabitants, he was packing his effects pre- paratory to going off with the army, when Dr. Eliot came to him advis- ing him to remain, as, being a young man, and discreet, he had not made himself offensive." He took the advice and remained.
F8441.0995
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