USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Chelsea > Documentary history of Chelsea : including the Boston precincts of Winnisimmet, Rumney Marsh, and Pullen Point, 1624-1824, vol 2 > Part 49
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79
Chelsea, August ye 9th, 1775. A Return of the Names of the Persons who came out in the furst Bot [five whose names are not casily read]. Bote 2. [nineteen, many of them children].
Capt Sprague Came the Rounds as fur as Capt. Grenc's Hous, and was vary much wereud. Sat Down & touck Breth, and Re- . turned in good Fashon.
I am yours, to Serve at Command,
ROBART DODGE, Lieut.11
Baldwin's Regt., lix. 877.
House Jour., 1775, p. 50.
10 Baldwin's Regt., lix. 941. 11 Ibid., 933.
519
CHAP. XLVIII] IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
August 9, 1775. A Return of the Names of the Persones, Name of Whou Came out in furst Bot (24 persons)
ROBART DODGE, Lieut.12
Remarks, For the 13 of August, 1775. At 8 A Clo. ye (?) At winnysimet feray, and be delivered to my Cayre, Capt. Sprage's Draumer, with ye . .. (?) ... Came the 14d. At 11, ... Came Two long boats up Mistick Riuer, wich ( ?) ouer to our Son- tinels (?), going to stay, Exchanging Sevuel Fiers, went to the floting Bariters, and wen thay Returned, Both of them firied on our Sentinels, wich we Returned Agayne to Both of them. I sent three Sent: by ( ?) & Six, at Night, the Rounds came at 1 Clo., in th Mo.
I am yours, to obeay, JOSEPH KNIGHT, offer of Mane Grd. To Corn. Balldien.13
August 13th. Capt. Sprague made Rounds as Officer of the Day.14
August 13. "On the 13th, two barges and two sail-boats, on their way to the floating battery in Mystic River, bearing near Malden Point, Captain Lindsey's company opened a smart fire upon them, which obliged them to return; when they commenced firing on a party of Americans, under Lient .- colonel Baldwin, stationed in Chelsea, which was briskly returned. 'Our brave Yankees, so called,' Kettell writes, 'played the man, and beat them.' " 15
16 August. In the forenoon, there was a number of men drawn out of some of the regiments at Winter Hill to march to Chelsea, to entrench, and this I expect will bring on a skirmish.16
No date. A List of people from Boston, 5 Boats.17
In the autunm of 1775, there were frequent reports from Chel- sea of " Observations " of movements of the British, chiefly by water, between Boston and Charlestown.18
Aug. 28. A signal was made from Powder Horn Hill, Charles- town, when the whole brigade became alarmed.
August 28th. On Monday morning, the enemy were observed from Chelsea to be drawn up and in motion on Bunker Hill. The camp was alarmed ; five thousand troops were marched to Ploughed Ilill and to the Charlestown road; and Washington expected, and
12 Baldwin's Regt., lix. 933.
13 Ibid., 649.
14 Ibid., 973.
16 Frothingham, Siege of Boston, 232.
10 Craft's Jour., Essex Hist. Coll. iii. 133.
17 Baldwin's Regt., lix. 959.
18 Ibid., 872 et seq.
520
HISTORY OF CHELSEA [CHAP. XLVIII
even hoped, that at high water the British intended to attack him.19
October 5, 1775. Resolved, That, the Committee appointed to attend at Chelsea, be ordered to retire, and give no Attendance ; and that no Boats pas and repas that Ferry from and to Boston. And, whenever it shall appear to this Court that General Gage is disposed to comply with his engagements, for a general Libera- tion of the Inhabitants of Boston and their Effects, this Court will be ready to receive and make suitable Provision for said Inhabitants.20
October 6, 1775. Secretary laid on Table two Letters from his Execlleney Gen. Washington relative to some Irregularities at Winnisimmet-Ferry.21
October 8, '75. A Return of the Guard, Kept at Winnesimmet Ferry, Oetr. 8th, 1775. The grand [?] Rounds. Camp all was quiet, Except Malden Centrys fired 2 guns, between 8 & 9 o'clock, Last Even'g, & the Drums on plow'd hill, as we supposed, beat to arms, at Eleven O'clock.
WM. OLIVER, Capt. of ye Main Guard. To Col : Loammi Baldwin, Commander in Chelsea.
Chelsea, Oetr : 9, 1775.22
October 13, 1775. A Return of the observasions of the Day, Oct. 13, 1775, from 4 to 8 yeasterday, 11 Bo'ts Went from Charls- town to Boston; & at 8 this morning, 1 Ship went to Sea; at 10 a'elock, 4 Bo'ts Went from Charlstown to Boston, & 5 Bo'ts Went from Boston to Charlstown; at 12 a'elock 8 Bo'ts from Boston to Charlstown, & 6 Bo'ts went from Charlstown. At 2 a'Clock 8 Bo'ts, from Boston to Charlstown, and 4 Bo'ts, from Charlstown to Boston. By me,
JOSEPH LEACH. 23
Chels'y, October 19th, 1775. The Return of the man [main] Gard mounted at the Feary, to Col. Boldan. Nothing Extrodny, no Rounds eame; thi Gard wass Relived at the yusal time. this Return mad By me, October the 12.
JOSEPH CHEEVER, oficer of the Gard.24
Chelsea, Oet. 31, 1775. List of 32 who came from Boston, Oct. 30/75. " According to orders I have forbid the boat coming out again."
WM. OLIVER, Capt. of main Gard.25
19 Frothingham, Siege of Boston, 234. 23 Ibid., 868.
20 House Jour., 1775, 141.
24 Ibid., 938.
21 Ibid., 145. 25 Ibid., 958.
22 Baldwin's Regt., lix. 940.
521
CHAP. XLVIII] IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Chelsea, Nov. 6, 1775. Observations, " Nothing Remarkcable " reported. Signed, JOSEPH LEACH.20
By order of his Excellency Gen'l Washington :
Signals agreed upon by Lt. Col. Baldwin & Capt. Jeremiah Orley | Onley], at Chelsea, Nov. 17, 1775.
1st Signal; in case the Enemy should parad on the Bank or near the Water.
A square sheet hoisted on the Pole or flaggstaff erected on Prospect & Powderhorn hills, by the party that makes the first Discovery ; - if in the night or gray of the morning, 1 sky rocket.
2d; in Case the Enemy should come down to their Boats.
Another square sheet in addition to the first affixed to the same Halyard, about 6 feet space between. If in the night or gray of the evening & morning, 2 Sky Rockets.
3d; in Case the Enemy should Embark or seem to be crossing over.
A fire and Smoke near the Pole, & the 2 sheets moved up and down, to show that the smok is the 3d Signal, least it should be taken to proceed from the Barracks. If in the Night or gray of the morning or Evening, 3 Sky Rockets.27
To Leiut. Colo. Baldwin, Esq.
this is to inform you that I Doe Now Complane of Capt. Samuel Sprague, For not going the Rounds Last Sabbath Day night; if this had Been the First time that he had Neglected his Duty he would have Been Excused very Easy. But he Neglects this Part of his Duty a Great Part of his time; if you think that he is Excusable, I would Beg your Forgiveness For Complain'g of him.
this from your Friend & Servant,
NATHANIEL HILLS,
Serjant.
Chelsea, Novembr 21st, 1775.
23 May, 1776. "They are also throwing up works at Point Shirley, to guard Pulling Point Gut & secure the passage of the harbour that way." 28
Jan. 30, 1776. Ordered, That Mr. Story bring in a resolve for paying the Committee at Chelsea, the sum of £200, to enable them to provide for the inhabitants of Boston, agreeable to the duty of their appointment.2º
20 Baldwin's Regt., lix. 891. Similar Returns, signed by Leach, are September 28, October 2, October 3, November 3. November 4, and December 20, 1775.
27 Baldwin's Regt., lix. 283.
28 John Winthrop to John Adams; 5 Mass, Hist. Coll., iv. 303.
2 House Jour., 1775, 225.
522
HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XLVIII
Feb. 5, 1776.
Sir: agreable to your orders, last Ev'ning I Sent By the Cor- poral of the gard to Ensign Hastings, who was the officer of the gard, to Set or Plant four Sentries; one at the Pint, one Be- tween the Pint and the farey wais, one at the Risin ground By the Gard House, and one as near the House as Could Be with Saftey whare the Smal Pox is, But no Regurd [was] Paid to the above Directions. I am your humble Servent, -
RICH'D DODGE, Capt.
Chelsea, February 5, 1776. To Col. Baldwin.30
A Returne of the main Guard att winisemet ferry commanded By Lieut. John Noyes. Chelsea, february 17, 1776.
Capt., 1; Sergt, 1; Privates, 16; Prisoner, 1, Whom Belongs.
CAPT. BADLAM.31 Chelsea, Febry. 10, 1776.
Coll. Baldwin :
Sir: We should not do justice to Mr. (Serjant) Lcach; did we negleet Informing you of his very Extraordinary good Conduet, since he has had the Command of the Beach Guard: His attention to his duty has been such as would have donc honour to any Officer in his Majesty's Serviec. As it appears necessary, (Now the Rivers arc froze over) to have an Addition of four more men to his Guard, to prevent the Spreading of the Small-Pox, We desire, Sir, you would make the above addition.
We are, Sir, your most Obedient Humbl. Servts.,
THOS. CRAFTS, Junr.,
Two of the Committee. WINTHROP GRAY.
Capt. R. Dodge: You will furnish Serg'nt Leach with the 4 men, mentioned above.
Yours, L. BALDWIN, Colo.
Colo. Quarters, Feby. 10th, 1776; to Capt. R. Dodge.32
Military Discipline
Although the Chelsea people made many and serious com- plaints of the undisciplined soldiers from the interior, for de- predations on their fields and orchards, as well as injury to their houses and consumption of the contents of their cellars, the following cases of striet discipline are all that I find.
30 Baldwin's Regt., lix. 952.
31 Ibid., 947.
32 Ibid., 210.
1
-
523
CHAP. XLVIII] IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Sir:
agreable to your order, a Courte Martial Set this Day, upon the trial of Corporal Cheever, of Capt. Sprague's Compy., Con- fined for disobedience of orders. After the Cort was duly Or- thorized, the Evidences on both Sides Sworn & Examined, the prisoner being brought before the Cort to answer for himselfe, and make what defence he could. The Cort were of opinion the prisoner was Guilty, in degree, & Sentansed him to be Confined to the Main Guard till to-morrow morning, at Eight o'Clock, & then to be Enlarg'd.
Chelsea, Sept. 20th, 1775.
RICH'D DODGE, Presedent.
To Collo. Baldwin. 33
Sept. 22, 1775. Sammell Linds was Confined in the Quarter Guard by Corporal Thos. Cheever, for "being in Liquor and Remissness of Duty." 31
Sept. 23. A Court Martial was held on said Linds, and a soldier of Richard Dodge's company confined for the same offense. Linds was found guilty, and sentenced " to be Confined, tel Monday, at 8 o'clock, in the morning, and tied to the tree for 10 minutes . . . 35
Chelsea, September 27, 1775.
Agreable to your order, I went down to parade the Pickett guard, and Capt. Rogers' men were paraded according to order, and Capt. Richard Dodge's was paraded, and Barnabas Dodge's men were absent, and Capt. Sprague's meu, and the officer of the guard was absent.
WADLIGH NOYES, Sergt.
To Colonal Baldwin.36
Whare as, a Cort Marshas hath Ben Coled, to tri [?] Mr. Laugh- lin, of Capt. Rich'd Dodge's Company, for a tempting to Brack into Capt. Dodge's Quarters, Contrey to orders, & there By Expose the troupes to the Enfection of the Smal Pox: the Cort Have Bin Colected and Sworne and the Evedene Sworn and Examened. - We have Deturmened that the Prisner is found Gilty of more then what the Complaint set forth. Have ordered, that the Pris'ner under Confindment Shall Receve twenty Stripes on the Nacked Back this Day at the Sun Seting, and then Be Confined tel father orders; the Evedane under Oath Swore that the said Mr. Laughlin said when Properly Chaleng that, if he Stoped him, he would ameadeatly fire uppon him. Another said, that if he
Baldwin's Regt., lix. 926.
34 Ibid., 927.
35 Ibid., 924.
30 Ibid., lviii. 138.
524
HISTORY OF CHELSEA [CHAP. XLVIII
was Stoped - meaning Laughlin, - he would give the infection to four in the Company; the others to the same Purpos. Test. : BARNEBUS DODGE, President.
Chelsea, Decr. ye 30th, 1775.
A Regimenlal Court Martial, Held at Chelsea, March 19, 1776
President, Capt. Ezra Badlam, Joseph Checver, Lt. Joseph Knight, Lt.,
Lt. Farly, Ensign Hastings.
For The Trial of Peter Chapman, for Being Absent without Leave, & Stealing a Coat & Jacket; is Found Guilty by His Con- fessing the Fact; it is the Opinion of this Court That he be Whipt Twenty Stripcs on His Naked Back at Such Time & Place as the Colonel Shall order; and also for the Trial of John Snelling For Disobeying the Colonel's orders; Who, we find guilty by his Confessing the Fact; it is, Therefore, the Opinion of this Court (as it is the First Offence), That He be Brought to a Tree, or Post & be Stript & Tyed at Such Place & Such Time as the Colonell Shall order, & Then be released.37
During the winter of 1775-6, military operations about Boston were suspended, except that each party was watching the other for an opening favorable for attack, and to prevent surprise. Thus the winter wore away without important re- sults. The companies at Chelsea were sheltered in barracks, built for them in Prattville [ante, p. 471], and the few inci- dents of that winter have been noticed.
After the evacuation of Boston by the British army, March 17, 1776, the war drifted off to New York, and, except to furnish her quotas of men, arms, ammunition, and supplies, Chelsea had no immediate connection with military affairs, and I therefore pass to other matters of her history.
It will be observed, however, that I make one exception : The war had entailed on Chelsea, more than upon any other town, the scourge of the small-pox, which did not depart with the British army; and, therefore, I give in the next chapter, a sketch of its history from its first appearance to its end, some years after the close of the war.
37 Baldwin's Regt., lix. 907.
1
525
IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
CHAP. XLIX]
CHAPTER XLIX
CHIELSEA IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
The Small-Pox
I IIAVE already spoken of Chelsea as a point from which were observed not only the movements of the British forces in the harbor, but also of those people coming out of Boston, hostile to the American canse or suspected.
Besides these, were the poor, those sick, and such as were infected with small-pox, all of whom were burdensome to the Chelsea people; and the latter, especially, dreaded lest they should infeet them with that fell disease, and indirectly com- municate it to our army at Cambridge.
These apprehensions led to the following correspondence and legislative action :
Cambridge, July 29th, 1225.
Sir: I have this Inst. received a letter from Chelsea, of which the Inclosed is an extraet, - as the Inhabitants are coming out in a different manner than proposed by your assembly to the Select- men of the Town of Boston, I have not delayed a moment's time in giving you the earliest Information of it, & request that you may take the matter into consideration, & determine what is proper to be done on the occasion. If you think it prudent to receive them in this manner, query, whether it may not be proper to appoint some person to attend the movement.
I am, in haste, & with great respect. Sir, Y''r most Obedt Hble Serrt G. WASHINGTON.1 [No address or enclosure.]
In the House, July 30, 1775. The speaker, having received a Letter from General Washington relative to a number of the Inhab-
1 Mass. Arch., exciv. 119. There is a paper, March 21, 1776, with refer- cuce to sending those affected with small-pox to Point Shirley. Baldwin's Regt., lix. 219. Vide House Jour., December 4, 1775, p. 13.
526
HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XLIX
itants of Boston, coming over to Chelsea, as many as could be sum- moned (viz., about 50), met at the meeting-house, at eight o'clock, and the letter from General Washington, being read and consid- ered, ordered, That Major Hawley, Mr. Cushing and Col. Orne be a committee to bring in a resolve for the appointment of a committee to repair to Chelsea, to take some measures for provid- ing for such inhabitants, and guarding against the small-pox; who reported the following resolves, which was accepted, viz., upon advice received last evening from General Washington, that the inhabitants of Boston are unexpectedly coming out from that town to Chelsea, by way of Winnesimet ferry ; and, as this House are apprehensive that the people of the Country may be exposed to take the small-pox, the said inhabitants of Boston, being suffered indiscriminately to resort into the country, and to such parts as they may choose, and probably some of the said Inhabitants may be in such weak and infirm circumstances as to stand in need of immediate relief, Therefore resolved, That Mr. Freeman, Col. Orne, Mr. Cushing, and Major Smith, with such as the honorable Board shall join, be a committee immediately to repair to Chelsea, to inspect the state and Characters of such inhabitants of Boston, as have or may arrive there from thence; and that the said com- mittee be empowered and ordered to do and direct everything that they shall find absolutely necessary for the safety of the country and the immediate relief of any helpless and indigent persons belonging to said Boston who may arrive at the said Chelsea, and that the said Committee, as soon as may be, acquaint this court of their proceedings in the premises. Sent up for concurrence. 2
[In Committee.] July 31, 1775.
To the Selectmen and Committee of Correspondence of the Town of Chelsea, - [Recites the foregoing letter.]
It having been Represented to the Great and General Court, now held at Watertown, that the Inhabitants of the Town of Bos- ton are allowed to Come out of that Town to Chelsea by way of Winnisimet ferry, the said Court, from an apprehension that many of the said inhabitants are poor and unable to Remove themselves, and the effects they may have with them to such places as they may be disposed to repair to, and that others may be in weak and infirm Circumstances and stand in need of Immediate Relief ; - and also that some may through Carelessness or otherwise be
2 House Jour., 1775, p. 25.
527
CHAP. XLIX]
IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
the means of spreading the Small-Pox in the Country; - Ap- pointed us, a Committee to repair to your Town and Inspect the State and Characters of the Inhabitants of Boston who should move out in manner as aforesaid, - & provide against any diffi- eultys therefrom. We the said Committee have attended accord- ingly and find upon full Enquiry that there is not so much danger of the small-pox as was at first apprehended, and finding that the movement of those people is so slow, that we, the said Committee, cannot, Consistant with our other dutys Expected from us by the Genl. Court, attend in person to the Landing of the said inhabitants, not knowing what length of Time Genl. Gage may take in any degree to perform his Engagements to the inhab- itants of that Town.
We, therefore, Impower you or the major part of you and you hereby are Impowered and Directed to Cause a Strict Inquiry of all persons that shall land in your Town from Boston, and, if you suspect that they or their effects are infected with the Small- pox, that you see that they be Cleansed, and all such Indigent per- sons, who shall arrive from thence and be Recommended by the Committee of Donations to be objeets of the Charity of the people, that you Canse them and their effects to be removed to such Towns as have not their proportion of such persons, agrecable to the vote of the Late Congress, and all such persons as are so infirm, as that they Cannot be removed, that you provide for them at the public expence until they Can be removed or until other wise directed by the Genl. Court.
And, if you shall find it needfull, that you impress Carriages, Teams, attendance, and all other necessarys for the effectuating the purposes aforesaid in the most prudent manner.
And that you Lay an account of your Expences, time in carrying this order into exceution, before the Genl. Court that whatsoever is Just may be done to you and all such as shall aet under you and by your order.
July 31st, 1775.
JEDIT. FOSTER, I. PALMER, MOSES GILL. SAM'L FREEMAN. JONATHAN SMITH, AZOR ORNE. NATHAN CUSHING.3
8 Mass. Archives, covi. 83, 84. I have noted, but am not sure that I have used, references to House Jour., 1775, pp. 26, 27. 52, 83, 141, 145, and 163, Nov. Sess. In consulting these Journals, it is important to remember that the Nov. Sess, for '75 ran over to '76, in which some things done in "75 are found only in the Jour., '75-'76.
528
HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. XLIX
In the House, July 31, 1775.
Mr. Spooner, at the same time, brought down the report of the Committee, who was appointed to repair to Chelsea to take care of the inhabitants who might come out of Boston, viz .:
The Committee appointed by the General Court to repair to Chelsea to inspect the state and character of such inhabitants of Boston as have or may arrive there from thence, and to do and direct every thing that they should find absolutely necessary for the safety of the country, and the immediate relief of any helpless and indigent persons belonging to Boston who might arrive at said Chelsea, beg leave to report that they immediately proceeded upon the business to which they were appointed, and on their way to and at Chelsea found sundry of the inhabitants of Boston, who had been allowed to remove, and by them were informed that the small-pox had not lately prevailed in that town, & that General Gage had directed that no inhabitants were permitted to come out on the day that they were there, and that from General Gage's past failure in the performance of his solemn agreements with that town, it was very uncertain whether others might come out, agree- able to the just expectations of the people; they impowered and directed the selectmen & Committee of correspondence of the town of Chelsea or the major part of them to make strict inquiry into the state & circumstances of all persons who should arrive there from Boston, and care & provide for the indigent & guard and secure the country against the small-pox, as in the commission to them sent, (a copy whereof is herewith exhibited) will appear. All which is humbly submitted.
JEDH. FOSTER, per order.
Read, & sent down. Read, and accepted.4
Confirmed, & made valid (proceedings of yesterday, Sunday.) 5
In the House, August 18, 1775. Ordered, that Mr. Turner, Mr. Bent, and Mr. Stickney be a committee to confer with Mr. Green- leaf with respect to the poor of Boston who came over Winnisim- met Ferry, and report what is proper to be done for their support. Resolved, to appropriate £30 for the care of said poor.6
" Nov. 27, 1775. Mon. I read in the 'News Print,' that Gen. Howe sent out from Boston, by way of Chelsea, 300 of the town's poor, men, women & children." 7 And the same paper, perhaps,
4 House Jour., 1775, 26.
5 Ibid., 27. Vide Mass. Arch., cevi. 85, 86.
.6 House Jour., 82, 83.
" Bixby's Diary, Mass. Hist. Soc. Proc., xiv. 296.
1
529
CHAP. XLIX] IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
added, -" without anything to subsist on at this inclement sea- son of the year, having, it is reported, only six cattle left in the town for Shubach Hewes, butcher master-general, to kill." 8 Price's Diary says, that on the 30th he saw "young Coolidge, who came out of Boston last Friday, in the transport-ship which landed him and about 300 others, - aged, infirm men, with women and children - at Point Shirley." 9
In the House. December 4, 1775. Eldad Taylor brought down a Letter, informning, that some Deserters reported that a Number of Persons who had been Innoculated were to be sent out of Boston by Gen. Ilowe, with a design to spread the Small-Pox among the Troops.10
Resolved, That a committee repair forthwith to Pulling Point, and procure all Intelligence in the Matter in their Power and report to this House.11
This resolve apparently led to the following :
In the House of Representatives, Dec. 6, 1775.
Whereas, a committee has been appointed by this Court to pro- vide for and remove such of the inhabitants of Boston, as may be sent from thence to Point Shirley or other places, as also to make use of every precaution necessary to prevent a communication of the Small-Pox to other parts of this Colony, which appears to be the intention of our Enemies. - Resolved, that said Committee be and hereby are directed & impowered to Impress, if it should be found necessary, a sufficient number of Carriages for the re- moval of such of said Inhabitants & their Effects as shall have
8 Frothingham, Siege of Boston, 282.
º Mass. Hist. Soc. Proc., vii. 217.
10 This reflection on Sir William Howe, though not unnatural under the circumstances, was not deserved; for his family was not unfriendly to the Americans, and to his elder brother who fell at Ticonderoga, July 6. 1758. Massachusetts voted a monument in Westminster Abbey. Sir William, brave and able officer, undoubtedly endeavored to maintain the policy of his government; but it was thought at home that his sympathy with the Americans made him half-hearted in his efforts to conquer them. He was in a position which the military policy of his opponents made it impossible for him to occupy with considerations entirely humane. With regard to the transactions under consideration, Frothingham justly says, that " ne- cessity obliged General Howe to promote their departure," - that is, those above spoken of. - Siege of Boston, 282. Humane arrangements between the British generals and the Boston authorities were early made; but their infraction, doubtless by both parties, led to mutual complaints, and the enforcement of martial law.
11 House Jour., 1775, November Sess., 13. VOL. 11 .- 34
530
HISTORY OF CHELSEA
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.