USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Genealogical history of the town of Reading, Mass., including the present towns of Wakefield, Reading, and North Reading, with chronological and historical sketches, from 1639 to 1874 > Part 67
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" on command," 32 on furlough, 54 on extra service ; of this last-named class 23 are assigned as artificers, 8 wagoners, I butcher, I baker, 3 foraging, 3 colliers, 2 with Gen. Gates and Heath (the latter in command at West Point), 3 in the country tending horses, and one with Col. Kos- ciusko. This officer superintended the construction of the military works at West Point, and at other places. He was the brave and noble Pole who, after his return to Europe, engaged in the Polish revolution of 1794, and became generalissimo. It was of him, after his hopeless defeat, that the poet Campbell wrote the familiar lines, -
" Hope for a season bade the world farewell, And Freedom shrieked as Kosciusko fell."
Capt. Bancroft seems to have been intimately acquainted with Gen. Washington, who spoke of him as his "faithful Bancroft." He expected promotion to higher official position, but it was so long deferred that he finally resigned, and in 1780 left the army and returned home. He was often employed by his fellow-citizens to manage their public inter- ests, and for many years he was an influential member of the popular branch of the State government. During the Shay Rebellion, his sound judgment and long experience gave him an important influence over public measures.
He drew a pension of twenty dollars per month during the last years of his life, and it was subsequently increased to full pay, forty dollars per month, and continued to his widow.
Capt. Bancroft, or as he was more generally known in later years, " Squire " Bancroft, was held in great respect by all who knew him. When he left the army, the officers of his regiment accompanied him to the line, expressing their regret at his resignation ; and we are told by his grandson, Mr. Edmund Eaton, that he ever afterward spoke of his own action in the matter with regretful feelings.
He was once met in the night, near Winter Hill, in Somerville, by a man who demanded his money. As he was about to give it up, the man recognized him, and refused to take it, saying he would not take from him a single farthing. Mr. Bancroft related the incident, but kept the name a secret.
He was an excellent marksman. While in the army, an eagle was discovered upon a tree-top a half mile away. About twenty men fired at it without frightening it from its perch. The captain brought it down at the first shot. He preserved some of the quills for many years, which persons now living remember to have seen. Like many another good soldier he never directly admitted that he knew of killing any of
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the enemy's men, though he remembered seeing men fall at whom he fired, but he suggested that others might have fired at the same object at the same moment. The gun he used till the time of the battle at the taking of Burgoyne was a poor one. But at that time, finding a good one lying on the battle-field, belonging probably to the British, he took it for his own use, and threw away his old one.
For some time during the War of the Revolution, Mr. Thomas Sweet- ser was engaged in carrying supplies to the army. When our troops were stationed near Boston, the soldiers suffered for want of fuel. Mr. Sweetser, with others, carried wood from this vicinity for their relief. They went twice, at least, to the " North River " - Hudson - with sup- plies for the army stationed in its vicinity. On one of these journeys the loading was powder and liquors. Mr. Caleb Parker, a brother of Col. Nathan, had a man to assist him. He found this man one night busily but thoughtlessly employed with his lantern in close proximity to the powder casks. The suddenness with which the two dangerous elements were put at a safe distance apart, was a caution to the assistant that did not need a repetition. Mr. Sweetser's team was two yokes of oxen and a horse. On returning from one of these expeditions, the river was found to be open for a short distance on its opposite shore, and most of the company declined to cross. Mr. Sweetser being anx- ious to return, went forward upon the ice, as far as he could, and then made his team swim the open part, and safely reached the other bank: He arrived home nearly a fortnight in advance of his party. The whiffle-tree used by Mr. Sweetser on these occasions is still preserved by his son, Thomas Sweetser, Esq.
Joseph Bancroft was commissioned 2d Lieut., May 6, 1776, and Ist Lieut. Aug. 20, 1777. He probably spent the winter of 1778 at Winter Hill. A paper dated Feb. 21, 1778, signed by Col. Jacob Gerrish, per- mits him " to be absent from the garrison five days and then return." His papers and accounts show that he was subsequently engaged in hiring and paying men for army service. Among his papers is found a summary of statistics pertaining to Reading, taken in 1784 by the assessors. The whole number of acres of land granted to, or surveyed for, any person, is given by them as 13,290, " not including 150 acres of land owned by the ministers of the town." The number of dwelling- houses, 205 ; other buildings, 184 ; number of white inhabitants, 1,402 ; blacks, 12. Another paper contains an Act of the Legislature passed in 1779, requiring each town to furnish shirts, shoes, and stockings equal to one seventh of the number of males in town above the age of 16 years. Reading is required to furnish 58; Cambridge, 56 ; Charles-
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town, 35 ; Malden, 33 ; Boston, 407 ; Salem, 166; Andover, 102; Worcester, 62 ; Hull, 5.
J. Brooks Leathe, Esq., whose labors have greatly aided in supplying the historical facts and incidents relating to Reading, has the original notice sent to this town, written the day after the Battle of Bunker Hill, of which the following is a copy :-
IN COM'TEE OF SAFETY, CAMB., June 18, 1775. To the Selectmen of Reading :
Gent., - You are desired to provide provision sufficient for the militia of your town now here, and send it forward to Camb. as soon as may be. Per order, JONA. HASTINGS, Clerk.
I.
COPY OF A LETTER
WRITTEN BY COL. (AFTERWARDS GENERAL) BENJAMIN BROWN, OF READING, WHILE HE WAS ABSENT IN THE ARMY, ADDRESSED TO HIS WIFE .*
" TICONDEROGA, Aug. 31, 1776.
" My dear' Spous, - I received yours, dated Aug. 15, with no small (satisfaction ?) - which was in ten days after the date, in which you Express your Ernest desire that I may enjoy the light of God's coun- tenance in a distant land. Truly, a distant land it is, but nevertheless, there is such a din and noise and company that I am almost a stranger to retirement. I can enjoy no other religious exercise then ejacula- tory, excepting morning and evening Public Prayers, and on the Sab- bath a sermon or two by Mr. Emerson of Concord and Mr. Hitchcock of Beverly, - very agreeable gentlemen. I am glad to hear you are calm and resigned to your lonesome lot, and yet not alone, but enjoy the Comforter ; may his presence attend you in this dark world, until you arrive to eternal day. It gives me unspeakable satisfaction to hear that peace and harmony is householder in my family; and that the morning and evening sacrifice is constantly ascending to heaven, by the mouth of my well beloved son, in its stated seasons. May the best of heaven's blessing rest on you and all my family and friends, til I return . or am gathered to my people in peace with God and my own con- science:
You tell me you have purchased some Hemlock bark ; I am glad to
* It is copied verbatim et literatim.
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hear it, and hope that the tanning and currying may be done well and seasonably, which will greatly contribute to the support of the family. You may send word to Mr. Nathan Newhall that his son is well and looks hearty. I told him his mother was concerned for him; he smiled and passed by me. I understand by you that the little General (referring probably to an infant son, then about ten months old, who was named for Gen. Joseph Warren) is your bedfellow ; I hope you will norish him and make a fine fellow of him, til I return and take part of your soft bed, with him and you ; for the softest bed I have is boards, and sometimes hemlock boughs. Through divine goodness, I am now in good health, but want many things, which I used to enjoy, viz .: Cider, and sauce and butter, if you please ; I have had but one drink of Cider since I came to this place. I think I am tolerably re- spected, - have dined with Gen. Gates several times, and have been swore at by him, as many ; but no bones broken at present. I have often to go on fatigue, commanding three or four hundred men, who are fortyfying the place ; but we have been retarded from the work, from Monday last to Thursday afternoon, on account of rainy weather. We have seen nothing of the enemy, nor hear their sittuation, since I have been in this place, so as to be depended upon. Gen. Gates tells me he expects a warm attack from Burgoyne ; - that soon. I hope we shall be ready to give them a warm reception. I see no fear or intimidation in the camp. I understand we are going to be joined by Col. Phinis and Whitcom's regiments from Boston. A number of our friends are taken with the Small Pox, and a number of others have colds and fever and ague. As to the Geography of this place, where I now am en- campt it is surrounded by water, except the Norwest part; and there is redoubts and brest works to defend that part, it being the place where many of the bones of our - lay above ground to this day, that were slain in the year 176(9).
I have left my tent at present and live in the fort with Mr. John (Winzer) Paymaster, who treats me very corteous. My sincere. duty to my honored mother, and love to all my children, kind respects to my Brothers and Sisters and all friends ; in particular, Mr. Prentice, Doct. Swain, and that brother Bachellor, brother Emerson, Peter Emerson, John Pratt, Mr. (Bachellor), Wm. Gould, Samuel Poole, Capt. Good- win, Thomas Damon and their Spouses ; and let them know that a line from either of them would be very acceptable.
James (probably James Wiley, his wife's son by a former husband) has been very poor (ly?) for sum days, but is on the mending hand. By what I can learn from those that have the Small Pox, they are
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mostly like to recover. Those from Reading that have it is Ephraim Pratt, Kemble (Kendall?) Emerson, and poor old (Clafter?). We are in great danger of it ; but no enoculation is allowed of. When we find any break out, we send them off immediately to fort George, which is 30 miles distant. Give my kind respects to Mr. Nutting and his Spous, and tell them that (J. ) is well ; and also tell Mr. Carter that his son Benja. is neighbor to me and is in good health and wants to come home. My dear Spous, - I often think on you with pleasure and de- light, and flatter myself I shall once more imbrace you in my affection- ate arms, in some cold night next winter, when I shall be willing to relate to you the hardships I have endured in this campaign, which will sweeten our innocent imbraces and heighten our matrimonial delights, at which happy circumstance, let our brests not only glow with gladness, but with treu thankfulness to our kind and beneficent. Preserver, but if otherwise, be content with the will of heaven, rather than I should flee my colors, and fall into the lowest contempt ; especially when I am engaged in so noble and good a cause. I write no more at this time, but take the liberty to subscribe myself your effectionate husband till Death,
" BENJA. BROWN.
"N. B. This is the fourth letter I have sent to you, and when you write to me again, be so obliging as to put your name to it.
" B. B."
J.
Capt. James Bancroft, of the third parish in Reading, had the repu- tation of being a prompt, brave, and able officer while in the army. He commanded a company in the regiment commanded by Col. John Brooks. When Col. Brooks was elected Governor, on the day of Inauguration, in 1816, Capt. Bancroft, then 77 years old, went down to witness the ceremony ; and on his way through Medford, passing the house of the Governor elect, the Governor, while at breakfast, saw him passing with his cocked hat and long cane, and sent out and invited him in to take a cup of coffee. The Governor then said to him, " There is no man liv- ing I am more glad to see on this occasion than yourself." To whom the Capt. replied : "There is no one, Col. Brooks, who rejoices in it more than I do. I breakfasted in Reading, and came down on purpose to wit- ness the ceremonies of the occasion. The choice of Governor which the people have made delights my heart. If you make as good Governor
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as you did Colonel of a Regiment, I shall be satisfied." Tears flowed down the cheeks of both of them as they clasped each other's hands.
Gov. Brooks explained afterwards why the meeting was so affecting : said he, " On the day 'of the last battle with Gen. Burgoyne (Oct. 7) I was dining with Generals Gates and Arnold. Firing commenced. I went in, commanding the 8th or Jackson Regiment. After the dis- charge of the enemy's volley, a company on the left flank went suddenly down. I thought the volley had shot them all down, and I rode to the extreme left in great haste, to ascertain what was the matter. I was greatly agitated, and there met Capt. Bancroft, who commanded the left wing. He also had quit his place to see what disaster had occurred. At this moment the company all rose up and we were relieved from our apprehensions. I was yet however greatly agitated, and speaking sharply to Capt. Bancroft, said, 'What business have you here, Sir?' The Captain said, ' I came out to see what had happened to the com- pany on the left.' I then said, 'You are out of your place, Sir.' With the submissive spirit of the good soldier, the Captain replied, 'I am ready to obey your orders, Colonel.' With great perturbation, I responded, ' My orders are that you advance and enter those lines, Sir.' The Captain smarting under the reproof, quickly gave the word, ' Come on, my boys, and enter that fort!' (Breyman's Fort.) Then leading the way himself, he made a rapid movement forward, and the whole company ascended the parapet. Surprised at the suddenness of the assault, the enemy retired from the fort, and the whole regiment entered it."
Capt. Bancroft's wife (who was Sarah Pierson) was a lady of intelli- gence, education, and piety.
The following extract from a letter written by her to her husband while he was in the army may be interesting, to her descendants at least :-
"My Dear, we received yours, in which you mention the capture of Lt. Gen. Burgoyne. We congratulate you, Sir, upon the large success, in which your Regiment was distinguished for their valor and conduct.
Dr. Hay desires especially to present his compliments of congratula- tion upon the great success attending the American arms, under Gen. Gates, in which you had an active part.
The children all present their duty and express their joy to learn that you endure the fatigues of war with so much spirit and so little prejudice to your health. As you take a particular concern for your domestic affairs, we have the satisfaction to acquaint you that the crop of corn turned out remarkably well. We have cider enough for our
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family, and our work goes on well. Gen. Burgoyne's officers are quar- tered principally in Cambridge, - the men on Prospect Hill, the Ger- man troops upon Winter Hill. All your friends desire their respects may be given you, and that you would embrace every opportunity to acquaint us with the situation of the army.
No more at present to add, but an earnest desire that you may pros- per in arms as long as your country shall require.
Honor ever be the concomitant of your actions ; and in due time you be returned to your loving family in health and laden with divine mercy.
I remain your loving wife,
READING, Dec. 18, 1777.
SARAH BANCROFT."
K.
NAMES OF SOME OF THE PERSONS BELONGING TO BOSTON AND CHARLESTOWN, WHO WERE RELIEVED AND ASSISTED AT READING BY THE TOWN, IN 1775.
These people were called "Donation People."
Margaret Bodge, aged 35, of Charlestown.
Samuel Bodge, 66 6, "
Henry Bodge, 66 4, " 66 David Bodge, 66 2, “ 66
66 Vietta Blair,
Jonathan Carey, 76, " 66
Sarah Carey, his wife, aged 76, of Charlestown.
John Carey, 66 66
66 Mrs. Coverly,
66 Sarah Capen, aged 63,
John Doak, of Boston.
Hannah Doak, his wife, of Boston.
66 Two Doak children,
Sarah Edes, aged 45, of Charlestown. Grace Edes, 16, “ 66 .
Jonathan Edes, " I4, " 66
Hulda Edes,
“
8, “
66
Abigail Edes, 7, " 66 David Edmands,
Mary Fosdick, 66
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Mary Fillebrown, of Boston.
Elizabeth Hiler, 66
Thomas Jarvis, 6 Charlestown.
Mary Kella, aged 58,
Ebenezer Leman (a cripple), aged 44, of Charlestown.
Elizabeth Leman (his wife), " 36, " 66
Four Leman children (8, 6, 4, 2),
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Abiah Larkin, aged 22, " 66
Ann Larkin,
66
IŻ, "
Elizabeth Orr,
66
37, “ 66
Jane Orr,
"
16, “
Elizabeth Orr,
II, "
66
Mrs. Elizabeth Osborn,
66
66
Jane Page,
66
Mrs. Pool, wife of Benja.,
66
71, " Charlestown.
His daughter,
66
45,
Ann Rand,
53, “
66 66
Thomas Sargent,
Ann Shepard,
66
33, “ 66
Thos. Shepard,
66
9, "
66
Anna Shepard,
66
5, "
66
Asa Shepard,
66
3, "
66
Elias Stone (Paralytic),
67, " 66
Wm. Stone,
66
12, “
Bethiah Stone,
8, "
66
Samuel Stone,
66
6, "
66
Anna Symmes (blind and deaf), "
64, “
66
Mrs. Tree,
Mrs. Way,
66
Sarah Widdefield,
66 39, "
Children of do. ; Sarah, aged 10 ; John, 9 ; Hugh, 7.
L.
COPY OF LETTER FROM DR. SAMUEL HART.
" My father, Dr. John Hart, was born in Ipswich, Mass. Octr. 23rd, 1851. His father, John Hart, was a lawyer ; and our paternal ances- try, as nearly as I can trace it, emigrated to this country and settled in
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Thomas Larkin,
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66
Boston.
Stephen Pierce,
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Ipswich as early as 1636. His mother I believe was also a native of Ipswich ; her maiden name was Mary Knowlton.
"Of my father's boyhood, I know but little. Educational advantages, in that period of our Country's history, were far less generally extended than now. But we record it to the honor of the early settlers of New England, that having established themselves upon the soil, and having escaped from the persecutions and narrow bigotries of the Old World, they consecrated their adopted country to Religion, Education, and Human Liberty. Harvard University was established in 1636, sixteen years only after the Landing on Plymouth Rock. Dear New England, how I love and honor you ! even your stony hills I esteem and vener- ate. And my native town, the place of my family sepulchres, and its inhabitants, I love and regard more than any other locality on earth.
"My father must have enjoyed a good share of educational opportu- nities, and acquired some knowledge of languages, particularly Latin, which is indispensable to entering upon the study of a scientific pro- fession. At the age of fourteen, he entered the office of Dr. John Califf, an eminent physician, who had enjoyed all the advantages of medical education in England, came to this country, and settled in Ipswich. This gave him rare advantages, for in those days, Medical Colleges and Schools had no existence in the Colonies. At the age of nineteen, Dr. C. pronounced him qualified to enter upon the arduous duties and formidable responsibilities of practical life. His extreme youth led him to conclude that no one who knew him would intrust themselves to his care ; and he went to Maine, then a District of Mass., and settled in Georgetown, now Bath. Possessed of an active mind, indomitable energy, and untiring, persevering zeal, he there received, boy-physician as he was, a respectable share of patronage and success. · "When it became evident that the misunderstanding between the Colonies and the home government could only be decided by an appeal to the sword, my father returned to Mass., received a commission of Surgeon in the Army, and joined Col. Prescott's regiment in Cam- bridge. This Col. Prescott was a man distinguished for bravery, courage, and military skill. I have heard my father speak of his activity and influence in the battle of Bunker Hill over the minds of the Soldiers ; he wore a long frock coat, and seemed, with his sword flying, to be in every part of the line almost at the same instant, imparting to them his own fearless activity and courage. After the enemy obtained pos- session of the Hill, the inquiry was made, who that d-d Ban Yan fel- low was, alluding to Prescott, saying that his activity had cost them a
d, S- in
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great deal of British blood. He was grandfather of the late historian Prescott, who has contributed so largely to elevate the character of the historians of our country abroad.
" After the evacuation of Boston by the British troops in 1776, he accompanied Col. Prescott's Regiment to New York, and was sta- tioned on Staten Island, until the enemy took possession of Long Island, and was then driven to the Highlands. Many mementos of the fierce struggle for the possession of Long Island now exist in Brooklyn, the city of my adoption. Tradition points out the house which Gen. Washington occupied while our army was stationed in Brooklyn : it is a small building of brick and stone, dilapidated and unoccupied, standing on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Third Street, and was erected in 1696. This is now being removed to give place to a modern block of buildings.
" At this time Col. Prescott's Regiment was disbanded ; and my father was appointed Surgeon of the 2d Mass. Regiment, and continued this connection with it to the close of the war in 1783. This regiment was commanded by Col. John Bailey.
"During the whole war my father was in active service. I heard him say that he accompanied his regiment in every battle, attended by his Assistant Surgeon, provided with instruments, bandages, and every appliance necessary for smaller operations, and for the dressing of such wounds as could properly be done on the field. I am now happily in possession of two cases of instruments he thus appropriated, and prize them highly as revolutionary relics.
"I am unable to furnish the date or the locality of some of the inci- dents and events of interest I have heard him relate, and in which he participated ; some of which I have never seen recorded in history. The ruse by which Gen. Arnold (afterwards the Arch Traitor) suc- ceeded in raising the siege of Fort Schuyler, often called Fort Stan- wix, I have heard him relate more particularly than any account I have seen of it, except as related by Col. Stone in his Life of Brant. This Brant was a Mohawk Indian and chief Sachem of the Six Nations ; was educated at Dartmouth College, and was the master-spirit of the Indian expeditions into the Valley of the Mohawk and other points during the revolutionary struggle. Col. Willett, accompanied by Major Stockwell, in the night of the Ioth of August, 1777, escaped from the fort, success- fully eluded the besieging forces of British and Indians, and gave notice of the straitened condition of the Garrison. Gen. Schuyler ordered Gens. Arnold and Larned with the Massachusetts Brigade, which were joined by some New York troops, to advance to the relief of the fort.
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Gen. Herkimer had previously, with the militia under his command, marched to its relief, had fallen into an ambush, his army severely handled, himself wounded, and subsequently died of his wounds. Gen. Arnold commanded the expedition ; fearing his force insufficient to raise the siege, he adopted the following stratagem. At Fort Dayton, Arnold found a strange being, Hon Yost Schuyler, who seemed little above an idiot, yet somewhat shrewd, under sentence of death for treason. His mother and brother begged the Gen. to spare his life. This he consented to do, on condition that he would perform a certain act, which he required of him ; and in case of failure his brother should be executed in his stead. This was agreed to, and his brother put in prison. Hon Yost, having had several balls shot through his clothes, was dispatched to the camp of St. Leger, and fulfilled his part of the contract faithfully. He was to state to that officer, that Gen. Arnold was at Fort Dayton, with two thousand troops and several pieces of Cannon, and was to commence his march at daylight the next morning, to attack the besieging army. In proof of this, he stated that he was on his way to the gallows to be hanged as a traitor ; but not being closely guarded, he thought he might as well be shot as hanged ; that he ran, was fired upon, and showed the holes in his clothes as evidence of its truth. At the same time, an Oneida Indian entered the Indian camp, giving mysterious hints of an immense army advancing upon them. This had the intended effect. Arnold, upon the supposition that it would put the besieging army to the rout, com- menced his march ; and when he reached the fort, found the enemy had fled, leaving behind their tents, a great part of their artillery, camp equipage, and baggage. This was achieved by Benedict Arnold, after- wards the prince of traitors. My father always entertained the opin- ion, that this success essentially aided in the capture of Burgoyne's army at Saratoga the following October. He also related that when Washington fully ascertained the treason and escape of Arnold, he said at the table, addressed to all present, that he always felt averse to appointing to an important position any one who was dissipated, un- principled, or reckless ; that he knew Arnold to be such, a spendthrift and a high liver, but that the ability, activity, success, and seeming patriotism he had displayed in the war had been such as to secure him from any such terrible, deliberate conduct ; and that in future no such character would receive any appointment from him. My father men- tioned a stunning rebuke Arnold afterwards received from a soldier, who accompanied a flag to the British Commander in New York. Arnold was present, and, supposing himself unknown to the soldier,
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