USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > History of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Volume I pt 1 > Part 17
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
An increase of military titles is noticeable in this list, and it was oc. casioned by the fact that the militia of the county, by advice of the Pro- vincial Congress, had been entirely reorganizal. the privates choosing the company oficers, who in turn chose the regimental. Three regiments
123
GENERAL HISTORY.
of ordinary militia, and two of minute men were organized. The mini. men were so called because they engaged to be ready to move at a mil- ute's warning, and they did not belie their name. The regiment which was recruited from the southern towns was committed by Col. . Why Fellows. The captains were William King of Great Barrington, Willimon Bacon, of Sheffield, Ebenezer Smith, of New Marlborough, ----- Soule, of Sandisfield, William Goodrich, of Stockbridge, Noah Allen, of Tyring- ham; Samuel Brewer, of Stockbridge, adjutant. John Patterson, of Lenox, commanded the regiment raised in the northern and central part of the county, and Jeremiah Cady, of Dalton fthen the plantation of Ashuelot Equivalent) was major. The captains were Charles Dibble of Lenox, Nathan Watkins, of Partridgefiebl. Thomas Williams, of Stock- bridge, David Noble, of Pittsfield, and Samuel Sloan, of Williamstown. The other principal officers were taken from other parts of the province Captain Noble, who commanded the Pittsfield and Richmond company. showed a patriotic zeal and liberality not often surpassed. Pittsfield. it January, voted to pay every man from that town who enlisted in this " Piquet company one shilling and six pence a day while on duty. he equipping and furnishing himself with proper and sufficient arms und accoutrements fit for war, and standing ready at a minute's warning to march and oppose the enemies of the country if called thereto." Umter a penalty of three shillings for each neglect every minute man was ie quired to "appear and exercise" three or four times a month. The com pany was, however, indebted for its arms and uniform to its commun Lay. Captain David Noble. On the first of September an alarm was raised of a movement of the British troops from Boston to Charleston, and the minute men of Berkshire at oner pressed forward, but on reaching West- field learned that the alarm was false, and returned home. The Pinsteld company seems to have been mounted. for the town allowe leach private and non-commissioned officer two pounds for himself and horse, and the captain and lieutenant six pounds; refusing the officers any extra cour pensation for going on to Boston after they had learned that the alamo was a feint, probably intended by the Revolutionary leaders at Boston th test the spirit of the interior of the province. If that was the intent the result of the experiment as to Berkshire was satisfactory.
Captain Noble's visit to Boston was no more trip of curiosity or pleasure, and the town might well have paid for it, and no doubt woab! have done so could they have foreseen the result. He learned there hon close and how momentons was the impending conflict. Returning home he sold three farms, and receiving the pay in gold he expended it in fur nishing his company with 130 stand of arms and uniformiing them in " neat and substantial regimentals." Their breeches were made of buck- skin and their coats of " blue cloth turned up with white." For this por- pose he brought a breeches maker from Philadelphia and had the uni- form made up in his own house
This instance of the devotion and self sacrificing spirit of Berkshire
134
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
patriots in that memorable winter of preparation, although conspicuous by its extreme liberality, was a sample of what was done by all Berk- shire men and women, with the exception of those who belonged toa few loyalist families. That anxious winter saw busier scenes than were ever before witnessed even in New England homes, while the click of the loom and the humming of the spinning wheel made music harmonious with that of the minute men's life and drum. This was needful, for in 1774 no myriad-spindled factories clothed armies by contract with a govern- ment of exhaustless treasury. In every Berkshire village the true hearted and industrious women had much to do besides that which was required of, and so nobly performed by, their worthy successors in the Civil war nearly a hundred years later. In "spinning matches " and " clothing bees" married and single women, those belonging to rival localities of otherwise, divided for friendly contests, strove for the palm in the now lost domestic arts of spinning, weaving, and coloring of home made cloths; the product going to clothe the army. In these gatherings the laughter may have been louder and more frequent than when they were held in token of good will for the village pastor, but there must have been an un- dertone which showed that none of the thoughtful participants could be cheated of their forebodings. The people of Berkshire as a whole in 1774 were neither gloomy. morose, nor ascetic : they were as far as possi- ble from being despondent in this crisis. On the contrary, they were in the first flush of indignant resistance to wrong, and with full confidence in the Lord of Hosts as their helper : but they, or at least the more inte !. ligent of them, those whom we have named. and shall name, as leaders, knew well
" What arduous struggles lie Between adventurous virtue's early toils And her triumphant throne."
In those struggles they were eager to participate, because they be- lieved them necessary, although they would have rejoiced if that neces. sity had not existed. or could have been avoided. They were generally well informed in the history of the strife for civil and religious liberty which, with varying fortunes, had been going on in Great Britain for ceu- turies, and in that history they read their own with the hope of an even better denonement. although through inch endurance ; a hopesthat was not falsified. Of these struggles and of the suffering which attended them much came early. With generous and sensitive minds severing of old and warm friendships was a bitter trial, even when that severance was not so wide and complete as it was in some instances, of as was required by some forms of the league and covenant. Governor Gage, in his early ignorance of the spirit and character of the people, believed that incon- veniences necessarily arising from the suspension of the courts and the restrictions by the league and covenant upon the traffic and use of or dinary commodities of life would alone be sufficient to reduce the prov- ince to submission. He was mistaken, as usual. Still these " incon-
135
GENERAL HISTORY.
veniences," to call them by no stronger name, were severely felt, nemes. sary and effectual as they were as Revolutionary measures. The suspen- sion of the courts of law, the non-consumption agreement, and the essere " handling" of tories produced great hardships for many years, and in some cases undoubtedly were sources of injustice and oppression in the name of liberty, generally the result of over zeal on the part of the com- mittees or their agents, but sometimes from baser personal reasons. Letters and records afford us specific individual instances of this. But the statement needs no proof, and families are not so changed in Bork- shire, and yet not so far removed from those times that to reproduce those stories might not revive old feuds, or at least he unpleasant to many readers. That which it is necessary to relate in the interest of the truth of history will, of course, be pardoned by all sensible people. More will not be given.
CHAPTER VHIL.
BERKSHIRE IN THE REVOLUTION (continued).
Active hostilities and measures connected with them .- Departure of the minute men -Capture of Ticonderoga. - The Canadian campaigns, 1775-6 .- Other events of 1775 .-- Berkshire in the second Northern campaign.
N THE SPRING of 1775, as we have seen. Berkshire by her vigilant and vigorous action was well prepared for the commencement of active hostilities in the war of the Revolution. Her two regiments of minute men were composed of the flower of the youth of the conmy, and appear to have enlisted from the newly organized militia without being detached from it necessarily, except when on duty as minute men : for in one instance at least we find Captain Noble, who commanded the company of Pittsfield and Richmond men in the latter service, was at the time first lieutenant in a company of Pittsfield militia. It was considered. in view of the antagonistic position. of great importance to secure the Stockbridge Indians for the patriotic side, and on the Ist of April. in the Provincial Congress, the committee on the state of the province re. ported that a number of them had enlisted as minute men, and it was voted to pay Col. Patterson and Capt. William Goodrich twenty-three pounds to purchase a blanket and some ribbons for each of them, and to present an address, which is a good specimen of the eloquence usually addressed officially to the red men. It was formally adopted by the Congress, and is printed in its record. In a short time the Stockbridge Indians enlisted a full company composed of all the fighting men of the tribe, whose names will be found in the list of Berkshire Revolutionary soldiers. They did most faithful and valuable service throughout the war.
"The Mahhekaneok tribe of Indians living in and about Stock. bridge," considered the address of April 1st at a council of two days, at the close of which. April 11th, the chief sachem. Chipt. Solomon Uh-haun- nau-wan-mut. made a reply full of good feeling and good sense, promis. ing the utmost aid he and his tribe could give. He had been thinking of " taking a run to the westward to feel the minds of his brethren of the
.
137
GENERAL HISTORY.
six nations, " and if he found them against the American cause to attend to turn them, which he thought would be the best service he could per- form at that time. " as it might be a good while before blood run." How- ever, he submitted all that to their judgment ; only if he was sent for to fight he would have to do so in his own Indian way. .. I am not used to fight English fashion, and you must not expect me to train like your nien. Only point out to me where your enemies keep, and that is all I shall want to know."
This reply for some reason, was not reported to the congress uptil June 8th, when " blood had begun to run." The proposition of Captain Solomon to go as a sort of envoy extraordinary to the motives, if he still thought best, was considered. The address adds, " if some of your young men have a mind to come down here to see what we are doing. let them come down and tarry among our warriors. We will provide for them while here."
At the same. " whereas great benefit may arise to the American calle should our friends, the Stockbridge of Moher konnte Indians send bolts and messengers and the same may be attended with expense," the sofort. men of Stockbridge were appointed a committee to forward this measure and fifteen pounds from the money in the hands of Stephen Nach. " the late collector" of that town, were appropriated to deiry the cost.
In July, 1775, eighteen of the Indian soldiers petitioned the Congress, saying that in their serious hours they were sensible of their want of you- dence in disposing of their money, and desired that Congress would de- vise some means to prevent their getting too much strong drink. To this end they asked that all their wages should be paid in trust to Timothy Edwards and Jahleel Woodbridge. of Stockbridge, and that they shoobl deal the proceeds ont to them as they had need thereof. The petition was granted July 5th.
News of the excursion of the king's troops which led to the battle of Lexington. April 19th, reached Berkshire about noon on the 20th. The dition calls it news of the battle which is quite impossible. With the roads and facilities for travel in 1775 it was a brilliant exploit to carry the news of the intended movement from Boston on the late evening of the 18th, to the Berkshire valley, beyond the Hoosac Mountains, in less than two days. It was a splendid extension, by relays of other messengers. of Paul Revere's famous ride. But whatever the news that came that 20th of April the Berkshire minute men, true to their name and pledge. were ready for it, and both the regiments were on their way to the vicin. ity of Boston early the next morning. The men in both were well armed and equipped. Those of Colonel Patterson were generally in uniform. probably similar to that described for Captain Noble's company
Colonel Patterson's regiment was stationed at Cambridge, that of Colonel Fellows at Roxbury. The men in both generally were enlisted for eight months, with large additions of new recruits, and were reagan. ized, but with changes of officers. A few joined Arnold's famous expedi-
138
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
tion, which suffered so terribly in its march through the Maine forests in Canada. Colonel Patterson's regiment built and garrisoned Fort No. S. in that part of Charleston now Somerville. On the day of the battle of Bunker Hill this regiment and three others were held in reserve, for the protection of Cambridge, until late in the afternoon, when they were or. dered to the hill, but failed to reach it before the Americans were driven from the works. In November the regiment, with some others, was twice highly praised by General Washington for their alacrity inte pelling a marauding party at Lechmere Point. East Cambridge, although it was supported by the guns of a frigate.
Both the regiments were employed in the siege of Boston until its evacuation, March 16th, 1776. Both afterward did some distinguished service in the continental army, and both their colonels were made brigadiers.
While the minute men of Berkshire were this employed others of its soldiers were engaged in services which have rendered them even more conspienous in American history. On the 6th of December the delezate from Pittsfield in the Provincial Congress, John Brown, was appointed one of a committee to open a correspondence with Canada and obtain fre quent intelligence of movements there. The other members were .Joseph Hawley, Seth Pomeroy, Samuel Adams, Dr. Warren, and Dr. Church : some of the most eminent patriots of the day. On the 13th of Felnants Colonel Patterson was ordered to bring in a resolve appointing an agent to go to the province of Quebec and there establish a correspondence, col- lect and transmit the best and earliest intelligence of the sentiments and determination of the inhabitants with regard to the important matters then disturbing the harmony of Great Britain and her colonies. For ob- vious reasons the name of the agent selected for this delicate mission was not published ; but it was John Brown, the most judicious selection pas sible, which the intimate neighborly relations between the two enabled Colonel Patterson to know well.
Mr. Brown at once set out for Canada. At Albany he learned that Lake Champlain was impassable on account of an extraordinary fresher which had extended the waters, covered with floating ice. twenty miles on each side, especially toward Canada. He waited a fortnight, and then. although the flood had not subsided, determined to proceed at all haz ards. As he had been warned he encountered the most imminent and thrilling perils, but, "after fourteen days of inconceivable suffering." reached St. Johns-on-the- Sorel about the middle of March. He met the committee of correspondence already established at Montreal, and a del egation from that of Quebec, and obtained from them and many other sources the desired information. Sending the two guides, who had come with him, among the Indian tribes, he obtained continuation of the charges prevalent in Berkshire, that British emissaries were already in stigating them to hostilities, or to be prepared to take part in a British invasion. He traveled through a large part of the country in the guise
139
GENERAL HISTORY.
of a horse dealer, disseminating patriotic sentiments, and observing the disposition of the people, and. as it afterward appeared, not forgetting to observe the lay of the land from a military point of view. Healso es tablished admirably the desired system of correspondence.
He reported all their proceedings in a letter of March 20th, to Sam- nel Adams and Dr. Joseph Warner of the committee of correspondence at Boston, who. it will be remembered, had also been associated with him on the Canadian committee. In this letter were the following pres nant words :
"One thing I must mention as a profound secret. The fort at Ticonderoga must be seized as soon as possible should hostilities be commenced by the king's troops. The people on New Hampshire Grants have engaged to do this bustyces and, in my opinion, are the most proper per-ons for the job. This will effectually curb this province and all the troops which may be sent here."
This was the first suggestion, and contained the whole gist, of the plans which resulted in the early capture of the great fortress, with its siege cannon and ammunition, the value of which to the Americas cause. at that moment, cannot be overestimated. Before writing this advice Mr. Brown had arranged a plan for the capture by surprise, with Ethan Allen and probably with Seth Warner, subject to the approval of those to whom the Provincial Congress and other representatives of the people lad entrusted the chief management of affairs.
Mr. Brown's advice was not kept so profound a secret as he desired It was known at least in the secret councils of Massachusetts and Cons nectient, which colonies, as of old, were cordially uniting for the common defense; Massachusetts, as of old, being the first point of attack. Two projects for the capture were rife " as soon as hostilities were comnieneed by the king's troops."
The first and successful plan for the capture was projected and under taken by Col. Samnel HI. Parsons and five other Connecticut gentlemen. The idea was suggested to Col. Parsons by a conversation with Benedler Arnold, in which he professed to have an accurate account of the ennon at Ticonderoga and the state of its defenses. There is every probability. however, that attention was first drawn to the advantage of taking pos session of this fort by the John Brown letter of the 29th; since his recomi mendation for committing the execution of the work to Ethan Allen was adopted. But the objects of Mr. Brown and those of the Connectiont gentlemen in desiring the capture were distinct as chief points, although each would have acknowledged its importance in the other's view of it. When Mr. Brown's letter was written, the information he had received in Canada had convinced him that the old military bases in this section of North America were to be restored. that the old war paths would be trod anew, and that the utmost advantage would accrue to the party which should first secure this great fortress, which, when in the posses- sion of an invader from Canada, was the key to New England and Now York. and when ocenpied by the friends of an army advancing from be
140
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
low was the key to Canada. He wished its possession mostly as a strong and admirably located fortress.
The Connecticut project looked primarily to another end The siege of Boston had created an imperative demand for siege attillers, which egold be procured from no other source than Ticonderoga. The very possession of the desired cannon would enable even a weak ganisou, if moderately well supplied with food. to hold the fort indefinitely against all the foure which the Americans could bring against it. Surprise was the only hope: Informed of the arrangement with Ethan Allen they resolved to rely upon him for this, and, having procured $300 from the colonial treasury, they sent forward Messrs. Noah Phelps and Bernard Romans ou the 27th of April. On the next day Capt. Edward Mott arrived from Cambridge, the headquarters of the American army, and on being questioned as to the best mode of obtaining artillery "for the siege of the British anny in Boston " at once proposed the surprise of Ticonderoga. He was then in- formed of what was on foot, and consented to lead the party which had gone on, adding to it five or six trusty volunteers
Captain Mott started the next afternoon ; but in the forenoon John Hancock and Samuel Adams reached Hartford. on their way to attend the Continental Congress. Both were members of the Massachusetts committee of correspondence, and among the most trusted leaders in the resistance to British tyranny. The Ticonderoga project was naturally communicated to them, and met their warm approval, as well as that of the governor and council of Connecticut, who seem to have been then that apprised of its exact nature. In such an interview Mr. Adams cannot be believed to have left Captain Mott or the Connectiont leaders ignorant b! Mr. Brown's previous advice and action. It is clear that he did not ; but it is probable that they were before acquainted with them.
Captain Mott having joined the party, which was increased to sixteen. they made their first stop in Berkshire on the 1st of May, at the tavern of Daniel Dewey, in Sheffield, whence they sent two of their number to Albany " to discover the temper of the people at that place." The same night they reached Pittsfield and took up their quarters at the tavern of Colonel James Easton, which stood near the present corner of Paris square and Sonth street.
"They had intended to keep their business secret and ride through the country unarmed until they came to the new settlements on the Grants" [the New Hampshire Grants, now the State of Vermont], But at Colonel Easton's they found John Brown, who. "after establishing a channel of communication which could be depended upon from Canada through the Grants," had just returned home. Him they took into their councils and, by his advice, also their landlord, who was colonel of the Berkshire militia, Captain Israel Dickinson, and two or three other lood leaders, Rev. Thomas Allen probably bring one. This the nespreted presence of Mr. Brown rendered wise and justifiable, although Captain
141
GENERAL HISTORY.
Mott had left Hartford with positive instructions not to increase his party beyond the number of sixteen before he reached the Grants.
Notwithstanding Mr. Brown's previously expressed opinion that the Green Mountain Boys were " the proper persons to undertake the job." later observation, aided perhaps by his sympathy with Colonel Easton's ambition that the Berkshire regiment should have a share in it. now led him to concur with the colonel in representing that was there was great scarcity of provisions on the Grants, and the people were generally poor, it would be difficult to raise a sufficient number of men there"
The commissioners yielding to this persuasion. Colonel Easton's offer to assist with some men from his regintent was accepted. Captain Dieles inson and four of five others of Pittsfield were admitted to the party. laut it was deemed prudent to add no more there. But, while their associates went on to Bennington. Colonel Easton and Captain Mott crossed the Mountain to Jericho. now Hancock, where they found a ready helper in Captain Asa Douglas, an active and influential patriot of thut town. He rapidly enlisted twenty-four men of his company for the expedition. Leaving him to follow with his men, to whom fifteen were added in Wil- liamstown-making a total of forty-seven Berkshire men- Captain Mott and Colonel Easton hastened on to Bennington.
At Bennington they found a portion of their comrades smagered by a report brought by some nameless fellow who pretended that he had just come from Saratoga where the garrison were on the alert and bodily repairing their works. Another messenger came with advice for Captain Mott to abandon the enterprise. By brave and eloquent words he revived the courage of his associates, and all resolved to go forward, except Romans, who from the first " had been but in trouble."
At Bennington Ethan Allen came to them. in prompt response to the notice sent to him. A council of war was held, Col. Easton po siding. and Col. Allen, who was rapidly collecting his Green Mountain boys around him, was directed to send forward patrols to prevent news of their approach reaching Ticonderoga.
They then advanced twenty-five miles to Castleton, where, on the morning of the Sth of May, a plan of further procedure was adopted Captain Herrick was to go to Skenesboro, capture Major Skone. the royalist, and his party, take what boats he could find. and drop down the lake with them the next night to Shoreham, opposite Ticonderoga. there to ferry the attacking party across. Captain Douglas was sent to Crown Point to hire the king's boats, if he could by some stratagem. aided by his brother-in-law who lived there. The attacking party was to consist of 145 men. When the men enlisted for theexpedition they were assured that they should be commanded by their own officers. It was now agreed that in the general command the chief officers should like rank in proportion to the number of men furnished by each, which made Col. Ethan Allen first, Col. James Easton second. Everything Vous Par was conducted with perfect harmony, and Col. Allen went forward to
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.