USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Billerica > History of Billerica, Massachusetts, with a Genealogical register > Part 25
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238
HISTORY OF BILLERICA.
The battle of Bunker Hill was fought on June 17, and in that battle the company from Billerica served in the redoubt under Prescott. Its former captain was now Colonel Bridge, and Lieut. Jonathan Stickney was in command. Asa Pollard, whose home was near the " fordway," was the first soldier killed, and was buried on the field. Samuel Hill was also killed, and probably Benjamin Easte, who was reported as dead soon after; and Timothy Toothaker died a few days later of wounds received. Colonel Bridge was wounded on the head and neck by a sword cut, and was one of the last to retreat. In the severe scrutiny which followed, he did not escape charges of misconduct, in seeking too cautiously the cover of the redoubt. He was tried, but acquitted on the ground of indisposition of body. 1
It is beyond the proper range of a local history to attempt to follow the current of national affairs ; and the great Declaration, with the important events following, can only be suggested as occurring at this point. The town voted, October 7, to open the salt store, selling the salt for five shillings per bushel, not more than a bushel and a half to each family, and no credit was to be given. At the same time it was voted, "that the Rev .. Henry Cumings, Joshua Abbot, Dr. Timº. Danforth, Capt. Josiah Bowers, & Col. Tompson, be a Committee to Draw up some proper vote to present to the town * relative to a hand bill sent to the town." This committee reported, October 14, as follows : -
"The town of Billerica being assembled this day, on adjournment of a legal meeting, warned in Compliance with a Recommendation from the house of Representatives, in order for the Freemen of said town to express their mind Relative to the erecting some form of Government in this State, after Deliberately Discussing the matter, came into the following votes :
"]. That the Tyranny of Greate Brittaine, (which has compelled the United provinces of America to Dissolve their Connection with her. ) having broken up the Constitution of this province, it has now become necessary for the prevention of anarchy, for the preservation of internal peace & good order, and for the mutual Security of the Inhabitants in the enjoy-
1 Siege of Boston, p. 176. Mr. Frothingham's admirable record and analysis of the events around Boston in 1775-76 make his volume an indispensable authority to all students of those campaigns. Its value is impaired by a failure to recognize the extent and impor- tance of the services of the New Hampshire soldiers under Stark at the rail-fence and breastwork; and by a tendency to magnify the position of Colonel Prescott, who had com- mand in the redoubt. A corresponding injustice is done General Putnam, the only general officer present, who certainly exercised authority in the larger field beyond the redoubt, and the only American whose position, as if he were the chief officer, is recognized, both by contemporary letters and art, British and American.
239
THE REVOLUTION.
ment of their property and just Rights, that some form of Government be speadily erected; and therefore,
"2. That it be Submitted to the present house of Representatives, in Conjunction with the Council, to Draw up such a plan of Government as they in their wisdom shall judge best adapted to promote the lasting wel- fare and happiness of this State. Depending on it that before such plan of Government be ratified & established by an act of the Court, it be made publick, for the inspection of the people, that they also may have an opportunity to judge of it, and to propose such alterrations as they may think best to be made, if it should appear in any Respect Disagreeable to them. voted, the above Report be accepted."
In. 1777, May, the town instructed its representative to favor the course thus indicated, which was adopted by the Court, and a Constitution was submitted to the people : but it did not please them and was rejected. Two years later a convention was called for the purpose of framing a Constitution, to which Billerica sent her pastor, Rev. Dr. Cumings. The result of its deliberations was approved by the people, 1780, June 5th, the first Constitution of Massachusetts. Billerica desired an alteration of a clause, but consented to it without conditions. Until this was adopted, the towns acted on a theory of their semi-independence ; for instance, " the Question was put whether the town will heartily Submitt to the Reagulating bill, & it passed in the affirmative."
As the war went on, and the calls for troops were repeated, the people found it more difficult to respond. The country, in fact, was poor, and the tax of maintaining the contest in both men and money was severe. 1777, March 10, the town chose "a committee of five persons to Indent with persons to Inlist into the Continental service." consisting of Capt. Solomon Pollard, Capt. Edward Farmer. Capt. Jonathan Stickney, Lieut. Jacob Richardson, and Oliver Crosby ; and they were allowed fourteen days to procure men and make report. On the 24th, the town continued the committee, adding Lieut. Elijah Danforth, and voted an additional bounty of £24 to "such persons as will now Inlist into the Continental Army." Probably forty of the men who are numbered (3) on the ensuing list of soldiers responded to this call. a number which would demand nearly £1000 to fulfil this stipulation. A committee of nine was chosen, "to form some plan how the money shall be raised for the aditional bounty." Their report was :-
"First. That every man according to his Interest shall be taxed to pay the aditional bounty to hire men to Engage in the Continental Army.
240
HISTORY OF BILLERICA.
gly. That each person that have lately arriven to the age of sixteen years be Exempted from any part of the charges that hath already arisen by the late levy of men. 3ly. That each Lanlord pay this tax upon the farmes Rented. 4ly. That those that engaged in the service at Cambridge for eight months, in the year 1775, be allowed credit for each man, £3, 0, 0. Bly. That those that served six weeks be allowed credit for each man. 1. 0. 0. Gly. Those that served Two months have credit each man, 1, 4, 0. 7ly. Those that served in the Continental army in 1776 without hire have credit each man. 18, 0. 0. 8ly. Those that went to Ticondirogue without hire have Credit each man, 12, 0, 0. 9ly. Those that went to the lines without hire have credit each man, 2, 0, 0. 10ly. Those that went to New York 2 months without hire have credit each, 6, 0, 0. 11ly. Those that went to New York 3 months without hire have credit each, 12, 0, 0. Those men that have advanced money to hire men into the army have credit for what money they paid."
A list of " what each person hath done in the War" was reported, but unfortunately not recorded ; it would be very interesting. The town accepted the report, "save the 2ª article," and voted to raise £900, as a "tax to be levied on Interest"; also, that the services of apprentices and sons under age be set to their masters and fathers. But the tax on interest was objected to, and reconsidered at the next meeting, when the town voted, that it be raised " on polls and estate in the usual way"; and that apprentices and minors should receive one-half of the credit for their services. The latter item was still not satisfactory, and in May the committee was instructed "to Drop the Credit that was to be set to Minors as to the Back Charges," but " to keep an account of sª Credit for their Benefit in some futer time." The pecuniary embarrassments became more and more serious as the Continental currency depreciated ; and persons with fixed incomes suffered most. This appears in a vote, 1777, December 1, "that the selectmen make Mr. Jonathan Kidder, our Schoolmaster, an addiquate reward for his services in some measure, as things have risen." The extent of this inflation is illustrated in the salary of Dr. Cumings. This was £80. But for the year ending in July, 1779, he received £380; for the next half-year, £830; and for the year 1781, £9000. In other words, this "Continental currency " had fallen to less than one per cent. of its face value. It had become too attenuated to be reclaimed, and the unfortunate holders of it, soldiers as well as citizens, suffered greatly in its utter loss. In 1782 the taxes were raised in specie, and the pastor's salary was again £80.
But the town was not unmindful of its patriotic soldiers, and
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THE RÉVOLUTION.
cared for their families in cases of need. Such aid is recorded, in 1777, for the wives of Abijah and Josiah Beard, William Britton, William Currier,. Jesse Danforth, John Edes, and Roger Toothaker. In giving this aid, Mrs. Currier had seventy-three quarts of milk, at ninepence a quart ; five months' house-rent for £3; one cord of wood for £1, 10s. ; and a bushel and a half of Indian meal for the same. In 1778 the selectmen are instructed "to take care & provide for the families of the soldiers that are out in the Continental army, according to their Several Circumstances, and keep accounts thereof." The treasurer is also instructed "to borrow money to pay for the Cloathing, provided by the Selectmen for our Soldiers in the Continental Army."
In 1778 the proposals for the Confederation came before the town, January 23; and they say, "although they apprehend some things therein Contained are no so agreeable, yet considering the vast Importance of the whole for the well being & Happiness of the united States of America, Voted & agreed to the whole of sd Confederation, and that Col. W". Tompson, our Representative, be and he is hereby Instructed to Joyne with the honorable house of Representatives in any measures they Judge best, in order to forward the same to Congress."
Another call for recruits, in 1778, was met by the town's offer of £30 to such able-bodied men " as shall Inlist themselves to Joyne Gen. Washington's army for the space of nine months, except sooner Discharged, in order to fill up the Continentall army"; and £60 to such persons "as shall Inlist themselves as militia men to go to the North River for eight months." The selectmen were empowered to borrow money for this purpose, and, at a later meeting, £10 were added in each case to these offers. In October, 1778, we have a glimpse of the hopes which cheered them during these trying years in the report of a committee, appointed to estimate the back services in the war, who say: "That, considering the many services done since our appointment and the Difficulty of estimating them Sepa- rately, and the hopeful prospect that this summer's campaign will put a finall end to services of this sort, it is our oppinnion that one Committee Consider the whole." Whereupon the town appointed a committee of seven, "to estimate the back services since they went to Ticonderogue, since the war rate was made in 1777, having Refference to the former settlement Respecting some grievances that some persons sustained in said settlement, according to their
242
HISTORY OF BILLERICA.
Discretion." This committee made a report in December, which was recommitted for revision and adopted, 1779, January 4, as follows : -
" May, 1777. Two months to Rhode Island, set at £2 0 0
July. 1777. Six months to Rhode Island. 600
August, 1777.
Three months and a half to Bennington, 15 4 0
October, 1777.
Forty-one days to Saratoge, 9 10 0
February, 1778.
Three months to Boston,
9 10 0
April, 1778. Three months to Cambridge, 9 10 0
July, 1778.
To Rhode Island; all hired men.
July, 1778. Six Months to the Hill.
16 10 0
August, 1778. Six Weeks to Rhode Island,
11 0 0
September, 1778. Three months to Boston, 9 10 0"
If we had the names of the men employed in these various services, the record would have greater interest; but it is safe to assume that the town was represented in all; and there was work for the committee again appointed. May 13, consisting of Jonathan Hill, Ebenezer Richardson, Jonathan Pollard, Samuel Rogers, Josiah Crosby, Joshua Davis, Jacob Manning, Thomas Allen, and Jonas French, "to provide for the families of those persons that are Gone out of this town into the Continental Army." At the same meeting, " the Question was put whether the town at this time will have a new Constitution or form of Government, and it. passed in the Negative by forty Votes."
More men were needed in 1779, and, June 22, a committee was appointed to procure the town's quota, "to go into the Continental army and to Rhode Island." July 5, a tax was levied, of " thirteen thousand dollars," for the purpose of paying and securing the needed men ; the first use of the word "dollar" in the Records. As prices rose and the value of the currency became more doubtful, men had reasonable fears as to enlisting and trusting promises of future pay- ments. A State Convention was held, and resolutions were passed "for the Retreiving the Credit of our Currency," which Billerica adopted, also appointing delegates to a County Convention, August 5, at Concord, "to regulate the prices of produce and manufactures," whose proceedings were also adopted ; and a committee of fifteen was "chosen of Observation to see that the Resolves and Recom- mendations of the State and County Convention be punctually complyed with." But the task laid upon them was much more hopeless than that of finding men whose patriotism would respond to the call of Washington ; and although a week later the Selectmen
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THE REVOLUTION.
and Committee of Correspondence were united with this one, and "Impowered and directed in the most Vigorous Manner to see that there be no breaking over or evading the doings of the said Convention, and that the breakers thereof be proceeded against according to their offences ; and more especially to see that there be no bartering in Gold and Silver, to the Ingury of our paper Currency," prices continued to rise, the regulations could not be enforced, and the end came in the utter worthlessness of the paper currency they strove so resolutely to sustain. 1780, June 14, another committee was appointed, "to procure our quota of men now called for, to joine the Continental army"; and, July 6, the town voted, that "the sum of £31,710 be granted as a tax to be levied upon polls and estates, in the usual manner, for hiring nineteen militia to serve three months in the army ; also, to hire four men to join the Continental army for six months." Some of the men who, in 1777, had enlisted "for three years or the war," had returned, and the town voted that they be rated for their poll tax. Again, 1781, January 1, a committee was appointed, "to procure our quota of men * upon the most easy terms they can." A tax of £27,000 was levied, "to procure our Quota of Beef for Supplies for the army." In July another tax was raised for the same purpose, but the terms of the tax were changed to £180 "in Specie." The poor Continental currency could be used no longer, and they return to the specie standard. Another and apparently the last call for men appears, July 15; and a tax of £250 in specie is levied, "to pay the hire of the men now called for." Lieut. Isaac Barron was to be allowed "equal hire with a Private." Yorktown closed the campaign of 1781, and the long and exhausting contest was practically ended.
LIST OF SOLDIERS FROM BILLERICA IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
Abbott, George, 7.
Baldwin. Micah. 4. 6. 7. Beard. Josiah. 1, 2. 4.
Abbott, John, 5.
Baldwin, Thomas, 1.
Bell. John. 1. 2.
Allen, Jeremiah, 1. Angier, Jesse, G, S.
Baldwin, Sergt. Wm .. 1. 2, 3. Ballard. John. 9.
Barrett. Luke, 6.
Barrett. Stephen. 1. 4. Barron, Lt. Isaac. S.
Blanchard, Josiah. 2. 3.
Baldwin, Benj., jr., 2.
Beard, Abijah. 1, 2. 4.
Baldwin, Isaac. 4. 6.
Beard, Benjamin. 1.
Baldwin, Jacob, 3. 6.
Beard, Isaac. 1. 3.
Baldwin. Jeremiah, 2,3. Beard, Isaac, jr., S.
Bennett, Stephen, 3.
Angier, Robert, 2.
Baley, Jonathan. 3.
Blanchard, Abijah. 1. 2. Blanchard, Isaac. 6. Blanchard, John. 1.
Baldwin, Benjamin, 1. 2, 3, 4, 6.
Blanchard, Jotham, 2, 3. Blanchard, Justus. 1. 2. 4. 6.
Blanchard, Nath'l. 1. 4. 6. Blanchard. Paul. 2.
244
HISTORY OF BILLERICA.
LIST OF SOLDIERS IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR .- Continued.
Blanchard. Samuel. 1. Blanchard, Timothy, 1. 2.3.7.
Bowers. Benj .. 1. 2. 5.
Ditson. John. 2.
Bowers, Denison. 8.
Bowers. John. 9.
Bowers, Jonathan. 4. 6. Ditson, Thos .. jr., 1, 4, 6.
Bowers. JJosiah. 1.
Dixon. JJohn. 6.
Dow. Nathan. prob. 3.
Hill. [name lost]. 3.
Bridge .. Samuel, 2.
Dows, Eleazer. 6.
Howard. Samuel. 2.
Britton. Wm .. 1. 4. 6. S. Dows. Joseph. 3.
Brown. Thomas. 2. 6. 7. Dunklee. Isaac. 8.
Bushby. Robert, G.
Dunklee, Joseph, 5.
Dunklee, Nathan.
Jaquith. Ebenezer. 2.
Cajoe, John, 6.
Durrent. Joseph. 5.
Jaquith. Joseph. 3.
Caldwell, Medford, 4. 6. 8.
Calley, Peter, 6.
Easte, Benj., 1, *1776.
Carleton, John. 1.
Carleton. Solomon. 3.
Cary, Samuel. 1. 2.
Chamberlain, Silas. 2.
Clark, Samuel. 3.
Farmer. Edward. 1. 2.
Kidder. Enoch. 3. 6.
Kidder. Isaac. 2.
Kidder. John. 9.
Kidder. Jonathan. 4.
Kidder. Corp. Sam1. 1. 2.
Craige. Thomas, 6.
Crosby, Jacob, 3, *1776. Farmer. Thomas. 3.
Crosby, Jeremiah, 5.
Fish. Jonathan. 2. 6.
Fletcher. Samuel, 2, 6.
Crosby, John, 5, 6.
Foster. Abiel. 8.
Foster. Isaac. 5.
Kittredge, Daniel. 3.
Kittredge, Jonathan. 6. Kittredge, Nathaniel. 3.
Crosby, Timothy, 2, 3.
Foster, Samuel. 6.
Currier, William. 4.6.7. Foster. Smith. 6. 8.
Danforth. Abel. 2. *.
Danforth. David. 3.
Danforth, Capt. Elijah, 1. 2.3.
Danforth, Isaac. 6.
Danforth. Jacob. 6.
French. Nicholas. 1. 2.
Danforth, Jesse, 2. 4. 8. French. Samuel. 3. 6.
Danforth. John. 2. 4. 8. French. [a drummer]. 3. Levistone. Thomas. 3.
Danforth, Corp. Josiah. Frost. Joshua. 2. 1. 2. 3.
Danforth, Peter. 6. 7.
Gleason. William. 1.
Danforth. Seth. 7.
Danforth. Corp. Wm .. 2. 3. 5. 6.
Danly, Corp. John, 2. 4. 8.
Davis, Benj .. 1, 2. 3. Davis, John. 6.
Hardy, Nehemiah, 3. Heckel. William. S.
Hill, Alpheus. 3.
Hill. David. 6. 7.
Ditson, Benjamin, 3.
Hill. Jeremiah. 1. 2.
Hill. Peter. 1.
Hill. Paul. Hill. Lt. Samuel. 1. 2. *1776. June 17.
Braden. Richard. 1. 7. Bridge, Col. Ebenezer.
Dows, Benjamin, 1, 2. 3. Holt. Isaac, 1. 2.
Ingals. Moses. 8. Jaquith, Abraham. 3. Jaquith. Daniel. 6.
Jaquith. Samuel, 3. Jaquith, Timothy. S.
Johnson. Jonah. 6. Johnson, Timothy, 6.
Kemp. William. 2.
Farmer. Aaron. 6.
Kendall. Reuben. 1.
Colwell. William, 2.
Conant. Fortune. 4, 6. Cook, Sears, 1.
Farmer, Joseph, 1.
Farmer, Oliver, 1, 3. Farmer, Oliver, jr .. 8.
Kidder. Lt. Solomon. 2. 3. * 1776. Nov. 20.
Kidder. Thomas. 4. 6.
Killam, Corp. Daniel, 1. 2.
Kittredge, Sergt. Wm .. 5. 6. Lad. Nathaniel. 6.
French. Ebenezer. 2.5 .*. Landerkin, Matthew. 7. French. John. 3. French. Jonathan, 1.
Laws. John. 2. Leeman, Ebenezer. 3. 6.
French, Jonathan, jr .. 8. Levistone. David. 2. 4. 6.
Levistone. Isaac. 1. 2. Levistone. Seth. 2.
Levistone. William. 5. 6. Lewis. Corp. Benjamin. 1. 2. 3 .*.
Lewis, Lt. James. 1.
Lewis, Lt. John, 1. 2. 6. Mace. Joseph, 1. 2.
Manning, Solomon, 1. Manning, William, 2.
Marshall. Asa. 3.
Marshall. Jacob. 1. 5.
Davis, Joseph, 1, *1777. Ileywood, Benjamin, 2. Marshall, James, 5.
Dutton, Benjamin, 1. 2.
Dutton, Timothy. G.
Easte, Benj .. jr .. 7.
Edes, John, 4. 6.
Farmer. Capt. Edw. 1.3. Keys, Elijah. prob. 3.
Farmer. Edward. 5.
Farmer. Lt. John. 1.
Corey, Jacob, 1.
Crosby, Joel, 4, 6. 8.
Crosby, Josiah, 1.
Crosby, Lt. Oliver. 1. 2. Foster, John. 1. 2. 4. 6. Crosby, Simon, 2. 3. Foster, Joseph, 1.
Fox. Joseph. 1.
Gleason. Thomas. 2.
Goodwin. William. 2. Gray, Braviter. 6. 8. Gray. Timothy. 2. Griffin, Sergt. Uriah, 3. Hans. Charles. 3.
Davis. Timothy. 1. Dike. John. 7. 8.
Ditson. Samuel. 1. 6. S. Ditson. Seth. 4.
Hill. William. 3.
Butler, John, 9.
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THE REVOLUTION.
LIST OF SOLDIERS IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. - Continued.
Marshall, Jesse. 5. Ruggles. Joseph, 4, 6.
MeIntire. Elias, 6. Russ. Daniel. 3.
Mears. John. 2.
Russ, Nathan, 6.
Russ. Sergt. Sam1, 1, 2. Toothaker, Timothy, 1. Sanders. Benj., 1. 2. *1776.
Needham, Sergt. Benj., 1. 6. Needham, John. 4.
Sanders. Benj .. jr., 1.
Sanders. Ebenezer. 1. 3. Trull. John. 2.
Trull, Samuel, 1, 2.
Trull, Samuel, jr., 1.
Trull. Willard. 7. 8.
Tuder. Francis. 9.
Parker. Levi. 6.
Parker. Simeon. 9.
Parker. William. 3.
Patten. Asa. 1.
Patten, John. jr .. 1.
Shed. Jonathan, 5. 6.
Shed. Nathan. 5. 6.
Walker. Joel. 1. 2.
Walker. Samuel. 1. 2.
White, George. 6.
White. Isaac. 1.
Whiting, Abel. 6.
Whiting, Caleb. 7.
Whiting, Christopher. 2 *.
2. 6.
Pollard. Solomon. jr., 1. Sprake, Benjamin. 2. 2.3.9. Pollen, Edward, 3.
Reed. Jeremiah. 1. 2.
Richardson, Asa. 4. 6.
Stearns, Benj., 3. 6. 7.
Whiting. Timo, jr., 1, 2.
Stearns, Lt. Edward. 1. Wilson, Abraham. 4.
Stearns. Isaac. 2.
Stearns. John. 6. Stearns. Jonathan. 4. 6.
Wilson, Benjamin. 2, 3. Wilson, Isaac, 7. Wilson. John. 1. 2, 4 .*.
Wilson, John, jr .. 6. 8. Wilson, Joseph. 1, 2. 5.
Wilson. Solomon. 3.
Richardson. Oliver, 1. 3. Stearns. Oliver, 1.
Richardson. Sam'l. 1. 3. Stearns. Timothy, S.
Richardson, Tho .. 1. 2. 4. Stearns. William. 2.
Stevens. Simeon. 1. 2. 6. Wyman. Amaziah, 3, 4. 6.
Wyman, Increase. 3.
Wyman, Nathaniel, 1. *1775, April 19.
Four obliterated names of soldiers in the service of 1777.
The numerals above refer to various services, which are imper- fectly outlined as follows : -
(1.) Service in 1775, including the company of minute-men and all known to have been at Lexington, and in the army at Cambridge.2
2 Massachusetts Archires. Vols. : Lexington Alarm, XII, 16 and 73, and XVI, 21. - Town Records. Vol. IV, October, 1775.
Tarbell, William, jr., 1. Tompson. Col. Wm .. 1. Toothaker, Roger, 4, 6.
Totman. John. 1. 7.
Osgood, Joseph, 2.
Sanders, Francis, 7.
Sanders. John. 1.
Sanders, Joshua. 6. 7. Sanders. Solomon. 1.
Tufts. David. 7.
Walker. David. 6.
Walker, Sergt. Eliakim. 2. 3. 4.
Walker, Ezekiel, 1. 6. 8.
Patten. William. 8.
Pollard. Asa, 2. * 1776. June 17. Shed. Thomas. 2. Pollard. Benjamin. 1. 3. Shipperson. John. 9. Pollard. Edward, 3.5.6. Snow. Richard. 1. 6.
Pollard. Jona. P .. 2. 6. Pollard, Capt. Solomon, Spaulding. Benoni, 5.
Spaulding. Joseph, 5. 7. Whiting. John. 1. 2, 6.
Whiting. Jonas. 2.
Sprake, Nicholas. 2. Sprake. Samuel, 2.
Whiting. JJoshua. 8. Whiting, Samuel, 2. 3.
Spring. Sam'l, prob. 7. 8. Whiting, Timothy, 1. 2.
Richardson. Ebenezer. 1. 2. Richardson. Lt. Jacob. 1.3.
Richardson. Jona .. jr .. 1. Stearns. JJoseph, 7.
Richardson. Joseph, 1. Stearns. Josiah. 4. 5.
Richardson. Josiah, 1. Richardson, Nath'l. 2.
6. 8.
Stearns, Nathaniel. 4. 6.
Stickney. Daniel, 1. Stickney, David, 1.
Stickney. Lt. Jona .. 1. Stickney, William. 1. Stinger. Jesse. 6. Tarbell. John. 7.
Winslow. Benjamin. 2. a prisoner after Bunker Hill. Wright. Josiah. 6. 8.
Robbins, Ephraim, 3. Robbins. Jona .. 2. 3. Rogers, Capt. Samuel. jr .. 1. 2. 3 .*. Root. Peter. S.
Ross. John, 1. Ross. Samuel. 7.
Scarlet. Lt. Newman. 3. Shed. David. 4, 6. Shed. John. 6.
Shed. Reuben. 4. 6.
Spaulding, Asa. 1, 2.
Moore. Benjamin, S.
Osgood, Phineas, 6. Parker, Sergt. John, jr .. Sanders. Jonas. 1. 2. 1.3.
216
HISTORY OF BILLERICA.
(2.) Service in 1776, including the battle of Bunker Hill and the subsequent siege of Boston." Seventy-five of these men served eight months, and claimed a "coat," promised for that service.
(3.) Service in 1777. Thirty-two men under Captain Edward Farmer, who marched "to reinforce the Northern Army," which was fighting Burgoyne at Bennington and Saratoga, are included above. Colonel Bridge also marched with a detachment, on the " Bennington alarm"; went ninety miles, and was dismissed by General Lincoln. No roll of his men is found.4
(4.) Men who enlisted in 1777, "for three years or the war," in the Continental. Army."
(5.) In service, 1778, in Rhode Island; on Bunker Hill from February to May, and elsewhere.6
(6.) Service in 1779, including a detachment "to join the Continental army and march to Claverick," and recruits.7
(7.) Service in 1780, recruits, and a detachment of sixteen men, who "marched 220 miles and served four, five, and six months."8
(8.) Men in service, 1781, "for 3 years or the war.""
(9.) Seven men on board the privateer "Essex," in 1780. 10
This list of Revolutionary soldiers is necessarily imperfect. Many of the rolls are lost; and it would take months of labor to go over the mass which is preserved, but imperfectly indexed, with such care that no name from any town would be likely to escape. The town had representatives in various directions where no rolls of such service are found. If we had these lost records, they would probably add fifty and perhaps one hundred to the three hundred and seventeen enumerated above. When we remember that the census of 1776 gave the town a population of 1500, we can see in part to what extent these patriotic fathers gave service and life, to found the nation. Their children should never forget at what a price they gained freedom for themselves and coming generations.
This chapter may fitly close with the tax list for 1776, with such memoranda appended as, in the absence of a map, will help those who are interested to locate most of these patriotic tax-payers, and revive the memory of the town as it was one hundred years ago.
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