USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Deerfield > History of Deerfield, Massachusetts: the times when the people by whom it was settled, unsettled and resettled, vol 2 > Part 4
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9
Shattuck, Oliver
33
Dickinson, Eliphalet
33
Smead, Oliver
16
Fisk, Daniel
33
Smead, Samuel
14
Fisk, Ebenezer
20
Smith, Amasa
33
Frary, Timothy
14
Spafford, Jonathan
9
Gates, Thomas Asa
1.4
Stone, Elias
14
Gilson, James
12
Taylor, Adonijah
1.4
Grandy, Remembrance
1.4
Taylor, John
9
llenry, John
9
Taylor. John Jr.,
10
Hide, Philip
9
Thayer, Paul
9
Jennings, Lebbeus
9
Wells, John
14
Jones, Eben
9
Wells, Jonathan
Lewis, Isaac
9
Wright, Silas
9
Locke, John
1.4
The pay roll of Capt. Locke's company was £93, 4, 7 d, 2 f.
The action at the adjourned meeting of April 26th was short and to the point. It was simply directing the collectors to pay the Province rates to Henry Gardner, and that "ye' Town will indemnify them for so doing."
William Tryon, governor of New York, was doing his best to hold that colony loyal to the King. Hopeful accounts of his success from friends on the spot had cheered the Deer- field Tories. Tryon kept up a correspondence with Gage by special posts. News reached our valley that one was out, and notices like the following were sent to the Committees of Safety in every direction :----
MONTAGUE, April 30, 1775.
By this you are informed that there is a post out from New York for Gen. Gage with a packet; you are desired to intercept or follow him if any intelligence can be had of him on either side of the river. His name is Oliver Delancee; he is a bluff fat young man 22 years
Ilinsdale, John
Warren, Neverson
33
Sergt. Edward Rose,
20
Nims, Israel
33
702
THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD.
of age, born at New York, rides a Dutch trotting horse. His pack- et is supposed to be consigned to Mr. Hancock, or Adams, or some other popular Gentleman; please to instruct those who may take his packet to carry it down to Boston; inspect taverns, ferries and all suspected persons. Yours, MOSES GUNN,
Chairman Com. Correspondence.
To Com. of Correspondence, Northfield.
Many of the people shut up in Boston were in a sad condi- tion of suffering and want. Thousands had no employment and no means of livelihood. Contributions were sent them from all over the continent. Deerfield, with all her burdens, was not unmindful of their needs, and May ist "agreed to take care of 36 Boston people who were too poor to remove from the city."
When the shock came, Greenfield was as well prepared as the mother town, and responded as promptly to the call to arms. A company of minute men had been drilling for some time under the direction of Capt. Timothy Childs, a veteran of the French War. April 20th, a company of fifty inen liv- ing in Greenfield and towns adjoining, gathered in hot haste, and under the lead of Capt. Agrippa Wells, marched for Cambridge. The list of these men given below I copied from the roll in the State Archives, and it was compared by the officials in charge. I am thus particular because of the fan- ciful account of the rally on the Lexington alarm, given in Willard's History of Greenfield. His story is very graphic, but, historically speaking, it is lacking in one essential qual- ity. It is not true. It contradicts all known facts. It lauds to the skies men who had no lot or part in the occasion, ut- terly ignoring the real heroes of the day. Willard's story is not only graphic, but very realistic, with the appearance of being genuine. I adopted the story in the first edition of this work. It was reprinted in the "Centennial Gazette." In the "Genealogy of the Childs Family" we find it improved upon. It is there gravely stated that Capt. Timothy Childs "was in the battle of Lexington commanding a company of minute men," and further, that his son Timothy of Pittsfield, was also there in command of a company, "though but a Lieut. and was noted for his bravery." Such "history " should not be repeated.
It has been hard to believe that Willard's story was made up out of thin air ; and after considerable study and collating
703
GREENFIELD ROLL OF HONOR.
known facts, I confidently venture an explanation, which, while fitting the main points of Willard's story, also fits all other circumstances of the case. In all Whig towns, sooner or later, the local militia refused to serve under officers with commissions issued by authority of King George. This time came in Greenfield, I think, April 22d, 1776. On that day " Benjamin Hastings was chosen Lieut. in the company of Capt. Timothy Childs." Doubtless Childs was chosen the same day. Commissions to both were issued May 3, 1776, by Pro- vincial authority. Aaron Denio was not " chosen ensign," but served as a private, when this company was called out on the alarm in 1777. This then was the time, and Trap Plain com- mon the place, of the scene pictured by Willard.
Roll of Capt. Agrippa Wells, Greenfield, April 20th to May Ist, 1775.
Days.
Days.
Capt. Agrippa Wells, Greenfield, IO
Samuel Nichols, Greenfield, IO
Lt. Ezekiel Foster, Bernardston,
Samuel Dean,
..
Sergt. Oliver Atherton, Greenfield, Elijah Kingsley, Bernardston,
Zeanus Dewey, Deerfield,
" Daniel Corse, Shelburne,
Joseph Slate, Lt., Bernardston, 15
Corp. Asaph Allen, Bernardston, " John Wells, Greenfield,
Joel Chapin, Sergt.,
" Eben'r Scott, Bernardston,
Caleb Chapin, Bernardston, 39
Samuel Turner,
Samuel Shattuck, Greenfield,
Samuel Hastings, Bernardston,
Timothy Bascom, Greenfield,
6 4
Hezekiah Chapin, Bernardston,
15
John Coats, Bernardston, Ezra Rennell, Greenfield,
Amasa Smead, Greenfield,
Simeon Nash, [Greenfield?]
Tubal Nash, Greenfield,
Oliver Hastings, Greenfield,
Simeon Allen, [Bernardston?]
Nehemiah Andrews, Bernardston,
Daniel Picket, Greenfield,
Frederick Denio, Greenfield,
Hophni Rider, [Deerfield?]
20
John Bush, [Greenfield?] Reuben Shattuck, Bernardston,
" Daniel Wells, Greenfield, Firmin Wood,
3
Thomas Hunt, Bernardston,
Michael Frizzle, [Greenfield?]
13
David Davis, Bernardston,
John Severance, Bernardston, 33
William Chadwick, Bernardston,
Moses Arms, Greenfield, 1.4
Eliphas Childs, Greenfield,
The pay of the captain was 45, 3d per day, the lieutenant 28, 7d, privates Is, 5d. The whole amount of this roll was £68, 135, 4d, 2f, which was allowed Feb. 6th, 1776.
The copy of this roll furnished for the Centennial Ga- zette is imperfect, five men being omitted and others mis- named and mislocated.
Capture of " Old Ti." As Deerfield was connected with the
John Cunnable. Bernardston,
Samuel Cunnabel,
Elijah Mitchell, Greenfield,
30
Ezekiel Foster, Jr .. Bernardston,
Jon'th Atherton, Greenfield,
Daniel Edwards, [Deerfield?]
Daniel Chapin, Bernardston,
66 Ariel Hinsdale. Corp., Greenfield,
William Kingsland, 15
John Dewey, Deerfield, ..
704
TIIE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD.
capture of Ticonderoga, May 11th, 1775, through a son, and a grandson, a concise account of the inception and completion of that important affair will be given.
April 26th, 1775, Capt. Samuel H. Parsons, journeying to- wards Hartford, met on the road Capt. Benedict Arnold on his way from New London to Cambridge. They had a few words about the need of cannon for the army, the fact of a considerable number being at "Old Ti," and of the weak condition of that fortress. This chance conversation bore fruit on both branches.
Arnold pushed on to Watertown, where the Provincial Con- gress was in session. He presented to the Committee of Safety a scheme for capturing Ticonderoga. May 3d, this body and the Council of War laid the matter before the Con- gress in secret session. The Committee on Supplies was di- rected to furnish Arnold with ten horses, two hundred pounds powder, two hundred pounds balls, one thousand flints and £100 in money ; May 5th he was given a commission as Colo- nel, with authority to raise four hundred men and attack the fort. This business was done with such secrecy that no whisper of it got abroad. Arnold, seeing glory ahead, lost no time, and May 6th appeared in Deerfield on his way to the scene of operations.
Parsons on the other hand, broached the project at Hart- ford to a chosen few, and on the 29th of April, Capt. Edward Mott, with five companions, left Hartford for the north. They reached the house of Col. James Easton at Pittsfield, Monday night, May ist. They told Col. Easton and John Brown-the same who led the mob at Hatfield-their errand. Both joined them, and with a few more picked men they pushed on to rouse Col. Ethan Allen and the Green Moun- tain Boys, on the Hampshire Grants.
The secret got out somehow, and May 5th, John Graves, a Berkshire Tory, was in Northampton with the news " that a few people from Connecticut had joined a number of Pitts- field people and were gone up to Ticonderoga, in order to take it, 20 in ye whole." Whatever the Tories did about the matter is not known, but no harm came of it. At daylight on the morning of May roth old Ti was in the hands of the Liberty men, having been surrendered to Col. Allen, who had summoned it "In the name of the Great Jehovah and
705
BENEDICT ARNOLD IN DEERFIELD.
the Continental Congress." The cannon captured here were soon telling the story to Gen. Gage from the lines about him at Boston.
May 6th there had been a stirring incident at Deerfield. The newly-made Col. Arnold, resplendent in a new uniform, bright epaulettes, gold lace and waving plumes, attended by a servant, rode furiously up the street. He halted at the tav- ern of Maj. Salah Barnard-the old house now known as Frary House. From there he sent a messenger for Thomas W. Dickinson, to whom he told his plans; and he handed the astonished farmer, a commission as Assistant Commissary, from the Committee of Safety, dated May 4th. It was ac- companied by special instructions to procure forthwith for the expedition now set on foot fifteen thousand pounds of beef. After a social glass with his subordinate the energetic Arnold mounted his horse and pushed on over the Hoosac mountain, arriving at Rupert, Vt., on the morning of May 8th. The party under Mott and Allen had already passed that point. Arnold instantly followed, overtaking them at Castleton. The plan of the capture had been laid and one party already sent out to execute its share of the work when Arnold appeared. He showed his commission and claimed the command. The Green Mountain Boys looked with con- tempt upon the showy Colonel and gave no heed to his claims. Indeed they flatly declared they would not serve under him. It was a terrible blow to the active and ambitious Colonel to find he was too late, and that the laurels would be given to another which he had already felt in anticipation adorning his brow. It may have been the beginning of the infamous end of his career.
The young Commissary he left at Deerfield may or may not have left the customary "plow in the furrow," but he showed such activity and zeal in his new office that early the next morning, Sunday, May 7th, he was on the road with fif- teen oxen bound for old Ti, with his brother Consider as as- sistant. On Friday, the 12th, he met Cols. Mott and Easton, and others returning from the captured fort. In due time he returned home with the following order :-
CROWN POINT 29 May 1775
Gentlemen Please pay Mr Thomas Wells Dickinson one hundred and seventy one Pounds thirteen shillings and four pence Lawful
706
THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD.
Money for value rec'd of him in fifteen oxen for the use of the army at Ticondaroga and oblige Gentlemen Your Most Hbe Sevant
To the Committee of }
BENEDICT ARNOLD
Safety at Cambridge S
William Cooper, Secretary of the Committee of Safety, cer- tified that Benedict Arnold was authorized to buy stores, and a warrant was drawn for the amount and given Mr. Dickin- son.
Col. David Field was one of the Committee of Safety and Thomas W. Dickinson was a newly-made son-in-law, and this doubtless indicates the source of the Commissary's commis- sion. It was a fortunate case of nepotism, for Dickinson ex- actly filled the bill and for several years did excellent service for the country in the commissary line.
The war was now squarely upon the country. The influ- ential Tories were capable of doing a great deal of harm and became a really dangerous element in the community. Col. Israel Williams had been all along accused of enlisting men for Gage and in April enlistment papers had been found on one believed to be his agent.
May 23d, John Dickinson, brother of Capt. Thomas Dickin- son, chairman of the Hatfield Committee of Safety, invited Col. Williams to meet the committee at Dea. Morton's and show himself a good man and true to his country. The Colonel appeared, but he did not give satisfaction. A week was given him to come to terms, or take the consequences. There is no probability that the staunch Loyalist yielded one hair for fear of "consequences." At all events Col. James Easton of Pittsfield, in the name of his regiment and the County Committee of Safety, sent him an order to retire to Boston and remain until the war was over. Col. Williams contemptuously refused. Had he foreseen all the conse- quences of his refusal, perhaps he would have obeyed.
The representatives of the people, whose election had been provided for by the Provincial Congress, as we have seen, met at Cambridge July 19, 1775. They took possession of the government, not as Revolutionists, but under the Charter of 1692. It was therein provided that, in case the governor or the deputy governor die or be displaced, or happen to be absent from the colony, the major part of the Council shall have executive authority. The patriots claimed that these
707
COMMISSION OF JOSEPH STEBBINS.
officials being wilfully absent, their authority was vested in the major part of the Council, and acted accordingly. The places in the Council vacated by absent Tories were filled by the election of Whigs. The first action of this body was to ratify the doings of the Provincial Congresses. It then is- sued Bills of Credit; changed the basis of representation by the people; vacated all commissions issued by royal author- ity ; laid a State tax; reorganized the militia and the civil courts; issued Letters of Marque and established Courts of Admiralty. In short it assumed all the functions of a gov- erning power. The Style adopted for commissions, etc., was "The Government and People of the Massachusetts Bay in New England."
BUNKER HILL.
Little is discovered about the part taken in the siege of Boston by Deerfield people. Something has been gleaned concerning their participation in the battle of Bunker Hill. The commission of Joseph Stebbins as Captain, signed by John Hancock, President of Congress, dated July 5th, 1775, hangs in Memorial Hall. He had been appointed April 27th, and had enlisted a company, which was not full on the 17th of June. His August roll shows that he then commanded fifty men.
The following rolls are given entire. Each has a local as well as a general interest. On each are some Deerfield men, with many others from the territory of Old Deerfield. The originals are in the Mass. MS. Archives. Men whose names are marked with a star drew clothing Nov. ist.
A List of Capt Joseph Stebbins Company in Col. J. Brewers Regt Aug 1 1775
Capt. Joseph Stebbins, Deerfield.
Lieut. John Chadwick, Tyringham,
2 Charles Dougherty, Framingham, Sergt. Abner Sheldon, Deerfield,*
.. Enos Seymour, East Hartford,
David Fuller, Kinderhook,
John Huggins, Sheffield,* Corp. Ebenezer Hall, New Marlborough,
.. William Trusdell, New Britian,
Timothy Catlin. Deerfield,*
Elisha Alderman, Old Hoosuck, Drummer, James Warren, Deerfield,* Fifer, Joseph Heath, Tyringham, John Buckminster, New Rutland, Timothy Bailey, Kinderhook,
Simeon Carey, Deerfield, Reuben Childs, Deerfield,*
Abel Cummins, New Marlborough, Josiah Eddy, Sheffield,
Joseph Fethergill, Deerfield,
John Hulets, Tyringham,
Ebenezer Handy, Heartswood,
Daniel How, Tyringham, Nathaniel Huggins, Sheffield,
John Hapsellon, Tuexbury, Giles Jackson, Tyringham,*
Gershom Joy, Stoton,*
Seth Morse, Tyringham, Stephen Mills, Sheffield, (Gone to Que- bec.)
708
TIIE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD.
William Nelson, Old Iloosuck,*
Abraham Parker, Whately,*
Edward Prentice, Cambridge,
Daniel Rider, Deerfield,*
Thomas Rose, *
Jonathan Wells,
Nathaniel Randolph, Skotock,
James Williams -
(Quebec.)
Asahel Root, Kinderhook,
Daniel Wright, Kinderhook,
Arad Sheldon, Bernardston,*
Cuffee Wood, Charlestown,
Amos Spring, Sandersfield,
Richard Soper, Scotock,
Jonathan Scott, Sheffield, (Quebec.)
Eleazer Scott,
James King, Tyringham, (Deserted June 20.)
Capt. Hugh Maxwells Roll to Aug 1, 1775 In Col Prescotts Reg1
Enlisted.
Days.
Capt. Hugh Maxwell, [Charlemont],
May 10, 83
Lieut. Benj. Brown, Myrifield,
April 28, 95
2d Lieut. James Russell, Litchfield,
Sergt. William Taylor, Myrifield,
95
.. Abner Nims, Charlemont,
95
" David McClary, L Derry,
95
Joel Munn, Deerfield,
95
Corp. Andrew McNitt, Myrifield,
95
1. Lemuel Roberts, Charlemont,
. 4
95
John Taylor, Myrifield,
95
Drummer, Eliphalet Cutting. Charlemont,
July 10. 22
Fifer, Samuel Buck,
..
28,
95
Robert Brown, Myrifield,
Mathew Brown,
95
Aaron Barr, Myrifield, [Dead June 17,]
52
Edward Brown, Exeter,
95
Gideon Butler, Pelham,
April 25, 99
May 1,
92
William Brown, Lecester,
July 10,
22
Thomas Campbell, L. Derry,
April 24.
98
Eldad Corbett, Myrifield,
April 28,
95
Jesse Corless, Deerfield, [Dead June 17.]
51
Reuben Comings, Merrimack,
April 24,
98
Gad Chapin, Myrifield,
Aug. I.
William Darrah, Windham,
April 25, 98
[On another paper, apparently about this date, is a list of men under Capt. Maxwell. I do not understand it, others may.]
Aurther Darrah, Londonderry,
Elisha Nims, Deerfield,
Josiah Perce, Charlemont,
Ebenezer Faille, Charlemont, [dead June 17.] Rodney Gale. [?] In the train June 10,
Martin Rice, Sept. 2,
John Smith, Londonderry,
Caleb Saverance, Londonderry,
Ebenezer Shed, Charlestown,
Jonathan Trask, Woburn,
Joseph Thomas, Merryfield,
Jesse Martin, Deering,
Jonathan Thayer, Charlemont,
Thomas Mighills, Deerfield.
Reuben Rugg,
on furlow
William Hartwell, Charlemont,
Philip Hide, Deerfield, In the train July S, Archibald Mack, Londonderry, on fur- low Aug. 25,
Paul Thayer, Deerfield.
22
Oliver Avery,
95
Stephen Burt, No. Seven,
95
Jona. Benjimen, Deerfield,
95
Ebenezer Fisher, Needham,
95
Cato Wood, William Derby, Deerfield, (Deserted June 20.)
Deliverance Spaulding, New Maribor- ough,
Nathaniel Shaw, New Marlborough,* Justin Trusdell, Kinderhook, John Turner, (Quebec.) Solomon Taylor, Deerfield,* *
John Evans, Walpole, N. H.,
Roll of Capt. Agrippa Wells, Aug. 1, 1775.
709
WITH WARREN ON BUNKER IHILL.
Capt. Agrippa Wells, [Greenfield], Lient. Jacob Poole, Shelburne,
.. Ezekiel Foster, Bernardston,
Sergt. Amasa Kemp, Shelburne,
Oliver Atherton, Greenfield,
Elijah Kingsley, Bernardston,
.. Samuel Shattuck, Greenfield,
Corp. Asaph Allen, Bernardston,
Benj. Nash, Shelburne,
Reuben Shattuck, Bernardston,
John Grout, Shelburne,
Drummer, Samuel Nichols, Greenfield,
Fifer, Eli Skinar, Shelburne,
William Chadwick,
John Coats, Bernardston,
William Choat, Shelburne,
Eliphaz Childs, Greenfield,
William Hale,
Moses Rugg, Greenfield,
Jesse Carey,
Appolis Allen,
lIenry Allen,
Barnabas Davidson, Greenfield,
John Wells,
John Munn, Northfield,
Noah Munn, Greenfield,
Allen Nichols, ..
Fradrick Denio,
Elijah Risle,
Timothy Bascon,
Jacob Castle, Haverhill,
John R. Demont, Greenfield,
William Larkin,
Oliver Hastings,
Moses Allen, ..
Ezra Rannells,
David Davis, Bernardston,
Benjamin Miller, Greenfield,
Daniel Chapin, Bernardston,
Thomas Hunt, Bernardston,
Ezekiel Foster, Jr.,
Ebenezer Scott,
Jason Parmenter,
John Hunt,
Benjamin Upton, Northfield,
Nathan Holton,
Ilezekiah Chapin, Bernardston,
William Blaisdell, Hampton Falls,
Nehemiah Andres, Bernardston,
Zebediah Slate,
Samuel Turner, 64
Benjamin Allen,
Hazael Ransom,
Daniel Belden,
Nathaniel Merrill,
Jabez Ransom,
William Hilton,
John Fellows,
Samuel Fellows,
Mathew Barber,
Stephen Kellogg.
James Corse,
Ephraim Potter,
Joseph Osborne,
Tobe Porter, [17?] 1775,
Tubal Nash, Greenfield,
Noah Wells, Shelburne, Died May 21, 1775. [Capt. Wells writes home that "he was buried with Regimental honors."]
Other Deerfield men found in the service before Aug. ist, 1775, and after the reorganization of the forces May Ist,
were :-
Moses Lock,
Silas Wright, Zenas Dewey,
Benjamin Ladd,
Thomas Raynolds, Arial Nims,
John Kendall,
Solomon Furlow, John Henry,
John Dewey,
Daniel Fisk,
Nathaniel Billings, Jonathan Spofford,
Lebeus Jennings was in the company of Capt. Thadeus Russell and killed June 17th. Other soldiers from this vicin- ity at this time were: from Greenfield, Asahel Atherton, Phineas Johnes, John Bates, Simeon Smith (deserted Sept. 16th) : from Ashfield, Julius and David Frary ; from Conway, Joel Dickinson, Ebenezer Allen, Selah Baldon, Eliphalet Wells, Aaron How, Isaac Amsden, Daniel Davidson.
Capts. Stebbins and Maxwell were with Prescott on the night of the 16th in making the redoubt on Bunker Hill, and were both in the thickest of the fight on the 17th. Jesse Cor- less was killed and Capt. Maxwell was wounded. Timothy
Died June 16,
710
THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD.
Catlin was close by Warren and saw him fall. Catlin received there a wound in his face. His face was ever after, to his death, an escutcheon of honor, on which was blazoned a scar sanguine. Reuben Childs and Joseph Fethergill are also known to have been in the fight, and there is no reason to doubt that all those named above on the rolls of Stebbins and Maxwell should be added to this Roll of Honor.
Prisoners at Northampton. August 15th, 1775, the officers and crew of the British ship Falcon, thirty-one in all, were sent to Northampton and were left on parole in private fam- ilies. Some of the prominent Whigs in Boston had been ar- rested by Gage and thrust into the common jail. Washing- ton, hearing of this, wrote Gage, August 17th, that unless these men had better treatment he would surely make repris- als. "If your officers, our prisoners, receive a treatment from me different from which I wish to show them, they, and you, will remember the occasion of it." It became necessary to carry this threat into execution. Some of the victims of it were Robert Arnold, captain ; Justin Budd, gunner; William Broughton and Philobech Domett, midshipman, who were put in the dungeons of Northampton jail. September 16th, they petition the Council for relief, and excepting Budd, were released on parole not to leave the town. Soon after some English prisoners were sent to other towns in the valley but none are heard of in Deerfield.
Rev. Jonathan Ashley was settled here for life, and nothing short of an ecclesiastical, as well as civil revolution, could un- settle him. He had prayed publicly for the King for forty years, and continuing true to him and his Ministers, took no pains to conceal his loyalty. He was a strong-minded man and his influence was all against the Whigs and their wicked rebellion. The Whigs were desirous to get rid of him by any means in their power. The town, hoping to freeze him out, in 1774, refused to vote him any salary or firewood. At a town meeting Dec. 4th, 1775, Article i was " to see whether ye Town will reconsider a vote passed in Dec. 1762 respect- ing ye addition to ye Rev Mr Ashleys Salary". The vote was not to reconsider. The Tories carried the day.
The following named people, representing the Whig mi- nority, entered their protest against this vote on the town records :-
711
COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE AND SAFETY.
Allis, Eber
Field, David
Parker, Abel
Amsden, John
Field, Elihu
Parker, Nathaniel
Bardwell, John
Frary, Nathan
Saxton, David
Bardwell, Thos. Jr.,
Frary, Nathan Jr.,
Sheldon, John
Barnard, Joseph
Frary, Timothy
Sheldon, John Jr.,
Barnard, Joseph Jr.,
Graves, Zebediah
Smead, Ebenezer
Barnard, Selah
Harvey, Simeon
Smead, Joseph
Childs, Amzi
Hinsdale, John
Smead, Oliver
Dickinson, Eliphalet
Kingsley, Caleb
Stebbins, David
Dickinson, Thomas
Mitchell, Abner
Stone, Elias
Dickinson, Thos. W.
Mitchell, Joseph
Wells, Thomas
The object or effect of this protest I do not understand. Several of a similar character are found on the town records.
Article 2d was "To see if ye Town under the present Diffi- cult circumstances will think it convenient to continue ye Rev. Mr. Ashley in ye work of ye Ministry here."
Upon this article there is no vote recorded. Doubtless it was dismissed. But the insertion of the article is significant. A vote prevailed not to furnish Mr. Ashley any firewood.
There was an effort to have the town make some pro- vision for Francis Leicester and family, but it was defeated. Leicester was a poor man who had just returned from a six months' service in the army.
The political division between Whigs and Tories was made more bitter and personal through a church quarrel. Samuel Barnard had been called to account before the church for slandering Mr. Ashley. A majority favored the minister, and voted to withdraw communion from Barnard. This dis- cipline displeased a large minority which withdrew from the church and from the ministry of Mr. Ashley. The Whigs and Tories divided very nearly on the line separating the parties in this affair.
Deerfield men who are known to have served in the army this year not already named. There were doubtless others whose names are lost :-
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