History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 144

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 144

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When fairly recruited, the company of Captain Farnum was sent to Albany, thence down the river and on to the army of Washington, then operating in the neighborhood of Philadelphia. Here, instead of an active campaign, the excitement of battle and generous fare, they were called to hardships more severe than those endured in their march through the northern wilderness. The winter of 1777-78 is memorable in the history of the war for the terrible privations and sufferings of the army under the immediate command of Washington, in its winter encampment at Valley Forge. Many of the soldiers were destitute of blankets, clothing and shoes. Their marches were tracked with blood. The small-pox and other diseases, aggravated by their destitution, added to their wretchedness. The soldiers from Andover seem to have suffered less in these regards than others, relieved in part, it may be, by friends at home.

In addition to the lengthy enlistments, there were frequent calls upon the militia for short terms of ser- vice on special expeditions or to meet a special emer- gency. Thus, a regiment was called out mainly from Essex County, and placed under the command of

Colonel Samuel Johnson, of Andover, for the purpose of assisting the Army of the North after the abandon- ment of Fort Ticonderoga by Saint Clair and his dis- astrous retreat through the wilderness. There were a goodly number of Andover men in this regiment, in the two companies commanded respectively by Cap- tain John Abbot and Captain Samuel Johnson. This regiment was placed under the orders of General Lin- coln, and was directed by him to harass the rear of Burgoyne. For this purpose they marched upon Fort Ticonderoga in company with two other regi- ments of a like character. Though not succeeding in recapturing the fort, they secured considerable stores, arms and ammunition from the enemy, destroyed a large number of boats, took 'nearly three hundred prisoners and set at liberty one hundred American prisoners. By this action the march of Burgoyne southward was greatly embarrassed and much assist- ance thus rendered towards his ultimate defeat. General Lincoln had joined Gates before the battles which resulted in the surrender of Burgoyne, and it is but reasonable to suppose that the regiment of Col- onel Johnson, in which the Andover soldiers served, was engaged in some of the fights which led to this surrender. In an obituary notice of Colonel Johnson, published in 1796, we find the following testimony :

" In 1777 he commanded a regiment detached from the county of Essex, and led them to victory and glory in the memorable action on the 7th of October, where his firmness and courage were particularly dis- tinguished. His regiment was a part of that respect- able yeomanry whom General Burgoyne honored as the owners of the soil-men determined to conquer or die."

In the decisive battle on the 7th of October, which Burgoyne had challenged, it is said by Bancroft that "during all the fight neither Gates nor Lincoln ap- peared on the field," "that the action was the battle of the husbandmen," and " the victory was due to the enthusiasm of the soldiers." The regiment of Colo- nel Johnson must have taken a hand in this " battle of the husbandmen," composed as it was of the yeomanry of Andover and other farming towns in Essex County.

While the town was busy in fitting out and send- ing forth her sons to endure wearisome marches, se- vere privations and sickness in the cheerless winter camps, and wounds and death on the battle-field, she was not unmindful of what was transpiring in the Continental Congress. The idea of national inde- pendence had, early in the controversy, been enter- tained by some leading people in the town, and this idea had been steadily growing in favor during the years of strife and sacrifice. The people in town- meetings and their representatives in the Provincial Assembly gave expression to this idea or wish months before the Colonial Congress ventured publicly to entertain the question. Wisely, Congress waited to

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

hear the voice of the people. On the 12th day of June, 1776, the citizens of Andover were assembled in town-meeting to pass upon this pregnant question : " Should the Honorable Congress, for the safety of the colonies, declare them independent of Great Britain, will you solemnly engage with your lives and fortunes to support them in the measure ? "

This grave question was earnestly discussed in all its bearings, with the serious issues and personal re- sponsibilities involved in it, and then, by a unaui- mous vote, it was answered in the affirmative.

The attention of the people was also directed towards the creation of a permanent State govern- ment. The functions of Governor had been exer- cised thus far, since the setting aside of the royal au- thority, by an elective Council and a representative Assembly. This was but a temporary arrangement. The time had come for an established form of gov- ernment. The matter was brought before the people in their respective town-meetings for consideration and action. The citizens of Andover, being thus called together October 3, 1776, in legal town-meet- ing, to give their judgment on the subject, after full discussion, passed the following vote :

" That it is the consent of the inhabitants of this town now assembled, that the present House of Representatives of this state of Massachusetts Ilay in New England, together with the Council, if they consent in one body with the House, and by equal voice, should consult, agree on and chart auch a Constitution and form of government for this State, as the enid House of Representatives and Council on the fullest and most ma- ture deliberation, shall judge will most conduce to the safety, peace and happiness of this State, In all after successions and generations, provid- ed said Constitution and form of Government be made public for the inspection, approbation, amendment or disapprobation of the inhabit- unts before the ratification thereof by the Assembly."

This plan for the creation of a State Constitution and form of government failed. Subsequently a convention of representatives of the people was called for the same purpose. This convention met in Cambridge in September of the year 1779. The delegates from Andover who sat in this assembly were Samuel Osgood, Esq., Mr. Samuel Phillips, Jr., Mr. John Farnum, Jr., and Mr. Zebediah Abbot. A Constitution was drafted and submitted to the peo- ple for ratification. In Andover, at a legally called meeting, liekdl May 15, 1780, " after due deliberation and debate," it was "adopted with almost entire unanimity."

These votes show us that all important measures affecting the welfare of the State or country, which came before the Provincial Assemblies or the Con- tinental Congress, were first directly or indirectly sub- mitted to the judgment of the people. The leading men of these times unquestionably did much to cre- ate and direct public opinion. But the deliberative Assemblies were careful to learn and to follow in this netion the expressed wishes of the people. In this respect we see a wide difference between the North American Revolution and the revolutions of South Ame on and Europe.

When, nt lust, after nearly eight years of hardship,

suffering and bloodshed, a treaty of peace was signed in Paris by the representatives of Great Britain and her rebellious American colonies, and the Declara- tion of Independence of July, 1776, was thus made an accomplished fact, the joy of the people was boundless. The "freeholders and the sons of free- holders" who had done the fighting, endured the privation and suffering, furloughed or disbanded, re- turned to their homes and farms, bearing little else than their well-tried muskets and a consciousness of having done their duty faithfully and successfully.

During these weary years of war and waiting, An- dover continued steadfast in her devotion to the cause she had espoused. She responded cheerfully to the frequent calls for new recruits, re-enlistments and temporary service. Her quota was always full. To encourage enlistments, it was voted, November 18, 1777, "that the town will supply the families of the non-commissioned officers and private soldiers be- longing to this town that are engaged in the Conti- nentał army with the necessaries of life that their circumstances may require." February 16, 1778, it was " voted to proeure for each soldier in the Conti- nental army doing duty for this town one pair of shirts, two pair of stockings, one pair of shoes and a blanket." This undoubtedly was called out by the dire destitution of the troops at Valley Forge, where Andover had a respectable contingent.

In 1779 it was voted " to hire money on the Town's credit, and immediately procure the necessaries of life for the use of the families" of the soldiers in the Continental army.

In July, 1780, it was voted "to provide for the three months' enlisted soldiers, give obligations for their State pay and hire money on the town's eredit."

In Deeember of the same year it was voted that "the Town do hereby engage to every able-bodied, effective man that shall Inlist, that in ease the monthly pay of forty shillings engaged by Con- gress, to be paid in money of the new emission, shall depreciate from its present value, which is to be eon- sidered as now equal to 42 of the same sum in eoined silver, the Town will fully make up such Depreciation at the Expiration of each year's service." As the Continental paper was continually on the downward slide, this backing of the town added no little to the security of the soldier and to the cost of the town.

But the trials of the people were not solely those growing out of the enlistment and support of the sol- diers engaged in the war. The withdrawal of a large number of the young and efficient cultivators of the soil caused the farms to be neglected, and thus to be- come unproductive. The interest of the people was so eentred in the doings of the army and the legisla- tive assemblies as to lessen their efficiency in their own secular affairs. They rapidly became poorer year by year. Their homes were made desolate by the death or protracted absence of their sons. But amidst. these trials, so wasting and long continued,

1577

ANDOVER.

we find no murmuring word on the record-book of the town. How many soever may have been the tears shed in secret, and the privations endured in heroic silence, no man wavers in his purpose. There is no looking back to the prosperous days under Brit- ish rule; no flinching from the next forward step toward independence, however dangerous the step may be. They have a firm faith in the righteousness of their cause, and are willing to trust the issue to the arbitrament of a righteous God. The oppressive- ness of their condition, the under-stratum of sadness in their hearts, is, however, sometimes revealed in their public acts.

At the close of the war, the tension of that terrible strife having been taken from the minds and hearts of the people, they found themselves exhausted, un- settled, poor and encompassed with serious difficul- ties. Taxes were heavy, debts were numerous and large, metallic mouey was scarce, Continental cur- rency was worth but a fraction of its face valne, and daily depreciating. The products of the farm were seanty, owing to the years of neglect. A class of extortioners made their appearance, who exacted enormous in- terest, with heavy security, for ready money. The habits of the camp followed not a few of the returned soldiers to their homes. The once industrious, frugal and temperate man was too often found with the idlers at the tavern, spending his seanty earnings in drink. Withal, the political atmosphere was un- quiet, perturbed. Authority had not become firmly seated in either State or nation. An incipient rebellion broke out in the western section of the State, fomented and stimulated by the discontented and the vaga- bonds of all other sections. Andover speedily took issue with this spirit of insubordination, while admit- ting that there were imperfections in the government and grievances in its administration. Under the lead of an able committee, of which Hon. Samuel Phillips, then president of the Senate, was chairman, the citizens passed and put on record this expression of their sentiments Sept. 25, 1786,-" We esteem it our duty at the present day to bear our explicit testimony against all riotous and illegal proceedings, and against all hostile attempts and menaces against law, justice and good government, and to declare our readiness to exert ourselves in support of government and the excellent Constitution of this Commonwealth. But at the same time we suppose there are many things complained of which onght to be remedied, and it is our desire that every grievance may be in a constitutional way redressed." Then follow six specifications where there should or might be changes or amendmends of existing things for the public ben- efit. The paper, as a whole, while outspoken in re- gard to the existing abuses that were just subjects of complaint, is firm in its tone against all forcible and unconstitutional methods of redress.

When this discontent had culminated in an armed insurrection led by former officers of the army, 99}

the Governor called out a body of militia for its sup- pression, a fourth of which force was taken from Suf- folk and Essex Counties. Andover responded to the call, and sent her soldiers, under the command of General Lincoln, to the scene of disturbance, pre- pared to fight for the maintenance of order and the Constitution as they had fought to secure na- tional independence. Happily, while there was toil- some marching, there was no occasion for actual fighting. The insurrectionists quickly fled and dis- persed on the approach of the State troops. On the dispersion of the malcontents, the General Court created "a special commission to treat with the dis- affected and receive their submission," as there was reason to believe that numbers of them were anxious to renew their allegiance. The commissioners selected were General Lincoln, the commander of the troops ; Samuel Phillips, President of the Senate, and anthor of the Andover declaration of sentiment ; and Samnel Allyne Otis, Speaker of the House of Representa- tives. This commission entered at once upon its work, and traversing rapidly those districts of the State most infected with the spirit of resistance, meet- ing the disafl'ected in a friendly and conciliatory man- ner, in the course of a month succeeded in so re- conciling the discontented as effectually to prevent any further outbreak.

Those who had personally participated in the in- surrection by bearing arms were required to subscribe a paper confessing their wrong-doing, and that they were sincerely penitent for the same and desired to re- turn to their allegiance. And they further pledged themselves to defend the government and to comply with the laws of the State as good citizens. Two credible witnesses were required to substantiate the sincerity of the person making this confession and agreement.

The commissioners, in their report to the General Court, on the 27th of April, stated that seven hundred and ninety persons had returned to their allegiance, and that, on a thorough investigation of the causes which led to the outbreak, they found that chief among them were " private debts," and the principal cause of these debts was " an undue rise of articles of foreign growth and manufacture."

The condition of the currency was a great cause of complaint and a very serious source of trouble. The extreme scarcity of coin and the low and lessening value of the Continental currency induced not a few- persons to advocate the issue by the State of paper money. In opposition to this measure the town was outspoken. At a meeting held on the 17th of Octo- ber, 1785, the following preamble and vote .were passed : " Whereas, It has been said that a neighbor- ing town has lately, by a public vote, expressed a dis- position for a paper currency ; voted, that Joshua Holt, Esq. (Representative for the town at the Gene- ral Court), be, and he is hereby instructed in case any motion shall be made in the General Court for intro-

1578

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

ducing a paper medium, vigorously and perseveringly to oppose the same, as heing a measure calculated, in our opinion, to promote idleness, dissipation and dis- honesty, and, by destroying the morals of the people, to bring on the ruin of the Commonwealth."

Our fathers may have forecast the evils consequent upon the issue by the State of a "paper medinm " with extravagant forebodings, but their experience with the Continental currency might reasonably cause them anxious solicitnde when it was proposed that the State shoukl go into the manufacture of money. They sagely concluded that, while a " paper medium " might pay off debts, it would not promote morality. As early as 1778 the town had authorized the collec- tor of taxes " to receive seventy-five dollars paper as equal to one silver dollar." The authority of Con- gress, making its paper currency a legal tender, and declaring him a public enemy who refused to take it, could not prevent its depreciation nearly to the point of worthlessness. The citizens of Andover did not wish to see this experiment repeated by their own Commonwealth.

But the difficulties and trials under which the peo- ple labored did not rapidly disappear. In fact, their condition in many respects was more trying than when subject to the rule of Great Britain. Under these disheartening circumstances, the General Court sent out an address to the people, among other things recommending and inculcating the practice of "those virtues which are necessary to form the basis of national happiness." On receiving this address, the town chose a committee to take it into consideration, and to report what measures are proper to be adopted to further the purposes of the address. "The Hon. Samuel Phillips, Esq., Capt. Peter Osgood, Hon. Samuel Phillips, Jr., Esq., Joshua Holt, Esq., Mr. Moody Bridges, Mr. Nehemiah Abbot, Lieut. John Ingalls, Mr. John Farnum and Capt. John Abbot, Jr.," composed this committee, and reported as fol- lows:

"That, in their opinion, a deviation from the principles and practico of industry and economy has been the great cause of the scarcity of specie, the delinquency in the payment of faxes, and in the discharge of private debte; which delinquency naturally tends to mar tho repu- iation and destroy the energy of Government, and to produce impatience in creditore, as well us uneasiness and complaint in debtors; and that hehco arimes the concern und disquietude of niny in the community. Your Committee, therefore, consider this deviation as a fruitful parent of thu es Ils we now Buffer, and threatening ns with speedy and complete ruin, unless prevented by a thorough reform. We, therefore, consider it of the high ont ingentance to recur to those principles from which we have de line 1, and to exret unrselves for the encouragement of the manufac- Lure of our own country in every proper way, which will consist with the bp w Th to engage ur fist attention, viz., the cultivation . for Funds vial for this purpose the following resolve is proposed to be

. What e logblatme have warned this people of being in the Hen ckel with the Herties of States have been generally swallowe lop will werner, & lemn . it is, appears to be founded 1. Die het is It and as it is a part of sound wisdom to convert co fort the and can be it to the means of advantage, in cheerful imi- lat .f the [ no rxnipdet usby tor first Magistrate of the Com- hist atiti at the Legislature ut the State. We hereby frain fs m, and as far as Ihi ur power 'to prevent the oxres-

sive use and consumption of articles of foreign manufacture, especially articles of luxury sod extravagance ; and that we will exert our best endeavors for the promotion of industry and our own manufactures.'

"And in particular, that we will exert ourselves to increase our wool anıl flax as far as is practicable. That we will, as far as may be, avoid killing our sheep, or selling them for slaughter, after shearing time, till the wool be serviceable for clothing ; And that we will exert ourselves to promote and encourage the manufactures of wool and flax and other raw materials into such articles as shall be useful in the community.

"And the inhabitants of the town of every description, but heads of families in particular, are hereby solicited, as they would falsify the pre- dictions aod disappoint the hopes of those who are inimical to our Inde- pendence and happiness; as they would gratify the anxious wishes of our best friends and the friends of freedom in general ; as they regard the political well-being of themselves and posterity ; as they hold precious the memory of the heroes and patriots, and of our own kin- dred who have sacrificed their lives that we may enjoy the fruits of virtnous freedom ; to noite in this resolution, aod to exert their utmost influence, in every proper way, to promote the important design of it.

"And npon this occasion, we apply ourselves to the good sense and virtuous dispositions of the female sex, to the younger as well as the elder, that they would by their engaging examples, as well as in other proper ways, devote that power of influence, with which nature hath endowed theni, to the purpose of encouraging every species of economy io living, and particularly, that neat plainness and simplicity in dress which are among the best tokens of a good mind, nod which seldom fail to command the esteem and love of the virtuous and wise; giving preference to that clothing which is produced from our own flocks, und from our own fields.

"Your Committee, upoo considering the principal obstacles that lie in the way of the desired reform, are clearly of opinion that an undue use of spirituous liquors has a powerful influence to enervate the body, to enfeeble the mind, and to promote dissipation, idleness and extrava- gance, which are never-failing causes of poverty and ruin. They, thers- fore, consider it of the highest importance to refrain from ourselves, and to discountenaoce in others, the undue use of spirituous liquors uf all kinds."

This lengthy, carefully-prepared report, with its specifie recommendations and pledges, was maturely considered, and, being read and put to vote, paragraph by paragraph, was accepted and adopted. It reveals to us a state of things in the town far from plea-ing. With debt, delinquency in the payment of taxes, scarcity of money and general unthrift, there was laziness, extravagance and intemperance. There is something pathetic in this urgent appeal for indus- try, frugality and temperance to the ill-conditioned citizens of a town where onee these virtues flourished as if indigenous to the soil. Some might have ques- tioned whether that coveted jewel, independence, bad not been bought at too great cost.

The repeated mention of manufactures and the en- couragement of home industries shows us that thus early was diseerned the impulse to industry, and the source of prosperity and wealth for the people of our State. Home manufactures were then looked to as a means of increasing the value of farm products, en- larging the number and variety of employments, keeping the money expended for manufactured goods at home, and stimulating enterprise and industry among the people.

It is impossible to give the names or the number of the men who were engaged in the service of the coun- try from Andover during the war; nor can we tell with any degree of accuracy how many of the An- dover soldiers were slain in battle, or how many died from wounds or discases contracted while in the army.

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ANDOVER.

One account says that during the war twenty soldiers died from the South Parish. It is hardly to be sup- posed that this number covers the deaths from all causes of soldiers from this parish, during the eight years of war. Nearly every family had its repre- sentative in the army, first or last. More than fifty men from the South Parish were in the company of Capt. Ames in the battle of Bunker Hill, three of whom were killed and seven wounded.

The following is a list of the commissioned officers from Andover who served in the war, as compiled by Miss S. L. Bailey in her carefully prepared and ad- mirable volume, entitled "Historical Sketches of An- dover" ("comprising the present towns of North An- dover and Andover"). The writer of this sketch is greatly indebted to Miss Bailey for valuable informa- tion so laboriously and accurately collected.

Brigadier-General Joseph Frye.

Colonel James Frye.

Colonel Samuel Johnson.

Captain Benjamin Farnum.

Colonel Thomas Poor.1 Captain Charles Furbush.

Major Samuel Osgood.

Captain Joshua Holt.

Captain Samuel Johnson.

Adjt .- Genl. Bimsley Stevens. Captain Benjamin Ames. Captain Henry Abbot.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 144

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1672

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672