USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Framingham > History of Framingham, Massachusetts, early known as Danforth's Farms, 1640-1880; with a genealogical register > Part 24
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Early in July, 1749, levies were raised out of several Middlesex and Worcester regiments, and ordered to rendezvous at Northfield.
" Province of Massachusetts Bay to Joseph Buckminster, Dr.
"To subsisting twelve soldiers in their march from Framingham to £6. o. o. Fort Dummer, So miles
Recd payt JOSEPH BUCKMINSTER. "Framingham Aug. 3, 1749."
The names of the men, the first seven of whom belonged to this town, were, Corp. John Butler, Jonathan Brewer, Moses Parker, Edmund Town, Josiah Stone, Joseph Pegonit, Jonathan Cole, Fuller Putnam, Joseph Young, Samuel Adams, Jonathan Farwell, Henry Snow. They were attached to Capt. John Catlin's company of scouts, and were billeted one-half the time at Northfield, and one-half at Ashuelot (Keene, N. H.), and were in service from July 13, to Oct. 12, 1749.
The Treaty of Peace was signed at Aix la Chapelle, Oct. 7, 1748, but was not proclaimed in Boston till May 10, 1749. Actual hostilities continued on our frontier for some months longer.
As will be seen from the foregoing military rolls, two of our men, who afterwards became distinguished commanders in the war of the Revolution - viz., John Nixon, and Jonathan Brewer, - took their first lessons in the camp and field in this French and Indian war.
As an incident of this war, closely connected with our history, the fortunes that befel the family of Daniel How, once a resident here, have special interest. In 1726, Isaac Gleason, son of the first Thomas, sold his one-third of the paternal estate to Daniel How, who
219
Daniel How.
at once opened a tavern, which he kept for about ten years. It stood on the Old Connecticut path, about forty-five rods southeasterly from the old Charles Clark house. In 1736 or 37, he sold to his son-in-law, Samuel Gleason, who continued the house of entertainment, known throughout the region as Gleason's tavern. Mr. How moved to Westmoreland, N. H., where in a new and exposed frontier settle- ment, he led an eventful life for about eight years. When the war broke out in 1745, he and his family were forced to leave their home, and flee across the Connecticut river to a fort in the "Great Meadow," now Putney, Vt. The family were obliged to remain here; and he died in the fort, before the close of the war.
His son Daniel, born in the old tavern house, in 1730, became one of the sufferers and heroes of this and the succeeding Indian war. At the age of sixteen (June 24, 1746), while quietly at work in a meadow near Bridgeman's Fort, in the present Town of Vernon, Vt., he was taken captive by a skulking party of savages, and carried to Canada. At the end of two months he was redeemed and returned home. Owing to the hardships he suffered, he was laid up in the hospital in Boston from August 18 to 28. But in two days after his discharge from the hospital he enlisted (at Cambridge) in the army, and was immediately sent out to fight his former captors. He joined Capt. Josiah Willard's company, and for the next two years was constantly engaged in scouting and skirmishes on the Connecticut and Ashuelot rivers.
July 14, 1748, he was again captured by the Indians, in the town of Hinsdale, N. H., by the ambush that took John Edgell prisoner, and carried a second time to Canada. On the route and after his arrival, he was subjected to great cruelties, being forced to "run the gauntlet " between two files of savages. At the end of two and a half months he was released and came home, broken in health but not in courage, for he promptly reported himself for duty to his captain, and continued in service to the end of the war. He afterwards received a commission as captain, and in 1752 settled in Westmoreland.
MISCELLANY. - " April 29, 1747. The wife of David Harrington of Framingham, returning from market at Boston, while crossing a river in that town, fell from her horse and was drowned."
October, 1748. The house of Robert Seaver was destroyed by fire. In a petition to the General Court for relief, he says : " My house was burnt, and consumed all the little substance I had in the world, it being in moveables and bonds and bills of credit ; and amongst the money your petitioner lost one eight pound, and one three pound and one four pound, all of this Province, old Tenor." He adds the fact that himself and two of his sons were at the taking of Louisbourg in
220
History of Framingham.
1745, "and one of them is there still." The Court granted him as reimbursement for the bills destroyed, £3, 15.
1754. The first four months of this year are made memorable by the prevalence of a fatal distemper, known as the "great sickness." The town records notice the death of seven persons as victims of the disease ; but it is nearly certain that other deaths occurred, which were not recorded. The Goddard family, living on the place now of J. H. Temple, and the families living north of the Mountain, appear to have been the greatest sufferers. Rev. David Goddard, minister, of Leicester, while on a visit here, was taken down, and died Jan. 19. His mother died Feb. 4, and his father, the Hon. Edward Goddard, died Feb. 9. Others of the family were sick but recovered. Joshua Hemenway, Jr., died Jan. 30.
The distemper broke out in Holliston about the middle of Decem- ber, and between that date and March there were forty-six deaths in a population of four hundred. "Four families were wholly broken up, losing both their heads. The sickness was so prevalent that but few families escaped. For more than a month there were not enough well to tend the sick and bury the dead ; tho' they spent their whole time in these services ; but the sick suffered and the dead lay unburied ; and that, notwithstanding help was procured and charitable assistance afforded by many in neighboring towns. In the height of the disease there were from two to five burials each day." [Journal of Rev. Mr. Prentice.] The selectmen applied to the Legislature for aid, and "the sum of £26, 13, 4, was granted and paid out the public treasury to the selectmen of Holliston, (in consideration of the calamitous circumstan- ces occasioned by the late mortal sickness that prevailed there), to be applied for the use and relief of such poor, indigent persons as may most need the same."
The number of deaths in Sherborn was between twenty and thirty.
1755, Nov. 18. A terrible earthquake took place a little after four o'clock, in a serene and pleasant night, and continued near four and a half minutes. The shock was the most violent ever known in the country. Its course was from northeast to southeast, and it extended entirely across New England and the Middle States.
1756-7. During this winter snow fell to the depth of nearly six feet. The following extracts from a journal kept by Henry Eames, indicate the progress of the storms: "Dec. 17, 1756, snow 15 inches deep. Snow 20th day, 15 inches more. Snow 23d day, 7 or 8 inches more. Cold rain, 26th day ; 27th, warm three days, then some rain. Jan. 3, 1757, cold N. W. snow, about two or three inches. Jan. 9, about noon very hot fog, then rain. 17th, very cold N. W. wind. 22d, rain, and thaw very fast. 24th and 25th, snow to the value of 10
22I
Last French and Indian War.
inches ; the night after, eight inches more. 30th and 31st, thawed away most of the snow that came last ; the whole depth above 4 feet and 4 inches. Feb. 2, snow and hail seven inches deep. 5th, snow seven inches deep more. 6th, rain most of the day. 7th, snow three inches deep. 10th, S. wind and rain, till the snow wasted the most of it."
THE LAST FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR, 1754-1763. - The treaty of Aix la Chapelle proved to be little more than a truce. The Indians continued their depredations till June, 1749, and re-commenced hostil- ities in May, 1754. Assured that there could be no permanent peace to her American colonies so long as the French power was dominant on the northern frontiers, Great Britain determined to effect the conquest of Canada.
The gates to the French possessions on the St. Lawrence, were, first, by way of the River St. Lawrence ; second, by way of Crown Point and Lake Champlain ; third, by way of Lake Ontario. The reduction of Canada then involved the taking of Louisbourg, which had been restored to the French by the late treaty ; the capture of Crown Point, and the capture of Fort Niagara and its outpost, Fort Du Quesne.
The English government called on the Provinces to furnish their full quotas of men to these great expeditions, which were placed under command of British officers ; and the intermediate frontiers were left in the main to look out for themselves.
This general statement seems necessary, in order to explain the different and widely-scattered expeditions in which our militia were called upon to take part.
In April, 1757, by requisition from the provincial authorities, returns were made of all the enrolled militia of the town, both active and retired or exempted men. Framingham was then divided into two military districts ; one included the inhabitants dwelling east of Sudbury river and south of Stoney brook ; the other took in all living west of the river and north of the brook.
These lists are given in full, partly for reference in the pages immediately to follow, and partly for their statistical and genealogical value, as comprising the tax-payers then resident in town.
The " Alarm List " includes all between the ages of 16 and 60, who for any reason were exempt from ordinary military duty. They were liable to be called out to do duty in their own town upon extraordinary emergencies.
222
History of Framingham.
List of officers and soldiers in the company of militia under command of Capt. Henry Emmes, April 26, 1757.
Capt. Henry Emmes
Abraham Rice, Jr.
Lieut. Josiah Drury
Uriah Rice
Ens. Ezekiel Rice
Joseph Stone, 3d
Sergt. Samuel Dadman
Josiah Gregory
Phinehas Rice, Jr.
66 Samuel Gleason
John Haven
Corp. Bezaleel Rice, Jr.
Thomas Temple, Jr.
Daniel Haven, Jr.
66 Henry Emmes, Jr.
John Ballord
Joseph How
William Graves
Drumr Abner How
Eliab Brewer
66 Jesse Emmes
Daniel Taylor
Hezekiah How
John Whitney
Joseph Hemenway
James Allen
Thomas Kendall
Nat. Stow
Isaac Fisk
Jason Newton
Samuel Emmes
Joseph Sanger
Joseph Adams
Henry Rice
Ezekiel Rice, Jr.
Jonathan Flagg
Simon Learned
John Matthews
Zaccheus Ballord
Josiah Rice
Thomas Emmes, Jr.
Joseph Nichols
Thomas Stone
Josiah Drury, Jr.
Caleb Death
Ebenezer Bruce
Daniel Biglow
Benjamin Angier
Timothy Emmes
Gideon Haven
Thomas Drury
Peter Jennison, Jr.
Simon Pratt
David Haven
Joseph Biglow
Richard Mellen, Jr.
James Haven, Jr.
Hananiah Temple
Squire Haven
Caleb Drury, Jr.
Peter More
Isaac Stone
Elisha Bemis
David Drury
Isaac Fisk, Jr.
Abner Stone
Elijah Drury
Jason Haven
John Pratt
Micajah Gleason
Benj. Morse
John Stebbins
Phinehas Butler
Timothy Anger
James Page
Caleb Drury, Clerk.
66 James Haven
William Mellen
David Rice, Jr.
66 David Brewer
Last French and Indian War.
223
Alarm List in Capt. Henry Emmes' company, 16 to 60 years of age, April 26, 1757.
Rev. Matthew Bridge
Benjamin Whitney
Esq. Joseph Haven
Ebenezer Goddard
Corp. Abraham Rice
Thomas Temple
Dr. John Sparhawk
Micah Drury
Dea. Moses Learned
Phinehas Rice
Oliver Death
Bezaleel Rice
Thomas Pearse
William Brown
John Nurse
Jonathan Rice
Gideon Bridges
Samuel Stone
Richard Mellen
Joseph Stone
John Parker
Jason Stone
Ebenezer Marshall
Elijah Kendall
Elkanah Haven, Jr.
John Whitney
Benjamin Haven
Moses Learned, Jr.
Peter Jennison
John Clayes
Daniel Haven
Joseph Bixbe
Nat. Emmes
William Merritt
Lieut. William Jones
Nat. Pratt
Lieut. John Butler
Peter Gallot
Lieut. Samuel Mellen
John Mayhew
Lieut. Jonathan Brewer
Peter Parker
List of officers and soldiers in Col. Joseph Buckminster's company of
Militia, April 26, 1757.
Hezekiah Stone, Clerk.
Capt. Jeremiah Belknap
Gideon Haven
Lieut. Aaron Pike
Samuel Edmands
Ens. Josiah Warren
Nathan Stearns
Sergt. Timothy Pike
John Dunn
Samuel Underwood
Samuel Angier
66 Phinehas Parmenter
Phinehas Goodnow
Benoni Pratt
Jonathan Morse, Jr.
Corp. Bezaleel Wright
James McFarland
Sylvanus Hemenway
Jacob Townsend, Jr.
66 Amos Darling
Jesse Stone
Drum' John Pike
Thomas Stone
Joseph Barret
John Darling, Jr.
John McFarland
Abner Pratt
Samuel Hemenway
William Dunn
Isaac Hemenway Jonathan Edmands Nehemiah Wright John Jones
Lieut. Jonathan Gibbs
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History of Framingham.
William Pike
Jonas Eaton John Barret
James Boutwell
Icabod Hemenway
Aaron Edmands
Josiah Wait
Ebenr Hemenway
Samuel Fairbank
Elijah Houghton
Samuel Lamb
Caleb Harrington
William Jones
Jonathan Winch
John Angier
John Hemenway
Ralph Hemenway, Jr.
Joseph Nichols
Joshua Parmenter
James Gallot
Jonathan Clark
Daniel Mixer
.
Isaac How
Stephen Harris
John Wait
James Barret
Azariah Walker
Asa Pike
John Bullen
Benjamin Barret
John Edgell
Ebenezer Phillips
Jonathan Edmands, Jr.
Jonathan Stearns
Moses Cutting
William Parkhurst
Timothy Stearns, Jr.
John Willard
Benj. Hemenway
Amasa Frost
Simon Edgell
Jonathan Hemenway
Thomas Trowbridge
Ebenezer Hemenway, Jr.
Eleazar Kendall, Jr.
John Eaton
Ebenezer Boutwell, Jr.
Oliver Robinson
Henderson Walkup
Abijah Warren
Daniel Hemenway
Isaac Goodnow
Alarm List in Capt. Jeremiah Belknap's company, 16 to 60 years of age, April 26, 1757.
Dea. Moses Pike
Jeremiah Pike
Dea. Jonathan Morse
Ambrose Tower
Dea. Daniel Stone
Daniel Winch
Lieut. Isaac Mixer
Wm Buckminster
Corp. Noah Eaton
John Gitchell
Capt. Josiah Stone
Elijah Stone
Dr. Ebenr Hemenway
Phinehas Gibbs
Adjt. John Farrar
Matthew Gibbs
Capt. John Nixon
John Darling Ebenezer Boutwell
John Trowbridge
Thomas Brown
Jonathan Barret
Jonathan Belcher
Jonathan Robinson
Isaac Reed
Timothy Stearns
Isaac Clark
Ralph Hemenway
Last French and Indian War. 225
John Mixer
Jeremiah Belknap Jr.
Jona. Hemenway John Bruce James Clayes
Thomas Nixon
Joseph Morse
John Winch
John Johnson
George Walkup
Jona. Maynard
Benjamin Holden
Joseph Maynard
James Holden
Nath. Belknap Abraham Pike
Daniel Belcher
1754. In the opening campaign of this war in 1754, the following Framingham men enlisted in Capt. John Johnson's company, and were out three months, viz., Jonathan Brewer, Simon Larned, Joseph Butler, Phinehas Butler, John How, Eliab Brewer, John Pierce, Simeon Gleason, Phinehas Gleason, William Dunn, William Graves, Phinehas Graves, Micah Haven, Simon Pratt.
1755. John Nixon enlisted, March 27, 1755, in Capt. Ebenezer Newell's Roxbury company, and received a commission as lieutenant ; but before marching, he was transferred to Capt. Jonathan Hoar's Concord company, and was promoted, Sept. 8, to be captain. The company was attached to the Crown Point expedition, and was in service till Dec. 17.
The Muster-roll is here given.
Capt. Jonathan Hoar, Concord John Nixon, Framingham Lieut. Jona. Gibbs, Framingham Ens. Daniel Fay, Hardwick
66 Peter Prescott Jr. Concord
Sergt. Abijah Mason, Concord 66 Amos Gates, Framingham Oliver Harris, Holden Clerk John Felch, Natick Corp. Timothy Fletcher, Pepperell Adam Gilbert, Sudbury
Eben' Boutwell, Framingham
66 Thad. Harrington, Concord Uriah Chuchett, Sudbury Benoni Chalcom, Natick Jacob Chalcom, Natick Wm. Dority, Brookfield Peter Frank, Boston
John Peacock, N. Braintree Robert Gording, Chester Oliver Gould, Sudbury
Charles Bailey, Sudbury Solomon Hartwell, Concord Peter Prescott, Concord
Daniel Harris, Springfield Joshua Jackson, Leicester John Mathis, Framingham George Walkup, Framing'm Gershom Newton, Marlboro Samuel Grant, Marlboro John Fletcher, Billerica Silas Warner, N. Braintree Oliver Lampson, Acton Zech. Parker, Acton
Bartho Goyer, Natick
Jona. Treadway, Hopkinton (died.) Jona. Stanhope, Sudbury John Law
Michael Fitzgerald Abel Ray Joel Bradford
15
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History of Framingham.
The company marched by way of Springfield and Blandford. Lieut. Nixon took his horse and a man as far as Blandford, when he sent them back. Jona. Treadway was taken sick and sent home on fur- lough Nov. 3, and died Dec. 17. George Walkup was drummer, and was promoted to be drum major.
The expedition against Crown Point was under command of Gen. William Johnson ; but for various reasons the summer was passed in inaction. The fall campaign was rendered memorable by the death of Col. Ephraim Williams, who fell in an ambuscade, Sept. 8.
As an inducement to enlistments this year, the Massachusetts authorities offered to furnish each man, at the time of enlisting, one blanket ; twenty-four shillings to such as provide themselves with good arms ; £12 for arms and bounty, and one month's pay in advance.
The following Framingham men enlisted in Capt. Eben'r Newell's company at the same time as Lieut. Nixon, and were in the Crown Point expedition, in service from March 27, to Jan. 3, 1756 : Sergt. Shears Berry, Sergt. Isaac Gleason, Corp. Jona. Belcher, privates Abijah Berry, Eben'r Darling, John Darling, John Edgell, Simon Edgell, Thomas Nixon, Joseph Sever, Benjamin Tower.
In Capt. Stephen Hosmer's company, Crown Point expedition, this year, were John Hemenway, clerk, Timothy Stearns, Jr., Jona. Flagg, David Sanger. The latter died at Albany, Dec. 15. This company was out from Sept. 10 to Dec. 31.
In Capt. John Taplin's company, same expedition, were Benjamin Barrett, aged 27, Nathan Barrett, aged 25, Joshua Train, aged 33, all of Framingham. The company was in service from Mar. 28 to Dec. 28.
Eliakim Robinson, son of Jonathan, was in Capt. William Pierce's company, at Crown Point, April I to Jan. 2, 1756.
Joseph Bigelow of Framingham, was in Capt. Joseph Whitcomb's company, Crown Point expedition, from Mar. 27 to Jan. 3, 1756.
In Capt. Benjamin Wood's Hopkinton company, out from Aug. 9, 1755, to Jan. 22, 1756, were Daniel Hemenway, Nathan Knowlton, Peter Gallot and Jonas Pierce, of this town.
1756. The plan of the campaign of 1756, embraced the reduction of the forts at Crown Point and Niagara. But through the incapacity of the British commander, Gen. Abercrombie, " the summer passed in fruitless labor." Massachusetts raised about 6,000 men.
April 15. Col. Joseph Buckminster received orders to raise by enlistment or impressment, fifty men out of his regiment for the expe- dition against Crown Point. The following descriptive rolls give the names, ages, etc., of the men.
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Last French and Indian War.
In Capt. John Nixon's company :
Capt. John Nixon, 27, b. Framingham, res. Framingham.
Ens. Thomas Nixon, 20, b. Framingham, res.
do.
Sergt. Simon Edgell, 22, b. Lexington, res. do.
Clerk Wm. Puffer, 36, b. Sudbury, res. do.
Ezra Barker,
30, b. Hampton, res. do.
Joseph Antonio, 25, b. Spain. res. do.
Peter Mezen,
40, b. New London, res. do.
Patrick Organy, 20, b. Kilkenny,
res. do.
Henry Savage, 25, b. Ireland,
res. do
Thomas Walkup, - b.
res. do.
Jonas Flagg, - b.
res. do.
Gideon Haven, 22, b. Framingham, res. do.
George Fairbanks, 48, b. Sherborn, res.
do.
In Capt. William Jones' company :
Jacob Townsend, 50, b. Framingham, res. Framingham.
Ebenr Boutwell, 54, b. Reading, res. do.
William Shay, 29, b. Ireland, res. do.
Ralph Hemenway, 27, b. Framingham, res.
do.
John Hemenway, 25, b. Framingham, res. do.
Cornelius Claflin, 23, b. Hopkinton, res. do.
James Gallot, 18, b. Framingham, res.
do.
Daniel Johnson, - b. res. do.
In Capt. John Taplin's company :
Capt. John Taplin, 29, b. Charlton, res. Southboro'.
Corp. Nathan Barrett, 25, b. Framingham, res. Framingham.
Benjamin Barrett, 27, b. Framingham, res. Marlboro'.
Clerk, Jona. Johnson, 25, b. Southboro', res. Southboro'.
Dilenton Johnson, 16, b. Southboro', res. Southboro'.
Hezekiah Johnson, 21, b. Southboro', res. Hopkinton.
Joshua Train, 33, b. Weston,
res. Framingham.
Isaac Allerd, 27, b. Brookline,
res. Hopkinton.
Capt. John Nixon and his company were stationed at the camp near Lake George. Col. Timothy Ruggles, commander of the regi- ment, was taken sick, and obtained leave of absence, and Oct. II, Capt. Nixon's company was ordered to escort him on his journey home.
Jonas Flagg of this town was impressed, and joined Capt. John Jones' company. " He was taken sick before his dismission, not able
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History of Framingham.
to travel, stopped at Greenbush, where he hired a man and horse to wait upon him homeward as far as Spencer; from which place he was brought home Dec. 13, and died Feb. 25, 1757."
Capt. Josiah Stone's troop of forty-nine men was ordered out, and was in service in the expedition to Crown Point, Sept. 15 to Oct. 30. The following Framingham names appear on the muster roll: Capt. Josiah Stone, Ens. John Stone, Sergt. David Haven, Drum Major John Nichols, Corp. Ebenezer Haven, Nathan Winch, Elisha Kendall, David Haven, Jr., Peter Jennison, Jonas Eaton, Daniel Winch, Joseph Stone, Phinehas Graves, Benjamin Angier (died).
Petition of Ebenezer Boutwell of Framingham :
Your petitioner was a soldier in the Crown Point expedition in the year 1756; was taken sick at Fort Edward the latter part of September, where he continued about a month, and was conveyed thence in wagons and batteaux to Albany; got to No. I (now Adams, Mass.), but could get no further; was obliged to send home for a man and horse, who came to assist me. He charges for himself and horse, exclusive of my expenses £3. 8. o, which your petitioner had to pay, and now asks to be remunerated. Amount granted.
James Gallot, a bound apprentice to Sylvanus Hemenway, black- smith, was impressed, and joined Capt. William Jones' company at Lake George; on his way home his gun was stolen, for which loss £4 was deducted from his pay; and his master petitioned the General Court, to have the loss made up to him. Granted.
" Daniel Coller, son of Joseph of Hopkinton deceased, was taken captive by the Indians, near Lake George, in the year 1756." So writes his mother, Mrs. Mercy (Coller) Nickson.
Francis Gallot of Framingham, was taken prisoner at Oswego, when that fort was captured, Aug. 14, 1756. He was in Gov. Shirley's regiment.
William Puffer, of Capt. Nixon's company, died before the eleventh of October.
Jacob Townsend, of Capt. Jones' company, died at Fort William Henry, before Oct. 11.
Isaac Allerd, of Capt. Taplin's company, died in the service before the close of the campaign.
Ens. John Stone died at Crown Point.
1757. This was a year of disasters to the English and Americans, and was remembered and spoken of by our fathers for three genera- tions, as the year of " The great Alarm about the taking of Fort William Henry."
The expedition against Crown Point and Ticonderoga was popular, and officers and men enlisted readily. The regular companies from
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Last French and Indian War.
this neighborhood, out last year, were in service this year. But by orders of Lord Loudon, then commanding in the provinces, the bulk of the forces were drawn off in an expedition against Louisbourg, which proved a failure. The following characteristic letter will explain itself : -
"Framingham, July 18, 1757.
" May it please the Honbl his Majesty's Council :
" In obedience to an order from your Honours of the 10th of May 1757, I have taken effectual care and caused every person, both upon the Alarm List and Trained band List, in the Regiment of Militia under my command, and also the respective Town stocks in said Regiment, to be furnished with Arms and Ammunition according to law, and am now ready with my whole Regiment, to meet and confront the French in any part of the Province, at a minute's warning, even with seven days' provisions.
"I am, Your Honours most obt. servt.
"Jos. BUCKMINSTER."
While the main army was at the eastward, only 7,000 men - 4,000 under Gen. Webb at Fort Edward, and 3,000 under Col. Munroe at Fort William Henry - were left for the defence of the northwestern frontiers.
At this juncture, Gen. Montcalm gathered a French and Indian army of 11,000 men, and concentrated at Ticonderoga. Aug. 3, with 9,000 of his best troops, including 1,000 Indians, he invested Fort William Henry. For six days Col. Munroe, with an effective force of 2,372 men, held the great army at bay, constantly expecting aid from Gen. Webb, who was lying only fifteen miles distant with 4,000 men ; but no help came, and on the ninth the fort was surrendered. The defence had been so gallant, that Col. Monroe was admitted to an honorable capitulation, viz., that his troops should be allowed to march out with the honors of war, retaining their arms, baggage, and one field-piece. The articles of the capitulation, however, were shamefully broken. The Indians attached to Montcalm's army, without hindrance from the French officers, commenced to plunder the more valuable baggage, and then to murder both officers and men in cold blood. The numbers thus massacred could never be known, but it fell little short of 300.
This disaster spread consternation throughout Massachusetts. All the militia rushed to arms, and quickly were on the march "for the relief of the army at Fort William Henry." Finding that the French general did not pursue his advantage, at the end of from seven to fourteen days the companies were ordered home.
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History of Framingham.
Timothy Pierce, son of Thomas of Framingham, was taken captive at Fort William Henry, and carried to Canada.
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