USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 71
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BOSTON PORT BILL .- The destruction of several cargoes of tea in Boston harbor, sent here by the East India Company (an English company chartered in 1600 for the purpose of carrying on a trade between England and other countries), so enraged the English Government that retaliatory measures were at once resorted to, and Parliament passed a bill March 7, 1774, called the Boston Port Bill, closing that port against all commercial transactions whatever. A sec- ond bill was soon afterwards passed, making the ap- pointment of the Council Justices, judges dependent upon the Crown. A third bill was also passed, di- recting the Governor to send all persons in the Colo- nies, charged with murders committed in support of government, to England for trial. Another bill pro- vided for the quartering of troops in America, etc.
The Boston Port Bill went into operation June 1, 1774, and to enforce these laws Gen. Gage, the com- mander-in-chief of the British Army in America, was appointed Governor of Massachusetts, and an ad- ditional force was ordered to Boston.
The closing of the port was a heavy blow to Bos- ton. Business was suspended, laborers were thrown out of employment, and a general gloom pervaded the streets. The poor lacked bread to eat, and desti- tution soon manifested itself to an alarming extent. Sympathy, however, was everywhere felt, and collec- tions and contributions were at once forwarded from all the towns around.
Taking the circumstances into account, a warrant was issued on the 4th day of January, 1775 (in the fiftcentlı year of His Majesty's reign), to warn all freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Dra- cut, qualified to vote, to assemble at the meeting- house on Thursday, the 12th day of January (1775), "then and there to see if the inhabitants will vote to
come into any method for raising any support for the poor of the town of Charlestown and Boston, now under oppressed circumstances in struggling for the liberties of their country."
There is no record of the vote of the town, but we find the following acknowledginent from the relief committee :
" CHARLESTOWN, Feb. 15, 1775.
" Received from the town of Dracut, by the hand of Parker Varnum, forty-five and a half bushels of rye and Indian meal, also twenty eight pounds, eighteen shillings, old tenor, in cash for the relief of the poor Bufferers by the cruel Boston Port Bill, for which we shall account to the town of Boston.
" ISAAC FOSTER,
" Ch. of Committee."
The Boston Committee of Correspondence, with whom the committees of Dorchester, Roxbury, New- ton, Cambridge and Charlestown usually joined in matters of importance, drew up and sent to the local committees of the Province and the other Colonies a pledge on the part of those who signed not to buy or use any goods of British manufacture until the so- called Boston Port Bill should be repealed. This agreement was called a "Solemn League and Cove- nant." It was circulated and numerously signed. Gen. Gage, by a proclamation, denounced it as an unlawful, hostile and traitorous combination.
PROVINCIAL CONGRESS .- When General Gage omitted to issue precepts for the regular sessions of the General Court, a " Provincial Congress " was organ- ized by the patriots as a substitute. It did not differ materially from the House of Representatives, which had long been chosen in like manner, although this Provincial Congress was not authorized or recognized by the charter, and had properly no legislative func- tions.
The first session of this body was held at Salem on Friday, October 7, 1774. The meeting was temporar- ily organized by the choice of John Hancock, chair- man, and Benjamin Lincoln, clerk, and was adjourned to Concord on the following Tuesday, where for some days the business was done with closed doors.
Committees of Safety and inquiry on the state of affairs in the Province were appointed.
The second Provincial Congress met at Cambridge February 1, 1775.
At the opening of the new year Boston was garri- soned by a force of 3500 soldiers of the King, and the efforts made for resistance were subjects of jest and ridicule by the British officers, and some of them boastingly said :
" As to what you hear of their taking arms to resist the force of England, it is mere bullying, and will go no further than words. Whenever it comes to blows he that can run the fastest will think himself the best off. Any two regiments ought to be decimated if they do not beat in the field the whole force of Mas- sachusetts Province; for though they are numerous, they are but a mob without order or discipline, and very awkward at handling arms."
At a town-meeting held January 12, 1775, called to
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see what action would be taken for representing the town in the Provincial Congress to be held at Cam- bridge, February 1, 1775, the town made choice of Peter Coburn. At the same meeting Thomas Hovey, Amos Bradley, Isaac Fox, William Hildreth and Dr. Joseph Hunt were chosen a Committee of Corre- spondence, and Samuel Coburn, Dr. James Abbott, Reuben Sawyer, John Bowers, William Hildreth, Parker Varnum, Elisus Barron, Stephen Russell and Joseph B. Varnum were elected a Committee of In- spection. A Committee of Correspondence was early formed in the Colonies for the purpose of communi- cating, and securing an interchange of views upon the great questions which were agitating the public mind.1
The "Committee of Inspection " was for the pur- pose of ascertaining the military requirements of the town ; to inspect the military stores and arms, and to report to the town as to their suitableness and suffi- ciency for the great emergency which might at any time suddenly call for their use.
At a meeting June 12, 1775, the town voted to pur- chase bayonets for a company of minute-men ; and chose Hugh Jones, Deacon Amos Bradley and Eben- ezer Coburn a committee to see that the bayonets were made. The sum of twelve pounds, " lawful money," was appropriated with which to pay for the bayonets, and also to buy lead and flints, to increase the town stock.
MINUTE. MEN .- As the improvement of the militia was an object of the greatest importance, the Provin- cial Congress made arrangements for increasing the quantity of warlike stores, and organizing an army.
Companies of "minute-men" where everywhere enlisted, to be held in readiness to march at the short- est notice. The organization of these troops into bat- talions of nine companies each, was provided for. The ranks of the companies were quickly filled by the enthusiastic youth of the Province, for whom the most dangerous service was the most attractive. When the drum beat to arms, every minute-man was to o'bey the call on the instant.2 Old firelocks were put in order, old accoutrements furbished up, bullets run, and every preparation made to meet the issue, for the conviction was universal that resistance to the bitter end was in- evitabie.
At a town-meeting holden in Dracut, March 6, 1776, the town
" Voted unanimously that we comply with the resolves of the Provin- cial Congres so far as in onr power."
" Voted to draw ont one quarter part of the training soldiers as Min- ute Men, as recommended by the provincial Congress."
" Voted to give the Minute Men one shilling for exercising one half day each week for ten weeks to come, after they are equipped, unless the last act of Parliament-Boston Port Bill-shall be repealed."
" Voted that if any of the Minute-Men refuse to go when called for, that they shall not receive their wages for service.
"STEPHEN RUSSELL, Moderator."
The representative of the town to the Provincial
Congress, having been elected captain of a company of minute-men, his services were required in that ca- pacity, and it became necessary for him to resign the former office and a successor to be chosen.
THE KING IGNORED: NEW FORM OF WARRANT .- A warrant was issued as follows :
" To Mathew Parker, one of the Constables of Dracut, In tho name and by the order of the Provincial Congress (all previous warrants had been drawn in the name of His Majesty, the King) : You are hereby ordered to warn all the inhabitants qualified to vote for Representative, to assemble at the meeting-bonse in Dracut, on Monday, the 29th day of May, 1775, nt five o'clock in the afternoon, To see if the town will proceed to the choice of one or more persous to serve in the Congress, to meet in the Watertown meeting-house on Wednesday, the 31st day of May, 1775, to consult, deliberate and resolve upon such further mea- sures as under God shall be effectual in saving this people from im- pending ruin."
A town-meeting assembled in accordance with the foregoing warrant, and Deacon Amos Bradley was chosen to go to the Congress at Watertown.
LEXINGTON AND CONCORD .- The first scene in the great War of the Revolution was the battle at Lex- ington and Concord on the 19th of April, 1775. The minute-men of Lexington, Concord, Acton, Carlisle, Lincoln and other convenient towns were aroused during the night by Paul Revere, and did great exe- cution.
Two companies of minute-men went from Dracut. The British unexpectedly met with a liot reception. The roads were alive with the invincible patriots in arms, "as if they had dropped from the clouds," and volley on volley was poured in upon them, and only from being reinforced were they savcd from anni- hilation. They barely reached Charlestown, almost on the run, about sunset.
The following is a muster-roll of Captain Petcr Coburn's company of Dracut minute-men, under the command of Colonel Bridge, at Lexington, April 19th :
Captain, Peter Coburn ; Lieutenants, Joslah Foster, Ebenezer Var- num ; Sergeants, Miles Flint ; Isnac Bradley, Parker Varnum ; Drummer, William Webster ; Privates, Josiah Hildreth, Samuel Barron, John Bowers, Edw. Wyman, Samuel Coburn, William Hildrick, Leonard Coburn, Hezakinh Coburn, Bradley Varnum, Peter Hazelton, Jonathan Parkhurst, Isaac Merrill, Jona Hills, Henchn. Richards, Zebulon Jones, Micah Hildreth, James Varnum, James Ilunt, Phineas Coburn, Jona. Hamblet, John Varuum, Benjamin Barron, Jonas Var- Dum, Jobn Bradley, Jonas Whitney, Josiah Fox, Abijah Fox, Solomon Wood, Jona. Richardson, Abijah Hill, Benjamin Crosby, Iona Jones.
The following is a " Muster-roll of the Company of Militia, under command of Capt. Stephen Russeil, of Dracut, in Col. Green's Regt. that marched on ye 19th of April, A.D. 1775, against the ministerial troops, &c." (See vol. 13, page 79, "Lexington Alarms ").
Captain, Stephen Russell ; First Lieutenant, Epliralm Coburn ; Second Lieutenant, Abrahamn Coburn ; Sergeants, Mathew Pa ker, Benjamin French, G. Barker ; Privates, Reuben Sawyer, David Jones, Samuel Brown, Moses Goodhue, John Austin, James Hebberd, Thomas Lindsey, Jona. Crosby, Jr., William Hildreth, Robert Nicklas, Caleb Austin, Ezra Coburn, Samuel Piper, Ephraim Wright, David Austin, William Ten- ney, Fletcher Parker, John Harvey, James Manser, Willian Liudsay, William Coburn, Francis Sawyer, Joshua Pillsbury, James Harvey, . William Taylor, David Trull, Thomas Taylor, David Jones, Jr., Eph-
1 See 21 Barry, 460.
2 Middlesex Co., 110.
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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
raim Hall, Ephrahn Parker, Ezekiel Cheever, Timothy Frye, Peter Wood, Stephen Wood, Elijah Fox, Caleb Sawyer, Job Coburn, William Clongh, N. Flint, Ihigh Jones, Jesso Adams, Georgo Burns, Kendal Parker, James Davis, Mitchell Culley, Green Parker, James Sprague, Moses Davis, David Blood, Joseph B. Varnum, Abijah Wood, Jacob Co- burn, Thomas Varnam, James Reed, Jonathan Coburn, Jonathan Tay- lor, William Wood, Jonas Richardson, Simon Fox, John Gilcrest, Bartholomew Massey, David Fox, Uriah Coburn, David Adams, John Bowers, John Taylor, William Harvey, John Hancock, William Clongh, Solomon Jones, Moses Barker, David Clement, David Lindsey, Timothy Davis, John Barron, John Thissell, John Roper, Thomas Wright, Tim- othy Brown, Jr.
BUNKER HILL .- On the 17th of Junc, following the battles of Concord and Lexington, occurred the historic and ever memorable battle of Bunker Hill.
The minute-men of Dracut, under Capt. Peter Co- burn, were there. The whole number of the com- pany is said to be fifty-one, and most of them from Dracut. This company was hotly engaged during the action, and Capt. Coburn's clothes were riddled with balls.1
Col. James Varnum, then a sergeant in Capt. Co- burn's company, "had the top of his hat shot off, and two bullets through his jacket." As Capt. Ebenezer Bancroft was returning from the fight, wounded and fatigued, "Col. James Varnum" he said, "saw me and came to me ; he took me by the arm and led me to the horse. While he was with me the ball of the last cannon I heard that day passed within a foot or two of me, and struck the ground a short distance before me."
Capt. Coburn was in the redoubt, and it is related that just as the order to retreat was given, a British officer mounted the breast-works and exclaimed "Now, my boys, we have you !" Capt. Coburn, picking up a stone, hurled it at his head and knocked him down.
The following letter was written by Capt. Peter Coburn, immediately after the battle of Bunker Hill:
" CAMP CAMBRIDGE, June 17, 1775.
"The regiments were ordered from Cambridge to Charlestowu, and they arrived there about eleven o'clock at night, and then and there began a breast work, and pursued it until about suurise next morning. About sunrise the troops fired on us from the ships as they lay in the ferry-way, and killed one Pollard, that lived in Billerica, and they con- tinned their fire at times, all the forenoon, and we finished onr breast- work abont twelve o'clock, at about which time they began to land nigh onr breastwork, and landed about 400 mien, and in about two hours began to fire at ns at our breastwork, and coutinned the fire very brisk near abont two hours. At length they stormed our breastwork, and we were obliged to flee, and they pursued us as far as Bunker Hill, but we killed or wounded fourteen or fifteen hundred, and the loss sustained by us was few -- about one hundred and fifty killed, wounded and missing -- and on the 17th day of June I arrived at Cambridge abont sunset-alive, but much tired and fatigued. Blessed be God therefor."
Muster roll of Capt. Peter Coburn's company in Col Bridge's regiment, at the battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775, and in the siege of the British Army in Boston, in the autumn of 1775:
Captain, Peter Coburn ; First Lientenant, Josiah Foster ; Second Lieutenant, Ebenezer Varnum ; Sergeants, James Varnum, Micah Hil- dreth, Phineas Coburn, William Harvey ; Corporals, John Hancock,
John Taylor, Jesse Fox, Jolin Barron ; Privates, John Varmim (Mo- thuon), Ilenry Barron, Johas Varnmn, John Bradley, Jonathan Joues, Jonas Whiting, Joslah Fox, Abljah Fox, Moses Richardson, Moses Clement, Seth Didson, Solomon Jones, Gardner Gonid, William Var- num, Timothy Davis, Daniel Clongh (Methnen), William Parker, Jona- athan Hamblet (New York), William Emerson, Amos Sawyer, David Lindsey, Samuel Whiting, Nathaniel Kittridge, Sammel Jenners, John Fox, Nehemiah Jagnest, Joshna Varmim, Solomon Wood, Jonathan Richardson, Abljah Ilills, Timothy Patch, Peter Coburn, Jr., Thomas Right, John R per, Thomas Gardner, Zebdiel Fitch, Joseph Tettel, Elijah Tuttel, Tobias Briggs, Benjamin Crosby, John Thissell, John HIoit.
Two companies from Chelmsford were also present in the battle of Bunker Hill ; one under Capt. John Ford, that was attached to the Twenty-seventh Reg- iment of foot, and previous to this battle stationed at Cambridge; the other, Capt. Benjamin Walker's company.
Barzilla Lew, of Dracut, was a fifer in Capt. Ford's company.2
In 1776, after the people had renounced allegiance to the British Crown, it was thought by some of the leading minds in Massachusetts that a Constitution and form of government should be adopted, and that it could be properly and more expeditiously done by the General Court in connection with the Council ; and a resolution was passed by the House favoring that course. In response to this resolution we find the following statement and vote among the records of the town :
" At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Dracut on the 1st day of Oct., 1776, agreeable to a resolve of the Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay, Recommending a meeting of the Inhabitants of said Town to see if they will consider and determine whether they will give their consent that the present house of Representatives of this State, together with the Council if they consent in one body with the House, & by equal voice should consent, agree upon, and enact such a Constitution & form of Government for this State as the said House of Representatives & Council aforesaid, on the fullest and most mature de. liberation shall Judge will most conduce to the safety, peace and happi. ness of this State in all after successions and Generatious, & if they would direct that the same be made Publick for the Inspection and pernsal of the Inhabitants before the ratification thereof by the assembly, Voted that the Present Honse of Representatives-together with the Honorable Council of this State-Draw up such a Constitution and form of Govern- ment as they in their wisdom shall think will be for the peace and hap- piness of this State, & that the same be made Publick Before the Ratifica - tion thereof by the Assembly for the Inspection and Perusal of the People. Only always reserving that such form of government may be subject to such alteration as this State hereafter may find to be of con- venience aud necessity.
" Entered by me, "WM. HILDRETH, Town Clerk."
BURGOYNE'S SURRENDER .- In the early part of the year 1777 a plan was formed in England that an in- vasion of the States should be made from the North, and a communication established between Canada and New York for the purpose of precluding intercourse between New England and the more Southern States. General John Burgoyne was put in command of a force of 7000 troops, besides a powerful train of artillery and several tribes of Indians for the purpose of execut- ing this plan. After capturing Fort Ticonderoga, and destroying the American flotilla and a consider-
1 Cowley's " HJist. Lowell," Frothingbam's " list. Siege of Boston," Nasou's " Hist. Dracut," iu Drake's "Co. Middlesex."
2 Allou's " Hist. Chelmsford," Cowley's " Ilist. Lowell."
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able quantity of baggage and stores at Skeensborough, he proceeded, after some delay, to Fort Edward on the Hudson, where he arrived on the 30th of July. From this place he despatched five hundred English and one hundred Indians, to seize a magazine of "stores at Bennington, Vt. They were completely de- feated by a party of Vermont troops called "Green Mountain Boys," and a force of New Hampshire Mi- litia, under General Stark. The result of this battle caused great rejoicing among the Americans, and Burgoyne's army was correspondingly depressed, as it served to retard his progress. In fact, it now be- came a serious question with this general whether to proceed upon his expedition or to retreat, as the Americans, comprehending the situation in which he had placed himself, rallied in great numbers to sur- round him.
He concluded, however, to proceed, and on the 14th day of Sept. passed the Hudson and advanced upon Saratoga and Stillwater.
The General Court of Massachusetts called for troops to proceed at ouce to aid in his capture, and two companies marched from Dracut-one under Capt. Stephen Russell, and one under command of Capt. Joseph B. Varnum. Several companies of militia from Suffolk and Middlesex were called out to protect the capitol and to guard the military stores there and at Cambridge and Watertown.
Muster-roll of Capt. Stephen Russell's company of volunteers from Dracut, in Col. Bullard's regiment of the State of Massachusetts Bay Militia, at Saratoga, Sept. 1777:
Captain, Stephen Russell ; First Lieutenant, Isaac Warren ; Second Lientenant, Christopher Page ; Sergeants, Moses Barker, Jerathmell Cohorn, Benjamin Sprake, Peter Hunt ; Corporals, Francis Davidson, Zebediah Jones, Zebediah Rogers, Benjamin Lane ; Drummer, Benja- min Gonld ; Fifer, Abraham Stickney ; Privates, John Adams, Charles Annis, William Beard, Jesse Bradley, Reuben Banlding, Samnel Cum- mings, Jeptha Coburn, Benjamin Coburn, Silas Coburn, Josiah Crosby, Ahiel Cross, Nathan Cross, Daniel Clement, Jonathan Cohurn, Joseph Chambers, William Colwell, Joseph Dowse, Timothy Davies, Josiah Esterbrook, Daniel Emerson, Simeon Foster, Thomas Goodwin, John Gordon, Jesse Gonld, Enoch Hayward, John Hayward, Nehemiah Hunt, James Haseltine, Josiah Heald, Ebenezer Johnson, Nathaniel Ingalls, Enoch Jewett, Nathaniel Jones, Daniel Kittredge, Asa Kittredge, Timo- thy Kelley, Phineas Kidder. David Lane, Seth Lewistone, Samuel Mar- shall, Jesse Marshall, Joshua Marshall, Isaac Marshall, Cambridge More, William Melenday, Joseph Osgood, Stephen Pearce, Silas Parker, Samuel Parkhurst, Simeon Parker, William Perham, William Richard- Bon, James Reed, Peter Reed, John Reed, Porter Rea, David Richard- son, John Robb, Jonas Spaulding, William Taylor, Nathan Tyler, James Terbox, Samuel Troll, Hezekiah Thorndike, Jonathan Shed, Sampson Walker, Ahijah Wood, Isaac Wright, Oliver Wright, David Walker, Samnel Whitney.
"Muster-Roll of Capt. Joseph B. Varnum's Company of volunteers from Dracut, in Col. Jonathan Reed's Regiment in Massachusetts Bay, who marched and Reinforced ye Northern Army according to a Resolve of ye Great and General court of sª State, Passed Sept. ye 22, 1777."
Captain, Joseph B. Varnnm ; Lieutenant, Ephralm Coburn ; Sergeants Abijah Fox, Jonas Varnum, Jonathan Jones, Timothy Barker; Corpo- rale, John Hancock, David Trull ; Yifer, Barzilla Lew ; Clerk, Joshua Pillsbury ; Privates, David Jones, Samuel Brown, William Abbott,
Simeon Coburn, Leonard Coburn, Samuel Coburn, David Coburn, Saul Coburn, Reuben Coburn, Jonathan Crosby, Moses Davis, David Fox, Zach. Goodhue, Josiah Hildreth, Peter Hazelton, Daniel Jaquest, David McLaughlin, John Mears, Isaac Parker, Jonathan Parkhurst, Daniel Piper, Ebenezer Sawyer, David Sawyer, Jonathan Taylor, Tho- mas Taylor, Bradley Varnum, Solomon Wood, John Wood.
Having been surrounded by the Americans under Geu. Gates, a severe battle occurred on the 19th of September. Both parties claimed the victory. On the 7th of October another battle was fought in which the Americans were victorious. Ten days after- wards, Oct. 17th, Burgoyne, with all his army, sur- rendered, and became prisoners of war. This was a glorious victory, and is said to have been the turning- point of the war in favor of the Americans. It gave into their hands a fine train of brass artillery, five thousand muskets and a great amount of military stores. The prisoners were marched to the vicinity of Boston and quartered in barracks on Winter and Prospect Hills.
VALLEY FORGE .- After the great victory at Sara- toga, when Gen. Burgoyne with all his army were made prisoners of war, the principal part of the American army went into winter-quarters at Valley Forge, twenty miles northwest from Philadelphia, where it encamped during the severe winter of 1777-78. Many of the soldiers, on their march to this place, were bare-footed and left bloody foot-prints in the snow on their dreary journey. The story of the events and condition of the army at Valley Forge presents one of the most gloomy pictures of the war. Scantily clothed and poorly fed, they suffered beyond measure, while the British army luxuriated in all the comforts which the city of Philadelphia could afford.
Lossing has most appropriately and beautifully said :
" If there is a spot on the face of our broad land whereon Patriotisni should delight to pile up its highest and most venerated monument, it should be in the bosom of that little vale on the banks of the Schuylkill. There, in the midst of frost and snows, disease and destitution, Liberty erected her altar, and in all the world's history we have no record of purer devotion, holier sincerity, or more pious self-sacrifice, than were there exhibited in Camp of Washington. The courage that nerves the arm on the battle-field, and dazzles with its brilliant, but evanescent flashes, pales before the steadier and more intense flame of patient en- durance."
Washington, in a letter to Congress, dated Valley Forge, Dec. 22, 1777, says :
"Had a hody of the enemy crossed the Schuylkill this morning, as I had every reason to expect, the divisions which I ordered to be in readi- ness to march and meet them, could not have moved."
Two of the divisions were those of Generals Var- num and Huntington. General Varnum,1 upon re- ceiving the order, wrote to Washington :
" According to the saying of Solomon, hunger will break through a stone wall. It is, therefore, a very pleasing circumstance to the division under my command that there is a probability of marching. The men must be supplied or they cannot be commanded. The complaints are too urgent to be unnoticed. It is with pain that I mention this distress, as I know it will make your excellency unhappy," &c.
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