History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 91

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III > Part 91

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The most they could do now was to harass the English. This they did from every point possible. The retreating army at the close of the day found themselves at Charlestown, where they crossed the river under cover of the guns of the ships-of-war, hav- ing lost that day, in killed, wounded and missing, 273; the Americans, 93. The Watertown company only lost one man, Joseph Coolidge. A monument has been erected to his memory at the old grave-yard hy his descendants.

The records inform us, through bills paid by the town to Widow Dorothy Coolidge, who kept a tavern, and to Mr. John Draper, a baker, that rum and bread were served to the troops on that day.

Leonard Bond, at the age of twenty years, was the first in this town to take up arms in 1775, in defence of liberty.

There are in the possession of descendants of Na- thaniel Bemis a sword and a gun marked with the name of his father, David Bemis, and the date, January, 1775. With this gun, Nathaniel, then nine- teen, started for Lexington on the 19th of April, 1775. He did not arrive there in season to take part in the fight, but came upon the British soldiers on their retreat.

The tradition is that he fired upon them and secured the sword,- that of an officer whom he shot.

As these two names are not found on the militia roll for that day, we may conclude that in the excite- ment of the occasion many unpaid volunteers took part in the skirmish.

The following is a copied list, from the time-worn document in the State archives at Boston, of the Watertown militia company that marched to Lex- ington on the 19th of April, 1775, in Col. Thomas Gardner's regiment :

Capt. Samuel Barn ard, Ilent, John Stratton,

El Lleut Phineas Steattın, Enalgu Edward Harrington, Serj Samu I Sanger, Serj. Chilntophor ( rant,

Serj. Josiah Capen,

Serj. Stephen Whitney,

Corporal lane Saunderson,

Corporal Moses Stone,

Corporal Nathaniel Bright,

Corporal Willhum Harrington.

PRIVATES.

Nathan Coolidge,

Edward Harrington.

William Leathe, Nathaniel Benjamin,

Thomas Coolidge, Samuel Soden,

Thomas Learned,

Stephen Cook, Daniel Coolidge,

Jolın Fowle, David Capen, Peter Harrington, Samuel White, Jr., Samuel Barnard, Jr.,

Josiah Saunderson,

Moses Coolidge,

Seth Sauuderson,

Jonathan Bright,

Francis Brown,

Daniel Sawin, Jr.,

Johu Sanger,

Phineas Childs,

Isaac Prentice,

Joshua Stratton,

Tilly Mead,

Jonas Bond, Jr.,

Thomas Hastings,

Thomas Clark,

Abraham Whitney,

Richard Clark,

Aires Tainter,

Samuel White,

John Whitney,

John Remmington,

Josiah Norcross,

John Chenery,

David Whitney,

Simon Coolidge, Jr.,

Daniel Whitney,

Daniel Cook,

John Villa,

Jonathan Stone,

Zachariah Shedd,

Phineas Esel,

Daniel Masou, Benjamin Capen, John Hunt, Jr.,

Jonathan Whitney,

Spencer Gooding, Bezaleel Learned,

David Stous, Amos Bond,

Jonathan Coolidge Gooding,

John Bullman,

William Chenery,

Elias Tufts,

Thomas Stafford,

In all 70 men.

Three days after the battle of Lexington the Sec- ond Provincial Congress adjourned from Concord to Watertown, where its sessions, as well as those of the General Court, were held in the old meeting-house at the corner of Common and Mt. Auburn Streets, until the adjournment of the latter body to the State House in Boston, Nov. 9, 1776.

In 1775-76 the Council met in an adjacent house on Mt. Auburn Street, then occupied by Marshall Fowle.

In recent years Marshall Street was opened, and this building had to be removed back upon the street, and it now stands opposite the High School building.

Dr. Joseph Warren was president of the General Assembly, and after his death, at the battle of Bunker Hill, the HIon. James Warren, of Plymouth, was chosen to succeed him.

In 1776 the anniversary of the Boston Massacre, on the 5th of March, was observed in the usual form in the meeting-house in Watertown. The Hon. Ben- jamin Austin was moderator; the Rev. Dr. Cooper offered the prayers ; and the Rev. Peter Thacher, of Malden, delivered an oration on the dangerous ten- dency of standing armies in time of peace; this met with warm approbation, and was afterward printed by Edes, at Watertown, in the form of a pamphlet.

Before the final assault of the British at Bunker Hill, Col. Thomas Gardner's Middlesex regiment, in which was Ahner Craft's Watertown company, was ordered to the field. Its brave commander received his death-wound while leading on his men. Under its major, Michael Jackson, it pressed forward, and pouring a well-directed fire upon the advancing Britons, gallantly covered the retreat. Lient .- Colo- nel William Bond, of Watertown, succeeded Col.

Richard Everett,

387

WATERTOWN.

Gardner in the command, and his regiment was here- after styled the Twenty-fifth Regiment of the Conti- nental Army, and belonged to Gen. Green's brigade, which was stationed at Prospect Hill. Early in March of the following year Col. Bond received marching or- ders for New York, where they arrived on the 30th of that month. On the 20th of April next they were ordered to Canada by the way of the Lakes. This expedition proved disastrous to the Americans, partly on account of the extreme sickliness of the season. Col. Bond returned from Canada with his force greatly weakened by disease and death, and en- camped on Mount Independence, opposite to Ticon- deroga.

In a letter published by the Boston Gazette of Sept. 23, 1776, we learn that Col. Bond died from disease in camp, Aug. 31st, and was buried at Camp Mount Independence, Sept. 4, 1776. "His charac- ter was honored by a discharge of three 24-pounders and the usual volleys of mnsketry."

Capt. Edward Harrington, of Watertown, in this same regiment, died in the same place, Sept. 23, 1776, probably from the same canse.

The following is a list of men who served in New York in the fall of 1776: David Whitney, Daniel Cornwall, James Austin, Henry Sanderson, Daniel Sawin, Jr., Abijah Stone, Moses Stone, Jr., Daniel Cook.

The following who served at Ticonderoga for one year, 1778 : Samnel Benjamin, John Benjamin, John Whitney, William Jenison, Jonathan Wellington, Elijah Tolman.

These for five months in the same place : Newton Baxter, Francis Brown, Eben Eustis, David Smith, Stephen Hagar.

In Dec., 1776, fifty Watertown men marched to New York.

In March, 1776, the militia were ordered by Gener- al Washington to reinforce the army at Dorchester Heights, and the records give a list of ninety-five men, under the command of Capt. Phineas Stearns, with Edward Harrington, Lieut. ; Josiah Capen, Jr., and Stephen Whitney, Sergeants ; Moses Stone, Jr., and Nathaniel Bright, Corporals; and Nathanich Coolidge, Clerk.

In 1777 the following men were sent to reinforce the northern troops : Daniel Parker, Samuel Sprague, Henry Brad-haw, Moses Hager, Jonathan Stone, John Sawin, Jacob Sanderson, Zack Shed, Benj. Capen, Jed'h Leathe, Jonathan Livermore, Peter Richardson.

In Nov., 1777, the men who went to Cambridge were: Ruggles Whitney, Jonathan Crafts, David Bemis, Jr., Thaddeus Fuller, Stephen Harris, Thom- as Learned, Samuel Wellington, James Mallard, Daniel Mason.

Up to the year 1782 we continue to find paid lists of men who served in the war at Boston, Cambridge New York and in Canada.

The most of these names are familiar as being names of families now living here, while a few others, such as Cæsar Wumphy, William Notonksion, Sam- uel Littleman, given as hunters by occupation, indi- cate descent from the aborigines of the country.

The hard, dry facts, and lists of names left to ns by history upon time-worn and yellowed manuscripts, but feebly express the vigorous and sturdy manhood those names represent. With keen imagination we would try to vivify them, and make those times a living present ; one of the most effectnal means is through the news- paper. We are fortunate on having in the Public Library the original sheets of the Boston Gazette and County Journal, the leading organ of the patriots. This paper, which was published by Edes & Gill at Boston, gave offence to the government by its spirited and fearless advocacy of the American cause.

On the 1st of Jnne, 1775, Edes, who had more zeal and courage than his partner, escaped from Boston by night, and in a boat rowed up the Charles River, tak- ing with him a press, and a few types by which he could continue his paper. He landed near the Great Bridge, and deposited his materials in a building near by on the north side.

Until recently this old dilapidated building might have been seen. Now the foundry of Walker & Pratt covers the site. Here, from June 5, 1775, till Oct. 28, 1776, he issued its weekly sheets, and he was made printer to the Provincial Congress and to the Assembly and the paper attained a wide popularity. We clip from its pages the following :

" TO THE PUBLIC.

" General Hospital at Cambridge, Jan. 3, 1776. "An Appeal from John Morgan, Director General of Continental Hos. pital and chief Physician to the army. Returna thanks to Concord, Bedford, Sudbury, Acton, Marlborough, Stow and Lincoln, for gifts or old linen, fine tow, aaddlers, or aole leather (for tourniquets), web or quarteriug, tape, thread, needles and pins, and would further like old sheets and worn linen, and requesta that other printers would give this notice a place in their papers.

"P. S. Blankets are greatly needed for the Hospitals, for which & suitable price will be given (and to be forwarded with all possible dis- patch)."

It is of interest for us of a later generation to know through ancients documents that the hospital referred to was not one large building, but several private mansions mostly now standing in a good state of preservation,-houses deserted by their Tory owners who, on the evacuation of Boston, fled either to Halifax or England,-one owned by Capt. George Ruggles, a large square hon-e, now called the Wells House, on the north side of Brattle street; from here the men wounded in the battle of Bunker Hill were carried ont after their death and buried in the field opposite ; another on what is now Arrow street belonging to Col. David Phipps, the grounds extend- ing down to the river ; the Maj. Henry Va-sal house, which is now known as the Batchelder estate; this being the largest house, Gen. Morgan nsed it as his headquarters, and his medical staff were quartered

388

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

there ; the grounds adjoined the estate of Major Thomas Mifflin, afterwards General Mifflin. His garden was the finest in Cambridge, and the wounded soldiers were allowed to walk in it ; this place after- wards became the Brattle estate, and is now in part the site of the Riverside Press. The Thomas Oliver house was also used for hospital purposes ; this is now the James Russell Lowell place.

Previous to Morgan's position as director-general of the hospital at C'ambridge. Dr. Benjamin Church, a grandson of the old Indian fighter, Capt. Benjamin Church, hell the office. He had been a prominent Whig and was trusted implicitly by the party, and was one of the deputation sent to meet (ten. Wash- ington and escort him from Springfield to Watertown, thence to Cambridge. It was discovered that he had been carrying on a secret correspondence with the enemy, and a long letter of his was intercepted. In a closing sentence he asks that " the answer be sent to some confidential friend at Newport, to be delivered to me at Watertown."

This letter of his was printed in the Boston Gazette at the Watertown office. Church was arrested and imprisoned in the very house where he probably penned the offensive letter. On a door of a room in the Vassal house is the name B. Church, Jr., deeply eut in the wood, which a century's re-painting has vainly tried to obliterate. From this house he was taken in a chaise and to the music of a fife and drum, escorted by General Gates and a guard of twenty men to the place of his trial in the meeting-honse at Wa- tertown.

This trial took place November 7, 1775. He was expelled from his seat in Congress and publicly branded as a traitor. The General Court resolved that he be sent to Norwich, Connecticut, and confined in jail "without the use or pen, ink or paper, and that no person be allowed to converse with him ex- cept in the presence and hearing of a magistrate of the town, or the sheriff of the county where he is con- lined, and in the English language."

The following spring, about May, Dr. Church and his friends sent a petition to Congress for his release from prison, as his health suffered from confinement. The plea was granted on condition that he gave his word of honor, with sureties of one thousand pounds, that he would not hold correspondence with the enemy, and that he be brought to Massachusetts to be in charge of this Colony, and not privileged to go out of its limits without a license. This sentence was afterwards commuted to transportation for life. lle sailed in a ship for the West Indies, and as it was never heard from afterwards, it was supposed to have sunk with all on board.

Four days before the battle of Bunker Hill the Continental Congress voted to appoint a general for the Continental Army.

At the suggestion of John Adams and on the nomi- nation of Mr. Johnson, of Maryland, George Wash-

ington, of Virginia, was chosen commander-in-chief, and on the 17th of June, 1775, his commission, signed by John Hancock, was reported to Congress and ac- cepted. Four major-generals were also appointed- Artemas Ward, Charles Lee, Phillip Schuyler and Israel Putnam. To these were added eight brigadier- generals.

On the 21st of June, Washington left Philadelphia on horseback to take command of the army at Cam- bridge. He was accompanied by Major-Generals Lee and Schuyler.

At Springfield he was met by a deputation from the Provincial Congress then holding at Watertown. Tradition says that on the evening of July 2d they arrived at the Coolidge tavern, on the south side of the Great Bridge, where they spent the night ; that in the forenoon, it being Sunday, they left the house for the meeting-house, where, after divine service con- ducted by the minister, Rev. Seth Storer, Washington was presented with an address from the assembled Congress by their Speaker, the Hon. James Warren.

After an hour and a half the party proceeded to Cambridge, where, the next day, under a great elm- tree on the Common, he formally took his title as commander-in-chief of the American Army.

On the 11th of December next, at noon, Mrs. Washington, attended by her son, John Custis, and his wife, reached Watertown from the South in her own carriage, drawn by four horses, colored postilions, in scarlet and white liveries, military escort and a guard of honor. Two hours were spent at the Fowle house as the guest of Mrs. Warren, and the party arrived at Cambridge at three o'clock, where she was joined by General Washington.

An extract from "The Diary of Dorothy Dudley," published in 1876, gives this pleasant record : " December 1Ith, Mrs. Washington, our general's lady, has arrived, and with her many ladies of the families of our officers. She has had a long, tedious journey from Mt. Vernon, with bad roads and trying weather, and has come by short stages, stopping often to rest and change horses. She has gone directly to her husband's headquarters. Mr. Custis, her son, accompanied her with his wife."

The Mrs. Warren, wife of Hou. James Warren, of Plymouth, who entertained Mrs. Washington at the Marshall Fowle house, Watertown, was Mercy War- ren. She was the author of "The Liberty Song," written in 1769, beginning,

" Our worthy forefathers,-let's give them a cheer- To climates unknown did courageously steer ; Through oceans to deserta for freedom they came, And dying, bequeathed us their freedom and fame." 1

October 17, 1789, President Washington again visited Watertown on his way to Boston, and was received with great enthusiasm. The meeting-house bell was rung and royal salutes given quite in con-

1 Mary L. D. Ferris in New England Magazine for July, 1890. " Our National Songs."

389

WATERTOWN.

trast to his first journey, when powder and shot were too scarce and valnable to be thns nsed.

On his return, November 5, he rode from Lexing- ton to Watertown over the same road the minute-men had taken, April 19, 1775, and without escort went quietly to the Coolidge tavern for refreshment and rest. He took supper in the public dining-room in the south end of the house, and lodged in the north- west chamber next to the river. This house is now standing and is owned by the heirs of the late John · Brigham.

A few rods sonth stood the mansion-house of John Hunt, a town representative, farmer and trader. Here Maj .- Gen. Joseph Warren lodged and ate his break- fast before he started for Bunker Hill, where he gave his life for his country. Before starting he urged the ladies of the household to prepare lint and bandages, saying, "The poor fellows will want them all before night." Slowly on horseback he went down the hill to the bridge, but galloped back and bade them again farewell.

Abner Crafts, who commanded the Watertown company at the battle of Bunker Hill, was an inn- holder before he took up arms. He continued to serve during the war, and had command of the military escort which was granted by Cougress to Lady Frankland (Agnes Surrage) on her removal from Hopkinton to Boston during the siege of Boston.

Under all the discouragements of the times, the people of Watertown maintained their independent and patriotic principles, and when, on the 20th of May, 1776, "A resolve of the late House of Representatives, relating to the Congress of the Thirteen United Colonies, declaring them independent of Great Britain being read, the question was put to know the mind of the town, whether they will stand by and defend the same with their lives and estates ; and it passed in the affirmative unanimously."

After the capture of Burgoyne's Army, Watertown was selected as one of the places where the officers should be quartered.

To the minds of a majority of the plain and sober citizens this arrangement was quite repugnant ; so they called a town-meeting in December, 1777, at which they plainly expressed their views, and through the selectmen their vote was communicated to the deputy quartermaster. However, several officers came and were quartered here, some at Angier's Corner in Newton, and at other places about town.

January 17, 1778, the representative of the town, Jonathan Brown, was instructed to use his influence and give his aid towards ratifying and confirming the Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union among the United States of America, as agreed upon by Congress.

On account of the prevalence of small-pox in Boston, in June, 1778, the meeting-honse in Water- town was-again opened for the use of the legislative

sessions, and the minister, the Rev. Daniel Adams, was their chaplain, and his fervor and power in discharging the duties of that office were long remembered.

In September of the same year the Legislature re- snmed its sessions in Boston.

CIVIL WAR.1-Roll of Honor .- As the record I am about to make, agreeable to the statute of the Com- monwealth, may be examined by coming generations · anxious to know who might be entitled to have their names entered upon this Roll of Honor, I will make such explanation as to me seems desirable for a per- fect understanding of all matters relating thereunto. At the opening of the Rebellion the loyal citizens of Watertown felt it incumbent upon them to take such measures as they deemed meet and proper to aid the general government to sustain the institutions of onr Fathers and to crush this iniquitous rebellion, not only by word and vote, but by the more powerful weapons of war.

They accordingly met, as the reader may see, by referring to the town records of that date, and took such steps as led to the organization of a military company, which was duly organized May 5, 1861, and which went into camp at " Camp White," Watertown, on the 1st of June. It was accepted by the Governor and ordered to report at Camp Cameron on the 2nd of July following, at which date it was mustered into the service of the United States for three years or dur- ing the war. Uniforms for both officers and men were furnished by liberal citizens and the town, and the expenses of drill and organization were paid, and also a bounty of thirty dollars to each of the volun- teers in addition to the other expenses incurred.

I shall, therefore, enter upon this roll all the names of that company, with their respective places of resi- dence, whether they composed the quota of this town or not, and also all of those who responded at the sub- sequent calls of our country, but I shall index those only who, as far as I shall be able to ascertain, went to compose the quota of our town.

(Signed) W. H. INGRAHAM, Town Clerk.

This company was attached to the Sixteenth Regi- ment, commanded by Colonel Powell T. Wyman, of Boston, and was entitled Company K.

Commissioned Oficers.

Names.

Birth-place.

Captain Henry C. Lindly . Watertown.

let Lieut. Stephen E. Messerve Watertown.

2d Lieut. Frank W. Hilton,2. Watertown.

Sergeants.

Names.

Birth-place.

Clarke, Charles E. Waltham.

Stearns, Samuel F. Lynn, resided at Watertown.

Capell, Jonas F. Lexington, color bearer.

Coburn, Charles F. Watertown.

Norcross, Thomas C.

Watertown.

1 By Wm. H. Ingraham, as recorded in a special volume deposited in the town archives.

2 Promoted to Ist Lient. of Co. D, September 28, 1861, and John Eatuti, South Reading, was commissioned September 28, 1861.

390

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Corporals.

Birth-place.

Names.

Waters, Theodore E. . Cambridge.

Swinburn, Samnel . Natick.

Sharpe, James E. . Watertowo.

Shattuck, Amory N. Natick.

Shermua, Robert Waltham.

Smith, John J. . Waltham.

Smith, Johoa. . Cambridge.

Sullivan, Dennis

Watertowo.

Stacey, Albert H. .

Northboro'.

Tainter, George W.

Charlestown.

Thompson, C. H.

Waltham.

Tibbetts, N. D.

. Newton.

Whitmarsb, Thomas F.

. E. Bridgewater

Ward, John M.

Watertown.

Webb, I. A. .

. Watertowa.

Worth, Alonzo K.

Watertowo.

Wright, Frauk

Natick.

Whittemore, George H.

Watertown.

Watson, Josepb . Cambridge.

Added to the company after the regiment left the State and returned by the commanding officer:

Callen, Michael . Boston.

Gosson, Elijah D. Lexington.

Lamaire, John Watertown,

Moore, Peter Watertowo.

O'Brien, Thomas Watertown.

Pratt, James R. Boston.

Rev. Arthur B. Fuller, of Watertown, received the appointment of chaplain and was with the regiment up to the battle of Fredericksburg, when, having re- signed his position as chaplain on the morning of that battle, he took a gun and entered the ranks as a private; was among the first that volunteered to cross over the river to the attack and fell, shot dead, in the street of Fredericksburg. His body was recovered and was brought home to his friends and was buried in Mt. Auburn by the side of his relatives.

1862 .- On the 7th of July the President issued a proclamation calling for 300,000 volunteers. The number assigned to Watertown as her quota was thir- ty-six. A town-meeting was called and it was voted to pay one hundred dollars bounty to each volunteer to fill the quota, and a committee was chosen to en- list that number. They succeeded, and the following names were enrolled :

Alonzo Pomeroy, Watertown 39th Regt., Co. G.

Samuel W. Hutchins, Watertown 39th Regt., Co. G.

Henry W. Ham, Watertown . Sergeant, 39th Regt., Co. G.

John Whitney, Watertown . Private, 39th Regt., Co. G.

Orson C. Thomas, Watertown . Private, 39th Regt., Co. G.

Jack M. Delaney, Watertown

Private, 39th Regt., Co. G.

MIcCooliff, Patrik Ashby.

Mulinney, Matthew Waltham.

Murphy, Daniel

Cambridge.

Mullen, David

Cambridge.

Washington Madden, South Randolph

Manchester, G. D. Cambridge.

Geo. IT. Goodwin, South Randolph .

Niehola, Abram G. Burlington.

Z. M. Hayden, South Randolph.

. Wm. llyland, Watertown

Charles A. Spanlding, Watertown .

William Bright, Watertown

Risley, George W

Watertown.

James Broderick, Watertown.

Riley, Chester

Watertown.

Patrick O'Hara, Boston, Watertown

Rodman, John Walthain.

Rood, J. L. .

Ludlow.

George Cochran, Boston

Sanderson, Horace

. Waltham.

Palemon C. Mills, Watertown 33d Regt.

Sandermeu, Henry

Waltham.

Thomas Shenhen, Watertowa . 35th Regt.

Singer, War II.

. Watertown.

William Mellen, South Boston . 85th Regt.

Smith, Gregg .

Watertown.

Smith, James H.

. Watertown.

Sumner, Alison R. Watertowo.

King, Philip H. . Watertown.

Brigham, Mathias

Natick.

Smith, Asa D.

Natick.

Rupp, Joseph D.

Watertown.

King, E. A. .

Watertown.

Farwell, Jobo N.

Boltoo.

Adams, George E.

Newton.

Privates, Co. K, 16th Regt.

Atwood, Sammuel S.

. Tanuton.

Bright, Gilbert

Watertown.

Bright, Joseph Watertown.

Watertown.

Bridges, Charles Z.

Beotoo, Perrin . Holbrook, N. H.

Bran, Edwin Natick.

Bowman, Geo. H. . W. Roxbury.

Brown, Charles E. .

. Watertown.

Bradley, James E. . E. Braintree.

Chebman, Horace W. . Turner, Me.

Cole, Ralph . . Lexington.

Colligon, John H.

Watertown.

Cummings, Andrew, Jr.

Watertowo.

Corrigna, Joseph . Cambridge.

Craigen, George F.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 91

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co Number of Pages: 1278

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278