USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Needham > History of Needham, Massachusetts, 1711-1911 : including West Needham, now the town of Wellesley, to its separation from Needham in 1881, with some reference to its affairs to 1911 > Part 35
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Wellesley > History of Needham, Massachusetts, 1711-1911 : including West Needham, now the town of Wellesley, to its separation from Needham in 1881, with some reference to its affairs to 1911 > Part 35
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
----
TOLMAN-GAY HOUSE
MANN-BLACKMAN HOUSE
453
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
over the wall Bacon was shot near the third button of his waistcoat. The next day his son, John, recognized his father's old striped hat on a roll of clothes in a school-house at West Cambridge. Lieutenant Bacon's house, now a tenement and much changed, stands on North Main Street, near Bacon Street, and west of the watering trough. He was an energetic man, and frequently had eight or ten In- dians and negroes, and four yokes of oxen working on his farm.
Nathaniel Chamberlain, another Minute Man, and a French and Indian War veteran, was slain, aged fifty-six years.
Amos Mills, a cousin of Elisha, lived on what is known as the Abijah Stevens place on Blossom Street. He was a Minute Man, and was killed at West Cambridge, aged forty-three years.
Lieut. Eleazer Kingsbery, of the Minute Men, was struck in the leg by a bullet, but it did not penetrate his leather breeches.
The five men killed at West Cambridge all left widows and large families.
On November 10, 1845, Rufus Mills, Israel Whitney and General Rice were chosen by the town a committee with reference to a monument to commemorate these five men, but nothing was accomplished until Mrs. Sarah Eames Mills Kingsbury and other ladies raised the necessary money in 1851, and placed on the hill in the old graveyard the handsome granite monument inscribed with the five names, and the words "For Liberty they died."
The monument at West Cambridge (Arlington) is a granite shaft marking the common grave of twelve men slain on April 19, 1775. This memorial was erected in 1848, and bears on the east side an inscription giving the names of three Cambridge men, but a temporary tablet of later date on the west side has the names of the other nine, including the four from Needham.
454
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
LEXINGTON ALARM LISTS
The muster-rolls of the two companies of militia, and of the Minute Men from Needham were copied verbatim, at an expenditure of much time, with the purpose of re- producing them in full, but the writer has reluctantly de- cided that it is not feasible to do so, owing to the many columns, the great number of figures, the abbreviations with superior letters, and the profuse punctuation.
Muster-roll of the Minute Men
"A Muster Roll of the Travel and Service of a Company of Alarm Men in Needham under the Command of Caleb Kingsbery in Colo" Aaron Davis's Regiment That March'd in Consequence of the Alarm Made on the 19th of April 1775. Which is as Followeth Viz .! "
Then follows the elaborate muster-roll referred to with these forty names :-
Caleb Kingsbery, Capt.
Privates:
John Bacon, Ist Lieut. Killed.
Joseph Mudg
Eleazer Kingsbery, 2d Lieut. Wounded.
Henry Dewing
Daniel Gould, Serg.
Josiah Ware
Samuel Daggett, Serg.
Stephen Huntting
Isaac Underwood, Serg.
David Hall
Jonathan Smith
Ephraim Stevens, Serg. Samuel Brown, Corp.
Jacob Parker
Samuel Daniell, Corp.
Moses Felt
Thomas Hall, Corp.
David Smith
Thomas Discomb Ifaac Goodenow Jur
Abijah Mills
Samuel Greenwood Josiah Lyon
1
Ephraim Bullard, Drummer. Privates: John Fuller Ezekiel Richardson Jefse Kingsbery
455
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
Privates:
Theodore Broad
Ithamar Smith
John Edes Jur
Henry Gale
Nathan- Kingsbery in Nathanel Chamberla Killed
Nehemiah Mills Jur
David Hagar
Amos Mills Killed
Jonas Mills
Seth Willson
Elijah Houghton
Many of them had travelled thirty miles, some thirty- six, and Mudge only nine miles, for which they were paid one penny per mile. This was for the distance to and from their homes. Most of them were in service two days, at Is., 5d., ¿f. per day, but of the last seven in the list all but Houghton served from six to nine days at the same pay per day. The total claim for the company amounted to £16, 18s., Iod., 2f.
"Needham March 14: 1776 Caleb Kingsbery
Colony of the Mafsª bay March 15 1776 Captain Caleb Kingsbery within named made Solem Oath to the truth of the within Roll by him Subscribed According to the beft of his Knowledge
Before Sam1 Holten Jur peace thro' the Colony
Compared with the Original and therewith agrees E. Starkweather Jne Turner 1 Comtee
In Council Ap: 22ª-1776 Read & allowed & ordered that a Warrant be drawn on the Treas! for £16: 18: 102 in full of the within Roll
Needham Perez Morton D Sery Capt Caleb Kingsbery Roll-Copy
£16:18:102' Archives, Vol. 12, p. 164.
h
y
b d il
y
d n,
456
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
Muster-roll of the East Company of Militia
"A Muster Roll of the Company under the Command of Cap: Robert Smith in Colonel William Heaths Regiment Needham January 2. 1776."
Robert Smith, Capt.
Privates:
Oliver Mills, Lieut.
Philip Mills
Silas Alden, Ensign
William Eaton
Elisha Mills, Serg. Killed
Lem Eaton
Jona Gay, Serg.
Aaron Fifher
Tho. Fuller, Serg.
Lem1 Mills
Eleaz. Fuller, Serg.
Tim: Fifher
Sam Alden, Corp.
Rob! Fuller Jr
Sam Fifher, Corp.
Joseph Colburn
Eliakim Cooke, Corp.
Joseph Colburn Jr
Eben Day, Corp.
Jere Woodcock
Eben Clark, Drummer
Jerm Eaton
John Mc Intosh
Jona Parker Killed
Timº Dewing
Isaac Shepard
Benje Ware
Josiah Eaton Jun
Amos Fuller Jr
Sam Ware Jun
Benje Mills Jun"
Nath. Willson
Joseph Stowell
Richª Blincowe
Aaron Paine
Mofes Eaton
Josiah Lyon Jun
Jonathan Ware
Daniel Wight
Jonª Kingsbery
Joseph Ware
Sam Paine
Eben Richardson
Theop. Richardson Jr.
Thomas Fifher
Solomon Fuller
David Newell
Nath Fifher Jn
Simeon Fifher
Ezra Mills
Elijah Fuller
Aaron Ayres
John Tolman
Josiah Fifher, Fifer Privates:
Elmon Tolman
Eben Wilkinson
Sam Edes
457
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
Privates:
Nathan Newell
David Mills
John Bird
Uriah Coller
Wm Smith
Phinehas Coller
Eben Clark
John Clark
Sam Wight
Theop. Richardson
Time Broad
Richª O brian
Josiah Newell Jr
John Kitley
Josiah Dewing
Richª Richardson
Aaron Smith Jr
Total, seventy-five men
Most of these men had travelled thirty miles from their homes, including the return, and were paid the same as the Minute Men for travel and service, but many of them served fourteen or sixteen days, which was a much longer time than the Minute Men served. Captain Smith was paid 4s., 6d. per day. This muster-roll was duly sworn to by Captain Smith before Josiah Newell "Justice peace", on January 2, 1776, compared with the "Original" by the Committee, and "allowed" by the Council on March 19, 1776. The total amount was £67, 17s., Id., 3f. Archives, Vol. 13, p. 92.
Muster-roll of the West Company of Militia
"A Roll of Capt Aaron Smiths Company of Militia who marched in Confequance of the Alarm Made on the 19th of April laft in the Regiment whereof William Heath Efq: was then Col: as Follows Viz -"
Aaron Smith, Capt. Jonathan Smith, Corp. Joseph Drury, Corp.
Moses Bullard, Lieut. Josiah Upham, Ensign John Bacon, Serg. William Fuller, Serg.
Jeremiah Daniell, Corp.
Joseph Mudg, Drummer Privates : Jonathan Whittemore Jun"
Samuel Kilton, Serg.
Joseph Daniell, Serg.
Enock Kingsbery, Corp.
Stephen Bacon Jun! Isaac Bacon
458
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
Privates :
Moses Fuller
Solomon Flagg
David Trull
Peter Jenison
Samuel Bracket
Joseph Kingsbery Jun"
Lemuel Bracket
John Bullard
Zebadiah Pratt
John Slack
Jeremiah Gay Eliphalet Kingsbery Jun"
Samuel Baley
Jonathan Huntting
John Smith Jun"
Joseph Haws Jur
Daniel Huntting Jun"
Aaron Smith Jun"
Jofeph Haws
Ebenezer Huntting
Mofes Daggett
Amos Edes
William Kingsbery
Jeremiah Edes
Daniel Ware
Samuel Smith
Timothy Huntting
Moses Huntting
Samuel Daggett Jun™
Collins Edes
Seth Broad
John Smith the 3ª
Benjamin Mills Jun"
Ithamar Smith Jun!
Jonathan Kingsbery
John Fuller
Samuel Pratt
Luke Mills
Joseph Kingsbery
Uriah Coller Ju!
Samuel Woodcock
Seth Pratt
Jonathan Dunn
Moses Bacon
Jeremiah Smith
Israel Huntting
Ifachar Pratt
William Huntting
Abner Felt
Samuel Ward
Philip Floyd
Noah Millard
Timothy Bacon
Samuel MªIntire
Abiel Smith (of Natick) Total, seventy men
Most of these men had travelled thirty-six miles from their homes, and returning to them, and had served a week or more. Captain Smith and Privates Moses Daggett and Samuel Pratt were on duty fifteen days. The total claim amounted to £50, 7s., 2d., which was sworn to by the Cap- tain on March 15, 1776, and allowed by the Council on April 2, 1776. Archives, Vol. 13, p. 98.
459
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM .
SIEGE OF BOSTON 1775. EIGHT MONTHS MEN
The muster-roll of "Capt. Mofes Whiting's Company in ye 36th Regt of Foot in the Continental army Encampt in Cambridge in Fort Nº 2 October 5, 1775 ", bears the names of the following Needham men :- Lieut. Aaron Pain "Engaged April ye 19", Sergeants John Macintash, John Tolman and Joseph Ware, Corporal Ebenezer Clark, all of whom enlisted the first week in May, Privates David Mills, Thomas Fisher, Daniel Wight, Ebenezer Richardson, Michael Bacon, Elijah Fuller, Josiah Lyon, Josiah Fisher, Simeon Fisher, Uriah Coller, Phineas Coller, Thomas Fisk? "gone to Canady" and John Brown "Deceised August ye 21". Total, eighteen men. Archives, Vol. 56, p. 244.
Samuel Ware was also at Cambridge, October 17, 1775, serving under Capt. Abner Craft and Lieut .- Col. Bond, 37th Foot. Archives, Vol. 56, p. 255. Michael Bacon, who en- listed on June 15, Andrew Gardner, on May 12, and John Hastings, on June 23, discharged on July 28, were all from . Needham, had travelled twelve miles, and Bacon and Hast- ings had furnished their own guns. These three men were in Capt. Daniel Whiting's Company, of Colonel Brewer's Regiment, and Bacon and Gardner were of this company on August 1, 1775. Archives, Vols. 16 and 56, pp. 72 and 32. Aaron Motton of Needham was a corporal in the company of Capt. Joseph Morse of Natick, August, 1775. Archives, Vol. 56, p. 176. The men who enlisted for eight months, ending on January 1, 1776, were to receive from the "Col- ony " each a coat as additional bounty, and the receipts for these coats, or their equivalent, are in the "Coat Rolls". Archives, Vol. 57.
The muster-roll of Captain Samuel Kilton of Needham, October, 1775, included the following Needham men: - Ist Lieutenant John Bacon, Sergeants John McIntosh, Solomon Flagg, Daniel Gould, Enoch Kingsbery and Peter Jeneson,
ril
m k nd
460
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
Corporals John Tolman, Joseph Kingsbery, John Bullard and Jeremiah Gay, Fifer Joseph Bullard, Privates Philip Floid, Seth Wilson, Jonathan Huntting, Stephen Bacon, Henry Gale, Jonas Mills, Joseph Hawes, Aaron Smith, Eben- ezer Huntting, Nehemiah Mills, Nehemiah Mills, Jr., Amos Edes, Samuel Smith, Moses Huntting, Collins Edes, John Smith, John Clark, Ithamar Smith, Ithamar Smith, Jr., John Fuller, Luke Mills, Seth Pratt, Jonathan Bacon, Josiah Hawes, Theophilus Richardson, Eliphalet Kingsbery, Jr., John Kitley, James Faris (an Irishman, and a nephew of Capt. William Faris), Uriah Coller, Jonas Lewis, Moses Bacon, Israel Huntting, John Fuller, Jr., and Jeremiah Edes. Total, forty-six men. Archives, Vol. 56, p. 174}.
Enoch Johnson was paid £6, 13s., 4d. by the town for serving eight months in 1775. From the town book under the heading "The Names of thofe men that Entered the Service April 1775 and Served Eight months at the Lines Near Bofton" six more names are added to those in the muster rolls, viz., Aaron Smith, 3d, Samuel Ward, Aaron Moulton (probably identical with Aaron Motton of Captain Morse's company), Jacob Hemingway, Uriah Coller, Sr. (perhaps the man named in Captain Kilton's roll), and Jacob Parker, Jr., all of whom, except Parker, were paid £6, 13s., 4d. each, a total for fifty-six Eight Months Men of £366, 13s., 4d. The names of Longley Bartlett and John English are erased from this list in the town book, but Bart- lett served under Colonel McIntosh, and was at Fishkill.
The State Archives, Vol. 206, p. 239, record a Resolution of the Council on August 17, 1775, in favor of Colonel McIntosh for £6, 12s., 14d .? for twenty-eight "Narrow Axes and for Collecting and tranfporting the fame to Watertown".
DORCHESTER HEIGHTS
"A Copy of Cap" Rob Smith's of Needham Pay Roll, for him and his Comp? of Malitia afsisting in taking pofsefsion of Dorchefter Hill in March 1776".
461
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
Besides Captain Smith the company included Lieutenant Silas Alden, Sergeants Jonathan Gay, Thomas Fuller, Eleazer Fuller and (erased) Alden, Corporals (erased) Fisher, Eliakim Cook, John MeIntosh and Ebenezer Day (the word "Corp"" is erased by time and wear, but apparently these four men were corporals), Privates Richard Blencoe, Lemuel Colburn, Henry Dewing, Timothy Fisher, Jeremiah Eaton, Jr., Josiah Eaton, (erased) Eaton, (erased) Eaton, Nathaniel Fisher, Jr., Solomon Fuller, Amos Fuller, Jr., Robert Fuller, Asa Gay, Jonathan Kingsbery, Moses Man, David Mills, Jr., Ezra Mills, Enoch Mills, Reuben Newell, Samuel Payn, Nathaniel Tolman, Samuel Wight, Jonathan Ware, Samuel Ware, Jr., Ephraim Ware, Nathaniel Wilfon, Timothy Broad and Samuel Edes. Total, thirty-eight men. Each man had travelled twenty-four miles from his home and returning at one penny per mile, and Captain Smith was entitled to £1, 8s., IId., 2f. for services and travel, Lieutenant Alden to £1, os., Id., the sergeants to Ios., 3d., 2f., each, the cor- porals to 9s., 8d., 3f., each, and privates to 9s., 2d., 3f. Total for the company, £19, 6s., 112d. Sworn to by the Captain before Josiah Newell, J.P., and was allowed in Council on June 5, 1777.
In May, 1776, Capt. Robert Smith was commissioned captain of the 4th Company in Colonel MeIntosh's Regiment, which was the First Suffolk Regiment of militia. Captain Smith's last active service appears to have been from Febru- ary to May, 1778, when he was captain of a company of Guards at Boston and Dorchester, under Maj .- Gen. Heath.
"A Roll of the west Company of Melitia in Needham in Col. Wm. M: Intoshs' Regt Commanded By Capt Aaron Smith that went in March 1776 to Afsist in Taking Pofses- sion of and Fortifying Dorchester Hills".
This muster-roll is a repetition of that for the Lexington Alarm with the exceptions mentioned in the following paragraphs:
-
1 3 ,
r
462
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
Names omitted: - Ensign Upham, Sergeant Bacon, and Privates Isaac Bacon, Joseph Haws, Isachar Pratt, Floyd, M.Intire, John Bullard, Joseph Haws, Jr., John Fuller, Uriah Coller, Jr., Stephen Bacon, Jr., Seth Pratt, Jeremiah Smith, Felt, Timothy Bacon, Joseph Kingsbery, Jr., and Samuel Smith. Total, eighteen men.
Names added: - Nathaniel Bullard, drummer, Joseph Bullard, fifer, Privates Isaac Goodenow, Enoch Fisk, Samuel Ward, Theodore Broad, Nehemiah Mills, Nicholas (erased), Timothy Huntting, Israel Huntting, Abijah Mills, Daniel Gould, Timothy Dell, Jonathan Bacon, Peter Bent, John Slack and George Wallin. Total seventeen, making the strength of the company sixty-nine men. There are also the following changes: - Samuel Kilton and Enoch Kings- bery had become sergeants, and the "Jun!" disappears after the names of Jonathan Whittemore, Eliphalet Kingsbery, Daniel Huntting and Benjamin Mills.
Most of these men had travelled thirty-six miles from their homes and returning, had served four days, and the total due them was £34, 7s., Iod. Dated April 21, 1777, and signed by Capt. Aaron Smith, who was a handsome writer. Archives, Vol. 23, p. 78. Capt. Aaron Smith was commis- sioned captain of the 9th Company of Colonel MeIntosh's Regiment of militia in May, 1776.
MILITARY DUTY AT ROXBURY
The town paid the following named men for service at Roxbury in March, 1776, amounts varying from fr to £2 per man: -
Robert Fuller, Jr., Eleazer Fuller, David Ockinton, Aaron Smith, Jr., Moses Kingsbery, Timothy Broad, Nathaniel Ware, Moses Eaton, Jeremiah Eaton, Timothy Dewing, Royal MeIntosh, Amos Fuller, Jr., William Smith, Jr., Ben- jamin Mills, 3d, Josiah Fisher, Joseph Dewing, Simeon Colburn, Timothy MeIntire, Moses Man, Ephraim Stevens,
463
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
Aaron Moulton, Peter Jenison, Eliphalet Kingsbery, Jr., Jeremiah Gay, Nathaniel Kingsbery, Benjamin Dolbier, Benjamin Ward, Samuel Whitney, Jonathan Whittemore, Jr., Zebadiah Pratt, John Edes, Jr., Moses Fuller, Daniel Huntting, Jr., David Trull, Enoch Parker, Jeremiah Smith, Samuel Smith and Samuel Ward. Total, thirty-eight men.
"A Roll of Capt Hopeftill Halls Company in Colle Lemuel Robinfons Regt from the time of Service til marched" was dated October 4, 1776, and contains the names of the follow- ing Needham men: - Lieutenant Oliver Mills, Sergeant John Tolman, Corporal Philip Mills, Privates John Bird, Jeremiah Woodcock, Jeremiah Woodcock, Jr., Josiah Lyon, Elisha Mills, William Kitley, Benjamin Mills, Richard Bryon, Theophilus Richardson, Michael Bright, Ebenezer Richard- son, Joseph Stowell, Royal Mackintash, Michael Bacon, John Beaverstock and Elman Tolman. Total, nineteen men. These men were enlisted on January 30, served twenty-two days, and Lieutenant Mills was paid £31, 16s., 8d. (he either had claims in addition to the twenty-two days' service, or was paid in depreciated currency), Sergeant Tolman £1, 15s., Corporal Mills £I, IIs., 3d. (in 1783 he received £2 from the town for service in 1776), privates £1, 9s., 4d. each. Archives, Vol. 2, p. 75.
In November, 1776, the muster-roll of Capt. John Gay's Company, Colonel Francis's Regiment, showed the names of seven Needham men :- Corporal Samuel Daggett, Privates Moses Bacon, John Bacon, Joseph Haws, Moses Huntting, Elisha Fuller and Reuben Newell. They each were allowed by the Province one penny per mile for eighteen miles' travel, and also a day's pay for every twenty miles; their wages were IOS., 4d. per man, including six shillings each for "Gun and Blanket", the corporal receiving Is., 6d. more. Archives, Vol. 2, p. 61.
The town also paid all of them, except the two Bacons, £1, 12s., each, with this further exception that Daggett had
1 1
1
,
1
1 1
464
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
but eight shillings. Jonathan Whittemore's name is in the town list, which states that the service was at Dorchester Hill, August to December, 1776. Joseph Haws, Jr., was allowed £6, 13s., 4d. in 1782 for "Service in the War" in 1776.
From the State Archives were obtained further particulars as to service in the year 1776: - Nathaniel Ayers, Aaron Jackson, Ephraim Jackson and Phinehas Kingsbery served a little over a month under Capt. Aaron Guild and Colonel Whitney, "til their Return Home", November 26, 1776, had travelled forty miles, and were to receive £2, 6s. each, but Ayers was to have six shillings more for an additional day. Archives, Vol. 19, p. 141. Ayers had served in the same com- pany with Phinehas Kingsbery late that year at Hull, and they were allowed by the Province 13s., 4d. each for "Blanket Money" besides one penny per mile for travel sixteen miles, together with the usual pay for service. Archives, Vol. 18, P. 32.
Uriah Coller served from December, 1776 to February, 1777, under Capt. Theophilus Wilder, Colonel Dike. Ar- chives, Vol. 26, pp. 424 and 425.
CASTLE ISLAND 1776
The "Melitia Detachment" under Capt. Thomas Mayo, Colonel Weld, for the Castle Island service December 9-29, 1776, numbered forty-five officers and men from Roxbury, Brookline and Needham. The Needham men were: -
Lieutenant Silas Alden, Sergeant Nathaniel Wilson, Cor- poral Eleazer Kingsbery, Jr., Drummer Ebenezer Clark, Jr., Fifer Joseph Bullard, and Privates David Kingsbery, William Kingsbery, Amos Fuller, Jr., William Smith, Jr., Theophilus Richardson, Jr., Uriah Coller (Jr.), John Payn, Jonathan Whittemore, Aaron Smith, Jr., William Huntting and Converse Huntting.
A number were absent on leave when the return was made, and all had travelled thirty-two miles, the pay varying
465
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
from £4, os., II2d. due Lieutenant Alden to £1, 12s., 52d. due each private. Archives, Vol. 36, p. 175. The town also paid these sixteen men eight shillings each for one month's service, and also paid Jonathan Dunn and Robert Fuller, Jr., whose names are not in the muster-roll. In several instances the "Jr." is obtained from the town records, and is not found in the muster-roll. Nathaniel Ayers and Phin- ehas Kingsbery, before mentioned, were also paid by the town for duty performed on one of the islands near Boston in 1776, as was Ephraim Bullard, Jr.
On June 24, 1776, there was an article in the warrant "To See if it be the mind of the Inhabitants of the town to In- ftruct, and advife their Prefent Representative, that If the Honorable Congrefs for the Safety of the United Colonies Declare them Independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, that they the Said Inhabitants will Solemnly Engage with their Lives and fortunes to Support them in ye meafure". Presumably this vote passed, but the record does not indi- cate it, and prudence may have influenced the town clerk, Robert Fuller, although pages 135-8 of Vol. III. are covered with the Declaration of Independence of the United Colo- nies engrossed in full in Mr. Fuller's bold and handsome handwriting.
CANADA AND NEW YORK
A muster-roll of Capt. Timothy Stow's Company was found among his papers in 1869, and was placed in the State Archives, Vol. 49, pp. 116 and 117. The men named in this roll were to serve from June to December 1, 1776, "to fur- nish ourfelves with a good effective Fire-Arm, and if poffible, a Bayonet fitted thereto, or in lieu thereof, a Hatchet or Tomahawk, a Cartridge Box Knapsack and Blanket:" The recruits were to march to Charlestown, N. H., and they con- tracted to obey their officers, etc. Those who signed, repre- senting Needham, were (with no attempt to reproduce the abbreviations used by the men) : -
466
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
Ithamar Smith, Jr., Benjamin Mills, Benjamin Mills, Jr., John Tolman, Jeremiah Woodcock, Jr. (his mark), Ebenezer Huntting, David Henderson (his mark), Israel Huntting, John Clark, Nathaniel Fisher, Jr., Lemuel Eaton, Jonathan Huntting, John Smith, Seth Pratt, Isaac Goodenow, Jr., John Kitley, Isaac Bacon, Moses Eaton, Nathaniel Tolman, John Beverstock (his mark), Jonathan Whittemore, Aaron Fisher and Samuel Wight. Total, twenty-three. The signa- ture of Moses Daggett is crossed out.
Of five thousand men called "for Canada & New York", "Needham's Proportion was 26 to be formed into one Com- pany of 91 men Officers Included". This was the company Captain Stow commanded, and Ist Lieut. Moses Bullard was a Needham man. They were in the Second Division; "the firft Divifion Marched the 30th Day of July 1776 with a Waggon for their Baggage; the Second Divifion Marched the 5th Day of Auguft 1776 with a Waggon for their Baggage and were ordered to Charlestown in New Hampshire where I have been Informed they arived Safe in about Eight or Nine Day after their marching from home Atteft Jonathan Metcalf one of the Committee Watertown September 8: 1776". Archives, Vol. 40, p. 225.
In the town records these men are designated as going to Ticonderoga, and small bounties were paid them by the town. Nathaniel Fisher, Jr., died in the service, and Need- ham also sent William Carey and David Upham in her quota. The two men who bore the name of Benjamin Mills are designated in the town book as "Ju"" and "3d"; John Smith is also "3d". From August 24, when the company was at Ticonderoga, to November 17, 1776, several returns were made as to its effective strength. It was reckoned two hun- dred and ninety miles from Skeensborough to Dedham, via Albany, and it took this company fourteen and one half days to march this distance. Dedham was largely repre- sented in the company.
The town paid bounties, amounting in all to about £55,
467
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
to the following men, who were entitled to them in Septem- ber, 1776, for service at "York" :- Lieut. Enoch Kingsbery, Serg. Jonathan Gay, Privates John Bird, Ezra Mills, Samuel Ware, Elmon Tolman, William Smith, Jr., Enoch Mills, Joshua G [illegible], Timothy Daniell, Jonathan Kingsbery, Jr., Stephen Bacon, Jr., David Hall, Samuel Woodcock, David Brackett and Seth Broad. In December the town paid £20 in bounties for service at "York", and the recip- ients were :- Lieut. Oliver Mills, John Tolman, Isaac Shep- ard, Philip Mills, Michael Bright (allowed £2 additional in 1783), Ebenezer Clark, Jr., Nathaniel Ayers, Jr., Samuel Spring, Solomon Flagg, Timothy Huntting, Samuel Dag- gett, Jr., Ebenezer Huntting, Daniel Ware and Cato Underwood. Total, thirty men. This December list also included the names of John Bird and David Brackett, both in the earlier list, as well as the name of Jonathan Huntting.
In February, 1777, the town paid "Canady" bounties of seven pounds each to the following persons : - Nathaniel Fisher (a minor, and paid to his father), Aaron Fisher, Isaac Goodenow, Jr., John Kitley, Josiah Upham ("for his Negros' Inlifting"), Benjamin Mills, Jr., Benjamin Mills, "ye 3:", Ebenezer Huntting, Jonathan Huntting, Israel Huntting, Moses Eaton, Lemuel Eaton, Jonathan Whittemore, Jr., Jeremiah Woodcock (paid to his father), John Beaverstock and John Smith, Jr.
Late in December, 1777, Lieut. Moses Bullard was al- lowed £6, 13s., 4d. "for his Going to Ticonderoga in the Year 1776", and Lieut. Oliver Mills a like amount for going to "York" in December, 1776, while Lieut. Enoch Kingsbery received one half of that sum for his service at "York" in 1776. Mrs. Mary Spring was paid £3 in 1782, the balance of her husband's bounty for three months' service at "York" in 1776 and 1777. These payments were made by vote of the town, which on July 15, 1776, had chosen Colonel MeIntosh, Capt. Aaron Smith, Michael Metcalf, Capt. Robert Smith
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.