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 36
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 36
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468
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
and John Slack, "to Confult what Method to Raife the money to Incouriage the Men that are to be Raifed to Go to Canady". Their report favored a bounty of seven pounds, additional to that offered by the General Court, and it was adopted in a town meeting, and a rate voted. This report, which is recorded in full under date of July 15, provided that a man who had been in the service "eight months last summer" should be allowed "half a turn", and also "half a turn more", if he re-enlisted and took the £14, thus making "a whole turn". A new soldier, with no former credits, was to be allowed for "a whole turn", in case he had only the £7 offered by the General Court, but if he had also received £7 from the town, then he was to be allowed but "half a turn". The town bounty, £7, was clearly within the reach of every man who enlisted for "Canady", whether officer or private, but expressions well understood when used are obscure to another age.
CONTINENTAL ARMY. ONE YEAR MEN 1776
The town paid to eighteen men bounties amounting to £113, 6s., 8d. for serving in the Continental Army for one year. The men were: - Lieutenants Aaron Pain (died in the service), and John Bacon, Sergeant John Bullard, Privates Nathan Dewing, Elmun Tolman, *Joseph Ware, *Thomas Fisher, John Coller, Joseph Fisher, *Daniel Wight, James Faris, John Gay, *Benjamin Edes, *William Symms, Benjamin Ware, Josiah Eaton, Elijah Fuller and Moses Bacon. The four men last named lost their lives in the One Year Service, and those marked with a star re-enlisted in the Continental Army for three years, after their enlist- ment for one year had expired. On June 1, 1790, the select- men granted to Solomon Park Parker an order of £5, and also £1, 3s., the latter sum as costs, to settle a claim he had successfully sued for £5 "he paid to Capt Aaron Smith in 1776 to hire men into the Continental army".
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
469
CONTINENTAL ARMY. MEN ENLISTED FOR THREE YEARS 1777-80
Date when Name of
Regiment Name of
enlisted.
Captain.
Colonel.
Watson 3d.
Greaton.
Beaverstock Edward alias Sam Cook Benjamin John
Briant 3d Cont. Crane. Art.
Bryan Richard, Corporal Jan. 2, 1777
Pilsbury
13th. Wigglesworth.
Clark John
Apr. 5, 1779
Marshall
Ioth. Marshall.
Coller Phineas
Foster
3d.
Crosby Simon
Crafts
2d Cont. Sheldon.
Daverson Joseph
Allen
Dragoons. 3d Cont. Art.
Dell George
Crafts
Edes Benjamin
Pettingill
9th. Wesson.
Edes Collins
Foster
English John
Marshall
Fisher Thomas
Nov. 28, 1776 Foster 3d.
Flagg Solomon Gay John* Grant
Morse
5th.
Putnam.
Burton
Henry Sher- burne.
Hastings John Hawes Joseph
Foster
Crafts
Henry John Hunter Joseph Jenison Israel Jennings Jonathan Kitley William Levey John
Crafts
Allen
Crafts
Feb. 1, 1777
Willington 13th.
Sargent 3d Cont. Art.
Lewis James
Walcott Ioth.
Lyon Josiah
Dec. 1, 1776 Foster
Lyon Josiah, Jr.
Foster
Mills Elisha
Foster
Mills Jonas
3d.
Mills Josiah
Feb. 1780 Apr. 14, 1777 Morse
Discharged Oct. 24.
Mills Josiah
Nov. 1779
Houdin 5th.
Mills Nehemiah, Jr.
Foster
O'Brien
Willington
Parker David
Walcott
Parker Josiah
Bryant
Purkett Henry
Crafts
* John Gay was much in the service, and in a muster-roll dated January 10, 1781, is described as of Natick, aged 26 yrs., 6 mos .; height, 5 feet, 7 inches.
Marshall
Marshall
470
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
Date when Name of Regiment Name of enlisted. Captain. Colonel.
Feb. 5, 1777 Foster
Richardson Ebenezer Spring Samuel Stowell Joseph Symes William Wamskutt
Crane.
Foster
Crane.
Apr. 20, 1777 Morse 5th. Putnam.
Ware Joseph Whitmore Enoch
Feb. 24, 1777 Foster
Pettingill
Wight Daniel
Foster
Total, forty-two, or forty-three men, of whom Crosby, Dell (Deal or Dill), Henry, Hunter and Jennings were of Boston, and Daverson, Grant and Levey were "Foreigners". These eight non-residents were hired to fill Needham's quota.
The muster-roll from which most of the foregoing names were obtained is dated January I, 1781. Archives, Vol. 29, pp. 64, 161-4, Vol. 27, pp. 81, 84, 86, 88-90, 92, 94-6, 99- IOI, 103 and 107, Vol. 40, p. 217.
In 1776 Josiah Lyon and Elisha Mills had been "Ma- trofses" in the First Company of American Artillery, and served under Capt. James Swan in Colonel Crafts' "Batallon". Archives, Vol. 38, p. 118.
On February 21, 1778, Colonel MeIntosh made oath, before Squire Newell, that Phineas Coller had served under Captain Foster, Colonels Greaton and Weld. Archives, Vol. 40, p. 217. A descriptive list, dated at West Point, January 25, 1781, contains the name of William Kelly (query Kitley?) of Needham, 24 yrs. old, 5 ft., 7 in. tall, complexion dark, hair and eyes black, enlisted February I, 1777, 3d Regiment, Colonel Greaton.
The following named Needham men enlisted in the Con- tinental Army in April, 1781 :- John Beaverstock, Thomas Cumings, Solomon Flagg, John Fuller, John Kitley, John MeIntire, Christopher Smith, Samuel Smith and Timothy Whittemore, and in June Ithamar Smith and Hezekiah Mills were added to their number. Three other men were also credited to Needham, viz., Charles Winchester, who
471
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
enlisted in March, Benjamin Dolbeare, in July, and Eli- phalet Reed in August. Dolbeare appears to have been the only one of the three at all identified with Needham. Beaverstock and Flagg were Three Year veterans re-enlisted. Archives, Vol. 28, p. 175.
VOTES OF THE TOWN RELATING TO SERVICE IN THE CONTINENTAL ARMY
On February 17, 1777, a rate was voted to pay a town bounty of £14 to each man who enlisted in the Continental Army for three years, or for the war, and a committee, con- sisting of Capt. Robert Smith, Capt. Aaron Smith, Josiah Newell, Esq., John Slack, Lieut. Ebenezer Fuller, Lieut. William Fuller and Michael Metcalf, was "to See what has been paid, and who has Done a turn or part of a turn, Perfonally". In March the town voted to borrow the money to pay these bounties to soldiers enlisted before April 20th.
On January 5, 1781, Eleazer Kingsbery, John Slack and Robert Fuller, Jr., a committee chosen by Needham on December 27, 1780, petitioned the General Court for an abatement of the quota of seventeen men for three years required of the town. They stated that the town had not been fully credited with its men then in the army, and that one half of them left families for which, by Act of the Gen- eral Court, the town had to provide. "And as said Town took upon them an Early and large part in the Prefent Contest with Great Britain". This petition concluded with patriotic sentiments. Archives, Vol. 186, p. 429.
In March, 1782, the town voted to raise £550 by a tax to pay the bounties of the Three Year men. The original receipts for bounties varying from £40 to £70 were dated from April to June, 1782, and were paid by the town com- mittee, whose duty it was to hire men for three years. These papers are in the Archives, Vol. 3, pp. 69-73, and
472
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
are signed by the following recruits :- John Gardner, Joel Porter, Joseph p der?, Jonathan Belcher and Joseph Haws.
CARE OF THE FAMILIES OF THE SOLDIERS
The care of the families of the soldiers became a heavy expense, and the number of the poor increased during and after the war. In certain instances the selectmen were authorized to apply the amount of a bounty to the support of a soldier's wife and children, and from time to time the following persons received money : - Elizabeth, wife of John English,1 Lydia, wife of Solomon Flagg, Sarah, wife of John Clark, the family of Ebenezer Richardson, Ann, wife of Richard Blincow, who "was in the Private Expedition to Providence", 1777.
Special allowances were also made to the families of the soldiers because of the "Extra price" of everything, and many orders of the selectmen have reference to this arrange- ment, which one case will sufficiently illustrate: On April 6, 1778, Solomon Flagg was granted £7 "for money he paid for Extra price for providing for his Family, by Order of the Committee, from the firft of September Last, Untill the Date hereof". The following persons also had such allowances :- Sarah, wife of Uriah Coller, Hannah, wife of [Joseph] Stowell, Sarah, wife of [Josiah?] Lyon, Mrs. John Clark, and "M" Englifh and Family".
On July 26, 1779, Josiah Newell, Jr., Josiah Upham, Ensign Timothy Kingsbery, Josiah Newell, Esq., Dea. John Fisher, Moses Kingsbery and Colonel McIntosh were chosen "to Provide for the families of thofe men that are in the Continental army". In 1780 Capt. Eleazer Kings- bery, Nathaniel Fisher, Ephraim Pain, Capt. Caleb Kings- bery, Ebenezer Day, Timothy Newell and Lieut. Timothy Kingsbery were assigned to this duty, and in April, 1781,
1 The name of Elizabeth English reappeared in our records in the autumn of 1901, when Miss Elizabeth M. English, a graduate of Radcliffe College, came to teach the Parker School.
473
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
Ensign Josiah Upham, Moses Man and Capt. William Smith succeeded them.
CONTINENTAL ARMY. MEN ENLISTED FOR NINE MONTHS 1779
The Nine Months Men from Needham included:
Name
Age Stature Complexion Captain
Jeremiah Gay
34 5 ft., 812 in.
dark
Smith
James Fariss
24 5
9
sandy
Lieut. J. Grace
John Fuller
31 5
IO
dark
Uriah Coller
46 5
6
Ithamar Smith 32
5
IO
light Lieut. Samuel Benjamin
"Thaddeus Slack discharged " " unfit for Duty."
The last six words are erased. Archives, Vol. 29, p. 41.
These five men were mustered in June, 1779, for nine months, to serve for the Town of Needham, together with Samuel Fuller, Josiah Mills and John Smith, Jr. See cer- tificates of Nathaniel Barber "Qtr master County of Suffolk" April 4, 1780, and of Stephen Badlam "Superintendent Cty of Suffolk", dated Dorchester April 29, 1780. The latter certificate did not include Coller. Of those "receipted for" at Springfield, July 19, 1779, by Capt. James Cooper was Samuel Fuller of Needham, 18 yrs. old, 5 ft., II in. tall, dark complexion, who served under Captain Smith and Colonel McIntosh. Archives, Vol. 45, p. 272.
On December 27, 1779, the selectmen, William Smith, Oliver Mills, William Fuller and Samuel Daggett, petitioned the General Court to remit a fine of £600 "for failure of the quota of men as required by a Resolve pafsed January, 1779", claiming that the Nine Months men were "and are now in the Army". A certificate of Colonel McIntosh ac- companied this petition to the effect that Uriah Coller had enlisted in the Continental Army, and had marched, also one from Solomon (erased), Jr., that Coller had been in Capt. L. Bailey's Company, Col. J. Bailey, in August, 1779, as a Nine Months man from Needham. In November, 1781, Coller had an order for £150, the balance of his bounty for
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474
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
enlisting in 1779 in the Continental Army for nine months. In May, 1779, Samuel Alden and Joseph Kingsbery, Jr., took a load of clothing to Springfield for the use of the Continental soldiers, and were each paid £43, 13s., in de- preciated currency, by the town.
In December, 1779, Seth Broad, Joseph Bullard and Nathan Dewing, then serving under Captain Howell, Colo- nel Tyler, had travelled seventy miles, and were entitled to £17, 12s. each for one month and three days. Archives, Vol. 2, pp. 114 and 126.
On June 16, 1780, the town voted that the "Nine Months Men Should be Made up Equal with Others in the Nominal Sum that went in that Campaign".
CONTINENTAL ARMY. MEN ENLISTED FOR SIX MONTHS 1780
"A Descriptive Lift" of the men enlisted for Six Months, and who arrived at Springfield from July 16 to August 19, 1780, includes the following from Needham :-
Stature Complexion
Thomas Kench
Age 28 5 ft., II in.
Ruddy
Daniel White (Wight?)
24
William Smith, Jr.
20 6 "
II Ī Light
Elisha Fuller 20 6 "
Hezekiah Millar
45
5"
8
John Foster
46
5
8
¥
George Baker
3I
5 5 ft., 10 in.
Commander Capt. Abner Howard Lieut. Zebalon King
Jeremiah Woodcock
48
5
IO
Uriah Coller, Jr.
23
5
Benjamin Mills
28
Jason Smith
20
5
5
7 7 2
9
Solomon Mills
I6
5
I
Light
John Fuller
32
5
II
¥ Ruddy Light
Capt. [Joseph?] Fox
Jeremiah Gay
34
5
IO
Uriah Coller
49
5
5 Ruddy Ensign Blasdale (Blaisdell)
¥
Timothy Whittemore
I7
5
2
Benjamin Dolbier Josiah Lyon
20 5
"
7 8 Ruddy
"
¥
Christopher Smith
20
59 5
5I
Ruddy Light
6 "
These seven men were commanded by Thomas Kench.
John Bird
475
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
"A Pay Roll of the Men Belonging to Needham in the Service in the Continental Army Six Months in the year 1780 Agreable to a Refolve of the General Court" included thirteen of the foregoing names, and also those of James Farris and Aaron Smith, all of whom had enlisted in July, except Uriah Coller, enlisted on August 14. They had served on the average six months, had travelled two hundred and twenty miles, and their wages amounted to £181, Is., 4. This pay-roll is dated January 30, 1782, and was sworn to the next day, before Squire Newell, by the selectmen, John Fisher, William McIntosh, William Fuller and Aaron Smith. Another list of these Six Months Men gives the ages some- what differently, omits Farris, and calls Solomon Mills Solomon "Miller". Archives, Vol. 27, p. 5.
"A descriptive list of the New Levies raised for six months", dated August 29, 1780, includes of the foregoing only Jason Smith, Christopher Smith, Timothy Whitte- more, Benjamin Dolbier, Benjamin Mills, Uriah "Choller" and John Fuller, but adds for Needham Simeon Russell, Jeremiah Page and Ebenezer Bartlett. Archives, Vol. 25, p. 222.
RHODE ISLAND CAMPAIGN
"The Pay Roll of Capt Eben! Battles Company for Travel to and from the State of Rhode Ifland together with their Service Colo Jonª Titcombs Regiment In Said State From May 8th to July 8th 1777 Being two months and a Day", included from Needham :- Serg. Aaron Smith, and Privates Royal MeIntosh, Reuben Newell, Moses Hunting, Moses Daggitt, Oliver Gay and Ebenezer Gay. They had been to Providence, and had travelled seventy-two miles. Sergeant Smith was entitled to £5, 4s., and the others to £4, 6s., 8d., besides the "State Bounty" of £2, 3s., 4d. Archives, Vol. I, pp. 81 and 95. The town list gives the name of Moses Deming instead of Moses Daggitt, which it should be, al- though it does not appear that there was a Moses Deming
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THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
resident in Needham. McIntosh, Newell and Oliver Gay are recorded as paid £4 for service from May to September. Moses Daggett was at Tiverton, R. I., two years later, then serving under Captain Battelle, Colonel Pierce, and was dis- charged July 1, 1779.
Daggett had enlisted at Tiverton on July 2, 1778, and on January 1, 1779, was in Captain Haskins's Company of Colo- nel Jacobs's Regiment, and Josiah Fisher was in the same company. There appears to be some confusion in the record of the latter's service; see Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors, and Archives, Vol. 2, pp. 83 and 84.
In April, 1779, orders were drawn in favor of Josiah Fisher, Oliver Gay and Moses Daggett for £68, 2s. each for six months' "Service at Rhode Island for the Town of Needham in 1778". On July 25, 1778, the Council had written to Colonel MeIntosh calling his attention to certain loiterers in Dedham, and other places, who should do duty in Rhode Island until January I. Archives, Vol. 199, p. 350.
The military employed in Rhode Island consisted only of militia until the summer of 1778, when General Washington sent some Continental troops there. The Battle of Rhode Island was fought on August 29, 1778.
Benjamin Mills had an order in June, 1781, for £15, the balance of his bounty for service in Rhode Island for six weeks in 1779. In 1780 there was military duty to be done in Rhode Island, and Capt. Robert Smith hired Capt. Moses Bullard to go in his place, and the town allowed the former £550, perhaps equal to £18, or thereabouts, in hard money, but Smith was dissatisfied with this award, and sought to obtain more. For several years Capt. Robert Smith was out of favor with his fellow-townsmen. See records of the town meeting on June 10, 1784, and of other meetings.
In 1779 the town paid Richard Blencow, Moses Man, Timothy Dewing, John Pain, Samuel Daggett, Jonathan Whittemore, Jr., and Jonathan Dunn each £3, 12s. for the part which they had taken in the "Private Expedition to
477
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
Providence". Joseph? Fisher, Abner Hall, Nathaniel Dyer and Jonas Obscow also represented Needham in this un- successful expedition, for which ten thousand men were assembled by the middle of October, 1777. John Fuller, Jr., served in the "Private Expedition", and had an order from the selectmen in April, 1779, for £32, IOS.
RE-ENFORCEMENTS FOR THE NORTHERN ARMY 1777
"A Pay Roll of Capt Aaron Smiths' Company in Col Benj" Gills' Regt of Mafsachusetts Bay Militia that Marched in Augt 1777 to Reinforce ye Northern Army" included the names of thirteen men from Needham, viz., - Lieut. Moses Bullard, Lieut. Ichabod Gay, Privates John Smith, Benjamin Mills (on "Furlow"), Nath! Ayers, Nathan Dewing, Asa Huntting, Jonathan Huntting, Phinehas Kingsbery, Eben! Goodenow, David Mills, Jere Smith and Sam! Baley. Most of these men had served three months and twenty-seven days, and had marched two hundred and forty miles. Captain Smith's pay was £46, 16s., the lieutenants £3I, IIS., 9d. each, and the privates £7, 16s. each. The Captain swore to this roll before Josiah Newell, Justice of the Peace. Ar- chives, Vol. 23, p. 80.
On January 21, 1778, this company consisted of sixty- eight men, besides the commissioned officers, and £718, 13s., 4d. was due them. Archives, Vol. 23, p. 85. From the Province Captain Smith received allowance for two hundred and thirty-eight rations, and for travel from the camp at White Plains. In 1779 the town granted him £30 for this service.
RE-ENFORCEMENTS FOR THE NORTHERN ARMY 1778
A muster-roll dated June 29, 1778, gives the names of the Nine Months Men under Capt. Aaron Smith, Colonel McIntosh, with their service from their arrival at Fishkill on June 22.
1, n ne to
0 t n
S ľ
:
K
478
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
Age Stature
Isaiah Plank
21 (25) 5 ft., 3 in. (5 in.) Dark
Complexion Hair Eyes Dark Dark
Asa Plank
24 (25) 5 " 5
Seth Pratt
19
5 '
8 4
IO "
Light
David Henderson
3I
45 (43) 5" 7 "
Gray Blue
Cato Underwood 24
5 "
5
" Gray
Negro
Black Black
All of these men were husbandmen, and the Planks came from Killingly, Conn., a place with which Needham then had close associations. Archives, Vol. 28, p. 147.
The color of the hair and eyes was obtained from a roll of this company, dated at Fishkill, August 1, 1778, which later roll gives the ages of three of the men different from the June roll, and these changes are noted in parentheses in the fore- going list. In the August roll "D. 22" is against the name of White (Wight), and June 30, June 22 and June 24 after the names of Henderson, Bartlett and Underwood respec- tively. Another Fishkill roll, between these two dates, omits the two negroes, and credits Needham with nine men, who apparently belonged in Dedham, or in the Springfield Parish of Dedham, viz., - Ebenezer Battles, Hezekiah Bat- tles, Josiah Battles, Nathan Cook, Josiah Fisher, James Gray, Ichabod Farrington, Abijah Richards and Hezekiah Turner. After White's (Wight's) name "June 22d" is written. The date of this roll was July 2, 1778, and it was signed by R. Putnam, Colonel, and "Jonaª Warren Commifsioner" receipted for one hundred and nine men. Archives, Vol. 41, p. 30.
These were the "Men Raifed in the County of Suffolk to Compleat the fifteen Battalions of Continental Troops Directed to be Raif'd in the State of Mafsachufetts Bay" according to Archives, Vol. 40, pp. 131, 152 and 211, but as Capt. Aaron Smith was never an officer in the Continental Army it is probable that the privates were in the militia, and not Continentals. On October 19, 1779, the town voted £40 each to Lieut. Silas Alden and Lieut. William Fuller
Gray
Nathaniel Ayers I8 5 "
Daniel White (Wight) 22 5 " 6 " " (Negro) Black Black
Longley Bartlett
479
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
"for their Hiering an Officer to Go to ye North River Eight Months in the year 1778".
SERVICE AT CASTLE ISLAND 1779
The following named men did duty at Castle Island under Maj .- Gen. Hancock, in Capt. Nathaniel Belcher's Company of Suffolk militia, serving from August 27 to December I, 1779, and having claims for fifteen miles' travel: - Samuel Coller, Elisha Fuller, John Bird, Edward Buckminister, Lemuel Smith, William Gay, Solomon Colburn, Jonathan Day, David Fuller, Daniel Knolton and Samuel Gay. Ar- chives, Vol. 25, pp. 19 and 21.
VOTES OF THE TOWN AND ORDERS OF THE SELECTMEN IN 1778 AND 1779 RELATIVE TO THE WAR
On February 6 and 9, 1778, the selectmen drew orders in favor of two hundred and nine persons "for Money Paid, and Services Done in the present war". Some claims were as small as eight shillings, and the largest were those of Thomas Fisher and Joseph Ware, £16, 13s., 4d. each. Jonathan Deming, whose name is not found in the muster- rolls, was allowed £3, 3s., 4d., as he had "Done a turn". In 1778 the town was called upon for thirteen men "to Rein- force the army with Genel Wafhington and at Hudfons River", and on March 9 Colonel McIntosh, Amos Fuller, Capt. William Smith, Lieut. William Fuller and Lieut. Josiah Upham were chosen to see what the town "Shall allow to a man that Shall be Drafted or Goes Vollentery in to the Pub- lick Service of the war". This Committee reported on June 10, but on May 28 the further consideration of the allow- ance to the "Years Men" had been referred to it, or to a new committee. At the latter meeting the town appropriated £150 to pay for a gift of clothing to be sent to the Conti- nental soldiers. At the meeting on May 6, when the new committee was elected, which consisted of Colonel MeIntosh, Capt. Aaron Smith, Capt. Eleazer Kingsbery, Serg. Jonathan
0 OS = as al a, ed ler
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480
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
Gay and Aaron Smith, Jr., the members were directed to hire men "Difcrecinary, and at the beft Method they can", and the town treasurer was authorized to borrow the neces- sary money.
On March 9, 1779, the town, after much discussion, ac- cepted the report of the committee "Relative to thofe men that went to ye Northard" with Capt. Aaron Smith, also those that "went in the Private Expedition to Providence in the year 1777", or "to Gard the Britifh Prifoners at Cambridge" in November, 1777, or "to Gard the Stores" six months in 1777, or "to Gard near Bofton" (or hired men "in their Room") in 1777 and 1778, or "to Gard at Dor- chefter hill", and near Boston in 1778.
There were eleven men who guarded prisoners at Cam- bridge in November, 1777: - Joseph Bullard, Abner Hall, Moses Huntting, Amos Huntting, Nathaniel Bullard, William Graves, Robert Fuller, Jr., Uriah Coller, Uriah Coller, Jr., Jeremiah Eaton, Jr., and Enoch Wilson, and £117 were distributed "to thofe men and their Succefsors in Said Guard"; most of them received £13. Ebenezer Wilkinson, Archibald Smith and William Eaton were fined.
Nehemiah Mills and Jonas Mills were paid £6 each for guarding stores for six months, and there were seven men who were entitled to £9 each for guard duty near Boston in 1777 and 1778: - Joseph Hawes, Enoch Fisk, Enoch John- son, Joshua Brown, Samuel Coller, Nathaniel Fisher and Samuel Pain. There were eight who were paid £II each: - William Leverett, Theodore Broad, Abner Hall, Lemuel Eaton, Elisha Fuller, Uriah Coller, Samuel Coller and Enoch Wilson. The claims against the town in 1778 amounted to "£2292: 4: 8: 0," and there was due the town "£832: 9: 4: 2." The town considered the matter of "Several Fines that was paid to Cap: Robert Smith which Appears that the Town has had no Benefit of them". There may have been another side to the controversy as to these fines, for Captain Smith had had the confidence of the community for many years.
48I
THE HISTORY OF NEEDHAM
Of those who received £2, Ios. each from the town for "Garding on the Islands Near Bofton 1778" were Joseph Kingsbery, Moses Daggett, Aaron Smith, Jr., Michael Bright and Isaac Shepard.
Eight men received from the town a total of £go (from £7, 10s. to £15) for guarding prisoners at Cambridge, prob- ably "Burgoyne Prisoners", which duty they undertook to perform for three months. The men were: - Stephen Huntting, Thomas Descomb, Moses Fisk, Jacob Heming- way, Joseph Drury, Michael Harris, Asa Gay and Samuel Coller.
Capt. Robert Smith, Jonathan Smith, Jr., Jonathan Kingsbery, Jr., Joseph Mudge, Jr., Seth Broad, Jonathan Bacon, Samuel Ward, Samuel Eaton, Enoch Wilson, Gideon McIntosh and Samuel Fuller were paid sums amounting to £44 for guard duty at Dorchester Hill and in Boston in 1778.
On March 19, 1779, the town accepted the report of the committee as to the men who went "to Gard on the Island in the Year 1778 with Allowance for Isaac Shepards man the time he was there longer; in proportion to the Sum that was allowed to them", "also as to those that went to Rox- bury laft march", or "to Gard ye Prifoners at Cambridge in April and may laft three months", or "to Nantafkett Island Near Bofton", 1776, or "to Providence in Auguft for Six months", 1778, or "to Gard ye Stores in July laft for 15 Days", or "to Rhode Island in Auguft Laft or hired Men in their Room for Six weeks; To be made up Twenty Shillings a Day with their wagers"; or "to Bofton in September 1778 or hired men in their Room for three months".
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