History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 12

Author: Ellis, Leonard Bolles
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Mason
Number of Pages: 1170

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Along the lower streets and wharves moved the troops, continuing their work of destruction-warehouses, shops, and stores were soon en- veloped in the flames. On the whole river front the fire fiend held high carnival, embracing everything that had made the people prosperous.

The property destroyed, as reported by the enemy, was as follows : Eight sail of large vessels from 200 to 300 tons, most of them prizes ; six armed vessels, carrying from ten to sixteen guns; a number of sloops and schooners of inferior size, amounting in all to seventy, be- sides whaleboats and others. Among the prizes were three taken by Count D'Estaing's fleet. Twenty-six storehouses at Bedford, several at McPherson's wharf, Craw's Mills and Fairhaven were destroyed. These were filled with quantities of rum, sugar, molasses, coffee, to-

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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

bacco, cotton, tea, medicines, gunpowder, sail-cloth, cordage, etc. Two ropewalks were also burned.1

The brig No Duty on Tea, enveloped in flames, floated from Mc- Pherson's wharf and grounded on Marsh island. Other vessels drifted on the islands and shores as far down as Fort Phoenix. For many years after, navigation on the river was obstructed by sunken craft. Charles Eldredge relates that within his memory wrecks were to be seen near Crow island, on the shore where now is Rodman's wharf, and east of Rotch's wharf was a sunken vessel that proved a serious obsta- cle to navigation until it was finally removed by the United States gov- ernment about fifty years ago.

A little before 9 o'clock, or after some of the vessels which had been set on fire on the Bedford side had drifted down towards the fort, the detachment which landed on the east side advanced upon the fort from the eastward. Two guns were fired at the fleet, and after spiking the guns the garrison retreated to the north, leaving their colors flying. The British, supposing the fort to be still garrisoned, opened fire upon it with their artillery, but soon ceased as the fire was not returned. The garrison were at this time ranged along a low wall a short distance to the north of the fort, waiting to discover the exact position of the enemy in order to make their retreat successfully. They were soon discovered by the British, who opened fire upon them and wounded a man by the name of Robert Crossman A ball passed through one wrist and across the other. A hasty retreat was then commenced, and the enemy, not knowing the exact position and strength of the Americans, did not make a vigorous pursuit. The whole garrison, with the excep- tion of the wounded man and two others, John Skiff and his father, who were taken prisoners, succeeded in making their escape to the woods at some little distance north of Fairhaven, where they lay concealed through the night and until the British had passed them from the Head- of-the River. Before the fort was evacuated a train of powder was placed from the magazine to the platform. The British upon entering, after destroying the ramrods, sponges, etc., applied a slow match to the

1 From the records of the Forty-sixth, or South Devonshire Regiment of Foot, is made the fol- lowing extract : "On the evening of the 5th of September the troops landed, overcame all opposi- tion, destroyed seventy privateers and other vessels, demolished the fort and artillery, blew up the magazine, destroying immense quantities of naval stores. etc., and returned on board the trans- ports at noon the following day."

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THE FIRST BLOOD SHED.

magazine, which, communicating with the train left by the garrison, was blown up sooner than was expected. One man at least was killed, for the fragments of his gun, cap, and accoutrements were afterwards discovered near by. After burning the barracks and guard-house the detachment moved north, destroying vessels and stores, and formed a junction with the detachment from the west side somewhere near the head of the Acushnet, after which they marched down toward the fort.

John Gilbert who was in the employ of Joseph Russell, and who had been engaged during the day in removing the household goods, was sent back with a horse to convey Mrs. Russell to a place of safety. She had gone, leaving orders that he should take Miss Peace Akins, a relative of the family, and the only person remaining in the house. Gilbert was at the horse-block, ready to perform his gallant duty, when the advance soldiers came in sight down County street. He urged her to hurry; but she had forgotten something (how like a woman !) and must return to the house. Before she came back the troops were pass- ing, and while Miss Akins was in the act of getting on the horse, a sol- dier came up, seized the bridle, and ordered Gilbert to get off. Gilbert made no reply, but pulling the reins suddenly, the horse knocked the soldier down, and Gilbert made his escape, leaving Miss Akins on the horse-block. She was evidently in a favorable position to see the mil- itary procession ! Several British officers rode up and assured her that if she would remain quiet she would not be harmed, and so she re- mained, a calm spectator of the passing pageant. The officers were courteous enough to stay with her until the review closed. Gilbert re- ceived no injury and made his escape up the Smith Mills road.

Though in haste, he found time to answer the inquiries of William Hayden and Oliver Potter, whom he met, regarding the whereabouts of the British troops, and informed them that they were passing abreast of them. These citizens, who were armed with muskets, cut across the fields, secreted themselves under cover of the dense woods bordering what is now County street, near the head of North street. They chose their opportunity and fired into the troops, killing two of the soldiers.

This was the first blood shed. It was quickly followed by what was the most tragic occurrence of the invasion, and which took place but a few moments after the killing of the soldiers. Three citizens, Abram

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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

Russell, Thomas Cook, and Diah Trafford, were coming up the road we now call North street, on their way to the woods beyond. They were fired upon by the British soldiers and advanced upon with the bayonet. Russell was killed immediately, his head, as one account gives it, "being entirely cut to pieces." Cook died early in the morning, his bowels being ripped open with a bayonet. Trafford was wounded in the leg and died the next day. The three men lay in the road all night, but were carried into Joseph Russell's barn in the morning. Trafford was a young man, twenty-one years of age, and in the employ of Jo- seph Russell. Cook was occasionally employed by him. Russell was forty years of age. He and Cook were buried in Dartmouth. Traf- ford's body found a resting-place in the burial- ground on the shore where the sailors that were killed in the Paul Jones privateer fight were buried.

Many of our elderly citizens remember the old house that stood near the corner of County and North streets. It was standing in the days of the Revolution ; and it was in this vicinity that the tragedies above spoken of occurred. The inmates of this house had an experience that must be given at this point. The facts are given the writer by Mr. David B. Kempton. His grandmother died in 1848, at the age of ninety- seven, and it was one of the rare pleasures of his childhood to hear her tell the wonderful tales of the Revolution, and above all the story of the invasion. She said that when the soldiers were approach- ing her home she took her children and fled to the woods at the west. They had to get over the bars of a fence, and in this act they were dis- covered by the soldiers, who fired upon them without effect. The fugitives lay flat on the ground for some time, and then ran through the woods to Smith Mills, passing through the small-pox hospital grounds, a piece of cleared land formerly a wheat field, and now covered by the southerly portion of Oak Grove cemetery. When the burial-ground was graded the cellar of the hospital was to be seen. On, over these grounds, sped the refugees, hiding themselves as much as possible under the thick foliage, to Haskin's Corner, now the termination of Rock- dale avenue on the Hathaway road ; thence they wandered to Smith Mills. They arrived at the house of a friend, Mrs. Mott, at midnight, and caused great alarm when they clamored for shelter, the people sup-

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AN INDIAN PUDDING CATASTROPHE.

posing they were enemies. "The Regulars are here! The Regulars are here !" was the cry raised by Mrs. Mott to her daughter, who was in a distant part of the house. With a grim satisfaction the heroic grandmother shouted in tones that were clearly heard by the inmates, " We are regular enough after this journey through the woods, and the distance we have travelled makes us perfectly harmless." Then it was that they were recognized and received with great joy.

The soldiers took possession of the house from which the brave mother had fled, destroyedthe furniture, beds and bedding, threw the crockery, glassware and light articles into the well, which was then lo- cated on the west side of County street.

Mr. Kempton's grandmother related an incident which confirms the account of the action of Hayden and Potter alluded to above. She said that two or three men went into the woods north of the old house and fired into the soldiers as they passed, killing two and wounding others. These men heard the shout, " Run, soldiers, run, the woods are full of men ! " and they made double-quick time toward the Head- of- the- River. The family in a day or two returned to the house.

It has already been said that a company of artillery had been sta- tioned here for general defence. It consisted of eighty men under the charge of Capt. James Cushing and Lieuts. Joseph Bell, William Gor- don, and James Metcalf. Several days before the invasion they had been called to Howland's Ferry, to take part in what is known as the battle of Rhode Island. It happened that on the very day when the British made their landing at Clark's Cove, a part of this company, with one gun, under charge of Lieuts. Gordon and Metcalf, had returned to the town and were in charge when the alarm was given. There is a well established tradition that Lieut. Gordon, while on the watch for the enemy, was attracted into the house of Caleb Russell, below which he had been reconnoitering. The attraction was a strong one to a hun- gry soldier ; for it was nothing less than a luscious repast of hot Indian pudding, served in a capacious pewter platter. Now, either he had come too late or the enemy had appeared too early, for the lieutenant had no more than made himself comfortable and was in the act of taking a liberal slice from the platter, when the alarm was sounded. The gal- lant lieutenant forgot his empty stomach and the delicious feast before

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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

him, and quickly took his departure. But misfortunes never come sin- gly. Gordon found himself a prisoner, the first captured by the British army. What a thrill of satisfaction must have been felt by the conquer- ing foe, and what pride must have swelled the breast of General Grey, to know that his soldiers had at the very outset captured one- half of the officers of the defensive force ! If such satisfaction was felt by the in- vaders, it was of short duration, for soon after his capture the brave lieutenant, accepting his chance and seizing a cape from one of the guards, leaped a wall, fled to the woods, and soon joined his com- mand.

As the enemy advanced, this detachment of Yankee soldiers with their one piece of artillery pluckily did their best as they steadily re- treated. At the Head- of-the-River Lieutenant Metcalf was mortally wounded. The artillery officers were quartered with Mrs. Deborah Doubleday, who kept a hotel in the building now occupied by law offices, No. 30 North Water street. It was then owned by Seth Russell. John Gilbert in his account says that after Metcalf was wounded he was brought to this house, where he saw him the next day. Metcalf died in three days, and was buried with military honors in the old cemetery at Acushnet.

Lieutenant Gordon held several commissions in military life, and was appointed by John Hancock as commander of a company of maltrosses (artillery) that was at other times commanded by Capt. Amos Lincoln, and by that famous mechanic, Paul Revere. Gordon was a highly re- spected citizen and lived to an advanced age.

The road to the Head-of-the-River, known to the present generation as Acushnet avenue, was the way of escape for many of the fleeing in- habitants, and the thickets by the wayside were utilized for secreting many of their worldly goods. On the east side of this road is the cottage with its numerous additions, owned by Mr. Willard Nye, jr.'

I Mr. Nye has in his possession probably the most valuable memento of the invasion. It has been in the Tallman family for several generations, and was given to him by Mrs. Betsey M. Nye, a relative. It is a belt ornament that undoubtedly belonged to John Dodge, whose name was en- graved upon it, and who was one of the soldiers who no doubt visited the place on that memorable Saturday night. It is about eight inches long and consists of a metal circle six inches in diameter, with a half globe in the center. Linked to the surrounding circle on the surface of the ball, in hold outline, is the figure 17. Attached to the outer circle is the British crown. This ornament was found in the peach orchard. Mr. Nye, appreciating its possible historic value, sent a photograph of it to Washington, and the following reply to his communication will explain itself :

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A TORY'S FAMILY.

In the days of the Revolution it was the property of Timothy Tallman, who lived here with his three brothers, Seth, William and Elkanah. When the invasion took place these grounds were used by their friends as a place of deposit for their household treasures ; and so it happened that the peach orchard then growing at the south of the house, and be- tween that and the running brook, was covered with a promiscuous variety of furniture, beds and bedding.

Among the citizens of Bedford who did not sympathize with the American cause was David Hathaway. Early in the war he espoused the Tory cause, and in January, 1777, left the States and took up his resi- dence in Nova Scotia, where he staid six years. Before leaving this vicinity he placed his family in his country residence, the homestead just north of Riverview Park, near where is now located the house of Thomas Nash. This gentleman says that the homestead was purchased of Thomas Hathaway by his grandfather, Simeon Nash, and stood upon the spot perhaps a few feet to the east of his present dwelling. The old well is still in exist- ence, under his porch, and fur- nishes a never-failing supply of excellent water. Here Mrs. Hathaway lived and devoted herself to the instruction of her children. Thomas, the oldest

United States National Museum, under the Direction of the

Smithsonian Institution, Washington,) April 23d, 1887. Mr. Willard Nye, New Bedford, Mass.

Dear Sir - Prof. Baird has handed me your letter of April 10, with photograph, and asked me to give you the information you desire. I have had the photograph examined, and it proves to be that of a plate for belts (and also on cartridge boxes) worn by the British infantry about 1776, and was generally silver plated. Should you desire any further informa- tion, I would refer you to Raike's History of Honorable Artillery Company of Lon- don.

Yonrs Respectfully, G. BROWN GOODE,

Assistant Secretary Smithsonian In- stitution, in charge of the United States National Museum.

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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

child, was fourteen years of age when the invasion took place. On that eventful evening Mrs. Hathaway, with her children, was standing in the doorway of her house watching the flames that rose from the burn- ing town. Along the road people were passing to and fro, many of them with their goods. They cheered her with promises of assistance. About 8 o'clock three horsemen rode furiously by, warning the dwellers of the near approach of the enemy. When they appeared, Mrs. Hath- away sent her boy Thomas, with two other boys, into the woods for safety. There he climbed a tree and watched the depredations of the British along the road as they passed. The record says that a British officer entered the house of Mrs. Hathaway and demanded to know the whereabouts of her husband. He would not believe her statement of his being in Nova Scotia, and, taking her by the shoulders, shook her, giving her a fright from which she never recovered. From that time her health failed, and she died in 1783, soon after the return of her husband to his family.

It is not probable that the terror-stricken people were able to save all their property from destruction. Many were obliged to carry their goods themselves, while their more fortunate neighbors who owned horses utilized them in conveying their treasures to the woods. Some of these, cven, failed in getting free from the clutches of the enemy. History records the fact that William Tobey, afterward postmaster of the town, was the happy possessor of a yoke of oxen, and was on his way to the woods when the advancing soldiery came uncomfortably near-so near as to threaten his capture. Mr. Tobey finally abandoned his loaded wagon and with his oxen gained the woods, leaving his worldly possessions an easy prey to the British.

Mrs. Susan Brightman, whose husband was at sea, was compelled to flee with her family of four children up the country road, and beyond the village at the Head-of-the-River. She turned into a pasture and found shelter in a shed used for herding sheep. There she waited with fear and trembling while the troops passed by on the main road, near enough for the refugees to hear the strains of music from the regimental bands. On her way back to her house, located on the west side of Water street, between Elm and Middle, she met a citizen who wasdeemed

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THE MOVEMENT UPON FAIRHAVEN.

rich, who said to her, " Mrs. Brightman, my property is all destroyed, and I am now as poor as you are." 1

About an eighth of a mile above the Acushnet bridge, and close to the river, stands to-day a gambrel-roofed house, in fair preservation, that was the home of one of the chief men of the village in Rev- olutionary times. Mention has previously been made of the eminent pastor of Acushnet Church, Dr. Samuel West, and of his distinguished services to the country. It is a fair presumption that Dr. Tobey, who lived in the house spoken of, was alike useful in his profession. A tra- dition is given by G. H. Taber, that a company of British soldiers, on their way around the river, made a social call at Dr. Tobey's residence. Not finding the family at home they proceeded to make themselves comfortable. It happened that the oven in the cellar was piping hot and doing good service in cooking the bread, and that most famous of all New England dishes, pork and beans. The soldiers invited themselves to the banquet in the absence of the host, and " licked the platter clean." Though the doctor lost his Sunday morning breakfast, he had the good luck to save many of his valuables and clothing, for they happened to be in a room at the head of the cellar stairs, and when his uninvited guests opened the door to go down to the feast the entrance to this room, where the family treasures were, was completely hidden and the soldiers departed none the wiser.

It is said that there gathered on Tarkiln hill a large throng of people who had fled from their homes. When the British troops turned east- · ward at Lund's corner they descried them in the moonlight, and sup- posing them to be a body of minute men, did not deem it prudent to send a detachment to attack them.

Having accomplished their dire revenge upon the helpless people of Acushnet the British proceeded down the road to Fairhaven. The first house destroyed was that belonging to Col. Edward Pope on the west side of the road, on the exact spot now occupied by the dwelling once

1 One of the Brightman children, Phebe, was twelve years old at the time of the invasion. She afterwards married Capt. William Meader, jr., who was one of the original members of the Star in the East Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. They lived in the house on Acushnet avenue, south of Spring street, now occupied by Dr. Flagg It was here that Mrs. Telson B. Denham heard Mrs. Meader relate the above story. One of her grandmothers, Charity Slocum, was a prominent worker in the relief society that did so much noble service for the boys in blue during the Civil war.

I26

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

owned by David Russell, and now the property of Thomas H. Knowles, of this city. Colonel and Judge Pope was a prominent citizen, and it is a fair inference to suppose that it was because of his loyalty to the cause that his property was destroyed. The enemy were well posted as to who were fit subjects for their wrath, for they had for guide that distinguished Quaker Tory and traitor, Eldad Tupper. The next house that received the attention of the enemy was one on the east side of the road, the home of Stephen Hathaway. The host and hostess, both members of the Society of Friends, aware of the approach of the en- emy, had sent their children into the woods and had deposited their silver spoons and valuables in the well, which is still in use. The en- emy must have been informed that Mr. Hathaway was in good circum- stances, for the advance soldiery made a vigorous demand for money. Their request not being granted they proceeded without formality to search the house. Here was an opportunity to carry out again the spirit of General Grey's orders, and the bayonet came into use. It is not known whether they obtained the desired treasure, but the old family desk, now in the possession of Humphrey N. Swift, bears the marks of the bayonet made when the noble sons of Briton tried to pry it open. The soldiers carried off a number of things belonging to Mrs. Hatha- way. While they were engaged in their operations the commander-in- chief rode into the yard. Mrs. Hathaway complained to the general that the soldiers were troublesome. He replied that it was not his in- tention to have any of the Society of Friends disturbed, and at once ordered a guard for their protection. For this gracious favor she treated the officers to a liberal lunch of milk, bread, and cheese.

Notwithstanding the assertion made by General Grey that the Friends were to be free from annoyance, the truth remains that many of them did receive personal abuse. Among them was Jethro, the father of Stephen Hathaway. The soldiers removed his broad-brimmed hat and amused themselves by tossing it in the air. When they had exhausted this highly dignified sport, they returned it to the old gentleman, probably in a battered condition.

Moving southward, the troops called at the house of Thomas Hath- away, now known as the Laura Keen farm, on the west side of the road. Jonathan Kempton, a nephew and ward, happened to be on Sconticut

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DOINGS OF THE INVADERS.

Neck when the troops were coming through Acushnet village. He re- turned in great haste, and had only time to pack the silver plate and other articles in a small trunk, when he entered into an interesting con- versation with the advance guard, who met him as he was passing out of the front door. They kindly relieved him of further care of the trunk, and invited him to accompany them on board the fleet. Af- ter setting fire to some bedding in an upper story, and closing the doors, they departed from the house. Mr. Kempton must have been a shrewd young man and of an original turn of mind, for among his ex- pedients to save his clothing he had put on two pairs of trousers. This proved to be a most fortunate circumstance, for while walking with his guard down the lane leading to the main road, he made use of his op- portunity and bribed him to let him go, offering as a reward the extra pair of trousers. The guard was aware of his having them, for the fact was revealed when, becoming curious as to the time of night, he had forcibly relieved Kempton of his watch. The traitor guard consented to the proposition, took the trousers, and Kempton took to his heels. It is said that the soldier, in order to deceive his commanding officer, fired a shot at the retreating prisoner. It failed to hit him and lodged in a cherry tree. Mr. Kempton reached the house in time to extin- guish the fire and thus saved the homestead.

Richard Delano, who lived a short distance east of the village, re- moved some of his household effects, at the approach of the enemy. His loaded wagon, in charge of a lad named Look, was met on the road to the woods by a British soldier, who, saluting the boy with a blow mounted the wagon and ordered the lad to drive on. When they reached the house of Mr. Alden they found it in possession of the en- emy, and the soldier entered. The lad quickly made his escape, and re- turning home, told his adventure to Mr. Delano. The family fled, and on their return, found that their home had been invaded by the enemy, and their furniture destroyed. The house, built by Mr. Delano in 1773, is still standing ; and over a closet door in the front entry may be seen the marks made with a bayonet in opening it,-another evi- dence that General Grey's orders to use the bayonet were well ob- served.

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History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 12

Author: Ellis, Leonard Bolles Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Mason Number of Pages: 1170

Author: Ellis, Leonard Bolles
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Mason
Number of Pages: 1170