USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > History of Newburyport, Mass., 1764-1905, Volume I > Part 42
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As she was a Woman & appeared of Some Fashion, we did not think it expedient to put her under close Confinement neither did we suppose by the Order it was intended. She left here two Trunks supposed to contain valuable apparrell which might prevent in Mr. Greenleaf the ap- prehention of her intending to go off. We judged it proper to give you this information & as she wrote for her Trunks to be sent to Boston we beg your Order about the delivery of 'em. Upon this occasion give us leave to remark what we hinted formerly to the Committee of War at Cambridge, the ease with which an escape may at any time be made to . the stationed ship at Portsmh as things are now ordered.
We are respectfully Your obedt servnts JONA. TITCOMB.
p. order of the Committee.
To the Honb James Warren, Esq., speaker of the House of Represen- tatives, to be communicated.I
When this letter was read to the members of the General Court assembled at Watertown, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted :-
In the House of Representatives, August 8, 1775.
Whereas one Bridget Phillips who said she was a wife to one of the officers in Gen1 Gages Army was by the late Congress of this Colony put under the care of the committee of safety of Newburyport, has since made her escape from them (as by a letter from said committee may ap- pear and has left some effects behind).
Therefore, Resolved, that the committee of safety of Newburyport take into their custody the trunks and other effects which belonged to the said Bridget Phillips and them safe keep and detain untill the further order of this Court. Also further Resolved that the committees of safety or cor- respondence of any of the Towns in this Colony are hereby directed to take into Custody one John Blake (formerly of Boston) with whom the said Bridget Phillips made her Escape from Newburyport, and one Ben- jamin Jenks (said to belong to Casco Bay) in whose Company the said Bridget went to Portsmouth and by his assistance was secured on board the ship Scarborough then in that Harbour, and the said Committee of any town where the said Blake or Jenks may be taken or found are direct- ed to Hear & examine the above charge against the said Blake and Jenks or either of them according to the evidence which they may have of either of them or of their crimes & if it shall be made to appear to the
1 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CXCIV., pp. 109-IIO.
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HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
Committee, on said tryal, that the said Blake & Jenks, or either of them, are guilty of the charge alleged against him or them that then they cause him or them to be kept in safe custody untill the further order of this court, and its Recommended to the several committees in seaport towns to take such measures as shall appear most effectual to warrant any other person who may be Inimical to their Country making their Escape, in such manner, for the future.I
The subsequent history of Bridget Phillips is unknown. What became of her trunks and other effects is uncertain, and whether John Blake and Benjamin Jenks were arrested and punished for assisting her to escape is extremely doubtful.
The Great and General Court met July 19, 1775, in the meeting house at Watertown. Capt. Jonathan Greenleaf and Mr. Stephen Cross represented the inhabitants of Newbury- port and introduced the following resolutions which were adopted :-
[In the House of Representatives, August 1, 1775] Resolved that the Town of Newburyport having been at a great expense to procure Pow- der & Cannon for their Defence that Orders be given to the Committee of Supplies to furnish them with the following articles on account of this Colony, viz :
60 Rounds 2 Inch Shott 60 do 2 I-2 do 60 do 3 do 30 do for one 32 Rounds
30 do for one 24 do 40 Cannisters grape shott 2
[In the House of Representatives August 18, 1775] Resolved That Capt Jonathan Greenleaf be paid out of the Public Treasury of this Colony the sum of Fifty Two Pounds, Thirteen Shills & 4 pence in full for six half Barrels of Powder lent the Colony and for carting the same to Head Quarters, and also that the Town of Newbury Port be not pre- cluded from Calling upon the Colony for Four other Half Barrels above mentioned if the necessity of their case may require it, they paying the Colony the money already received therefor.3
1 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CXXXVIII., p. 217.
2 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CCVI., p. 95; Massachusetts Archives (Court Records), vol. XXXIII., p. 30; and American Archives, fourth series, vol. III., p. 297.
3 Massachusetts Archives (Court Records), vol. XXXIII., p. 133. The sum named in the above resolve was paid by the treasurer of the colony in settlement of the following bill :-
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
The committee of safety, correspondence and inspection, ap- pointed in September, 1774, having served for one year, a new committee, consisting of the following-named persons, was chosen September 13, 1775 :-
Capt. Jonathan Titcomb 1 John Lowell, Esq. -
Mr. Stephen Cross
Selectmen
Mr. Richard Smith
Mr. Abel Greenleaf
Benjamin Greenleaf, Esq. Capt. Jacob Boardman
Tristram Dalton, Esq.
Capt. Moses Nowell
William Atkins, Esq.
Capt. David Coates
Capt. Jonathan Greenleaf
Capt. Henry Titcomb
Mr. Jonathan Jackson
Capt. Thomas Thomas
Mr. Edward Harris
Moses Little, Esq.
Capt. Ralph Cross
Capt. Michael Hodge
Mr. Samuel Tufts
Mr. Daniel Moody
Mr. Jonathan Marsh
Capt. William Wyer
Mr. John Bromfield
Capt. Joseph Huse
Capt. William Coombs
Mr. Edmund Bartlett
Mr. Enoch Titcomb, Jr.
Mr. Moses Bradstreet
Capt. James Hudson.I
" The Colony of Massachusetts Bay, To the Town of Newbury Port,
I775. To 6 half Barrells of Powder at £16. 13.4 £50. 0.0 To 4 ditto supd the Town of York by order from the Committee of supplies 33. 6.8
To John Little for cartg the above Powder lent the Colony & going to other Towns for dely 2.13.4
By cash recd of Town of York
17.12.0
JONA TITCOMB } Selectmen ABIEL GREENLEAF of
£68 .8.0
RICHD SMITH Newbury Port.
Newbury Port 4th of August, 1775
(Massachusetts Archives, vol. CCVI., p. 274.)
August 22, 1775, the following bill was approved by the General Court and ordered to be paid :-
" Colony of the Massachusetts Bay To Stephen Cross, Dr.
1775.
August 3. To 40 French arms purchased of Capt. Wm Coombs per order of the Honle House of Representatives at 42/. 84.0.0
Errors Excepted. Stephen Cross."
(Massachusetts Archives, vol. CCVI., p. 300.)
On the ninth day of October, Mr. Cross was allowed one pound and sixteen shillings for transporting forty fire arms from Newburyport to Watertown. (Mas- sachusetts Archives, vol. CCVI. p. 425.)
1 Newburyport Town Records, vol. I., p. 240.
£86.0.0
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HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
Two or three days later a detachment, consisting of ten companies of musket-men, from New England, and three com- panies of rifle-men, from Virginia and Pennsylvania, under the command of Col. Benedict Arnold, arrived in Newburyport, and embarked for the mouth of the Kennebec river, on their way to Quebec. Three companies encamped on the high- land at the corner of Rolfe's lane, now Ocean avenue, and High street, in Newbury, and the rest of the troops were lodged in the town house and in two unoccupied rope-walks in Newburyport.
Col. Christopher Green, Col. Roger Enos, Major Return J. Meigs and Major Timothy Bigelow were officers in the ex- pedition under Col. Benedict Arnold and Rev. Samuel Spring was chaplain. Aaron Burr, afterwards aid-de-camp to Gen. Richard Montgomery, and John Joseph Henry, afterwards judge of the second judicial district in Pennsylvania, served in the ranks as privates.
Paul Lunt, a lieutenant in Capt. Ezra Lunt's company, sta- tioned at Prospect hill near Boston, wrote in his diary under date of Wednesday, September 13, 1775, as follows :-
In the afternoon the regiment marched from Cambridge to Newbury- port, there to embark for Canada under the command of Colonel Arnold, Lieutenant-Colonel Greene and ' Major Bigelow. Captain Ward com- manded the company that the Newbury men enlisted in.
Twenty men who had served in Captain Lunt's company from May to September enlisted in the expedition to Quebec. Caleb Haskell, whose name appears in the pay roll printed on page 547, wrote in his diary as follows :---
September Ioth, Sunday. This morning I went on fatigue. In the af- ternoon I enlisted under the command of Capt. Ward for the' expedition to Quebec.
September IIth, Monday. This morning marched to Cambridge, joined Capt. Ward's company. Drew our clothing and got ready to march. Five prisoners were brought to Cambridge taken at Dorchester. In the evening I set out with a guard with provision ; went as far as Lynn and put up at Newell's to wait there till the detachment came up.
September 14th Thursday. This morning the detachment came up. We set out with them for Newburyport ; marched as far as Beverly and
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR
put up. I got liberty to go on to Newbury ; set out, arrived there I o'clock at night.
September 15th Friday. This afternoon the party arrived at N. Our company quartered in the Town House.
September 16th Saturday. At Newburyport getting in readiness to embark for Kennebeck river.
September 17th Sunday. Attended public worship; heard the Rev. Mr. Spring our chaplain.
September 18th Monday. This afternoon we embarked on board the transports. We had 1100 men, commanded by Col. Arnold and Lieut .- Cols. Green and Enos. Eleven transports.
September 19th Tuesday. This day about 9 o'clock weighed our anchors and came to sail with a southwardly wind.1 After we got over the bar we lay to, waiting for orders from the commodore. At ten o'clock received orders and made sail with fine breeze.
Joseph Ware of Needham, Mass., who accompanied the ex- pedition, gives substantially the same account of the arrival and departure of the troops in his diary published in 1852.
[September 15, 1775] This morning marched briskly along and got into Newburyport at 8 o'clock at night where we were to make a stay for some days.
16th In Newburyport, waiting for the vessels, getting ready to carry us to Kennebec.
17th This day had a general review and our men appeared well, and in good spirits, and made a grand appearance and we had the praise of hundreds of spectators, who were sorry to see so many brave fellows going to be sacrificed for their country.
1 8th Had orders to embark in the evening; our fleet consisted of eleven sail of vessels,-Sloops and schooners : our number of troops consisted of 1300 and II companies of musket men and three of rifle men. We all embarked this evening and lay in the river all night.
19th Early this morning weighed anchor with a pleasant gale, our colors flying, drums and fifes a playing, and the hills all around covered with pretty girls weeping for their departed swains.2
The diary of Major Return J. Meigs gives the details of the march from Cambridge with a few additional facts as follows :-
1 " Last Tuesday morning [September 19] the Troops destined for Canada under command of Col. Arnold sailed from this Town." Essex Journal and New Hampshire Packet, September 22, 1775.
2 New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. VI., p. 129.
558
HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
[September 16, 1775] In the morning continued our march and at 10 o'clock A. M. arrived at Newburyport and encamped.
1 7th Sunday attended divine service at the Rev. Mr. Parsons' meeting at Newburyport. Dined at Mr. Nathaniel Tracy's. Weather fine.
1 8th Preparing to embark. Dined at Mr. Dalton's. Weather fine. 19th Embarked our whole detachment, consisting of Io companies of musketmen and three companies of riflemen, amounting to 1.100 men on board Io transports. I embarked myself on board the sloop Britannia. The fleet came to sail at 10 o'clock A. M. and sailed out of the harbour and lay to till one o'clock P. M. when we received orders to sail for the river Kennebec, fifty leagues from Newburyport.'
The transports arrived at the mouth of the Kennebec river on the twentieth of September, and sailed up the river the next day to Fort Western, nearly opposite a small settlement now known as the city of Augusta, Maine, where the troops were landed and Col. Benedict Arnold wrote the following letter :-
FORT WESTERN, 28th Sept. 1775. MR. NATHANIEL TRACY,
DEAR SIR: This will be handed you by Capt. Clarkson who will acquaint you with the particulars of our voyage, which has been very troublesome indeed. To Capt. Clarkson I am under many obligations for his activity, vigilance and care of the whole fleet both on our passage and since our arrival here ; for which he may very possibly be blamed by some of the other captains : but he has really merited much, and it will always give me a sensible pleasure to hear of his welfare and suc- cess as I think him very deserving.
I must embrace this opportunity to acknowledge the many favours re- ceived from you at Newbury-and am with my best respects to Mrs. Tracy, your brother and Mr. Jackson &c
Dear Sir yours &c B. ARNOLD.2.
While these events were transpiring the citizens of New- buryport, anxious to prevent the destruction of American com- merce, proposed to fit out a vessel with men, guns and
1 Massachusetts Historical Society Collections, second series, vol. II., p. 227. In the account of "Arnold's Campaign against Quebec and of the Hardships and sufferings of that Band of Heroes who traversed the wilderness of Maine from Cambridge to the St. Lawrence in the autumn of 1775," by John Joseph Henry, published in 1812 and republished in 1877, the dates of the arrival and departure of the troops from Newburyport vary slightly from those given above. 2 Maine Historical Society Collections, vol. I., p. 358. For further details relating to this expedition see Arnold's March from Cambridge to Quebec, by Justin H. Smith, published in 1903.
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR
ammunition to cruise along the coast, and the committee of safety prepared and presented the following statement of facts to the General Court :-
Colony of Massachusetts Bay
To the Hon. The Council & the Hon. House of Representatives of the Colony aforesd.
The Committee of Safety for the Town of Newbury Port, beg Leave to represent, that the Harbour of this Town is so obstructed by Nature & so blocked up by certain Piers, which have been sunk at the Mouth of it that it is fitted for, & is already become an Assylum for many Vessells, who seek to avoid the piratical Ships of our Enemies : Yet as there are many small armed Vessells, which are cruising along all the shores of the Province, & frequently crossing this Bay: many Vessells some loaded with Provisions, & some with Fuel & Lumber, have been taken before they cou'd reach the Mouth of this Harbour, & sent to Boston, this we humbly conceive might in a great Measure be prevented, & this Bay, as well as Harbour, be safe from these Depredations, if an Armed Vessell, was stationed in this River, which shou'd occasionally Cruise from Cape Ann, to Cape Elizabeth : many other advantages wou'd arise from such a Guard to this Part of the Coast ; it wou'd be a great security to the several Harbours, between the two Capes before men- ioned, for by sometimes taking a Station at the Isle of Shoals, she wou'd command most of those Harbours, & prevent, their being annoy'd by Vessells belonging to the Enemy, unless they were of superior Force & we think we may add too, without vaunting, of much superior Force ; Now large Vessells of Force, cannot come very near this, & some other Harbours in this Bay, without great Hazard, nor can their Stay, be of any Continuance, so that the Risque from them, wou'd be small and doubtless many more Vessells from our Friends in the other Govern- ments, wou'd visit us, than now do ; some Powder Vessells, are already expected here, others wou'd go for the same purpose. If this Measure took place, large Quantities of Lumber, Flour & Grain, might conven- iently and safely be bro't here for the use of the Army & perhaps they might be supplied thro' this Course, with more Ease, safety & Conven- ience, & with less Expence than thro' any other Channell.
The said Committee, wou'd further represent to your Honours, that impressed with these Ideas, the Inhabitants of this Town, are ready to engage in such an Undertaking-It is not in their Power, to fit out & employ a Vessell of sufficient Force, at their own Expence ; they have al- ready greatly exerted themselves, in their own Defence, & in the com- mon Cause. The Mercantile Part of the Town, only, will receive a pecu- liar Benefit, & that-as their foreign Commerce is cut off-in a small pro- portion to the Public ; but we will be at all the Trouble attending it; we can procure a Vessell, a commander & Men on suitable Encouragement,
560
HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
& there are now in the pay of the Government, two Companies Stationed in the Towns of Newbury & Newbury-port, out of which Companies, it is probable, a large part of the necessary Complement wou'd readily en- gage .- & we can also find, if necessary eight, or ten Carriage Guns, a number of Swivels, & a small Quantity of Powder & Provisions- the Committee, with the Leave of the Court, will attend to, & Direct the Motions of such a Vessell, so that she shall neither remain inactive, nor run into needless Danger .- Upon the whole, we beg leave to submit this our Proposal, to your wise Consideration, trusting that we shall at least stand excused, for our good Intentions, & as in Duty bound, will ever pray.
P order & in behalf of said Committee
WILLm COOMBS
NEWBURYPORT 27th Septr 1775.
In the House of Representatives Sept. 29, 1775.
Ordered, That Coll Theyer, Mr. Philips, and Mr Pitts, be a Committee to consider the foregoing Memorial and Report.
In the House of Representatives Octr : 2d 1775.
The Committee on the Representation made to this Court by the Commee of Safety for Newburyport report that a Commee to be join'd by such as the honorable Board shall appoint wait on General Wash- ington, to acquaint him with the Subject matter of the Representation made by the Commee of Safety of Newburyport, that he may determine whether it will not conduce to the publick Interest to take the Vessell therein refer'd to into the continental Service .-
Read and accepted.
Sent up for Concurrence
J. WARREN, Spkr.
In Council Octor 3d 1775
Read & concurred, and Ordered, that Benja : Greenleaf Esqr, with such as the Honbl House shall join be a Committee for the purpose ex- pressed in the above Report-
Sent down for Concurrence
PEREZ MORTON, Dpy Secry.
In the House of Representatives Oct. 3d. 1775 Read and Concurrd and Coll Orne and Mr. Pitts are join'd-
Sent up
WILLIAM COOPER, Spkr Pro. Tem.
The Committee of both Houses appointed to wait on General Wash- ington to acquaint him with the Subject Matter of the Representation made by the Committee of Safety of Newburyport have attended that Service, and are inform'd by his Excellency that it is his purpose to have some armed Vessells fitted out immediately on the Pay of the Continent for the purpose of crusing along the Sea Coast - That he intends to furnish Men for this Business from the Army, as he has a sufficient Number
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qualified therefor he therefore declines taking the Vessell refer'd to in the aforemention'd Representation into the Continental Service.
B. GREENLEAF pr Order In Council Octor : 4th : 1775
Read & accepted-sent down for Concurrence
PEREZ MORTON, Dpy Secry.I
Col. John Glover and Stephen Moylen, muster-master-gen- eral of the province, were instructed by the commander-in-chief to charter two vessels and equip them for the defence of the sea coast.
CAMP AT CAMBRIDGE, October 4, 1775.
His Excellency having resolved to equip two armed vessels, has em- powered you to negotiate this business in which the following directions are to be observed.
Ist That the vessels be approved sailers and as well found as possible.
2nd That you have an appraisement made of them by indifferent people.
3d That you agree, at as reasonable a rate as you can, for the hire of the vessels, and, if possible, procure the cannon and swivels on loan, and if not, purchase them at the cheapest rate per month.
4th If you cannot equip them suitably at Salem or Marblehead one of you proceed to Newburyport where there are several vessels and sundry cannon provided, suitable for this purpose.
7th All contracts entered into by you jointly, when together, or sepa- rately in case one should go to Newburyport, the General will ratify and confirm.
8th As soon as either of the vessels are in such forwardness as to be ready to sail in a few days, you are to send notice to Head Quarters that the officers and men may march down.
I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient servant, GEORGE WASHINGTON.2
On the eleventh day of October, Colonel Glover and Stephen Moylen were notified that a large number of English trans- ports were hourly expected on the coast :-
The General therefore directs that you will immediately set every hand to work that can be procured, and not a moment of time be lost in get- ting them [the vessels] ready. One of you will also proceed immediately to Newbury and take up a fourth vessel on the same service. There are
1 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CLXXX., pp. 163-165,
2.American Archives, fourth series, vol. III., p. 946.
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HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
carpenters, guns &c to be had there, in great plenty : and let the same expedition be used to this vessel. On the day the vessels are ready to sail you will give us notice that we may despatch the crews .!
October 24, 1775, the town was divided into four districts and the able-bodied men in each district were enrolled and or- ganized for military duty. The first district extended from South, now Bromfield, street, to King, now Federal, street. The second district from King street to Fish, now State, street. The third district, from Fish street to Queen, now Market, street. The fourth district from Queen street to North, now Oakland, street.2
Charles Cook was appointed captain of the company organ- ized in the first district, Joseph Huse, captain of the company organized in the second district, Richard Titcomb, in the third district, and Ralph Cross, Jr., in the fourth district.
The following-named persons were chosen captains of the heavy artillery guns, viz : Capt. Thomas Thomas, Capt. Joshua Titcomb, Capt. William Coombs, Capt. David Coates, Capt. William Friend and Capt. Michael Hodge.
Voted that the Capt. of each Gun be impowered to inlist 8 men for the Large ones & six for the small ones each.
The artillery company and the four companies of infantry were placed under the command of Jonathan Titcomb, colonel, Jonathan Jackson, lieutenant-colonel, and John Lowell, major. Capt. James Hudson was appointed "captain of Fort Merri- mack if approved of by Salisbury & Almsbury."
The scarcity of gunpowder and other military stores led to the presentation of the following memorial to the General Court: -
To the Hone the Council & House of Representatives of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay.
The Memorial of Jacob Boardman of Newburyport sheweth.
That your memorialist together with several others, Inhabitants of the same town, being anxiously concerned lest the American cause should suffer for want of a convenient supply of the articles necessary to make
1 American Archives, fourth series, vol. III., p. 1015.
2 Newburyport Town Records, vol. I., p. 244.
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR
a vigorous Defence against the wicked attempts of our Enemies have entertained Thoughts of sending a Vessel to some part of Europe for the purpose of procuring Gunpowder & other military stores : and they have so far prepared for a voyage of this sort as to have raised upwards of Two Thousand Pounds Lawl Money to be laid out for articles of that sort, besides a sum sufficient to purchase a vessell to bring it in. They will, however, have no Desire to proceed any further in this Design if it should be made Known to them that their Endeavors in this Regard will not probably tend to the advantage of the Public. But if on the other hand, your Honors should so consider the matter as to think fit to give them suitable Encouragement they will proceed with alacrity to accomplish their proposed Plan. All which is humbly submitted by your Honors dutiful memorialist.
JACOB BOARDMAN.
WATERTOWN, Dec. 15, 1775.1
In answer to this petition the General Court passed the following resolution :-
In the House of Representatives Dec. 20, 1775. Resolved that the vessel mentioned in the memorial of Jacob Board- man, belonging to Newburyport, be permitted to proceed on a voyage to any part of Europe, the Dominions of Great Britain excepted, for the purpose of procuring Gun Powder & other Military Stores for the service of this Colony; Provided the owners of ye vessel enter into Bonds, with sufficient surety, in the sum of Four Hundred Pounds to be taken by the Committee of Safety of Newbury Port, in the name of the Treasurer of this Colony, that sd vessel shall Proceed upon sd voyage with all possible dispatch & bring nothing back except Gun Powder & other military stores and to land the same in some port of this Colony, Boston and Nantucket Excepted, and that sd vessel shall proceed in Ballast without any other Loading, and this Colony engages to take all the Powder brought in sd Vessel giving for ye same at the rate of five shillings per pound on delivering the same to the commissary of this Colony.2
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