USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > History of Newburyport, Mass., 1764-1905, Volume I > Part 45
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To the Honorable Jeremiah Powell, President of the Council.4
When the company under the command of Captain Thomas reached Boston the council, then in session at the state house, adopted the following order :-
COUNCIL CHAMBER, Aug. 5, 1778.
Ordered that the Board of War be, and they hereby are,directed to de- liver Captain Thomas poles sufficient for Seven Tents & poles for one Wall Tent for the use of his Company of Volunteers from Newbury Port
1 Newburyport Town Records, vol. I., p. 305.
2 In 1777, Col. Jonathan Titcomb had command of two regiments enlisted for two months service in Rhode Island. Moses Nowell of Newburyport and Silas Adams of Newbury were captains of companies in these regiments (Massachusetts Archives (Revolutionary Rolls), vol. I., p. 23, and vol. III., p. 21). In 1778, Enoch Titcomb of Newburyport was brigade major, under Brigadier Jonathan Titcomb, in Rhode Island, from the third day of July until the first day of September.
3 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CXCIX., pp. 376 and 377.
4 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CXCIX., p. 388.
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR
on their march to re-inforce the army under Gen1 Sullivan in the State of Re Island,- he to return the said poles.
Read and Accepted,
JNO AVERY, Dpy Sec. I
In the battle of August eighth, Gen. Jonathan Titcomb had command of the brigade on the left wing of the second line, and Gen. Jonathan Glover of Marblehead had command of the left wing on the first line.
Owing to the failure of the French fleet, under the com- mand of Count D'Estaing, to co-operate with the land forces the attempt to drive the English troops from Rhode Island was unsuccessful, and the officers and men who had enlisted for the campaign were allowed to return home early in the month of September.2
In addition to the armed vessels fitted out previous to Janu- ary 1, 1778, by the colony of Massachusetts Bay for the pro- tection of the sea coast, the building of another twenty-gun ship was earnestly advocated by the merchants of Boston, and after some delay the General Court passed the following resolution :-
In the House of Representatives April 21, 1778.
Resolved that the Board of War be and they hereby are Directed, im- mediately, to employ some suitable person or persons to build for the service of the state one ship to mount Twenty guns on one deck taking especial care to procure the most approved plan from some able ship- wright, or other Person, well acquainted with such business, and to have the said ship compleated and ready for sea as soon as may be, giving timely notice to this board that they may appoint some suitable person seasonably to take the command of her.
In Council Read & Concurred. Consented to by Fifteen of the Council.3
After careful consideration, plans for building the ship were matured, and the board of war sent the following letter to Jonathan Greenleaf and Stephen and Ralph Cross in New- buryport :-
1 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CLXXIV., p. 378.
2 For further details relating to the campaign in Rhode Island see Newburyport Herald, May 17, 1877 (Address before the Newburyport Artillery Association by Hon. Eben F. Stone).
3 Massachusetts Archives (Court Records), vol. XXVIII., p. 419.
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HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
WAR OFFICE BOSTON, July 9, 1778.
Mesfrs CROSS & GREENLEAF
GENTN The Board have determined to go forward immediately with the 20 Gun Ship ordered to be built by Government. We would there- fore desire you would come to Boston as soon as may be convenient & bring with you the draft of the Frigate Boston, when no doubt we shall agree with you for building the same.
We are very respectfully SAMI PHIPS SAVAGE, Prest per order.I
The ship was built in the shipyard owned and occupied by Stephen and Ralph Cross near the foot of King, now Federal, street. In answer to the petition of Joseph Huse and others who had agreed to furnish the iron work, the Gen- eral Court adopted the following preamble and resolution :-
In the House of Representatives June 2, 1779.
On the Petition of Joseph Huse and others setting forth that by their Agreement made in October last with Jonathan Greenleaf, Esq. and Messrs. Stephen and Ralph Cross, agents of the Board of War, to do the large Iron Work for the State ship building at Newbury Port at the Price agreed on they must be very great sufferers in consequence of the ad- vanced price of Labour &c and praying they may have a suitable allow- ance for their Labour.
Resolved that the Board of War be and they are hereby impowered and directed to make such allowance to the said Huse and others, the Peti- tioners, for the large and small Iron Work they have done since the last Day of December last or may hereafter do for said ship, as to the Board of War may appear reasonable, the aforesaid agreement made in their behalf with the Petitioners, notwithstanding.
In Council read & Concurred. Consented to by Fifteen of the Council.2
June sixteenth, the General Court appointed a committee to select a captain for the ship building at Newburyport, and also "resolved that the said ship be named Protector."3
Following a long established custom, not yet obsolete, a liberal and somewhat exhilirating entertainment, suggested in the following letter, addressed " To the Honorable Board of War,"
1 Massachusetts Archives (Board of War) vol. CLI., p. 189.
2 Massachusetts Archives (Court Records), vol. XXXIX., p. 271; also, vol. CCXXII., p. 410.
8 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CCXXIII., pp. 202 and 203.
-
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was provided for the workmen employed and the spectators who witnessed the launching of the ship.
BOSTON, July 13, 1779.
GENTLEMEN :
It being customary for the owners of vessels when they are launched to give the Workmen Something Better than New England Rum to Drink & likewise something to Eat, and also all Persons who attend the launching expect to be asked to Drink and Eat something, and especial- ly Public Vessels. It will be expected that something will be Provided and it is my opinion about fifty galls of West India Rum & sugar for the same & souring, if to be had, and one Quarter cask of Wine and a Hamper of Ale or Beer, together with a Fircin (?) hams, neet tongs, or cornd Beef, will be necessary to comply with the customs in these cases ; all which I submitt to your Honours and am
Your most obedient servant
STEPHN CROSS.I
In a letter dated Newburyport, August 15, 1779, Stephen Hills informed the board of war that the ship had been launched and was then at Long wharf.2 Early in October, she was nearly ready for sea, and Captain Williams was sent to Newburyport with the following introductory letter to Messrs. Greenleaf and Cross, ship builders :-
WAR OFFICE, BOSTON, Oct. 2, 1779.
GENTLEMEN :
Capt. Williams having been appointed Commander of the ship Pro- tector, this will be delivered you by him who repairs to your Place with a number of Men in Order to take Command of said Ship and bring her round to this port. He will very probably stand in need of your good offices and we shall be much obliged by your affording him such assistance as may be in your Power. If he should want any Rum and you will be so kind as to advance it for him it shall be replaced to your satisfaction.
We are Gentlemen Your most humble servts
Mesfrs CROSS, GREENLEAF & CROSS. S. P. S., Pres. per order. 3
1 Massachusetts Archives (Public Vessels), vol. XLIV., p. 279. On the margin of the letter printed above, is a memorandum of the supplies sent to New- buryport, for the entertainment of the workmen and spectators at the launching of the ship, as follows :
" I Barrell West India Rum I Qr. Cask Tenereif Wine I-2 cwt Brown Sugar I Cask Tongs."
2 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CCV., p. 503.
Massachusetts Archives (Board of War), vol. CLI., p. 335.
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HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
Early in November, the commander of the ship Boston was ordered to proceed to Newburyport for the purpose named in the following letter :-
NAVY BOARD, EASTERN DEPARTMENT, BOSTON, Novem. 9, 1779. To SAMUEL TUCKER EsQ., commander of the ship Boston.
You are hereby required to proceed immediately with your Ship to Newbury, and when off the Barr, hoist a Jack at your fore top mast & fire a Gun, as a Signal for the State Ship, Capt. Williams, to come out. You are to receive her under your convoy, & return with her to this Port. You are to take due care, that your ship be not exposed to any cruiser, that may be on the Coast, and be very Vigilent to avoid any ap- pearances of danger from British cruisers, & make as great dispatch as possible-we are Sir
Your Humble Servts. WM. VERNON, J. WARREN.I
On the seventeenth day of June, 1779, three British ships- of-war entered Penobscot bay and took possession of the town of Castine without opposition. The news that the enemy had obtained a foothold on the coast of Maine reached Newbury- port a few days later, and the following petition was promptly prepared, signed and presented to the General Court ::
To the Honorable, the Council, and the Honorable House of Repre- sentatives of the State of Massachusetts Bay.
The memorial of the subscribers, inhabitants of the town of Newbury- port sheweth that from the best intelligence they can collect, the enemy has made, or are attempting to make, a lodgment in Penobscot River for which purpose they have come with a frigate, the Blond, two 20 gun ships and the brig Hope, of eighteen guns, and transports with eight hundred men,-the fleet making together fifteen sail. Least your Honors may not have had so direct intelligence they have sent a young man who is lately from the Penobscot River, of whom the situation of the enemy may be ascertained,-the subscribers being owners of the following armed vessels, viz : the ship Vengeance mounting 20 six pounders, the ship Monmouth of 24 six pounders, the ship Sky Rocket of 16 four pounders, the brig Pallas of the same metal, all of which may be equipped in a week from this time, added to which there are two ships and a brig in this port (Prize Vessels) which together will mount seventy guns, four and six pounders ; the subscribers, ever zealous to promote the public
1 Commodore Tucker Papers, vol. II., p. 161 (Harvard University library ).
of this Proposal meets with the approbation your Honour, the carless Information given to the wbenburg will be attended to with the ut- most Expedition
Newburgfort 23. June 1779
Pracy
Jon fachion e Jacob Bouwman
Joseph Marquand Wat Tray
Intran Datorn
Thomas
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HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
good and do more than their proportion if necessary, offer for the pub- lic service the four first mentioned vessels, provided any expedition can be planned in force, to reduce the enemy ; the owners of these vessels, if it is necessary to complete the expedition, are willing to risk their vessels and to take the trouble of equipping them for the sea, provided the ex- pense of victualing, manning and equipping is paid out of the public treasury. The owners of the two prize ships and brig are willing to let them for the public service, provided in addition to expense of equipment as aforesaid, the said vessels are valued and paid for if lost. If this Pro- posal meets with the approbation of your Honours, the earliest Information given to the Subscribers will be attended to with the utmost Expedition.
NEWBURYPORT 23d June 1779 1
JONA : JACKSON JACOB BOARDMAN THOS THOMAS
JOHN TRACY JOSEPH MARQUAND
NAT TRACY
TRISTRAM DALTON
SAML BATCHELDER JOHN COFFIN JONES
On the twenty-fourth day of June, the General Court author- ized the board of war to charter all the vessels needed to dis- lodge the enemy on the Penobscot river,2 and sent the follow- ing letter to Jonathan Jackson and others in Newburyport :- GENTLEMEN,
The General Court are highly pleased with the Patriotism that dis- tinguishes the Memorial you have laid before them. Previous to the re- ceipt thereof the gen' assembly had resolved on an expedition to Pe- nobscot to dislodge the Enemy there, a copy of which is herewith sent you, and are equiping a Fleet and preparing a Land Force to Co-operate for that purpose. We shall depend upon the four vessels first mentioned in your Memorial and shall rest entirely satisfyed that the same distinguished spirit which has ever appeared in your Conduct will prompt you to Man, Water, Wood & Equip for sailing said vessells immediately that they may be ready to sail as soon as the Provisions for the same shall come to Hand, which the General Court will immediately send. The whole expenses shall be re-imbursed you according to the Resolve en- closed. The four vessels you mentioned in Addition to the Continental Frigate & Sloop Providence, State Vessells and others taken up here will be sufficient to compleat the Design.
In the name of the Gen1 Court I am gentlen your most obedient hum- ble servant
To Jonathan Jackson & others, merchants at N. P.3
President.
1 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CLXXXV., p. 225.
2 Massachusetts Archives, vol. XXXIX., p. 385.
3 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CLXXXV., pp. 229 and 230. This copy has no signature.
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The next day the following letter, asking for further infor- mation, was sent to Tristram Dalton in Newburyport :-
WAR OFFICE, BOSTON, 26th June, 1779. TRISTRAM DALTON, EsQ.
SIR: The Enemy having with several armed ships and a number of Land Forces possessed themselves of Penobscott, the removal of them is considered by Government as a very important object and it is their intention to make every exertion that it may be accomplished ; as a necessary step to which they have passed the enclosed Resolves, by which you will see the engagement made to the owners of private armed ships. The very generous offer made by a number of Gentlemen of your place in their memorial to Government leave us no room to doubt but every assistance in your power will be afforded in this matter and nothing shall be wanting on our part to fulfill the duty assigned us by the order of Court.
We send this day by Express and shall be much obliged if you will inform us by his return of the number of ships you can equip, and the time when they can be got ready. We ask the favor of you to com- municate this to the Gentlemen owners of the armed vessels in your port. We are &c
By order of the Board
JOHN BROWN, P. P. T.'
To this communication Mr. Dalton replied on the twenty- seventh day of June, and the next day the General Court passed the following resolution :-
In the House of Representatives, June 28, 1779.
Resolved that the Board of War be directed immediately to send to Newburyport a quantity of provisions to victual for a two months cruise one ship of twenty-four guns, one of twenty, and two of sixteen guns which the merchants there have agreed to man for the Penobscot Expedition and that the said Board send to Salem and procure two twen- ty gun ships, or more, for the said Expedition immediately.
Sent up for concurrence.
JOHN HANCOCK, Speaker.
In council June 29, 1779. Read and Concurred.2
Two days later the president of the board of war sent the following interesting and complimentary letter to Tristram Dalton :-
1 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CLI., p. 289.
2 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CCXXIII., pp. 385 and 386.
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HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
WAR OFFICE, 30th June, 1779.
TRISTRAM DALTON, ESQ.
SIR: Your Favor of the 27 Instant we received & are happy in no- ticing the Spirited Exertion of the Gentlemen in Newbury Port which have given animation to all who wish to promote the present important Expedition, the Success of which we are in opinion with you, depends on an early & vigorous attack. | The three vessels belonging to this state will be ready for sea by Saturday next, as early as those of the Conti- nent merchants in this town or Salem, & we flatter ourselves that the whole armament both by Land & Sea will be ready to proceed without loss of time. The Government have appointed Nantaskett as the Place of General Rendezvous, it being thought Proper that the whole fleet should be collected at one Place. We would therefore recommend that your 4 vessels be there as soon as may be. A communication of every account respecting the motions of the Enemy that you may receive either by the return of the armed Tender you mention, or in any other channel will be esteemed a Favor, & the charges of an Express, if neces- sary, will be readily allowed.
The Provisions so generously advanced to expedite the Public Service shall be replaced either in kind or money as may be agreed on for which purpose we should be glad to see an agent on the part of the owners that we may settle accordingly. We wish to pay the Tribute of applause so justly due to the disinterested & strenuous efforts now making by the worthy Gentlemen of Newburyport but the great hurry of office at this critical junction must be our apology for the omission ; however we must add that it evinces that genuine regard to the Glorious cause in which we are all embarked, for which the Citizens of that Town have ever been distinguished.
We are &c By order of the Board SAML PHIPS SAVAGE, Prest.I
In order to provide food, clothing and other supplies for the ships fitting out in Newburyport the General Court passed the following resolution :-
In the House of Representatives, June 30, 1779.
Resolved that there be paid out of the public Treasury the Sum of Fifteen Thousand pounds to Capt Jonathan Parsons for the use of the owners of the armed ships fitting out at Newburyport for the Expedition to Penobscot they to be accountable for the same ; said Parsons to give his receipt to the Treasurer for the same sum on their Accounts.
In Council read & Concurred. Consented to by Fifteen of the Council.2
1 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CLI., p. 296.
2 Massachusetts Archives, vol. XXXVII., p. 429.
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Two days later, the following order was adopted instructing the naval officer to clear certain vessels in the harbor of New- buryport :--
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
COUNCIL CHAMBER, July 2, 1779.
Ordered that the Naval Officer for the Port of Newbury Port be and hereby is directed to clear out those vessels now in the Harbour of said Port that shall apply for clearances who are intended for the Penobscot Expedition ; viz : the ship Vengeance, Thomas Thomas, Commander, ship Monmouth, Alex Ross, ship Sky Rocket, Capt. - Burke and Brigane Pallas, James Johnson, Commander.1
General Lovell of Weymouth was appointed commander of the land forces but the masters of ships and transports were ordered to report to Captain Saltonstall of Connecticut. The fleet sailed from Nantasket roads on the tenth day of July, but did not reach Penobscot bay until Sunday morning July twenty-fifth. Several attempts were made to dislodge the enemy without success. The commanders of the land and the naval forces did not work together harmoniously and the result was disastrous. Micajah Lunt, who joined the expedi- tion in Newburyport, made the following statement several years after his return home :-
In the war of the Revolution, in the year 1779, I shipped in Newbury- port on board the armed ship Vengeance, commanded by Thomas Thom- as, in the expedition to Penobscot, which ship was driven up the river by the British fleet, and with others in the expedition was burnt by order of the Commodore, to prevent them falling into the hands of the British ; their crews took to the woods, and on foot found their way back to the province of Massachusetts.2
After the destruction of the vessels it was impossible to enforce any discipline. The woods were filled with small par- ties, half starved and half clothed, working their way, as best
1 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CLXXV., p. 383.
Samuel Horton, in a diary now in the possession of Mr. Eben Bradbury, wrote under date of July 3, 1779: " Ye Pallace, Sky Rocket and Capt. Gideons in a brig sailed for Boston to join ye fleet for Penobscot. Two more ships are going to- morrow."
2 History of Newburyport (Mrs. E. Vale Smith), p. 118.
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HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
they could, to the settlements on the Kennebec. Newbury- port sent the schooner Shark, loaded with provisions for the relief of the sufferers and contributed freely to aid the poor sailors and soldiers who were obliged to depend upon charity for the means to return home.'
In July, 1779, a convention was held at Concord to regu- late the sale or purchase of manufactured goods and agricul- tural products. On the fourth day of August, the inhabitants of Newburyport voted to approve the resolutions adopted and follow the recommendations made at that convention. A large committee was appointed to establish prices for articles not specifically named in the schedule adopted at Concord.2
John Bromfield, Michael Hodge and Enoch Titcomb were elected delegates to the second convention held at Concord, in the month of October following, which resulted in the adop- tion of a revised list of prices. A vigorous attempt was made to uphold the proceedings of the convention but the laws of trade were inexorable and the scheme was ultimately abandoned.
In order to encourage the re-enlistment of men whose term of service in the army had nearly expired the inhabitants of Newburyport voted June 16, 1779, to pay soldiers re-enlisting and serving until the close of the war " three pounds per month, at the regulated Price, the Town drawing their Conti- nental & State Pay; or to give them one thousand pounds Bounty each, to be paid at four several Payments, they draw- ing their Continental wages as they shall severally choose.'3
On the eighteenth day of October, the selectmen were authorized to sell all the cannon and military stores belonging to the town, " except one pair of six pound cannon with their implements," and on the second day of November following, they sold at public auction, " at the Parade in Newburyport,"
1 The Newburyport Herald for January 9th and Ioth, 1879, has an interesting account of the Penobscot expedition written by the late Hon. Eben F. Stone.
2 Newburyport Town Records, vol. I., p. 317.
3 Newburyport Town Records, vol. I., p. 316.
.
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two double-fortified four-pound cannon and four six-pound cannon for the sum of £3720.
Four gun carriages 390.
Floating battery ·
IO5.1
Early in the month of June, 1780, Newburyport was again called upon to furnish men armed and equipped for three months service.
[June 19, 1780] Voted that the committee appointed by the Town to raise the men to re-inforce the Continental Army be impowered & di- rected to make such farther offers to induce them to enlist as they shall think fitt, either in hard money or provisions.2
[June 30, 1780] Voted unanimously that three hundred pounds (ex- clusive of the state pay) per month be given to each person who shall inlist to serve three months for this Town, agreeable to a requisition of the General Court.
Voted that four hundred & fifty pounds be advanced to each Person who shall inlist as aforesaid.2
On the third day of July, the inhabitants of Newburyport voted to raise the um of seventy-five thousand pounds to meet the extraordinary expenses authorized by the town, the tax to be assessed and collected on or before the first day of September, for the purpose of "procuring, raising, equipping & dispatching this Town's proportion of the militia required by a resolution of the General Court dated June 8, 1780."3
Owing to the depreciated condition of the currency, the town voted December 21, 1780, to raise one thousand pounds in hard money, by taxation, and pay bounties and soldiers' wages in silver at six shillings and eight pence per ounce " or in current bills of credit equivalent thereto according to the current exchange between the same & silver, amongst merchants."+
In March, 1781, a committee was appointed to prepare a plan and organize the inhabitants of the town into several di-
1 Newburyport (Selectmen's) Records.
At the close of the war the selectmen were authorized to sell all or a part of the cannon, powder and military stores remaining on hand, and June 16, 1784, they sold at auction several pair of heavy wheels and five gun carriages.
2 Newburyport Town Records, vol. I., pp. 334 and 335.
3 Newburyport Town Records, vol. I., p. 335.
4 Newburyport Town Records, vol. I., p. 343.
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HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
visions or classes for the purpose of procuring the men needed to make up the deficiency in the quota assigned to Newbury- port.
[July 10, 1781] Voted that the inhabitants of this Town be imme- diately arranged in forty-three classes, according to property & numbers, and that each class shall procure a man, seasonably, after notice, or be liable to a draft from the commanding officer.I
On the seventeenth day of July, the committee appointed to classify the inhabitants of the town reported a plan, which was accepted and adopted, for raising the sum of six hundred and sixty-three pounds to be used in procuring forty-three men for three or five years' service in the army.
After the surrender of Cornwallis, at Yorktown, October 19, 1781, no further efforts were made to encourage enlist- ments. At a meeting of the inhabitants of Newburyport held January 7, 1782, questions relating to the protection of the fishing industry were discussed and finally disposed of as follows :-
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