USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > History of Newton, Massachusetts : town and city, from its earliest settlement to the present time, 1630-1880 > Part 33
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But the sons had been well trained, and no such necessity arose. Many of them had, it is likely, little of the learning of the schools. But they had wrought out the problem of a righteous government, and were competent to construct and defend it. They had been nurtured in poverty and hardship; the first century and a half of their settlement had been a constant warfare against difficulty and trial. And they were prepared with a determined spirit to meet the stern realities of this bitter strife. They did not flinch under the fire, nor retreat from the purpose they had formed. With the sons as with the fathers, in action as well as in resolve, it was liberty or death. Could they have foreseen how long and hard would be the struggle they were initiating, we believe they would have stood steadfast to their undertaking.
341
CAPT. MICHAEL JACKSON.
The story of Colonel Michael Jackson of Newton, in connec- tion with the day of Lexington and Concord, is extremely inter- esting. It shows at the same time how much energy had been in- fused into the patriots of that important period by the training they had passed through, and with how determined and danger- ous a foe Britain would have to deal. He was the son of Michael Jackson, born December 18, 1734, and therefore about forty years old at this time. He had been a Lieutenant in the French war. At the opening of the Revolution, he was a private in the volunteer company of Minute-men. At the early dawn of April 19, 1775, a signal announced that the British troops were on their march to Lexington .* The company of Minute-men were early on their parade ground, but none of the commissioned officers were present. The orderly sergeant had formed the com- pany, and a motion was made to choose a captain for the day. Michael Jackson was nominated, and chosen by uplifted hands. He immediately stepped from the ranks to the head of the com- pany, and, without a word of thanks for the honor, or the slightest formality, he ordered the company-" Shoulder arms ! Platoons to the right, wheel ! Quick time ! Forward, march!" These few words of command were uttered, and the company were on the march to join the regiment at Watertown meeting-house. On their arrival there, the commissioned officers of the regiment were found holding a council in the school-house, and he was invited to take part in their deliberations. He listened to their discussion, but soon obtained the floor. He affirmed that there was a time for all things ; but that the time for talking had passed, and the time for fighting had come. "Not now the wag of the tongue, but the pull of the trigger." This pro-tempore Captain accused the officers of wasting time, through fear of meeting the enemy. He told them, if they meant to oppose the march of the British troops, to leave the school-house forthwith, and take up their march for Lexington. He intended that his company should take the shortest route to get a shot at the British; and, suiting the action to the word, he left the council and took up his march. This blunt speech broke up the council, so that there was no con- cert of action, and each company was left to act as they chose.
* This signal was a volley from one of John Pigeon's guns, kept in the gun-house at Newton Centre, near the church.
342
HISTORY OF NEWTON.
Some followed Captain Jackson ; some lingered where they were, and some dispersed. Jackson's company came in contact with Lord Percy's reserve near Concord village,* and were dispersed after exchanging one or two shots. But they soon rallied, and formed again in a wood near by, and were joined by a part of the Watertown company. They hung upon the flank and rear of the retreating enemy with much effect, until they reached Lechmere Point (East Cambridge) at nightfall, and the British regulars took boats for Boston. After they had rowed beyond the reach of musket shot, this company received the thanks of General Warren, upon the field, for their bravery.
A relative of Colonel Michael Jackson has presented to the Newton Public Library, for preservation, his sword, which did service at Bunker Hill and in other contests of the Revolution.
Soon afterwards Captain Jackson received a Major's commission in the Continental army, then quartered at Cambridge, and was subsequently promoted to the command of the eighth. regiment in the Massachusetts line, than which no regiment was more distin- guished for bravery and good conduct during the war. In an action with the British on Montressor's Island, N. Y., Colonel Jackson received a severe wound in the thigh by a musket-ball, from which he never entirely recovered. Lieutenant-Colonel John Brooks then took the command of Jackson's regiment, and William Hull was major. During the sanguinary battles which preceded the surrender of Burgoyne, Jackson's regiment, under Colonel Brooks, behaved very gallantly, nearly half the number being either killed or wounded. Colonel Jackson died April 10, 1801, aged sixty-six. The pall-bearers at his funeral were Gen- eral Henry Jackson, Dr. Eustis, Colonel Joseph Ward, General
* Colonel Benjamin Hammond is supposed to have been in command of the Newton company at this time. His residence at a distance from Newton Centre, in the house now owned and occupied by Judge Lowell, and which he erected in 1773, accounts for his delay. His descendant, Mr. Stephen Hammond, relying on his recollection of what he heard in his boyhood, thinks Colonel Benjamin Hammond came up with his company before they reached Concord, and took the command. The following, from his day-book, under date of 1773-5, implies his captaincy, and thus his responsi- bility for his company.
Account of money paid since I had the command of the Company.
Towards one new Drum
[old tenor] £5 10s. 0d.
1
2
6
Paid for Drummers' and Fifers' Dinner
1
1
16 3
Paid to Captain Rigaway for changing drums
5
0
0
Paid to a Drummer
16 0 Paid to Fifers
343
COL. JOSEPH WARD.
Brooks, General Knox and Joseph Blake. A battalion of infan- try under Major Cheney performed the escort duty, and a company of artillery fired minute-guns, during the march of the funeral procession,- a tribute of respect due to a man who deserved well of his country, fought her battles, and bled for her independence. He had five sons and five brothers in the army of the Revolution. Samuel Richardson, of Oak Hill, Newton, was first lieutenant of the Newton company, on the day of Lexington. He was Select- man four years, being elected in 1777, and died December 25, 1803, aged seventy years.
Besides these brave soldiers and undaunted patriots, was another, of equal prowess, a member of another of the old families of Newton, and a man who distinguished himself at Bunker Hill and afterwards in the military service of the State, taking a very active part in the Revolution both with pen and sword. We refer to Colonel Joseph Ward. He was a master in one of the public schools of Boston, and on the day of the battles of Lexington and Concord, learning that the British troops were in motion, left for Newton, where he ob- tained a horse and gun, and rode to Concord to animate his coun- trymen and get a shot at the British. He greatly distinguished himself on the day of Bunker Hill, where he served as aide-de-camp to General Artemas Ward, and held that office until General Ward resigned, in December, 1776. He rode over Charlestown Neck, through a cross-fire of the enemy's floating batteries, to exe- cute an order from General Ward, at which time a broadside was fired at him by a British man-of-war.
He continued to hold important positions in the army, and was honored by receiving the thanks of General Washington in a let- ter written to him near the close of the war, in the following terms :
" You have my thanks for your constant attention to the busi- ness of your department, the manner of its execution, and your ready and faithful compliance with all my orders ; and, I cannot help adding, on this occasion, for the zeal you have discovered, at all times and under all circumstances, to promote the good of the service in general, and the great objects of our cause.
"I am, dear sir, with great regard, your obedient and humble servant,
GEORGE WASHINGTON."
Major Daniel Jackson, also, born in Newton July 23, 1753, son of Joshua Jackson and Huldah Fuller, his wife, was in the
344
HISTORY OF NEWTON.
battles of Concord and Bunker Hill and at Dorchester Heights, in Captain Foster's Company of Artillery, and sergeant in Captain Bryant's Company of Artillery.
In Chester Abbey, England, hangs the tattered battle flag car- ried up Bunker Hill on the 17th of June, 1775.
Not long after these earliest engagements which opened the grand conflict, two new companies were raised in Newton. The war spirit found organization, that it might insure efficiency. The brilliant exploit of Captain Jackson was suited to a sudden emergency ; but steadiness of action was necessary, if this struggle was to be protracted into years, and to become incorporated into the life of the people. Seventy-four men of these companies joined the army at Cambridge, March 4, 1776, to serve eight months. The following are their names, with the names of their several captains and colonels.
SOLDIERS WHO ENLISTED IN THE REGULAR ARMY FOR EIGHT MONTHS FROM MAY 1, 1775.
MEN.
CAPTAINS.
COLONELS.
Phineas Cook,
Phineas Cook,
Thomas Gardner,
Nathan Fuller,
Nathan Fuller,
Phineas Ash,
Isaac Sherman,
Moses Beal,
Edmund Bemis,
John Beal,
Phineas Cook,
A. Whitcomb, Thomas Gardner,
Phineas Blanden,
David Colby,
John Currier, Phineas Cook,
James Frye, Thomas Gardner,
Jonathan Clark,
66
66
66
Moses Craft,
66
66
Norman Clark,
Silas Chub,
66
66
William Cheney,
Nathan Fuller, Timothy Corey,
Samuel Gerrish, 66
Samuel Draper,
Benjamin Dana,
Phineas Cook,
Thomas Gardner,
Peter Durell,
Joseph Davenport,
66
66
Richard Dana,
Samuel Eliot,
Samuel Fuller,
Thomas Fiske,
Samuel Gerrish,
Joseph Gosson,
Ebenezer Hinds,
John Patterson,
David Hager, Jonathan Howard, Gershom Hyde,
Phineas Cook,
Thomas Gardner, 66 66
6€
Daniel Clark,
Samuel Clark,
Edward Converse,
66
Timothy Child,
Nathan Fuller, John Currier, Abijah C. Child, Timothy Corey, Ephraim Coney, Samuel Kelton,
66
345
EIGHT MONTHS' MEN.
MEN.
CAPTAINS.
COLONELS.
Thaddeus Hyde, Michael Jackson, jr., Fifer,
Timothy Corey, Phineas Cook,
Aaron Jackson,
Samuel Kelton, Benjamin Locke,
Amasa Jackson, Drummer, Daniel Jackson,
David Jackson,
Nathaniel Jackson, Sergt.
Phineas Jackson, Corp. Simon Jackson,
Joshua Jackson,
Timothy Jackson,
Nathan Fuller,
66
66
Thomas Jackson,
Timothy Corey,
Samuel Gerrish,
Enoch Jackson,
66
66
66
66
William Jackson,
66
66
66
Daniel Jackson,
- Foster,
R. Gridley, Paul D. Sargeant, Thomas Gardner,
Samuel Murdock, Solomon Newell, Samuel Parker, Henry Parker,
Samuel Dunn,
Phineas Cook,
Edward Phinney, Thomas Gardner,
66
Nathaniel Parker,
66
6º
Abraham Parker,
66
66
Aaron Richards,
66
66
66
66
Solomon Richards, Nathaniel Seger, Amos Stone,
Nathan Fuller, Phineas Cook, 66
66
66
John Savage,
Benjamin Locke,
66
66
Daniel Upham,
Phineas Cook,
66
Ephraim Williams,
Nathan Fuller,
66
66
Abner Whitney,
Phineas Cook,
Stephen Whitney,
Timothy Whitney,
66
66
66
Ephraim Whiting,
66
66
Jonathan Williams,
Edward Crafts,
R. Gridley,
Charles Winchester, Jonathan Winchester,
Timothy Corey.
Samuel Gerrish.
Andrew Whitney, Ebenezer Williams.
George Gould,
Eliphalet Lyon, Sergt.
Phineas Cook,
Joshua Murdock, Corp.
Abner Craft,
Aaron Richardson,
66
66
66
66
Samuel Seger,
Ebenezer Wiswall,
66
66
Jonas Jackson,
66
66
Aaron Jackson,
66
Jessee Jackson,
Samuel Gerrish, Thomas Gardner, John Patterson, Thomas Gardner,
66
Of these seventy-four men, forty-eight were in Colonel Thomas Gardner's regiment, under Captains Phineas Cook, Nathan Fuller, Abner Craft and Benjamin Locke. As this regiment was ordered to Bunker Hill as a reinforcement on the 17th of June, 1775, these soldiers may undoubtedly be regarded as participants in the
66
66
346
HISTORY OF NEWTON.
perils and honors of the day. The following are the names of the Newton soldiers in Colonel Gardner's regiment :
Phineas Cook,
Nathan Fuller,
Simon Jackson, Joshua Jackson,
John Beal,
Timothy Jackson,
Phineas Blanden,
Thomas Jackson,
Daniel Clark,
Joshua Murdock, Corporal,
Jonathan Clark,
Samuel Murdock,
Samuel Clark,
Samuel Parker,
Moses Craft,
Henry Parker,
Norman Clark,
Nathaniel Parker,
Silas Chub,
Abraham Parker,
Edward Converse,
Aaron Richards,
William Cheney,
Aaron Richardson,
Benjamin Dana,
Solomon Richards,
Peter Durell,
Nathaniel Seger,
Joseph Davenport,
Amos Stone,
Richard Dana,
John Savage,
Jonathan Howard,
Samuel Seger,
Gershom Hyde,
Daniel Upham,
Michael Jackson, jr., Fifer,
Ephraim Williams,
Amasa Jackson, Drummer,
Daniel Jackson,
Ebenezer Wiswall, Abner Whitney,
David Jackson,
Stephen Whitney,
Nathaniel Jackson, Sergeant, Phineas Jackson, Corporal,
Timothy Whitney,
Ephraim Whiting.
In the terrible struggle of the years which followed, it is esti- mated that full four hundred and thirty, out of Newton's popula- tion of not over fourteen hundred, served in the Continental army, in the militia, and in the duty of guarding the captured army of General Burgoyne ; two hundred and seventy-five enlisted in the Continental army, for a longer or shorter period.
In August, 1775, Captain Joseph Fuller, of Newton, raised a company of ninety-six men, and marched to Bennington and Lake . George to oppose Burgoyne. The same year sixty-four men en- listed for three years. In 1778 Captain Edward Fuller raised a company of sixty-eight men. In 1780 fifty-four men marched, to reinforce the Continental army. Jackson says in his His- tory, "The number of men who served more or less in the Conti- nental army and in the militia during the war was about one-third of the entire population." Had the war continued longer than it did, it seems impossible that Newton should have furnished more men.
347
BUNKER HILL.
In the biography of Nathaniel Seger, it is stated that Colonel Gardner's regiment, in which he enlisted, in Captain Nathan Fuller's company, on the 17th of June was ordered to Bunker Hill after the battle had commenced, but did not reach the Hill until the retreat had begun. One of the company, James Wall, was wounded, and Colonel Gardner was killed.
Frothingham, in his account of this battle, says,-
Colonel Gardner, leading on a part of his regiment, was descending Bunker Hill, when he received his death wound. Still his men, under Major Jack- son, pressed forward, and with Cushing's, Smith's and Washburn's companies, of Ward's regiment, and Febiger's party, of Gerrish's regiment, poured be- tween Breed's and Bunker Hill a well-directed fire upon the enemy, and gal- lantly covered the retreat. After the battle, Colonel. Gardner's regiment was stationed on Prospect Hill.
When the morning of June 17, 1775, dawned upon the troops, the British were not a little surprised to find that the Americans had improved the preceding night in throwing up a formidable breastwork for their own defence. They were not prepared for so extraordinary an exhibition of industry. And, as "the stars in their courses fought against Sisera," so the heavenly bodies helped these enterprising soldiers in preparing for the conflict ; for, Provi- dentially, the moon was but little past the full, and rose on the night of June 16th, at five minutes past eleven.
We have in Frothingham's History the following additional no- tices of Colonel Gardner and his regiment :
Thomas Gardner's regiment, of Middlesex county, was commissioned on the second of June. William Bond was lieutenant-colonel, and Michael Jackson was major. After the British landed, this regiment was stationed in the road leading to Lechmere's Point (East Cambridge), and late in the day was ordered to Charlestown. On arriving at Bunker Hill, General Put- nam ordered part of it to assist in throwing up defences commenced at this place. One company went to the rail fence. The greater part, under the third attack, advanced towards the redoubt. On the way, Colonel Gardner was struck by a ball, which inflicted a mortal wound. While a party was carrying him off, he had an affecting interview with his son, a youth of nine- teen, who was anxious to aid in bearing him from the field. His heroic father prohibited lıim, and he was borne on a litter of rails over Winter Hill. Here he was overtaken by the retreating troops. He raised himself and addressed to them cheering words. He lingered until July third, when he died. On the fifth he was buried with the honors of war .. He was in his fifty-second year, and had been a member of the General Court, and of the Provincial Congress. He was a true patriot, a brave soldier, and an upright man.
348
HISTORY OF NEWTON.
The die was now cast. These courageous men, not enlisted as mere machines, but guided by intelligent purpose, and know- ing the merits of the cause for which they contended, were resolved to carry out to the end the conflict which was now begun. It might subject them to years of suffering, toil and want, to hunger, and cold, and death ; but they were actuated by the stern purpose to do or die, and to hold out till the right should triumph.
Though nearly at the beginning of the revolutionary struggle, and though years of hardship, toil and self-denial, of want, and sorrow and blood followed, the engagements at Concord and Lex- ington exerted an important influence on the country, and on the whole history of the war. They put nerve and spirit into the brave hearts which had undertaken so solemn and so grand a work. The colonists discovered their own power. They learned what stuff they and their fellows were made of. They measured and weighed, on this occasion, the men with whom they were to con- tend in the future. They began to plume their wings for the flight which they were afterwards to essay. And by the spirit they ex- hibited, they not only stimulated one another, but also taught their oppressors to respect and fear them. The British loss in killed and wounded, in the battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775, was 1,054, of whom 134 were officers ; the provincials lost but 419, killed and wounded. The Britons entered the engagement with a force of 2,500 or 3,000 men; the Americans with only 1,200. The colonists were forced to retreat only because their ammuni- tion failed ; but the troops of England did not care to linger till an additional supply could reach them. As an evidence of the haste with which they retreated, Nathaniel Seger, before alluded to, one of the Newton soldiers stationed at Prospect Hill, Somerville, after the battle of Bunker Hill, relates the following incident :
After the British had evacuated Bunker Hill, I with a number of other soldiers went to the hill and found bottles on their tables, as though they had left in great haste.
With an eye to the supply of gunpowder, requisite in future en- gagements, the citizens in town meeting, March 4, 1776, chose Alexander Shepard, jr., Captain Epliraim Jackson and Mr. John Pigeon a committee to use their influence to promote the manu- facturing of saltpetre.
On the 10th of July, 1775, the following were all the regiments in Cambridge, with the number of men in each. John Pigeon, of West Newton, was commissary-general of the forces.
349
STATE OF THE TROOPS.
Jonathan Ward,
505
James Scammon,
529
William Prescott,
487
Thomas Gardner,
334
Asa Whitcomb,
571
Jonathan Brewer, 373
Ephraim Doolittle,
351
B. Ruggles Woodbridge, 343
James Fry,
473
Paul Dudley Sargeant,
192
Richard Gridley,
445
Samuel Gerrish,
258
John Nixon,
482
John Mansfield,
507
John Glover,
519
Edmund Phinney,
163
John Patterson,
492
Moses Little,
543
Ebenezer Bridge,
509
Thus the whole number of the troops in Cambridge amounted to only 8,076. They were encamped in tents, as far as possible ; but when the supply of tents failed, they were sheltered under old sails, contributed by the seaport towns. Private houses were util- ized as hospitals for the sick. The artillery was almost without horses, carriages or harness, and the troops had but few bayonets. Washington's first requisition, after he arrived in camp, was for one hundred axes. They had no instruments for throwing up entrenchments, except such as they could borrow of the neighbor- ing farmers. They had, moreover, no flag, and, previous to the arrival of Washington, no commander clothed with absolute authority.
The spirit of patriotism which distinguished Captain Gardner in the revolutionary struggle is admirably brought out in a letter addressed by him to the Committee of Correspondence in Boston, dated "Cambridge, August 12, 1774." It is as follows :
FRIENDS AND BRETHREN,- The time is come that every one that has a tongue and an arm is called upon by their country to stand forth in its behalf; and I consider the call of my country as the call of God, and desire to be all obedience to such a call. In obedience thereto, I would administer some consolation unto you, by informing you of the glorious union of the good people of this Province, both in sentiment and action. I am informed from good authority that the Committee of Correspondence for the several towns in the county of Worcester have assembled, are in high spirits, and perfectly united. The committee for Cambridge and Charlestown are to have a con- ference to-morrow, and I trust the whole county of Middlesex will soon be assembled by Delegates from the respective towns in said county. I have the greatest reason to believe that the people will choose rather to fall glori- ously in the cause of their country, than meanly submit to slavery.
I am, Your friend and brother, THOMAS GARDNER.
The East and West companies, together with such as had been added, numbering together one hundred and thirteen men, were
350
HISTORY OF NEWTON.
marched, at the request of General Washington, to take possession: of Dorchester Heights. Their service here was of brief duration ; for on the 17th of March, as the almanacs have recorded it from. that day to this, the British troops evacuated the town of Boston. One of these companies subsequently marched in the expedition to. Canada.
SOLDIERS OF THE EAST COMPANY,
who, at the request of General Washington, marched to take possession of Dorchester Heights, 4th of March, 1776, and also, served five days in Colonel Hatch's Regiment :
Jeremiah Wiswall, Captain,
Ebenezer Wiswall,
Joseph Fuller, 1st Lieutenant,
Aaron Jackson,
Samuel Richardson, 2d Lieutenant,
Elisha Hyde, jr.,
Samuel Hyde, Sergeant,
John Stone,
Oliver Fenno, Amos Stone, Ebenezer Greenwood,
Benjamin Eddy, Corporal,
Phineas Jackson,
Nathaniel Robbins, “
John Thwing,
Edward Hall, 66
Jonathan Livermore,
Elisha Chauncy, Drummer.
Samuel Coggin,
Asa Fuller, Fifer,
James Coggin,
Daniel Richards,
Nathaniel Woodcock,
Andrew Ellis, David Bartlett,
Samuel Hall,
Luke Bartlett,
William Hollis,
John Kenrick, jr.,
Daniel Hastings,
Thomas Hammond,
Robert Downing,
Samuel Draper,
John Wiswall,
Ebenezer Stone, John Healy, William Wheeler,
James Stone, jr.,
John Rogers, jr.,
John Wilson,
Jonathan Jackson,
John Marcan, John Ward, 3rd.
Aaron Richards,
Total, 47.
SOLDIERS OF THE WEST COMPANY,
who, at the request of General Washington, marched to take pos- session and man the lines on Dorchester Heights, on the 4th of March, 1776, and served five days in Colonel Hatch's Regiment :
Amariah Fuller, Captain, Isaac Jackson, 1st Lieutenant,
Edward Fuller, 2d Lieutenant, Aaron Murdock, Sergeant,
Samuel Woodward, Sergeant, Joshua Fuller, 66
Daniel Hyde,
Noah Hyde, Corporal,
Solomon Richards,
Nathan Dane,
James Stone,
351
WEST COMPANY.
Edmund Trowbridge, Corporal.
Daniel White, 66
Samuel Murdock,
Ebenezer Woodward, Drummer,
Samuel Spring, Fifer.
Daniel Jackson,
Robert Dalrymple,
William Upham, jr.,
David Fuller,
Samuel Fuller,
Richard Fuller,
Thaddeus Spring,
Timothy Jackson,
Jonathan Shepard,
Edward Jackson, William Jackson,
Aaron Child, Robert Bull,
Enoch Ward,
Benjamin Prentice, Amos Hyde,
John Parker, jr.,
Moses Bartlett,
Aaron Jackson,
Ebenezer Davis,
William Russell,
John Hastings,
Thomas Bogle,
Ebenezer Williams,
Samuel Burrage, jr.,
George Bacon,
Joshua Jackson,
Elisha Murdock,
Benjamin Adams,
Henry Pigeon,
Jonathan Blanden,
Joshua Greenwood,
Samuel Seger,
Phineas Bond,
Jonathan Bartlett,
John Marean, jr.,
Edward Shepard,
Edmund Seger,
John Bixby,
Moses Child,
Samuel Hammond.
Sept. 12, 1776.
Signed and sworn by
CAPT. JOSEPH FULLER.
JOHN AVERY, Deputy Secretary.
The authorities of Newton instituted a strict guardianship over the opinions of the citizens. Without meaning to abridge any man's liberty, either of thought or speech, they conceived this , precaution to be necessary, in view of the exigencies of the times. It was highly important to the success of their cause to guard against the possibility of the existence of a traitor in the camp .. It was known that there were persons in the colonies, who, from pecuniary or other motives, did not sympathize with the war. But patriotic Newton would have no such men within her borders. A tory at heart could not breathe in her air or tread upon her soil. A list was made out, of persons whose residence in the town was thought to be dangerous to the public safety, and arrangements were made for their removal. One person, after having been
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