History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 97

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1534

USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 97

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Here the boys seemed to be at home. Sharon was in those days comparatively a wilderness. Beyond was an almost interminable forest and swamp, and yet the boys were two miles from their destination. Being a young man of fertile invention and a good share of perseverance, William procured a large horn- beam log, which was common in those days, and soon had the inside dug out and fashioned into a boat, however rude it may have been.

Having made all ready and taking their dinner with them, William and his brother started on a voyage of discovery to find the new farm. It is supposed that William and Johnson Tolman were the first white men who navigated Massapoag Lake. In this man- ner they continued their labors. Early morning and twilight evening found them enjoying the cool refresh- ing breezes of Massapoag, as they floated to and from the scene of their daily toil. In this way they cleared and subdued the land, and when the adjoining prop- about one hundred acres.

They now began to clear Johnson's land, which proved to be of a superior quality. They were both pleased with it. One day, as they were quietly eating their dinner, they were surprised to see a partridge run past them exhibiting signs of great fright. Soon, however, it was followed by an enormous rattlesnake which, seeing the men, stopped pursuing the bird, and, with head erect, eyed the strangers, while with an oscillating movement of its tail it commenced a free musical entertainment for their especial benefit. Not appreciating the musical talents of the performer, nor desiring the company of such visitors, they quickly dispatched the snake with a musket which was near

457

SHARON.

William built a house and brought home a wife, | who proved a helpmate indeed.

The snake had produced a decidedly unpleasant im- pression upon Johnson's mind. He did not fancy such unbidden guests in his garden, and soon after sold out his farm to his brother, and returned to Dor- chester. This farm proved afterwards to have the most fertile soil, and became one of the most success- ful farms in Sharon.

As had been anticipated, many worthy people be- came residents of the Second Precinct during the next quarter of a century. Among those who afterwards became active in public affairs may be mentioned Benjamin Gannett, William Billings, Jr., Nathaniel Morse, David Fisher, and Israel Smith, as well as the descendants of the first settlers, who had now become active citizens.

The French and Indian Wars .- From 1750 to 1760 the Second Precinct furnished a large number of soldiers for the king's service, although the call was made for Stoughton ; that town included the above precinct. The soldiers whose names are annexed are | presumed to be from Stoughtonham, and served at Crown Point, Ticonderoga, and Fort William Henry :

IN COL. MILLER'S REGIMENT.

Elkanah Billings, capt.

Daniel Morse, corp.

Samuel Billings, lieut.

Benjamin Rhoads, corp.

Eleazer Robbins, ensign.

William Savage, corp.

Elijah Billings, sergt.

Eleazer Fisher, clerk.

Timothy Morse, sergt. Ebenezer Bullard, drum.

Ebenezer Billings, sergt. Seth Lane, fife.

Privates.

William Billings.

John Patten.

Ebenezer Hill.

Samuel Follet.

Elisha Partridge.

Jethro Wood.

Uriah Atherton.

Eli Wood.

Benjamin Rogers.

Stephen Hawes.1

Josiah Hodges.

William Deverix.

Elisha Morse.

Mayhew Tupper.

Nathan Clark, Jr.

Ezekiel Pierce, Jr.

Michael Woodcock, Jr. David Wood.

Jacob Hawes. Increase Hewins.

Jonathan Billings, Jr.

Enoch Hewins.

William Coney.

Elijah Hawes.

Beriah Billings.

Eleazer Blackman.

William Hewins.

Simeon Tupper.

Benjamin Bullard.

Capt. Samuel Payson.

Samuel Cumings.

Solomon Gilbert.

Ezekiel Pierce.

Jeremiah Hixson.1

Lieut. Royall Kollock.

Samuel Blackman. Benjamin Estey. Nathaniel Clark.

John Hill.

Lieut. Ebenezer Tisdale.

Samuel Bradshaw. Michael Woodcock.

Nehemiah Clark.

William Wright.

Reuben Tupper.

Seth Boyden.

Samuel Comee.

Nathan Clark.

John Estey.

Eliphalet Hodges.

Capt. Ebenezer Mann, of Stoughtonham, went into the war with a company, but as the soldiers are most of them from Wrentham they are not included in the Second Precinct.

The results of this campaign were of incalculable benefit to the precinct. Her citizens had been taught a lesson in self-reliance, they had learned the tactics of war. They had fought by the side of the veterans of England, and, notwithstanding the pomp and pride of war, they had found the army to be composed of men like themselves. The precinct had valuable religious privileges granted by the General Court, and they could see no reason why their civil rights were not to them equally valuable and availa- ble. Therefore, Joseph Hewins, Jr., William Richards, and Jeremiah Fuller were ordered to present a peti- tion to the General Court from the inhabitants of the Second Precinct, praying to be set off a separate town or district.

In accordance with this petition, the following act was passed :

" ANNO REGNI REGIS GEORGII TERTII QUINTO.

" AN ACT for incorporating the Second Precinct in the Town of Stoughton, in the County of Suffolk (as it now is), into a dis- trict by the name of Stoughtonham.

" Whereas the inhabitants of the Second Precinct in Stough- ton labor under great difficulties, by reason of their distance from the place where the town-meetings are held in said town :

" Be it enacted by the Governor, Council, and House of Representatives, That the Second Precinct in the town of Stoughton by the same bounds and limits which the said Sec- ond Precinct now have, be, and hereby are, incorporated into a separate district, by the name of Stoughtonham; and that the inhabitants thereof be vested with all the powers, privileges, and immunities, which the inhabitants of any town within this province, do, or by law ought to enjoy : excepting only the privilege of sending a representative to the General Assembly : And that the inhabitants of said district shall have liberty, from time to time, to join with the town of Stoughton in the choice of a Representative."

Joseph Hewins, Esq., was authorized by the afore- said act, passed June 2, 1765, to issue a warrant to some principal inhabitant in said district, to notify and warn the freeholders and inhabitants therein, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at the meet- ing-house for the choice of such officers as a town might legally choose.

By virtue of the above act, Joseph Hewins, Esq., issued his warrant to Richard Hixson, inhabitant, who warned the inhabitants of said district to meet for the above-named purpose on the 8th day of July, 1765.

At a meeting held on the 8th day of July, 1765, Daniel Richards was chosen moderator and clerk of said district. Daniel Richards, Mr. Job Swift, and

1 Died in the war.

George Forrest.

458

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Mr. Thomas Randall were chosen selectmen and assessors, and Daniel Richards, treasurer.

The district was now in a condition to divide its poor with its sister-town, define its boundaries, and apportion the school money, all of which was amica- bly done.

Although the inhabitants rejoiced in the accession to their number of those that feared and worshiped God, still it is hardly possible that some of the baser sort should not have grown up or settled among them.

There is no record of any sentences or punish- ments inflicted upon evil-doers in these days, but the following record would intimate the terror of the law was before their eyes, for in 1772 the treasurer was ordered to pay " William Price the sum of one pound ten shillings, for his providing plank and irons, and for making the stocks for the district, and carrying them to the meeting-house."

Very early in the troubles of the colonies with the mother-country were the questions of public policy discussed in the public meetings of Stoughtonham. The inhabitants who had suffered the privations and atrocities of the Indian wars for their sovereign, King George II., had learned a lesson in the school of war they were not soon to forget. They were not children, to be intimidated by the acts of Parliament or the sol- diers of King George III.

When the public meeting was held in Faneuil Hall, Boston, Sept. 22, 1768, to consult upon the affairs of the provinces, Stoughtonham was represented by Mr. Job Swift.

At a meeting legally assembled at the meeting- house, Feb. 23, 1773, the district took into considera- tion the state of their liberties and privileges, as ex- hibited in a pamphlet sent from Boston, which, after being read, the following votes were passed, viz. :

" Ist. That under God, through our Forefathers, we have en- joyed invaluable liberties and privileges, civil and religious, and when we consider the worth of them, and how dear it cost our forefathers to purchase these, for themselves and their pos- terity, we cannot but esteem them highly, nor wonder to see the people alarmed, when they behold their liberties and privileges threatened and invaded.

" 2d. That from what we have heard and seen, we cannot but think that some of our liberties and privileges have been taken from us, and others are threatened, and that it is an alarming crisis with us, and we have a loud call in Providence to us, to imitate the prudent man, who foreseeth the evil and hideth himself.

"3d. That since we are bid to look to ourselves, not only in spiritual but in temporal affairs, we look upon it as our duty, and it shall be our practice, to use all constitutional measures to remove the burdens we feel and prevent those we fear, respect- ing our civil and religious affairs and concerns.

"4th. That our thanks are due to the town of Boston, for .

espieing our dangers, and, like faithful watchmen, giving us warning.

"5th. That our deputy use his utmost interest and influence in Court, in a constitutional way and manner, to recover what liberties and privileges have been taken from us, and secure those that remain, and that our clerk inform him of this action.

" 6th. That we own King George the third to be our rightful lord and sovereign, and promise allegiance to him, but at the same time deny the parliamentary power of taxing us, being without the realm of England, and not represented there.

"7th. That a copy of these votes be sent to the committee of cerrespondence in Boston by our clerk."

1774, August 29th. In a legal district meeting, it was, on motion made to see if the district were willing to comply with the late acts of the Parliament, voted, unanimously, in the negative. This year the treasurer was ordered to pay for a cask of powder and one hundred flints.

At a meeting held Jan. 2, 1775, it was voted that Mr. Job Swift be a delegate to meet with the Con- gress at Cambridge, on the 1st day of February next.

Voted, that the district strictly adhere to the re- solves of the American Congress; and,

Voted, that a large committee be chosen for the public good, and that they use their utmost endeavors to suppress all disorders and outrages and disturbances in this district, and that said committee consist of the following persons: Messrs. Ebenezer Capen, Israel Smith, David Fisher, Ebenezer Hill, Benjamin Gan- nett, John Comee, Capt. Edward Bridge Savels, Thomas Richards, William Paine (2d), Capt. Eben- ezer Tisdale, Samuel Gould, Benjamin Fairbanks, Elijah Baker, Josiah Robbins, Lieut. Richard Hixson.

1775, February 3d. Voted to raise twenty-eight minute-men and two officers, and that they exercise two half-days in a week. Also, that the committee supply four guns for the men who have none, at the cost of the district.

1775, April 19th. The Lexington alarm was sounded throughout the province, and Stoughtonham responded with the following companies of soldiers.

Minute-Men .- In the company of Capt. Samuel Payson, in Col. John Greaton's regiment of minute- men, on the 19th of April, 1775, were :

Samuel Payson, capt. Samuel Billings, corp. Royall Kollock, first lieut. Matthew Hobbs Harlow, corp.

John Paine, sergt. Lavet Billings, corp.

Enoch Hewins, sergt. Eleazer Blackman, drum.

Joshua Swift, sergt.

Enoch Bird, fife.

Privates.

Benjamin Billings. John Bird.

William Everton.

Solomon Gay.

Samuel Capen.

Stephen Hawes.

Joshua Carey.

Nathaniel Holland.

Jonathan Clark. Caleb Johnson.

Jonathan Cobb. Spencer Lyon.

Richard Cumings.

David Forrest.

459

SHARON.

Samuel Tolman. Joel Morse.

Amos Morse. James Morgan.

Daniel Rhoads. James Rhoads. Jireh Swift. Levi Tuttle.

The second company, Capt. Israel Smith, marched on the 19th of April, 1775, as minute-men from Stoughtonham.

These men probably intended to have served in Capt. Samuel Payson's company, but living most of them in the south part of the district, or Foxboro', when they arrived Capt. Payson had left with his company, and these men were mustered into a com- pany under Capt. Israel Smith, of Moose Hill, and proceeded forthwith to the scene of action.

Minute-men of the 19th of April, 1775, in Capt. Israel Smith's company :

Israel Smith, capt.

Nehemiah Carpenter, corp.

Daniel Morse, lieut.

John Comee, corp.

William Savage, sergt.

Edward Paine, drum.

John Forrest, sergt. David Wood, fife.

Privates.

Uriah Atherton.

John Everett.

Timothy Billings.

Josiah Morse.

Beriah Billings.

Elijah Morse.

Seth Boyden. Elisha Morse.

Amos Boyden.

Timothy Rhoads.

Josiah Blanchard. Josiah Robbins.

William Comee.

William Sumner.

It is said that after the fight at Lexington there were no able-bodied young men left at home, and very few old men were away from the camp around Boston. In these old colonial times roads were trails or bridle- paths, and houses were scattered far between, and many were located in the fields. The occupants of these houses were some of them young women who had just been married. The bride had left father and mother, and her wedding tour was a journey to her new house, isolated though it might be, but here she had consecrated her life to new duties and her affections to husband and a new home. Now, when the husband of a few days put on the armor of war, and went away to battle for his country, the light and love of the bride's heart seemed gone forever.

in the struggle for life, home, and liberty, and these women felt in their hearts a glow of patriotism and conscious pride that they had done what they could.

It was the morning of the 17th of June, 1775, when the stillness of the early hour was broken by heavy cannonading in the distance, at Boston. The roar of heavy guns continued all the forenoon. In the afternoon the contest seemed to have redoubled its fury. What were the thoughts of these women as the horrors of war and bloody strife entered their minds ? What if their husbands or sons should be slain in battle, and a revengeful, conquering enemy should put in execution their threats to come with fire and sword, burn the houses and kill the defense- less women and children ?

In their agony of spirit and despair they turned their steps to Sharon Hill, the high ground near the school-house, where possibly they might behold the fearful contest. They sank down in despair as they beheld before them on the horizon, twenty miles away, in a fearful mass of smoke and flames, Charlestown, with its six hundred buildings.

Night coming on, the tumult and voice of war was hushed.

Anxiously awaiting some tidings from the terrible strife before them they went into the school-house, where they could sympathize with and console each other. Others came in, and a goodly number were gathered. Their minister, the Rev. Philip Curtis, who had faithfully watched over them these many years, was with them, with his prayers, exhortations, and watching. Here on this eventful night was held the first watch-meeting ever held in Sharon. Here these women, with aching hearts and tearful eyes, beheld in the light of burning Charlestown the beacon of freedom, the dawn of a nation's birthday.

The following incidents are a part of the history of this town. Edmund Quincy, Jr., was the son of a retired merchant of Quincy, Mass. He came to this town and married Hannah Gannett, April 30, 1767. He also bought a farm east of Massapoag Lake, where he resided during the remainder of his life. The mem- bers of this distinguished family were most of them decided patriots. That was the case with Edmund Quincy, Jr. One day while walking upon the beach of Massapoag his attention was attracted by the large amount of iron ore lying useless and neglected upon the shore and extending into the water. Being much interested in the affairs of the colonies, and well knowing their needs and necessities (in case of a con- flict with the mother-country) for the want of heavy guns, he imparted the information to his friend, Col.

But the occupants of some of these houses were women who were past the meridian of life. Their gray hairs and stern features told of a life of hard- ship and toil, and they had hoped their declining years would have rested lightly in the bosom of the family that had grown up around them. Yet they could give up their tea and little luxuries of life, which they had loved so well, for the love they bore their country,-the cause of freedom. Even more, with their counsel and their sympathy they cheered and encouraged the hearts of their husbands and sons as they went forth from their homes to engage | Richard Gridley, of Boston, who had been an engi-

460

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

neer in the colonial service, and was the only Ameri- can in this country who knew anything in regard to the manufacture of cannon. Quincy bought the right to take the ore from Massapoag of the " Dor- chester proprietors." Quincy, also, in connection with Gridley and Joseph Jackson, of Boston, purchased the furnace of the Ebenezer Mann Company, for the manufacture of heavy guns. This furnace was located in the south part of this town, on the site now occu- pied by Deacon E. Clapp's shingle-mill.

Col. Gridley came out to Canton in 1772, and, in con- nection with his son Scarborough, commenced drain- ing the pond and exposing the ore. Large quantities of the ore were taken out in 1773, and yet the guns were not completed until 1775. These were the first cannons cast in America. Col. Gridley, who had be- come the chief engineer of the American army, with a number of men proceeded to Massapoag Pond to prove the guns.

Capt. Nathaniel Curtis, son in-law of the Rev. Philip Curtis, who had acquired some knowledge of gunnery in the French war with Col. Gridley, vol- unteered his assistance and accompanied the party. Previous to leaving the house he had deposited in a place of safety several bags of Spanish dollars, the proceeds of a cargo of fish which he had just sold in the West Indies. In the meanwhile an impostor rode through the town stating that the British had marched out of Boston, and were near at hand destroying everything in their track. Capt. Curtis returned home to find the family had fled to the woods, except the faithful negro, who had put out the fires, armed himself with a heavy club, and was determined, as he said, to defend the house. The bags of money he said were at the bottom of the well, and he pointed out the hiding-place of the family. These guns hav- ing proved satisfactory, were taken to Roxbury and then to Dorchester Heights.

The Col. Richard Gridley Company continued the manufacture of heavy guns during the war of the Revolution for the United States.

The second call for soldiers came on the 4th of March, 1776. In response to this order, the company of Capt. Edward Bridge Savels marched to Dor- chester Hills. The following is the muster-roll :

Edward Bridge Savels, capt. Ebenezer Hewins, lieut.

William Billings, corp. Zebediah Holmes, corp.

Jacob Estey, lieut.

Samuel Capen, corp.

Thomas Richards, sergt.

Ebenezer Pettee, corp.

Philip Withington, sergt. Elijah Capen, drum.

Solomon Gilbert, corp.

Job Swift, Jr. Benj'n Packard.

Privates.

Solomon Gay. Philip Curtis.

Joseph Randall.

Jireh Swift.

Benj'n Randall.

David Gould.

Jeremiah Richards.

Ebenezer Gould.

Benj'n Marshall.

Thomas Baker.

John Lovell.

Ebenezer Tisdale, Jr.

Gilbert Morse.

Benj'n Puffer.

Benj'n Gannett.

Enoch Hewins.

Richard Cumings.

John Estey.

Abijah Tisdale.

Samuel Holmes.

Samuel Gould, Jr. Matthew Hobbs Harlow.

Oliver Drake.

John Johnson.

Oliver Everett.

Nathaniel Cumings.

Jeremy Hixson.

Joseph Hewins, Jr.

Daniel Richards, Jr.

Benj'n White, Jr.

Jacob Estey, 3d.

Jonathan Belcher.

William Savels.

Solomon Estey.

John Holmes, Jr.

John Drake, Jr.

William Richards, Jr.

Joseph Morse.

Asa Clark.

Samuel Bird, Jr.

Samuel Wood.

Elijah Baker.

Asa Harlow. Ebenezer Holland.

Edward Tisdale.

William Lewis.

Ephraim Payson, Jr. Benj'n Gannett, Jr.

The result of this expedition was the fortification of Dorchester Heights, which gave the Americans the control of the harbor and the town of Boston, and caused the evacuation of the town by the British army. Exasperated beyond measure by the daring of the patriots, whom they pretended to despise, they sought every means to be revenged. Among other dastardly acts, they burned the light-house on Castle Island. From the proximity of the vessels of the British army to the towns upon the coast, the inhab- itants were apprehensive that they too might be attacked and their property destroyed or carried off. Therefore a third call was issued. To this call Capt. Savels, of Stoughtonham, promptly responded on the 22d of March, 1776. His company was now officered as follows :

Edward Bridge Savels, capt. William Bradshaw, corp.

Royall Kollock, lieut. Benjamin Hodges, corp.

William Billings, lieut. Joseph Randall, corp.

Levi Morse, sergt. Abijah Tisdale, corp.

Ebenezer Richards, sergt. Ebenezer Clark, fife.

Nathaniel Cumings, sergt. Benjamin Bullard, drum.

The following new men, as privates, were added to his company :

Joseph Harris. David Gannett.

Archippus Drake. Elijah Billings.

Edmund Quincy, Jr. Stephen Morse.

William Hart. Zebulon Holmes.

Jacob Hawes.

Levi Pratt.

Samuel Hixson.

William Rogers.

Joseph Cumings. Timothy Billings.

John Cumings. John Coney.

Thomas Clark. John Smith.

Joseph Pratt.

Job Willis.

Amos Morse.

Capt. Savels marched with his company for Quincy on the 22d day of March, 1776. History informs us

461

SHARON.

that Lieut .- Col. Benjamin Tupper, a native of Sharon, in Gen. Ward's brigade, was ordered to take his men in whale-boats, with cannon, and fire upon the British vessels from Thompson's and Spectacle Islands. So vigorously did he play upon the vessels, that they were quite willing to weigh anchor and drop down to Nantasket Roads, beyond the reach of the guns of the American army. The object of the British hav- ing been effectually prevented, the soldiers returned home.

Three-Years' Men .- At a town-meeting held on the 3d day of March, 1777, it was voted to give each man who shall enlist into the service of the United States of America for the term of three years the sum of £13 6s. 8d., to be paid by the town at the time of their passing muster, and at the end of each year, for the term of three years, if the war continue so long.

Under this vote the following men were enlisted and received the bounty :

Lavet Billings. Jonathan Hawes.

Samuel Brown.

William Hewins.

Ebenezer Capen, Jr.

Elkanah Hixson.

Jonathan Clark. Cato Johnson.

William Everdean. Benjamin Kingman.

Jacob French. Zebina Lyon

Stephen Flood.

James Perigo.

David Forrest.

Samuel Tolman.

Josiah Farrington. Moses Howard.

Jacob Wellman.

· Simeon Howard.

The families of these men were supplied by the committee of the town with such necessary articles as contributed to their sustenance and comfort during the absence of the soldiers in the war.

Six- and Nine-Months' Men in the Revolution. -In the Third Suffolk Regiment, Col. Jacob Gill, of Canton, was Company 7, whose officers, Capt. Na- thaniel Morse, Lieut. Benjamin Fairbanks, Lieut. Ezra Morse, were of Stoughtonham, as were the fol- lowing men. They were not all in Capt. Morse's company, but most of them did duty out of the State, at Fishkill or Claverack, on the Hudson River. The General Court paid these soldiers two shillings per mile as travel fees, the distance computed at two hundred and ten miles.

Samuel Billings, 3d.

Solomon Gilbert.

Jonathan Billings, 3d.

Matthew H. Harlow.

Eleazer Blackman.

John Hewins.

Ebenezer Blackman.

Jacob Hewins.

Jeremiah Belcher.

Zebulon Holmes.

Samuel Holmes.

Benjamin Ingraham.

Elijah Johnson. Oliver Johnson.

Edward French.

Elkanah Jordon.

Isaac Jordon.

Amos Richardson.

Joseph Morse.

Joshua Swift.

Nicholas Mckay.

John Tolman.

Joseph Perigo.

Francis Terrand.

Stephen Reed.

Timothy Rhoads.

Joshua Whittemore, Jr. James Wood.

William Robinson.

Mr. Job Swift represented the district in the Pro- vincial Congress during one hundred days, for which he was paid eighteen pounds.

The district paid first requisition of beef, 7210 pounds, £10,815 ; second requisition of beef, 14,845 pounds, £20,764. Total, £31,579. Stoughtonham was required to furnish the support of thirty-one poor persons who left Boston during the siege. Also the district furnished 42 shirts, 42 pairs stockings, and 42 pairs of shoes for the soldiers in the army.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 97

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1534

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1534