History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 228

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 228

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On motion of George Hersey, Jr., it was

Voted, To recommend to the town that a bounty of one hundred dollars be paid to each volunteer. The meeting then adjourned.

July 19 .- At a town-meeting, held this Saturday evening, Col. Cazncau was chosen moderator.

Voted, To pay volunteers who may be accepted and mustercd into the service of the United States, to the number of fifty-one,-that being the quota of this town,-a bounty of one hundred dollars cach ; and the town treasurer was authorized to hire money for the payment of the same.

The citizens' meeting, adjourned from Tuesday evening last, was held immediately after the town- meeting. Col. Cazneau made the opening remarks; and in the absence of Hon. Solomon Lincoln, the president, Luther Stephenson was called to the chair. Brief addresses were made by Caleb Gill, Caleb T. Bassett, Rev. Mr. Davenport, George Hersey, Jr., Caleb Stodder, John Cushing, and the presiding officer. Several young men then came forward and signed the enlistment papers. On motion of Col. Cazneau, the meeting adjourned to meet at the same place the Tuesday following.

July 22 .- An adjourned war-meeting was held at the town hall for the purpose of obtaining volunteers. Luther Stephenson presided. Col. Cazneau spoke of the services rendered by Capts. Stephenson and Humphrey, of Lieuts. French, Whiton, and Bouvé, and also referred to the noble young men who had gone from this town as privates and in other capaci- ties. Revs. Messrs. Hatch, Tilson, Davenport, and Dyer followed. The meeting was further addressed

1090

HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

by Capt. John Stephenson, Melzar W. Clark, and Capt. Peter N. Sprague.

On motion of Col. Cazneau, Capt. John Stephen- son and Peter Hersey, Jr., were chosen to nominate a committee of ladies, whose duty it shall be to call the next meeting at such time and place as they may decide upon, with authority to proeure speakers, music, and whatever else may be wanted to insure a grand gathering. The ladies chosen upon this com- mittee were Mrs. Jairus B. Lincoln, Mrs. Jonathan Tilson, Mrs. E. Porter Dyer, Mrs. J. L. Hatch, Mrs. Alfred Loring, Mrs. Job S. Whiton, Mrs. Charles W. Cushing, Mrs. John Lincoln, Mrs. David R. Hersey, Mrs. Alfred A. Rouel, and Mrs. John E. Davenport. The meeting then adjourned to meet at the call of the committee of ladies.

Aug. 6, 1862 .- A meeting appointed by the ladies of Hingham, to encourage the enlistment of volun- teers to fill the quota of the town, was held at the town hall. It was largely attended.

Capt. Jairus B. Lincoln called the meeting to order, and read the names of the persons selected for president, vice-presidents, and secretaries.

Luther Stephenson, having been mentioned as president, took the chair. After a few complimentary words to the ladies, he called upon Rev. E. Porter Dyer, who responded in his usual happy manner. Mr. Southworth, of Seituate, followed.

Edward S. Tobey, Esq., of Boston, also gave an earnest and foreible address.

Rev. E. Porter Dyer then read an original poem. Rev. Calvin Lincoln and others followed ; after which several recruits came forward and signed the enlist- ment papers. The meeting was then adjourned to the next evening.

Aug. 7 .- At a citizens' meeting held in the town hall it was " Voted, To recommend the Town to in- crease the amount of bounty to volunteers from one hundred to two hundred dollars."

Aug. 11 .- At a meeting of the citizens it was " Voted to request the selectmen to offer a bounty of one hundred dollars to all volunteers who will enlist upon the second call, the same being for nine months' service." This meeting was enlivened by the fine performances of the Weymouth Band, who volun- teered their serviees for the occasion.

Aug. 15 .- At a town-meeting, Luther Stephenson being moderator, it was

" Voted, To give one hundred dollars in addition to the sum already authorized to be paid to volun- teers for three years, for the first quota."

Aug. 27 .- A meeting of the citizens was held to aid in the enlistment of volunteers for nine months.

Addresses were made by several individuals present ; and it was "Voted, To recommend the Town to pay fifty dollars additional bounty," thereby raising the amount to one hundred and fifty dollars for nine months' men.

Aug. 29-A town-meeting was held this evening, to fix upon the amount of bounty to be offered for recruits who will volunteer upon the quota of Hing- ham for nine months.

Croeker Wilder, Esq., was chosen moderator, and it was" Voted, To add fifty dollars to the one hundred recommended at the meeting held on the 15th inst.," making, in all, a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars for each volunteer upon the second quota.

A citizens' war-meeting was held immediately after the town-meeting last mentioned. Luther Stephen- son occupied the ehair, and Henry C. Harding acted as secretary.

After voeal music by the Whitcomb Family, Rev. Mr. Round, of Boston, was introduced, and being himself a recruit, was able to enforce his eloquence by saying to the young men about him, Come ! Rev. Mr. Hinckley, Messrs. George Hersey, Jr., and Caleb T. Bassett followed. Rev. E. Porter Dyer, being the next speaker, took the opportunity to in- troduce Mr. E. Waters Burr, who made a brief but highly patriotic speech, and in closing he generously pledged himself to give ten dollars each to the ten men who would first come forward and enlist, Mr. George P. Hayward also offered to pay the family of the first married man who would enlist, if he should be accepted, the sum of twelve dollars the first month, and eleven dollars for each of the subsequent eight months. Another gentleman would give five dollars each to the first five men who would enlist that night. These generous offers were received with hearty and prolonged applausc, and several names were added to the list of reeruits.

Aug. 31 .- News of the second battle of Bull Run, and of the immediate need of hospital supplies at Washington, D. C., having reached town by tele- graph this Sunday morning, the usual afternoon ser- vice at the churches was generally omitted, in order that the ladies of the different societies might devote their time either to making hospital garments or in preparing bandages, lint, ete., for the wounded soldiers.

The next day (Monday) several packages, contain- ing the necessary articles for the wounded, were sent to the Sanitary Rooms in Boston by the ladies of Hingham, to be forwarded to Washington.

Sept. 8, 1862 .- A very full meeting of the citi- zens was held at the town hall this Monday evening.

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1091

HISTORY OF HINGHAM.

Col. Cazneau, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, presided. After the opening remarks, Capt. Rounds, of Boston, was introduced. Rev. Mr. Hatch fol- lowed. Edward S. Tobey, Esq., then eloquently ap- pealed to the young men to come forward and enroll their names.

Luther Stephenson, Quincy Bicknell. and Col. Sey- mour made earnest and stirring addresses, after which the meeting was adjourned.

Sept. 12, 1862 .- An adjourned meeting of the citizens was held at the town hall, with Col. Cazneau in the chair, and Israel Whitcomb as secretary.

The following persons were chosen a committee to canvass their respective districts for the purpose of obtaining the signatures of exempts from military duty, and organizing the same into a company or companies. viz. : Joseph Jacob and Seth Sprague in the south school district ; John Stephenson and John Leavitt in the middle district ; John Todd and Elijah L. Whiton in the north district ; Quincy Bicknell, Caleb Gill. and Edward Cazneau in the west district. Appropriate addresses were made by Col. Cazneau, Quincy Bicknell, Caleb Gill, Luther Stephenson, Rev. E. Porter Dyer, Col. Seymour, and others.

Subsequently two companies of Home Guards, numbering in all about one hundred men, paraded as a battalion the 22d of October, and after marching through the principal streets of the town, partook of a collation at Loring Hall. Rev. Joseph Richardson, the senior pastor of the First Parish, and others, ad- dressed the assembly. A second parade occurred on the afternoon of the annual election, November 4th.

Dec. 2, 1862 .- At a town-meeting held this even- ing, Quincy Bicknell, Esq., in the chair, it was

·· Voted, To authorize the selectmen, should they deem it expedient, to increase the bounty from one hundred and fifty dollars to a sum not exceeding two hundred dollars, for volunteers to fill up the quota of the town.

" Voted, That the use of the Centre school-house of the west district be granted to the ' Home Guard' for drill purposes, subject to the regulation and con- trol of the school committee."

March 9, 1863 .- A town-meeting was held, with Col. Charles W. Seymour as moderator.

" Voted, That the sum of $9000 be placed at the disposal of the selectmen for the payment of State aid to the families of volunteers, if needed.

" Voted, That the sum of eight hundred dollars be raised by taxation as town aid to the families of vol- unteers, if needed, to be expended under the direction of the selectmen."

April 6, 1863 .- Town-meeting : Caleb Gill, Esq., moderator.

" Voted, That the town treasurer be authorized, under the direction of the selectmen, to hire such sums of money as may be required to carry into effect the first and second sections of chapter seventy- nine of the acts of the General Court for 1863, re- lating to the paying of State aid to the families of deceased and disabled volunteers."

Aug. 14, 1863 .- At a town-meeting held this evening, James S. Lewis, Esq., moderator, it was " Voted, That the sum of fifteen thousand dollars for State and town aid be raised by the town, and be and hereby is appropriated, under the direction of the selectmen, for the aid of the wives, children, parents, brothers. and sisters of those inhabitants of the town who may be drafted into the army of the United States, and serve therein, under the law passed by Congress, entitled ' An Act enrolling and calling out the National Forces, and for other Purposes,' approved March 3, 1863, provided no more than two hundred dollars shall be paid to or for any one person in addi- tion to State aid.

" Toted, That the treasurer be authorized to hire the sum of fifteen thousand dollars to carry the above vote into effect, under the direction of the selectmen, should they deem it necessary."

Nor. 3, 1863 .- Town-meeting. The subject of allowing to David H. Champlin the aid granted to drafted men, according to a vote of the town, Aug. 14, 1863, was referred to a committee consisting of Samuel L. Fearing, John Todd, and Melzar W. Clark, to report thereon at future meeting.

Dec. 7, 1863 .- At a war-meeting of the citizens of Hingham, held at the town hall this Monday even- ing, Edward Cazneau was chosen president, and Charles N. Marsh, secretary.

The meeting was addressed by Rev. Calvin Lincoln, Rev. Joshua Young, Luther Stephenson, Col. Charles W. Seymour, and the chairman.

Dee. 11 .- An adjourned meeting of the citizens of Hingham was held this Friday evening, to aid in filling up the quota of the town. Col. Cazneau presided, and Charles N. Marsh officiated as secretary. Ad- dresses were made by Col. Seymour, Rev. E. Porter Dyer, Messrs. Benjamin Thomas, Luther Stephenson, Caleb T. Bassett, and Revs. Messrs. Lincoln and Hatch.

The secretary then read a communication from Rev. Joshua Young, which, among other good things, contained a sentiment relating to " Our Armies," and one also to " Old Hingham."

The following letter was received from Governor

1092

HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Andrew, in reply to an invitation to be present and address the meeting :

" BOSTON, Dec. 1, 1863.

" EDWARD CAZNEAU, EsQ., Chairman of Selectmen, Hingham. " Dear Sir,-In reply to yours of November 28th, I can only say that it is impossible for me to attend the meeting at Iling- ham on Monday, December 7th, as you request, although I need not assure you what pleasure it would give me to meet my friends and neighbors, or to aid in the labor of recruiting there, if it were in my power to do so.

"Very respectfully your friend and servant,

" JOHN A. ANDREW, Governor of Massachusetts."

This meeting was enlivened by the excellent per- formances of the Weymouth Band. On motion of Capt. John Stephenson, a rallying committee was chosen to aid the selectmen in obtaining recruits. The names of the committee were as follows : Crocker Wilder, Amasa Whiting, Alfred Loring, Ezra Wilder, John Cushing, Andrew W. Dunbar, John Stephenson, David Leavitt, John K. Corthell, Fearing Burr, Jr., J. Sturgis Nye, Ezra Stephenson, George Hersey, Jr., Joseph Ripley, Joseph B. Thaxter, Jr., Charles W. Seymour, Benjamin Thomas, William J. Nelson, Isaac Barnes, and Israel Whitcomb.

Dec. 14 .- At a meeting of the citizens liable to draft, George Hersey, Jr., was chosen chairman, and Israel Whitcomb, secretary.

" Voted, That a subscription paper be circulated among those persons present who are liable to a draft, to ascertain the amount of money that can be raised towards securing recruits for the quota of Hingham under the last call of the President of the United States.

" Voted, To choose a committee of twelve to solicit subscriptions from persons who are liable to draft, and not present at this meeting. The committee ehosen were as follows: Amasa Whiting, George Dunbar, and William Cushing, of the South Ward ; Henry Stephenson, Henry Merritt, Jr., and Joseph T. Sprague, of the Middle Ward; Charles N. Marsh, Samuel M. Beal, and Isaac Gardner, of the North Ward; and Edmund Hersey (2d), William F. Har- den, and Isaac W. Our, of the west district of the North Ward.

" Voted, To choose a committee of twenty-five to solicit subscriptions from the community at large for the purpose of filling the quota of Hingham, under the call of the President of the United States, dated Oct. 17, 1863." The persons chosen upon this committee were Amasa Whiting, Albert B. Lor- ing, Alfred Loring, William C. Wilder, Ezra Wil- der, E. Barker Whitcomb, Samuel Lincoln, Israel Whitcomb, Joseph T. Sprague, Charles B. Boyd, David Leavitt, John Stephenson, John B. Lewis,

Samuel L. Beal, J. Sturgis Nye, William J. Nelson, Henry C. Harding, Andrew J. Gardner, George Hersey, Jr., Gridley F. Hersey, George Lincoln, Jr., Henry Stephenson, Joseph Ripley, Caleb S. Hersey, and George Tilden.

David Cushing, Jr., was added to the committee- at-large to solicit subscriptions from Hingham persons who were residing in Boston.

Adjourned to meet the next evening.

Dec. 15 .- At a meeting of the citizens liable to draft, held this evening, Col. Seymour was chosen treasurer.

" Voted, That the whole matter of recruiting for the quota of the town be recommitted to the former committee of twenty, chosen by the citizens of Hing- ham.”

Dec. 30 .- A meeting of the citizens of Hingham liable to draft, and of others interested in filling the quota of the town, was held this evening. Crocker Wilder, Esq., was chosen chairman, and Israel Whit- comb, secretary.

Col. Seymour, treasurer, reported that he had received from the soliciting committee the sum of $4685, and had paid to persons for recruiting pur- poses $1391.34, leaving a balance on hand of $3293.66.

" Voted, To hold a war-meeting at this place to- morrow afternoon, commencing at two o'clock, and that the citizens be remembered to close their places of business at twelve o'clock ; also to cause the bells on the meeting-houses to be rung half an hour before the meeting.

" Voted, That all citizens present be requested to act as a rallying committee to persuade persons who are liable to draft to attend the meeting to-morrow afternoon." Adjourned.

Dec. 31 .- A meeting of the citizens of Hingham was held this Thursday afternoon, with Crocker Wilder, Esq., as chairman, and Israel Whitcomb, secretary. After passing several unimportant votes, it was adjourned to meet at seven o'clock P.M.

At the evening meeting Luther Stephenson was chosen to preside in the absence of Mr. Wilder. Eloquent remarks were made by the chairman, by Revs. E. Porter Dyer, and J. L. Hatch, Col. Sey- mour, Isaac Barnes, and others. Subsequently it was "voted, to dissolve, with three cheers for the Union."

Feb. 12, 1864 .- At a meeting of the citizens of Hingham, held at the town hall this Friday evening, Crocker Wilder, Esq., was chosen chairman, and Israel Whitcomb, secretary.

Col. Seymour, treasurer of the Citizens' Recruiting

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1093

HISTORY OF HINGHAM.

Committee, presented his final report, which was read and accepted.

SUMMARY OF THE REPORT.

Received of the Soliciting Committee, $6093.50.

Of this amount, one person gave.

$250.00

§250.00

one person gave ...

150.00

five persons gare.

100.00

500.00

one person gave.

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ten persons gave ...

50.00

500.00

three persons gare ..

40.00

120.00

two persons gare ..

30.00

60.00

forty-two persons gare .....

25.00

1050.00

twenty-one persons gare ...

20.00

420.00

twenty-five persons gave ...

15,00

375.00

one person gave ..

13.00

one hundred and thirty-

two persons gare ..... ...

10.00

1320.00

three persons gave ..........

8.00

24.00

one person gare ...

7.00

two hundred and twenty-

5.00

1105.00

twenty-five persons gave ...

3.00

75.00

one person gare.

2.50

twenty-seven persons gave

2.00

54.00

eight persons gare ..

1.00

8.00

Total

$6093.50

This amount does not include any portion of the two thousand dollars previously offered by Hon. Albert Fearing, or of the generous gift of five hundred dollars by Edward S. Tobey, Esq., of Boston. Neither does it take in the proceeds of any fair or entertainment, or of the several collections taken up at war-meetings prior to the appointment of the Citizens' Recruiting Committee.

The credit side of the report shows in detail the amount paid for thirty-eight new recruits, and for twenty-six veterans who re-enlisted upon the quota of Hingham. with the necessary expenses of recruiting the same.

The meeting was adjourned to Monday evening, 15th inst.

Feb. 15 .- An adjourned meeting of the citizens liable to draft, and of others interested in filling the quota of the town, was held at the town hall. Col. Seymour gave some additional information relating to the receipts and expenditures of the Citizens' Re- cruiting Committee ; after which the thanks of the meeting were presented to the Committee of Twenty for their services in filling the quota of the town under the call of Oct. 17, 1863.

" Voted, To choose a recruiting committee of seven, and the following persons were appointed, viz. : Israel Whitcomb, David Leavitt, Edmund Hersey (2d), Elijah Shute, Jason W. Whitney, William Fearing (2d), and Charles N. Marsh.

": Voted, To choose a soliciting committee of thirty to canvass the town for subscriptions to aid in secur- ing recruits for the quota of Hingham under the call of the President of the United States, dated Feb. 1, 1864."

March 7, 1864 .- At the annual town-meeting, James S. Lewis, Esq., moderator, it was

" Voted, That eight hundred dollars of the money raised for town expenses be appropriated, under the direction of the selectmen, for town aid to the fami- lies of volunteers.

" Voted, That the treasurer be authorized to hire eight thousand dollars for paying State aid, under the direction of the selectmen.

" Voted, To accept the minority report of the com- mittee to whom was referred the subject of allowing David H. Champlin the aid granted to drafted men." The report recommends that he receive the same benefits granted to drafted men.

" Voted, To choose a committee consisting of Seth Sprague, Demerick Marble, George Hersey, Jr., James S. Lewis, and Caleb Gill, to audit the accounts of the recruiting officer, agreeably to order No. 32, from the Governor of the Commonwealth.

" Voted, That the treasurer be authorized to hire the sum of one thousand dollars to defray the ex- penses of recruiting in anticipation of premiums for volunteers enlisted under said order" (32).

April 11, 1864 .- At a town-meeting held this Monday afternoon, James S. Lewis, Esq., in the chair, it was

" Voted, That the town refund the money contrib- uted by individuals, and applied for the purpose of procuring its proportion of the quota of volunteers in the military service called for from the Commonwealth, under the orders of the President of the United States, dated Oct. 17, 1863, and Feb. 1, 1864, so far as it can be done legally, and that no part of said money shall be refunded before the first day of August next.

" Voted, To raise eight thousand dollars for the purpose of carrying the above vote into effect, pro- vided such amount shall be required.

" Voted, That the treasurer be authorized, with the advice of the selectmen, to hire a sufficient sum of money for the purpose of procuring the town's pro- portion of the quota of volunteers as may be called for from the Commonwealth, under any order or call from the President of the United States, issued after the first day of March, 1864, provided such sum shall not exceed one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each volunteer obtained under such call or order."

As an expression of the citizens of this town, it was

" Voted, That the selectmen be authorized to take action in procuring and interring the bodies of officers and soldiers belonging to this town that may here- after die in the service.

" Voted, That the selectmen be requested to petition

one persons gave ........

1094

HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

the Legislature that authority be granted to raise money for defraying the expenses of obtaining and interring the bodies of such officers and soldiers be- longing to this town as may die in the service during the rebellion."

June 17 .- Omitting several citizens' meetings which were unimportant in their results, an adjourned war-meeting was held this evening.

" Voted, That the enrolled men of this town be requested to pay the sum of fifteen dollars each, for the purpose of securing a sufficient number of recruits to fill the quota of the town in anticipation of a call by the President of the United States for three hun- dred thousand men.

" Voted, To appoint a committee to solicit sub- scriptions from persons liable to draft and from citi- zens generally. The committee were also to take into consideration the correcting of the enrollment by re- porting all cases of permanent disability, &c."

The following persons were chosen a committee to solicit subscriptions, viz. :

North Ward .- Andrew J. Gardner, Isaac Gardner, Elijah D. Tilden, Albert E. Thayer, Thomas J. Her- sey, Edmund Hersey (2d), and George Lincoln, Jr.

Middle Ward .- Demerick Marble, Elisha Burr, Joseph T. Sprague, George Bailey, Loring Jacob, De Witt C. Bates, and Reuben H. Corthell.

South Ward .- Elpalet L. Cushing, William Cush- ing, Joshua D. Turner, William C. Wilder, Elijah Shute, Edmund Hobart, Edwin Tower, and Joseph H. Wilder.

July 30 .- A meeting of the citizens liable to draft was held for the purpose of making arrangements to fill the quota of the town under the last call. By vote of those present De Witt C. Bates was chosen to solicit subscriptions.

Aug. 8, 1864 .- At a meeting of the citizens liable to draft, and others interested in filling the qnota, a subscription paper was circulated from which was realized upwards of one thousand dollars. Several gentlemen present expressed their intention of pro- curing substitutes, and it was voted to allow all such persons the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars from the recruiting fund. Up to this time the committee appointed to solicit subscriptions reported that they succeeded in raising between five and six thousand dollars towards obtaining recruits.

Aug. 13 .- A citizens' meeting was held for the purpose of obtaining home recruits for coast defense for one year's service.

Aug. 20 .- An adjourned meeting of those liable to draft, and of all others interested in filling the quota of the town, was held this evening. It was

announced as " the last meeting (unless more encour- agement be given ) that will be held before the draft." A statement was made showing the number of men required to fill the quota of the town. To meet this demand, a deposit had been made with the State to secure a proportion of the number required. Eight substitutes, also, had recently been furnished by per- sons who were liable to be drafted, and fifteen or more credits were expected from enlistments in the navy.

Dec. 29, 1864 .- In accordance with an act of the Massachusetts Legislature concerning the militia, ap- proved May 14, 1864, a meeting of the citizens of Hingham liable to military duty was held at the town hall for the purpose of forming a company and choos- ing a captain. Henry Jones was unanimously elected to the office, but the act was shortly afterwards sus- pended, and the company never met for parade or military drill. Capt. Jones was well qualified for the honor conferred upon him, having seen three years of active service at the front with the Eighteenth Regi- ment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, of the Army of the Potomac.

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 228

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1706

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706