USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Topsfield > History of Topsfield Massachusetts > Part 18
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10 Mass. Archives, Vol. 183, page 278.
182
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
your Petitioner would Humbley Shew that after he was Dismest was taken Sick upon his return home and Got as far as Oxford in Worcester County and could Travel no further Whereupon he sent to his Uncal David Dwinel of Sutton to Bring him to his House where (viz) at sd Davids he lay sick about Eight weeks afterwards your Petitioner being but in part Recovered his Health Hired a Horse and man to Carey him home to Meddleton in this State where your Petitioner was under the Docters hands and unable for Labour about three weeks, the whole of your Petitioner Expence in his Sickness with the value of Cloath lose, is fifteen pound fifteen Shillings as may appear by the account and Recept herewith exhibited. Your Humble Petitioner Humly Prays your Hons would take this Petition under your wise consideration and order the Treasur of this State to pay out of the Publick Treasurer to your Petitioner or his order the above Said Sum of fifteen pound fifteen Shilling and as Bound in Duty Shall ever pray Amos Dwinel
Recd of Amos Dwinel for bordeng sd Dwinels one month when he was sick at Middleton for The month of March 1777 and for the paing The Docter Bill and totel Three Weaiks Bord £3:6
Recd By me Jonathan Knight
Rec'd of Amos Dwinel for feching said Dwinel from Oxford and to Borden and Nuseng eight weaiks and fetcheng The Doctor
to one man and horse to Middleton 2: 8
8:11
Recd By Mr. David Dwinel Totel £10:19
The above said Amos Dwinel Lost one Pair of Shirts in the Retreet from New York Sittey the 17 day of September 1776 1:10
Sum Totel £15:15
Justly elated with his success at Trenton, Washington pro- ceeded to Princeton. Here, on Jan. 3, 1777 the New England regiments surprised the celebrated 55th British regiment and took 194 prisoners. Soon after this splendid victory Washing- ton threw his army into comfortable winter quarters at Morris- town, N. J. The campaign of 1776 was ended.
The following men in Capt. Joshua French's Co., of Salis- bury, Col. Edward Wigglesworth's Regt., who were allowed
183
THE REVOLUTION
mileage from Albany Jan. 31st, 1777, gave Topsfield as their residence.11
Ensign Joseph Perkins
John Davidson
Corpl. John Faver
John Whelock
Hezekiah Hodgkins
Ebenezer Hardy
Free Parker
Steven Town
Benj. Hardy
Danl. Cummins
Danl. Guild (Gould)
Ivory Hovey
John Bowers
Moses Person
Nathaniel Tiler
Simeon Currier
Nathaniel Herrick
Stephen Morse
Capt. John Dodge's company of Wenham, in Col. Timothy Pickering's regiment had left home Dec. 16, 1776. It has been stated that one sargeant and nine men from Topsfield were among those discharged March 13, 1777, at Bound Brook, 328 miles from home. 12 Each received £1.7.4 mileage. Unpaid, sick, in rags, and without shoes, their homeward footsteps marked with blood the frozen ground. One individual in- stance must suffice. It is that of John Hood of Glover's regi- ment. The Rev. George Hood said of his father :- " He was discharged unpaid, and without a penny to buy a loaf, or a lodging. He, with several neighbors, set out for home on foot 250 miles, begging food and shelter as they went. Only two or three days from camp, John Hood was taken sick with smallpox. After having been carried some miles from house to house, he was received at Coventry, Conn., and nursed by by a kind old lady named Barnes. When recovered, the kind people clothed and sent him on his way to friends, where he arrived early in the spring. Here his stay was short. After only a few weeks at home, he reinlisted."
Samuel Todd remembered having heard John Hood describe his standing in the water to his armpits to hold the boats so that the men might get in, at the crossing of the Delaware: also how his hands were tied so that he might not tear his face when he was sick with the smallpox and the Doctor had well nigh given him up; also his reaching home and stopping down the Boxford road to greet his father. He also remembered hearing Roger Balch describe the retreat from Long Island.
At a meeting held January 7, 1777, a Committee was chosen "to take an account of what each person had paid in money towards raising men for the town since April 19, 1775. Also what service each person has done in said war & at what place :
11 Mass. Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, 19:55.
12 Mass. Archives, Vol. 18, page 160.
184
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
Joseph Gould, Joseph Cummings, Thomas Porter, Thomas Cummings, David Perkins, David Towne, Isaac Averell, Thomas Mower & Zaccheus Gould."
Their report of Feb. 13th was not accepted and Samuel Smith, Israel Clark Jr., Eliezer Lake, Solomon Dodge and Dea. John Gould were added to the committee. At an ad- journed meeting on March 25th, the list of men was again presented with the sums recommended to be paid each sol- dier. From this report, and similar records of later dates, we are able to give the names of Topsfield men who served in various campaigns during the remaining years of the war. Only the time and place of service is given, however, the company and regiment in which they enlisted being omitted.
We have agreed to recommend to sd Inhabitants that those persons who have advanced money to procure men for the american Service have the same Refunded to them out of the Treasury of sd Town namely :
For the North Company, for men to go to Ticonderoga : Averell, Isaac 6.13.4
Foster, Stephen jr. 1. 0.0
Jeremiah 4. 0.0
Gould, Zaccheus jr. 1. 4.0
Nathl 12. 0.0
Hammond, Nathl 1.16.0
Andrews, Joseph 9.11.0
Hood, Daniel 2. 8.0
Boardman, Capt. John
18.0
Perkins, Capt. Stephen 6.13.4
" Daniel 13. 6.8
Oliver 7.10.0
Baker, Jonathan
13. 0.0
Amos 6.13.4
Batchelder, John
13. 6.8
Samuel 6.13.4
Bradstreet, Saml
9. 0.0
John jr. 18. 0.0
John 6.13.0
Robert
9. 0.0
Cummings, Joseph jr. 9. 0.0
" Capt. Joseph
9. 0.0
John jr.
12.0
Thomas
6.19.4
Jacob 18.0
Peletiah 4. 0.0
William 10. 0.0
Clark, Israel jr.
Peabody, Jacob
9. 0.0
Dexter, Doct. Richard 13. 6.8
Symonds, Thomas & son Jacob
10.13.4
Dorman, Ephraim Nathl
6.13.4 7.10.0
Towne, Jacob Wildes, Asa
6.19.4
Emerson, Lieut. Thos. 9. 0.0
Ephraim
7.10.0
Foster, Stephen jr.
7.10.0
Moses
9. 0.0
Paid by the South Company :
Bixby, Daniel
13.12.8
Gould, Zaccheus
6.14.4
Balch, Cornelius
7.10.0
John jr.
6.16.4
Roger
6.16.4
Zaccheus
18.0
Cummings, Lt. Sam 'l
3. 9.9
Simon 18.0
9. 0.0
Dodge, Lieut. Solomon 6.13.4
3.19.6
Jacob 10. 0.0
185
THE REVOLUTION
Cummings, Lt. Sam'l 18.0
Gould, Asa 18.0
" Lt. Sam'l
10. 0.0
Knight, John 10. 0.0
Dwinell, Jacob 7.10.0 Lake, Eliezer & Son 13.12.8
John 7.10.0 Mower, Ins. Thomas 3. 9.9
" Bartholomew 10. 0.0
Thomas 18.0
Easty, William 7.10.0
Porter, Daniel 1.16.0
Daniel 18.0
Peabody, Sert. John 9. 0.0
Fisk, Nathl
7.10.0
Towne, Joseph 3. 9.9
Theophelus 10.12.0
Elijah 3. 9.9
Gould, Simon 6.16.4
William 7.10.0
Nathl 6.16.4 Woodman, Nathl 6.16.4
We have aggreed to Recommend to sd Inhabitants that there be no allowance to those Persons that have served in the War & have since Removed out of this Towne.
We have aggred to Recommend to sd Inhabitants that there be the following allowances viz. twelve shillings Pr Month to those that served at Cambridge, Dorchester, & Roxbury viz. for eight months Namely :
Andrews, Ammasa 4.16.0
Hood, Amos 4.16.0
Baker, John 3d 4.16.0
Hood, John junr 4.16.0
Balch, Israel
4.16.0 Hood, Richard 4.16.0
Balch, Samll junr
4.16.0
Kimball, Benjn junr 4.16.0
Broadstreet, Henery
4.16.0
Lamson, John junr 4.16.0
Cummings, Josiah 4.16.0
Perkins, Ezra
4.16.0
Gould, Sert Benjn
4.16.0
Perkins, John 4th 4.16.0
Gould, Daniel
4.16.0
Perkins, Thomas 3d 4.16.0
Hobbs, Benjn
4.16.0 Towne, Joshua junr 4.16.0
Hobbs, Isaac 4.16.0
Towne, Stephen 4.16.0
The Committee aggreed to allow those that went to Cape Ann Six Shillings each, Namely :
Cree, Joseph
0. 6.0
Knight, Ebenezer 0. 6.0
Gallop, William 0. 6.0
Perkins, Elijah 0. 6.0
Hammond, Nathll 0. 6.0 Rea, William 0. 6.0
Towne, Archelus 0. 6.0
Hodskins, Hezekiah 0. 6.0
Towne, Daniel
0. 6.0
For those who served at Roxbury for six weeks:
Averell, Nathll junr 0.18.0 Kneeland, Aaron 0.18.0
Broadstreet, Sert Sam'l 0.18.0
Knight, John
0.18.0
Cree, Joseph 0.18.0
Lake, Eliezer junr 0.18.0
Hammond, Nathll
0.18.0
Perkins, Elisha 0.18.0 Perkins, Elijah 0.18.0
Herrick,
Sert. Nehemiah 0.18.0
Towne, Ephraim junr 0.18.0
Herrick, Nathll 0.18.0
Towne, Joseph junr 0.18.0
Hodskins, Hezekiah
0.18.0 Towne, Jacob junr
0.18.0
Broadstreet, Simon 4.16.0
Low, Amos 4.16.0
Herrick, Sert Nehemiah 0. 6.0
186
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
To those at Cambridge 2 months:
Cummings, Daniel 1. 4.0 Wildes, Moses 1. 4.0
Agreed to allow for the Northern Departments two Pound Pr. month : Gould, Daniel junr 10.0.0
Agreed to allow two Pound Pr month to those that went to New York two months, Sept. 1776, namely :
Averell, Amos
4.0.0 Lamson, Josiah 4.0.0
Cree, John
4.0.0
Perkins, Zebulon 4.0.0
Easty, Daniel
4.0.0
Rea, John junr 4.0.0
Gould, David
4.0.0 Towne, Daniel 4.0.0
Hood, Benjn 4.0.0
Towne, Ephraim junr 4.0.0
For men that served at Dorchester four months :
Balch, Robert
2.8.0 Herrick, Sert Nehemiah 2.8.0
Dodge, Daniel 2.8.0
Perkins, David junr 2.8.0
To those at Cambridge 1776 :
Baker, John 3d 1.16.0
Hood, Richard 1.16.0
Gould, Sert Daniel 7 mo 4.4.0 Knight, John 1.10.0
Gould, Samuel 8 mo 4.16.0
Perkins, Thomas 3d 1.16.0
Hobbs, Ser Benjn
1.16.0
Perkins, Thomas 4th 4. 4.0
Hood, Amos
1.16.0
Perkins, John 4th 1.16.0
Towne, Archelus 1.10.0
For those that served at New York five months & nine months, two Pound Pr. month :
Baker, John 3d 9 mo
18.0.0
Hood, Richard 18.0.0
Gould, Sert. Daniel 10.0.0
Knight, John 5 mo 10.0.0
Gould, Samuel 5 mo
10.0.0
Perkins Thomas 3d 18.0.0
Hobbs, Sert Benjn
18.0.0 Perkins, Thomas 4th 10.0.0
Hood, Amos 18.0.0
Perkins, John 4th 18.0.0
Towne, Archelus 10.0.0
December 1776 for men that served at New York 3 months : Averell, Daniel 3.12.0 Perkins, Thomas junr 3.12.0
Hood, Sert Joseph 3.12.0 Smith, Sert Samll 3.12.0
Money Paid, not made use of, for hiring men in the war Old Tenor 12.11.6.
Erors Excepted Joseph Gould Per Order, Committee Receipts are found among papers in possession of the Town Clerk where men hired others to take their place in the army. Two in 1776 read :
Topsfield February ye 2 ad 1776, then I Samuel giles have Received of Zacheus ghould of Topsfield three dolers for which I promise to Proceed in the Publick Service in the Continental army for the said Zacheus ghould which sum I have Received as witness my hand Samuel giles
187
THE REVOLUTION
Topsfield May 19 1776. Then Received of David Balch two Pound eight Shillings Lawful money for enlisting Into the Contental army for Duen for him a turn in the army till the Last Day of December Next to a turn for him By me John Knight
The new army of 1777 was soon in process of formation. The first burst of patriotism was over in 1776 and recruits for the army came hard in 1777. Massachusetts offered each soldier, in addition to the Continental bounty of $20 in Con- tinental bills and 200 acres in "the west," 20 shillings per month for 6 months, 1 blanket or 18 shillings if he furnished it and £20 in state notes to run for four years.
On Feb. 13, 1777 the town voted to give each man "that shall Enlist as a volintier to Serve in the American Army for terme of three years or dureing the war, the sum of Eight pounds as a further Incouragement more then what the Con- gress, and Court has given as a Bounty." On March 25th this vote was reconsidered and the bounty was raised to £18 for each soldier.
The following receipts were given in 1777 by men who were hired to serve in the army.
Capt. John Bordman, Messrs John Perkins Junr and Pele- tiah Cummings, hired John Cummings to serve in the Con- tineal army During the war.
Messrs. John Lamson, Joseph Cummings & Thomas Cum- mings hired John Perkins 4th to serve in the army.
Mr. Israel Clark, hired David Clark to serve in the army for three years.
Two other receipts for money paid by the Town Treasurer were :
Topsfield May 16, 1777. Then Recd of Nehemiah Herrick twenty-five Dolers for to Done a Half a turn in the Contantal armey till Jenary Next 1778. Recd by me Cornelas Cree
Topsfield April 25th 1777, then Recd of Nehemiah Herrick twelve shillings & four pene, Lawful which is Dou to me for my travlans money to Rod Island, by me Archelaus Towne
Orders to raise troops were made in January, March, April and May 1777. William Rea, Samuel Giles and George Nelson were credited to Topsfield in the list of soldiers in Capt. Samuel Page's company, Col. Ebenezer Francis' Regiment in the Northern Army for 3 years from March 1777.
Seven men, Sergt. Benj. Emmerton, Stephen Perkins, Archelaus Towne, Joshua Towne, Asa Wildes, Jonathan Hub- bard and Jonathan Hobs, were credited to Topsfield in Capt. Robert Dodge's company, Col. Jonathan Titcomb's regt.,
188
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
which marched from home April 25, 1777, travelled 85 miles and was in camp two months at Rhode Island. 13
In the call for men in May 1777, a number of the citizens contributed money to hire men. Names of men that paid money to hire men to serve in the Continental army agreeable to the determination of the Selectmen, Committee of Safty & the Commission Officer May 15, 1777 were :
Averell Isaac
6.0.0 Gallop, William 1.10.0
" Capt. Nathl.
2.0.0
Hobbs, Abraham Jr 3.0.0
Jacob
3.0.0
Hood, Nathan
5.0.0
" Jacob Jr
4.0.0
Kneeland, Philip
4.0.0
Jeremiah
6.0.0
Kimball, Jacob
10.0.0
Andrews, Joseph
6.0.0
Low, Nathl
3.0.0
Baker, Capt. Thos.
10.0.0
Perkins, John 4.0.0
Bradstreet, John
4.0.0
Lieut. David
10.0.0
Doct. Joseph
3.0.0
Stephen
4.0.0
Samuel
10.0.0
Joseph
10.0.0
Dexter, Dr. Rich.
10.0.0
Symond, Thomas
5.0.0
Dodge, Lieut. Solomon
6.0.0
Smith, Capt. Samuel
10.0.0
Dorman, Ephraim 10.0.0
Wildes, Amos
5.0.0
Emerson, Lieut. Thos.
10.0.0
Wildes, Thomas
7.0.0
Foster, Stephen
13.10.0
Wildes, Nathan
3.0.0
On Aug. 9, 1777, after the British had taken Ticonderoga the towns were ordered to draft one sixth part of the able- bodied men of the training bands & alarm lists not already engaged. In the Topsfield records of Aug. 13, are the names of the men Drafted to re-inforce the American army at the northward for three months, viz:
Foster, Stephen jr
Hobbs, David
Hodkins, Hezekiah
Lefavor, John jnr
Hubbard, Elnathan
Perkins, Archelus
Hovey, Ivory
Wildes, Dudley
Elisha Wildes paid a fine of £10, on May 19, 1777 for not serving when drafted. On Aug. 22, the following men who were drafted to serve for eight months or procure able bodied man to serve in their place, paid their fines:
Averell, Isaac 15.0.0 Perkins, Oliver 15.0.0
Andrews, Joseph
15.0.0
Perkins, Robert 15.0.0
Baker, Capt. Thomas
15.0.0 Perkins, Samuel 15.0.0
Boardman, Capt. John 15.0.0
Perkins, Zebulon
15.0.0
Cummings, Joseph jr 15.0.0 Peabody, Jacob 15.0.0
Dodge, Lieut. Solomon 15.0.0
Symonds, Thomas 15.0.0
Lamson, John
15.0.0 Wildes, Ephraim
15.0.0
Perkins, Amos
15.0.0 Wildes, Thomas 7.10.0
13 Mass. Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, 18:163.
189
THE REVOLUTION
List of Topsfield men in Capt. Robert Dodge's Comp. in Col. Saml Johnson's Regt. in Genl Warner's Brigade, who did duty in the Northern Dept. Sd comp. was raised from the 3d Regt. of Militia; marched from home Aug. 15, 1777, dis- charged Dec. 14, 1777, miles travelled 275. 14
Lt Benj Gold David Hobs
Sargt Sirus Davis
Ivory Hovey
Sargt Hezikh Hodgkins
Elnathan Hubbard
Corpl Danl Gold
Moses Perkins
Thomas Perkins
Archelaus Perkins
John Favor
William Perkins Andrew Smith
Zacheas Gold
Bartholomew Gale
Nathaniel Smith
Timothy Gourdin
Job Sherburne
Timothy Gilman
Joseph Urine
Isaac Giddings
Joseph York
After Gen. Burgoyne's surrender in N. Y., his army and other British prisoners were brought to camp in Cambridge. It was necessary to draft more men to serve as a guard. The following Topsfield men were drafted on Nov. 3, 1777: Averell, Amos Hood, Benjn Kneeland, Aaron Averell, Jacob junr
Baker, Moses
Lamson, John junr
Batchelder, John
Perkins, Lieut. David
Cree, Stephen
Perkins, Stephen junr
Hobbs, Abraham junr
Towne, Daniel
Tyler, Nathll
Capt. John Dodge of Wenham was in command of one of the companies attached to Col. Jacob Gerrish's Regiment stationed as guard at Winter Hill. A muster roll for Feb. 1778 lists the abovenamed men as members of this company, with the exception of JohnBatchelder, Benj. Hood & Nathan Tyler. Other Topsfield men on the roll were: Serg. William Estey Archelaus Towne Corp. David Balch Ephraim Towne Joseph Andrews Stephen Towne Asa Cree Jacob Towne Joseph Hood John Hood John Rea
Roger Balch
Another list of names in the town records has the caption Winter Hill, 1777.
14 Mass. Archives, Revolutionary Rolls, 18:146.
190
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
Serjt. William Eastey
David Balch 3d
Corpl. Roger Balch
Daniel Gould
Nathl. Fisk
Simon Gould Jur.
Stephen Towne, Jur.
Cornelius Balch
Ephraim Towne, Jur.
Robert Leake
John Rea, Jur.
Moses Parkins 3d
Nathl. Gould
John Peabeday
Jacob Towne
Daniel Gould
Topsfield, like other towns, found it hard to furnish its quota of soldiers. As 1777 drew to a close, Congress found it necessary to order fines imposed on those towns which did not send their full quota. Topsfield had been forced to adopt the practice then being used and hire recruits, paying them bounties from the treasury, securing men wherever possible.
Nearly one half the men secured in 1777 for the army for three years were not Topsfield men on a return made by Capt. Stephen Perkins and Capt. Nehemiah Herrick. The date when each was engaged and bounty paid were found in town records.
The following men are Inlisted to serve for the Town of Topsfield in the State of Mass. Bay in the Continental army for the term of three years or During the war 1777:
Town Captain
Engaged
David Clark
Topsfield
Fairfield
March 1777
John Cummings
Topsfield
Whipple
Apr. 14
Joseph Peabody
Topsfield
White
Apr. 11
John Perkins
Topsfield
Hodskins
Nov. 3
Foster Emerson
Topsfield
Thomas
John Egley
Buxton
Lane
May 22
John Wilson
Buxton
Lane
May 22
Nathan Woodman jr
Lane
May 22
James Reed
Boston
Craft
May 22
Thos. Dupe
Craft
?
Otes Robins
St. Georges
Burton
July 5
Enoch Bailey
Trancient
Lt. Brown
July 5
Thomas Mitchell
Boston
Horton
Oct. 23
Wm Thompson
Frothingham
Oct. 23
Willm Rea
Topsfield
Page
Feb. 27
Samll Giles
Page
Mar. 1
George Nelson
Page
Mar. 1
Nathll Herrick
Fairfield
Mar. 12
Amasa Andrews
Whipple
Apr. 23
Seth Peabody
Whipple
May 2
John Tuttle (Wm)
Whipple
May 27
191
THE REVOLUTION
Moses Thomas Topsfield Marsh
May 22
Samll Fall Peporalborough Lane May 22
Danl Merrill Scarborough Fairfield
Dec.
Moses Perkins 3d Topsfield Whipple
Cornelous Cree
Whipple May 16
Stephen Perkins Capt. Nehemiah Herrick Capt.
Essex ss Feby 18 1778. Sworn before John Baker Jus Peace.
The difficulty of securing men and the seriousness of the situation in Topsfield at this time is clearly shown in a petition made to the General Court by Stephen Perkins and Solomon Dodge, officers of militia. 15
To the Honourable Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay and House of Representatives in General Court assembled March the 3d 1778.
The Petition of Stephen Perkins and Solomon Dodge Hum- bly Sheweth That they was appointed to the Command as Captain and first Lieutenant of the 4th Company in the third Regiment of Militia in the County of Essex in the year 1776 Sence which we have endeavored to obey to the uttmost of our power Every resolution of the general Court for raising men for the defence of this and the united States of America, But so it was, that when the resolve passed one seventh part of the men in each town to compleat an army for three years or dureing the war we was not able to Inlist our Cota of men in our Company for that Service. We then made Sundry Drafts of men, but they all paid their fines, which amounted to such a sum, that your Petitioners apprehended they had money Enough to hire the men they then wanted, of their number, we procured all but three as we suppose. But your Petitioners being advanced in years and in a poor State of health, and being often Called upon to march with part of our Company to places of greate distance which we ware not able to preforme we thought it our duty to ask the Honble Council to grant us a dismission from that Service, which we did, which the Honble Council granted in the month of January Last, Sence which a Resolve passed the general Court that all officiers that had not Compleated their Cota of the Continental army by the first day of March Instant Should be prosented for their fines agreeable to a Resolution of the general Court in the month of August Last. But by reason of the Inhanced prize that men now ask, their is not money enough raised in the Company to procure the men
15 Mass. Archives, Vol. 184, pp. 15-16.
192
THE HISTORY OF TOPSFIELD
that are wanted for our Cota, and as your Petitioners have now no authority to make any more Drafts in said Company either for men or mony, and as we apprehend their is no other person or set of men that Can be subjected to pay a fine on that account, or that have power to make any further drafts for the men in said Company, the Second Lieutenant being in the Service from home, your Petitioners Therfore Humbly prays that your Honor will take their Circumstances into your wise consideration and point out Som way Either by Impower- ing the Selectmen and Comtee of Safty &c to procure said men that are now wanted in sd Company or otherwise as in your wisdom shall judge proper to direct, so that your Peti- tioners may not be subjected to pay a fine when it is not in their power to prevent it. And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.
Dated Topsfield March 2d 1778 Stephen Perkins Solomon Dodge
State of Massachusetts Bay
In Council March 5th 1778
In the Petition of Capt. Stephen Perkins and Lieut Solomon Dodge
Resolved that the Prayer of said Petition be Granted and that the Selectmen and Committee of Correspondence &c of the Town of Topsfield for the time being, be and they hereby are impowered and directed to proceed immediately to the compleating the number of men yet wanted for the Continental Army in the fourth Company of Militia in the third regiment in the County of Essex, by drafting or otherwise as the resolu- tions of the General Court direct; and the said Capt Perkins and Lieut Dodge be and they hereby are directed immediately to pay into the hands of the said Selectmen & Committee all such sums of money as they may have received of said Com- pany & yet remaining in their hands for the purposes above mentioned, while they had the Command of said Company Sent down for Concurrence Jno Avery Dy Secy
More men were summoned on April 20, 1778, to go to Fish- kill on the Hudson. A committee was chosen on May 19, to procure six men on the best terms they can upon the Town's cost and charge to serve in the Continental army for nine mos., in order to make a saving of the thirty pounds for each man they shall so procure by the time set by the General Court in their resolve for that purpose.
193
THE REVOLUTION
John Cree, William Perkins, Phillip Mackenzie, Daniel Hood, John Hood, Jr. and Daniel Fisher (rejected in N. Y.) were paid £150 each as bounty by the town and £30 by act of General Court. The latter was later refunded by the State.
This Certificate concerning Philip Mckenzie is copied from the original in the Eliezer Lake papers.16 He gave his age as 22 in 1778. He married Nov. 13, 1777, Susanna Hobbs of Topsfield.
This is to Certify whom it may concern that Philape McKin- zie of late from Scotland who had his passage to America along with the 71st Regt but did not belong to it or any other under the Crown his passage was payed by his brother Wil- liam McKinzie soldier in the 71st Regt now prisoner of war his brother Philape has three times attempted to make his escape to hallifax but was as often disiponted he has now entered into countinantell service in order make his way to the Brittish troops & if ever it bees his portion to fall in with them we Reccomend him a true & loyal subject & hope he will be treated accordingly
John Gilbertson Sergt 71st Reg. Alexn McDougall Sergt 17th Reg.
At the same time £120 was assessed on the polls & estates in Topsfield to defray charges of clothing provided for sol- diers and transporting them to Andover. On July 31, the following men were paid £14 each as a bounty for service to Jan. 1, to go to Providence to fill Col. Wade's & Jacob's battalions : Daniel Cummings, Asa Cummings, Elijah Cum- mings and Samuel Hood.
The call for men seemed almost continuous in 1779. On June 22, five men were to be secured at the cost of the town for nine months and 3 men to serve at Rhode Island for six months or until Jan. 1st, on as reasonable terms as they can either by money or other Species. Joseph Cree, Robert Gage & Philip Mckenzie were to receive £150 each to go to Rhode Island and Richard Middleton, William Perkins, Jr., Samuel Gould, Lilburn Andrews and George Williams who went to Springfield as nine months men were to receive a similar bounty. On Oct. 8, Jonathan Low & Daniel Averill were en- gaged for service on Castle Island and on the 18th, eight men, Daniel Hood, Joseph Hood, John Hood, Jr., Asa Cree, Daniel Cummings, Moses Perkins, 3rd, John Peabody and Samuel Smith, Jr. were engaged to go to Claverack on the Hudson in Capt. Thos. Cummings Co., Col. Jacob Gerrish's
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