USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > History of old Braintree and Quincy : with a sketch of Randolph and Holbrook > Part 39
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > History of old Braintree and Quincy : with a sketch of Randolph and Holbrook > Part 39
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).
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All the names on the roll, stated to have belonged to Brain- tree. . Term of service, against each man's name, was from 8 months, 1 week, 1 day, to 8 months, 2 weeks, 4 days ; all expiring at the same time, Jan. 1st, 1776. The privates were paid forty shillings per month, one month's pay in advance ; Captain's pay, six pounds per month; 1st Lieutenant, four pounds per month.
A true return of the time and service of Capt. John Vin- ton's independent company, 1775. Time of service, 8 months, 2 weeks and 4 days.
408
MILITARY.
" John Vinton, Captain ; Ebenezer Thayer, 1st Lieutenant; Silas Hollis, 2d Lieutenant; Ichabod Holbrook, Jr., Enoch Hay- den, John Hunt, William Hobard, Sergeants; Ephriam Thayer, Reuben French, Moses Arnold, Daniel Hollis, Corporals ; Barna- bus Clark, Stephen Hayden, Drummers ; David Porter, Fifer; John Hobard, 2d, Ebenezer Whitmarsh, Barnabus Hollis, Philip Thayer, Joseph Blanchard, Daniel Hayden, Jr., Jacob Nash, Cyrus Hayden, Richard Peirce, (Stoughton,) John Nightingale, Ephriam Hunt, John Doble, Richard Thayer, Silas Lovell, Isaiah Faxon, Nathaniel Wales, Jr., Peter Slone, John Slone, Jr., James Nash, 2d, John Thayer, 3d, Samuel Spear, Jr., Joseph Doble, Benjamin French, Loring White, Abraham Thayer, Jr., Nathan- iel Savel, Benjamin Veazie, Jr., Edward Cheesman, Thomas Holbrook, Jacob Hayden, Elliot Clark, Caleb Hayden, Solomon Thayer, Daniel Hayward, Zebah Thayer, Jonathan Arnold, James Thayer, Anthony Hunt, Silas Hayward, Benjamin Nash, Jr., Edward Bass, Joshua Hobard, Bizer Ludden, William Mills, Nathaniel Holbrook, James Thayer, Jeremiah Colly, Daniel Dow- ner, of Middlebough."-Muster Rolls, Vol. XVI, p. 54.
Muster roll of an independent company in service of the Col- ony of Massachusetts Bay, from Jan. 1st, 1776, to June 7th, in- clusive, under the command of Capt. Ebenezer Thayer, tertius. Time of service, three months and one day.
" Ebenezer Thayer, tertius, Captain ; Isaac Thayer, 1st Lieu- tenant ; Joseph Wild, Wm. Hobard, Phillip Thayer, Elliot Clark, Sergeants; John Copeland, Anthony Hunt, James Clark, Corpo- rals; Gideon French, Drummer; Francis Faxon, Fifer; Benja- min Veazie, Barnabus Clark, Caleb Hayden, Daniel Hayward, Zebah Thayer, John Nightingale, Richard Thayer, Lemuel Clark, Nathaniel Wales, Abraham Thayer, Joseph Veazie, Samuel Bass, Jr., Ebenezer Brown, John Hobard, Wm. Thayer, Ahay French, Jonathan Thayer, Joseph Adams, John Scudder, Uriah Thayer, Silvanus Ludden, Benjamin Ludden, Eleazer Beale, Micalı Wild, Jr., Richard Peirce, Win. Wild, Jr., Calvin Thayer, Benjamin Milton, Nathaniel Belcher, Thomas Belcher, Zeba Cheesman, Levi Wild, Jonathan Whitcomb, Ebenezer French, Jonathan Fessenden, Joshua French."-Muster Rolls, Vol. XXIII, p. 123.
A true return of the time and service of a company, under the
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MILITARY.
command of Captain Sawen, in Col. Joseph Palmer's Regiment, who assembled in Braintree, on the 4th of March, 1776. Time of service, fifteen days.
" Eliphalet Sawen, Captain ; Simeon Thayer, 1st Lieutenant ; Joseph Tower, 2d Lieutenant ; Joseph White, Joseph Spear, Ephraim Thayer, Samuel Jones, Samuel Spear, Sergeants; Atkins Clark, Elisha Wales, Samnel Cheesman, Joseph Chees- man, Joseph Porter, Corporals ; Zeba Hayward, Drummer; Joseph Belcher, Daniel French, William Linfield, Cornelius White, Ebenezer Pratt, Timothy Thayer, David White, Jr., Nathaniel Hunt, Jr., Jacob Whitcomb, Nathaniel Pain, Benja- min Pain, Samuel Allen, Joshua Thayer, David Linfield, Samuel Wood, M. French, Deering Spear, John Stetson, Paul Thayer, Jeremiah Thayer, Jr., Richard Spear, Noah Cheesman, Isaac Thayer, Benoni Hayward, Simeon Hayward, Benjamin Stetson, Joseph Payson, Lemuel Spear, John Gooch, James Gooch, Seth Man, Jr., Benjamin Man, Moses Littlefield, Eli Spear, Luther Spear, David Slone, Peter Slone, John Slone, Thomas French, Timothy French, Richard Thayer, Benjamin Hayward, Oliver Thayer, James Niles, Thomas West, Zebulon Hayward, Hezekiah Sutton, Isaac Stephens, Jas. Tilley, Jonathan Thayer, James Packard, John Jordan, Lemuel Sutton, Gideon Tower, Simeon Thayer, Jr., William Thayer, James Kingman, Peter Thayer, Jr., William Blanchard, Daniel Hunting, Joseph Hay- ward, Micah Thayer."-Muster Rolls, Vol. XXII, p. 206.
A true return of the time and service of Capt. Moses French's company, in Col. Joseph Palmer's (who was a citizen of Brain- tree) Regiment, assembled March 4th, 1776. In service fifteen days.
" Moses French, Captain ; Robert Hayden, 1st Lieutenant; Thomas Hollis, 2d Lieutenant; William Allen, Clerk; Nathan- iel French, Adam Hobart, Gaius Thayer, Jonathan Holbrook, Sergeants; Josiah French, Caleb Hunt, Enoch Penniman, Nehe- miah Thayer, Corporals; Elijah Thayer, Drummer; David P. Hayward, Caleb Hayden, Jacob Allen, Samuel Clark, Barnabus Thayer, Jonathan Thayer, Lemuel Veazey, Samuel Curtis, Jo- siah Hunt, Adam Curtis, Silas Veazey, Nathaniel Capen, James Faxon, Elkannah Thayer, Ebenezer Penniman, Zeba Hayden,
53
410
MILITARY.
Caleb Hobard, Jr., John Hobard, Jr., Joseph Riford, John Hunt, Eben Hayden, Jr., Zach. Markquand Thayer, Nehemiah Hol- brook, Thomas Holbrook, Edward Faxon, Ephraim Blanchard, Ahay French, John Clark, 2d, Noah Thayer, James Holbrook, Henry Thayer, Abijah Allen, Hezekiah Thayer, Azariah Faxon, Jr., S. Copeland, Isaac Copeland, Caleb French, Gideon French, Joshua Hobard, Richard Thayer, Jos. Wild, Silas Lovell, Benja- min Wales, David Holbrook."-Muster Rolls, Vol. XIX, p. 97.
A pay roll of Capt. Seth Turner's independent company, in the pay of Massachusetts from Jan. 1st to May 22d, 1776, inclu- sive. Time of service, four months and two days. .
"Seth Turner, Captain ; Thomas Newcomb, Ist Lieutenant ; Jacob Wales, 2d Lieutenant ; Macah Newcomb, Benjamin Dyer, John Wyld, John Niles, Sergeants; Elijah Gurney, Nathaniel Hayden, Moses Nash (Weymouth), Nathaniel Arnold, Corpo- rals; Daniel Porter, Drummer; Joseph Wales, Fifer; Peter Newcomb, William Brackett, Amos Stetson, Abraham New- comb (Boston), John Bardon, Daniel Hayward, Hopestill Brad- ley, Moses Brackett, Bryant Newcomb, Joseph French, Benj. Richardson, David Nash, John Ayer (Weymouth), Ebenezer Hancock (Boston), William Penniman, Ely Spear, Jacob Frize, Daniel Baxter, Josiah Thayer, Timothy Thayer, Seth Spear, Moses Littlefield, William Spear, Elijah Underwood, John Mills, David IIollis (Weymouth), Seth Vinton (Stoughton), Aaron Littlefield, Ebenezer White, William Arnold, Phillip Silvester, Noah Thayer, Edmund Smith, Benjamin Nash, William Bates (Weymouth), Zadock Nash, Bartholomew Thayer, Jacob Spear, Edward Willard, Josiah Vesey Baxter, Oliver Newcomb, Abra- ham Hayward (Boston), Thomas Hayward, Samuel Brackett, Daniel Richards."-Muster Rolls, Vol. XXIII, p. 150.1
Pay roll of Capt. Seth Turner's company, under the command of Col. Thomas Marshall, in the pay of Massachusetts State, from May 22d to Nov. 1st, 1776. This company was made up mostly by men from Bridgewater and Middleborough. The paper is broken away so much, that we were able to give the residence of but a few of them.
1. Captain Turner paid four companies under his command, stationed at Hull from January to May, 1777 .- Muster Rolls, Vol. XXV, p. 84.
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MILITARY.
"Seth Turner, Captain; Thomas Newcomb, 1st Lieutenant; Jacob Wales, 2d Lieutenant; James Dunbar (Bridgewater), Micah Newcomb, Benjamin Dyer, Moses Nash (Weymouth), Sergeants ; Peter Newcomb, Solomon Keith (Bridgewater), Elijah Gurney, Hopestill Bradley, Corporals; Samnel Eaton, Drummer (Middleborough) ; Jos. Wales, Fifer ; James Walker, Nathaniel Arnold, Elisha Blanchard, William Brackett, Carver Bates (Middleborough), Jona. Cleverly, Theophelus Chrocker (Middleborough), Duke Scott (Middleborongh), Jesse Curtis (Bridgewater), Benj. Cain (Middleborough), Nathaniel Eaton (Middleborough), John French, Thomas Hayward, Marshall Walker, Asa Washburn (Bridgewater), Daniel Hayward, Bar- nabus Hayward, Eliphas Hunt (Weymouth), Luther Hall (Rayn- ham), Job Hall (Raynham), Nath. Ludden, Isaac Leech (Bridge- water), Samuel Leech (Bridgewater), Philip Lee (Bridgewater), Abraham Newcomb, Brient Newcomb, Zadock Nash, Benjamin Pain, Daniel Richardson, Abzerther Richmond, Samuel Stoder, Samuel Spear, Benjamin Shaw, Pearrese Simons, Benj. Hollis, Edmund Smith, Seth Turner, David Vinton, Josiah Veasey, Bar- nabus Washburn, Geo. Willbar, David Wallis, E. W. Baxter."
A pay roll due to Capt. Stephen Penniman's company, in Col. France's Regiment, "being for Travell into Campe and back again, one Penny per mile; also, for one day's pay for every twenty miles Travell home from Camp, and their Gun and Blanckett Money," the said company being draughted from the towns of Hingham, Braintree, Dorchester, Stoughten, Stough- tenham and Milton, in 1776. Time of service, one day.
" Stephen Penniman, Captain ; Paul Thayer, Uriah Thayer, John Copling, Deering Spear, William Wild, Adonijah French, Silvanus Ludden, Calvin Thayer, Beza Lndden, Oliver Thayer, Moses Whitcomb, Eliphas Thayer, Mesheck Penniman, James Kingman, Nathaniel Hunt, Nathaniel Belcher, Abel Cheesman, Wm. Hayden, Joseph Man, Gideon Stetson, Benjamin Hunt, Benjamin Cheesman, David Thayer, Nehemiah Hayden, Jesse Pratt, Zebulon Howard."-Mnster Rolls, Vol. XXII, p. 29.
Capt. Stephen Penniman's company in Col. Dyke's Regiment, 1776.
" Stephen Penniman, Captain ; Paul Thayer, Ensign ; Joseph
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MILITARY.
Wild, Sergeant; Nathan Holbrook, Jesse Pratt, Corporals ; Deering Spear, Drummer; Francis Faxon, Fifer; John Copling, Benjamin Cheesman, William Wild, William Caggill, David Thayer, Abel Cheesman, Bezer Ludden, Calvin Thayer, Sylva- nus Ludden, Moses Whitcomb, Nathaniel Hunt, Benjamin Hunt, Oliver Thayer, Abraham Jones, Gideon Stetson, Joseph Man, Jr., Zebulon Howard, Samuel Thayer, John Wild, Jacob Hayden, Samuel Ludden, John Burrell, Elijah Thayer, Samuel Hunt." -- Mnster Rolls, Vol. XXVI, p. 427.
Braintree men in Capt. Abijah Bang's company, in Col. Dyke's Regiment, 1776.
" Nathaniel Paine, Lemuel Veazie, Joseph Adams, Eliphas Thayer, Richard Spear, Seth Mann, Moses Littlefield, Samuel Holms, Aaron Littlefield, Michael White, Ephraim Mann, Sam- uel Mann, Ezra Glover, Alex. Thayer, David Baker."-Muster Rolls, Vol. XXVI, p. 427}.
A true statement of the time and service of the company of the North Precinct of Braintree, under the command of Capt. Edmund Billings, in Col. Jonathan Bass' Regiment, assembled on the 13th of June, 1776, in order to drive the British ships out of Boston harbor. Term of service, five days.
" Edmund Billings, Captain ; James Clark, 1st Lieutenant ; Seth Baxter, 2d Lientenant; Elisha Glover, Seth Spear, Ebene- zer Newcomb, Benjamin Torrey, Sergeants; Wm. Field, Joseph Field, Moses Brackett, Joseph Bass, Jr., Corporals ; Oliver New- comb, Drummer; John Briesler, Fifer; John Hayden, Joseph Tirrell, Elijah Belcher, Joseph Baxter, George Briesler, Jona- than Fessenden, Elijah Vesey, Jackson Field, John Field, Jr., Ebenezer Field, Jr., Nathaniel Beale, John Copeland, Henry Hayden, Daniel Spear, John Bass, Jas. Clark, Jr., Micah Wilde, Jr., Amos Stetson, Peter Clark, Gregory Clark, Joseph Tirrell, Jr., Printes Cushing, Samuel Newcomb, Benjamin Pray, Peter Brackett, George Frost, Nathaniel Adams, Benjamin Hollis, W. Baxter, Jonathan Marsh, Jr., Jonathan Marsh, Nathan Tirrell, James Brackett, Ebenezer Brackett, (illegible) Mason, Jr., Wil- liam Spear, Jr., Thomas Gurney, Joseph Palmer, Jr., John Thax- ter, Jr., Nathaniel Hayden, Prince Pero."-Muster Rolls, Vol. XVII, p. 62.
413
MILITARY.
A true return of Capt. Moses French's company, in Col. Jona- than Bass' Regiment, who assembled at Braintree, June 13th, 1776, upon orders to march to Houghs Neck, so called, and June 24th, upon orders to Nantasket. Time of service, four days. "Moses French, Captain; Robert Hayden, 1st Lieutenant ; Thomas Hollis, 2d Lieutenant ; Nathaniel French, Adam Hobart, Gaius Thayer, John Holbrook, Sergeants ; Joseph French, Caleb Hunt, Enoch Penniman, Nehemiah Thayer, Corporals; David Person Hayward, Caleb Hayward, Capt. Stephen Penniman, Isaac Houghton, Jacob Allen, Barnabus Thayer, Zach. Mar- quand Thayer, James Tower, (illegible) Faxon, Jr., Lieut. Sam- uel Curtis, David Holbrook, Jr., James Holbrook, Joseph Wild, Joshua Hobart, Caleb French, Zebe Hayden, Joseph Riford, Ebenezer Penniman, William Thayer, Benjamin Wales, Ebene- zer (illegible), Elliot Clark, Azariah Faxon, Jr., Ebenezer French, Seth Copeland, Lemuel Veazie, Nathaniel Wales, Jr., Adam Curtis, Nathaniel Capen, Silas Veazie, Elkannah Thayer, Nehe- miah Holbrook, Phillip Thayer."-Muster Rolls, Vol. XIX, p. 56.
A true return of Capt. Nathaniel Belcher's company, in Col. Jonathan Bass' Regiment, who assembled at Braintree, June 13th, 1776, upon orders to march to Horse Neck, so called, and June 24th, upon orders to Nantasket. Served from two to four days.
" Nathaniel Belcher, Captain; David Linfield, 1st Lieutenant ; Ephraim Thayer, 2d Lieutenant; Samuel Jones, Jonathan Wales, William Linfield, Samuel Allen, Elisha Wales, Sergeants ; William Blanchard, Daniel French, Corporals; Benjamin Clark, Drummer ; James Kingman, Fifer ; Joshua French, Jr., Samuel Linfield, Nathaniel Paine, Jr., Reuben Thayer, Timothy Thayer, Bartholomew Thayer, Joseph White, Jr., John White, Jr., David White, Jacob Whitcomb, John Whitcomb, Samuel Bass, Joseph Belcher, Mathias Cheesman, John Jordan, Ziba Chees- man, Jonathan Randall, Simeon Thayer, Jacob Gloyd, David Linfield, Jr., John Lovell, Nathaniel Belcher, Lemuel Ludden, Peter Thayer, Jr., Noah Thayer, Jr., Simeon Thayer, Jr., Seth Turner, Jr., Cornelius White, Noah Whitcomb, Jr., Moses Whitcomb, Eben Pratt, Thomas Wales, William Thayer, Micah
414
MILITARY.
Thayer, Daniel White, Jr., Solomon White, Joseph Porter, Israel Beatty, Jr., Thomas Belcher, William Linfield, Joseph French, Joshua French, Nathaniel Hunt."-Muster Rolls, Vol. XVII, p. 82.
A true return of the time and service of Captain Eliphalet Sawen's company, in Col. Joseph Palmer's Regiment, assembled at Braintree, June 14th, 1776. Served four days.
"Eliphalet Sawen, Captain ; Moses Spear, 1st Lieutenant ; Joseph Tower, 2d Lieutenant; Isaac Thayer, Paul Thayer, Eben- ezer Niles, Lemuel Spear, Sergeants ; Samuel Cheesman, Zebulon Howard, Jacob Spear, Joshua Clark, Nathaniel Niles, Corpo- rals ; Luther Spear, Drummer; Phinehas Taft, Fifer; David Slone, Peter Slone, Deering Spear, John Slone, Benjamin Stet- son, Gideon Stetson, Richard Thayer, Jos. Payson, John Thayer, Samuel Spear, Isaac Smith, John Wild, James Niles, James Tilley, Adonijah French, John Stetson, John Niles, E. Thomas French, Simeon Howard, Benj. Mann, Reuben Thayer, Arron Howard, Jr., Ebenezer White, Benoni Howard, Thomas French, Jr., Isaac Niles, Jr., Mathew Pratt, Noah Cheesman, Levi Thayer, Jeremiah Thayer, Jr., Oliver Thayer, Isaac Niles, Gideon Tower, Eliphalet Thayer."-Muster Rolls, Vol. XXII, p. 188.
Pay roll of Capt. Isaac Thayer's company, under the command of Col. Thomas Marshall, from the last day of July to the 1st day of Jan. 1777. Served five months. The following Brain- tree men enlisted in this company.
"Isaac Thayer, Captain ; Josiah Thayer, 1st Sergeant ; Eben- ezer Brown, 4th Sergeant ; Abraham Thayer, 1st Corporal ; Anthony Hunt, 2d Corporal ; Lemuel Clark, 3d Corporal ; Zenas French, Drummer; Ebenezer Hayward, Eleazer Beals, Isaac Beals, Timothy Thayer, Isaac Hollis, Rufus Thayer, Solomon Thayer, Samuel Hayward, Levi Wild, Nathaniel Savil, Ebenezer Nightingale, Jeriah Bass, Richard Shaw, Seth Hunt, Jonathan Curtis, Reuben Thayer, Caleb Thayer."- Muster Rolls, Vol. XXV, p. 91.
The balance of this company was made up of persons enlisted from Abington and Taunton. The same company was also in the same service from June 1st to July 31st, 1776, with the exception of Caleb Thayer .- Muster Rolls, Vol. XXV, p. 113.
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MILITARY.
A muster roll of the independent company under command of Captain Seth Turner, 1777. Time of service, eight months, two weeks and four days.
"Seth Turner, Captain; Seth Baxter, Thomas Newcomb, Jacob Wales, Joseph Payson, John Vinton, Jacob Frieze, Benja- min Dyer, James Niles, Lemuel Dwelle, Elijah Gurney, Eli Spear, Joseph Wales, Nathaniel Arnold, John Ayers, Edward W. Baxter, Hopestill Bradley, Moses Brackett, Jr., William Brackett, John Briesler, Noah Cheesman, Leonard Cleverly, Joseph Curtis, Lemuel Clark, Regimeleak Cushing, Samuel Clark, Joshua Clark, Ichabod Dyer, Lemuel Field, Timothy French, William Foard, Adam Hunt, Ebenezer Hancock, Na- thaniel Hayden, Simeon Hollis, Thomas Hayward, Zebulon Ilayward, Nathaniel Ludden, John Marrain, John Wild, Samuel Wild, Abraham Newcomb, Bryant Newcomb, Daniel Nash, Moses Nash, Jr., Micajah Newcomb, Peter Newcomb, Benjamin Payn, William Penniman, Benjamin Richardson, Jacob Spear, Jacob Spear, 2d, Rufus Stetson, William Sumner, Benjamin Thayer, Seth Turner, Benjamin Veazey, Daniel White, Jr., Noah Whitcomb, Elisha Wild."
A pay roll of Capt. Joseph Tower's company, in Col. Benja- min Gill's Regiment, from Aug. 16th to Dec. 12th, 1777.
"Eleazer Taft, Lemuel Clark, Sergeants; Jolin Niles, Ebene- zer Thayer, Corporals; Samuel Belcher, Eleazer Beals, Isaac Beals, Benjamin Cheesman, Abel Cheesman, Stephen Cheesman, Adonijah French, Jacob Hayden, Nathaniel Hunt, Levi IIayden, Benjamin Ludden, Bezor Ludden, Benjamin Nash, Nathaniel Pain, Benjamin Pain, Prince Pero, Luther Spear, Samuel Spear, Simeon Spear, Alex. Thayer, Calvin Thayer, Timothy Thayer, John Thayer, Noah Thayer, Caleb Thayer, David Whitcomb, Isaac West."-Muster Rolls, Vol. XXIII, p. 151.
Names of men enlisted into the Continental Army in 1777, for three years, as the quota for Braintree. Those marked thus * were non-residents, who were credited to Braintree.
"Allen Amos,* Ezekiel Averel,* Edward Archer,* Ebenezer Brown, Edward Bass, David Burrell, Oliver Blossom,* Joseph Blanchard, William Blanchard, William Blanchard,* William Brackett, Beza Burrell,* Solomon Bloom,* Edward Burke,*
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MILITARY.
Joseph Benoih,* Joseph Curtis, Jonathan Curtis, Jonathan Clev- erly, Paul Clark, Cæser (a negro), Benjamin Dyer, Seth Dut- tin,* Michael Dais,* Ichabod Dais,* Tristam Daggett,* Gilleom Duror,* William D-,* Ichabod Douty,* Archibald Edmond- ston,* Elijah French, Joseph French, Ohay French, Francis Fontrey,* James Grandy,* Isaac Hollis, Jonathan Hill, Stephen Hayden, Thomas Hayward, Benoni Hayward, Adam Hayward, Joseph Hayden, Ziba Hayden, Nathaniel Hubbard, William Hayden, Cyrus Hayden, Stephen Hollis, Geo. Hudson,* Stephen Hollis, Isaac Harder,* Benjamin Jones, Samuel Johnson,* Wil- liam Kendall,* John Lovell, William Lynes,* Christopher Lear,* John Lelton,* John Letton,* Daniel Lynes,* Louis Langue,* Ephraim Milton, Joseph Marshall, Peter Murphy,* John Massey,* Pear. Mainard,* Charles Newcomb, Joseph Niles, Hugh Paul,* Stephen Pratt, Joseph Pray, Daniel Patterson,* John Proctor,* Richard Raines,* Thomas Reily,* Samuel Stoddard, Reuben Skillings,* Cornelius Stilphin,* John Shaw,* Bartholomew Thayer, Joseph Taft, John Thomas,* Nehemiah Vickey,* Wil- liam Walker,* Geo. Wheeler, Samuel Wescut,* Peter Waddy .* " -Muster Rolls, Vol. XXVII, pp. 81 to 109.
1777. For some time the citizens of the town had been sus- picious that some of its inhabitants were friendly disposed tow- ards the parent government, and that there should be no further doubt about the matter, called a town meeting, June 9th, 1777, to settle the question which had for some time been agitated, and created much feeling in the community. At this meeting the Selectmen submitted to the town the names of several peo- ple whom they considered Royalists, as follows,-"The Select- inen present a list to the town, of those persons they esteem inimical to the United States, viz :- Rev. Edward Winslow, Maj. Ebenezer Miller, John Cheesman, Mr. Joseph Cleverly, James Apthorp, William Veazie, Benjamin Cleverly, Oliver Gay and Nedabiah Bent, all which were voted to be persons esteemed inimical to the United States. Then the following persons were nominated and voted to be added to the aforesaid list of persons esteemed inimical to the United States, viz :- Joseph Cleverly, E. William Veazie, Jr., Henry Cleverly, and Thomas Brackett."
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MILITARY.
The town at the same meeting decided to choose some person who was " firmly attached to the American cause, to procure and lay before the Court appointed for the trial of those inimi- cal persons, the evidence that may be had of their inimical dis- position," and William Penniman was unanimously chosen for this purpose.
Feb. 2d, 1777. The articles of confederation and perpetual union between the several States now represented in the Conti- nental Congress, are laid before the town, which are to be dis- tinctly and repeatedly read, and mutually considered, whereupon it was voted, " that this town do approve of the said Confedera- tion, excepting the first clause in the ninth article, where the United States in Congress assembled have the sole and exclusive right and power of determining on peace or war. The town proposed this amendment :-
" The United States in Congress Assembled shall first obtain the approbation of the Legislative Body of each of the United States, or the major part of them, before they shall determine on peace or war."
It appears by this action of the town, that Braintree was a strong advocate of State rights.
The town being called upon to furnish more men for the Continental Army, "Sept. 8th, 1777, selected a committee to use their utmost endeavors in the town or elsewhere, to procure a sufficient number to make up their quota for the army, if possi- ble, and also to indemnify Col. Ebenezer Thayer, ter., from any fine that may be imposed upon him in omitting to draft the men agreeable to a resolve passed the 15th day of August last."
It was decided that the committee should consist of six per- sons. "Then Deacon Ebenezer Adams, Messrs. Joseph Baxter, William Penniman, Capt. Silas Wild, Maj. Seth Turner and Lieut. Ephraim Thayer," be a committee chosen for the purpose.
Feb. 2d, 1778. "Voted, That the town will make up the wages of those soldiers who are doing duty at Cambridge, in Capt. Silas Wild's company, to six pounds per month from this time, including what is or shall be allowed by the Court, pro- vided they continue in the service to April 1st."
In 1778, the town voted to allow each laborer on the high- 54
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way twelve shillings per day, and that a single poll shall be taxed as a day's work, and March 14th, 1780, the currency had so depreciated that they voted that four pounds and ten shil- lings should be the stipend for one day's work on the highways.
April 13th, 1778. "The town voted that the Selectmen pro- vide the stockings, shoes and shirts, for the soldiers as soon as possible."
June 22d, 1778. "The town took into consideration the case of those persons who were from this town in the Continental service, in the year 1777, who marched out of the State, and that there be a committee chosen to take the matter into consid- eration, and report to the town at their next annual meeting, of what sum those persons are worthy of for their sufferings. Then Col. Thayer, Major Penniman, Captain French, Captain Arnold and Captain Sawen were chosen."
A true return of a company of militia under the command of Capt. Eliphalet Sawen, in Col. William McIntosh's Reg- iment, for guard in Massachusetts Bay, in the service of the United States, Aug. 24th, 1778. Time of service, thirteen days.
" Eliphalet Sawen, Captain ; Nathaniel French, 1st Lieuten- ant; Ephraim Thayer, 2d Lieutenant; Enoch Hayden, Jona- than Wales, Zeba Hayden, Solomon Thayer, Sergeants ; Peter Niles, Nathaniel Wales, James Howard, Timothy Thayer, Cor- porals; Zena French, Drummer; Elijah Niles, Fifer; Joshua Howard, Stephen Penniman, Jonathan Thayer, Moses French, John Vinton, Seth Baxter, Thomas Hollis, John Hall, Silas Hollis, Isaac Thayer, Robert Hayden, John Holbrook, Joseph Brackett, Jonathan Fessenden, Gregory Clark, IIenry Field, Moses Brackett, William Adams, Ralph Pope, Eleazer Taft, Joseph Adams, Samuel Spear, William Field, William Stephens, Elijah Belcher, Job Field, Isaac Horton, Nathaniel Holbrook, Jonathan Wild, William Thayer, John Gooch, David Holbrook, Jr., Daniel Wild, Moses Spear, Alexander Kingman, Simeon Thayer, William Linfield, Jacob Gloyd, Zeba Cheesman, Caleb White, Ebenezer Pratt, Samuel Belcher, Timothy French, Deer- ing Spear, Samuel Man, Lemuel Veasey; Samuel Curtis, Abra- ham Thayer, Zeba Thayer, Jonathan Arnold, Oliver Thayer." -Muster Rolls, Vol. XXII, p. 206.
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Jan. 28th, 1779. " The town chose the Selectmen a commit- tee to procure grain for the town, and also instructed them to purchase one thousand bushels, if they consider it will be for the interest of its inhabitants."
March 15th, 1779. " Voted, That Dr. Moses Baker be desired to leave the town, also voted, that the eight men that Dr. Baker got a warrant for, go immediately and deliver themselves up to justice."
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