History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 75

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 700

USA > Massachusetts > History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I > Part 75

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Jonathan Dickinson ; Ensign Zaccheus Croeker ; Sergts. Beza- leel Wilder, Nehemiah Dickinson, and Robert Gillmore; Corps. Ephraim Osgood, Abner Adams, Philip Smith, and Moses Wilder; Privates Timothy Nash, Nathan Adams, Benjamin Harris, Jonas Locke, William Wheeler, Thomas Temple, Archelaus Temple.

The following were in the expedition to Crown Point, in the company of Capt. Elijah Smith, of Cold Spring, and were out from April 27, 1759, to Jan. 3, 1760: Israel Chauney, Samuel Cutler, Oliver Cowls, Robert Emmons, Abner How, Eleazar Harwood, Philip Ingram, Aaron Leonard, Matthew Scott, Isaac Ward, Jr., [ Charles Wright.

Judd gives these additional names, with year of enlistment : 1755, Elijah Baker ; 1756, Justus Williams, Pelatiah Buck- man ; 1758, Noadiah Lewis, Cæsar Prutt, Asahel Moody, Thomas Morton, Benjamin Buckman ; 1759, Nathaniel Dick- inson, Samuel Graham, Charles Chauncy, Charles Wright, Philip Ingram, Nehemiah Ilow, John Keet, Jr., Isaac Temple, Alexander Smith, Moses Warner, David Blodget, Lemuel Moody, Eli Colton, Paul Guilford, Nathan Davis, Simeon Walker; 1760, Benjamin Harwood (died), Micah Guilford (died), Solomon Sartwell, John Gould.

The Revolution .- The larger portion of the people of Am- herst favored the principles which led to the conflict with the mother-country, and many of them took active part in the measures of that period. Through their committee of corre- spondenee, ** they approved the destruction of the tea in Boston Harbor, and in vigorous terms evinced their co-operation with the Boston committee. They were represented during the war by the usual committees of " correspondence," "inspec- tion," and " safety," appointed between the years 1774 and 1779, in which the following names appear conspicuously : Capt. Reuben Dickinson, Joseph Williams, Moses Diekinson," Esq., Jacob MeDaniel, Nathaniel Dickinson, Joseph East- man, Nathaniel Dickinson, Jr., John Dickinson, Noah Dick- inson, Nathan Dickinson, IIczekiah Belding, Isaac Hubbard, Ebenezer Dickinson, Gideon Dickinson, John Billings, Lieut. Simeon Smith, Thomas Hastings, Elijah Baker, Simeon Fobes, Ebenezer Mattoon, Martin Kellogg, James Merrick, Joseph Dickinson, Lieut. Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr., Josiah Warner, Maj. Nathaniel Peck, Timothy Green, Henry J. Franklin, Gideon Henderson.

Lexington Alarm .- The following enlisted as " Minute- Men" after the 19th of April, 1775, the time of the alarm at Lexington, in the company of Capt. Reuben Diekinson, of Amherst, Col. R. Woodbridge's regiment, and were in service as minute-men eleven days, though some remained longer, as indicated : Second Lieut. Joseph Dickinson, 16 days ; Sergt. Ezra Rood, 20; Corp. Ebenezer Eastman, 15; Corp. Adam Rice, Privates Clement Marshall, Ebenezer Kellogg, John Hodden, 15; John Ingram, 16; Reuben Dickinson, Jr., 16; Thomas Morton, 35; John Eastman, 15; Ebenezer Mattoon, 15; John Dickinson (Hadley), Luke Coffin, Stephen Smith, 15; Wait- still Diekinson, 15; Eldad Moody, 35; Timothy Green, 21 ; Ebenezer Dickinson, 12; Martin Smith, 16; Reuben Smith, 32 ; Simeon Smith, 16; William May, 39; Ambrose Williams, Samuel Buekman.

The above company was disbanded April 30, 1775, and a new company enlisted by Capt. Dickinson for eight months, in which were the following, the first nine having served in the company of Minute-Men :ft Capt. Reuben Dickinson,

* Judd's list, of Hladley, p. 106.

+ " In the 'brave little garrison' under Capt. Stevens that so courageously de- fended the fort at No. 4 (Charlestown, N. II.) near the first of April, 1747, were six men from South IFulley and Amherst, viz., Eleazar Smith, William Bolt- wood, Nehemiah Dickinson, Nathaniel Church, Jr., Josiah Snow, and Ebenezar Dickinson. In the same fort were nine men from Northampton."-Judd's Ilist. p. 345, where he refers to Hoyt's Indian Wars, p. 242.

# This company was out in the " Bloody Morning Scout," September 8th, under Col. Ephraim Williams, when Capt. Porter, Ensign Reuben Wait, and three pri- vates were killed, including Zebadinh Williams,-" perhaps from Amherst." Col. Williams fell that day.

¿ Sergt. Dickinson became noted as the captain of the Amherst "Minuto-Men," and served through the Revolution.

Į Died previous to March 19, 1757. Ilis father received, by order of the Gen- erul Court, April 7, 1757, " the full allowance for his son's subsistence on his re- turn from ye army nt Lake George in 1755."

[ Was left at Crown Point, sick, and there died about Dec. 20, 1760. Ilis father was allowed £6 28. 4d. for expenses incurred in sending men with horses to his relief, but who failed to reach him.

** This committee was composed of Moses Dickinson, Reuben Dickinson, Jacob MeDaniels, Nathaniel Dickinson, Jr., and Joseph Williams. Their report to the town, including their reply to the Boston committee, is preserved in the office of the town clerk at Amherst.

If Daniel Shays, of Shuteshury, the noted lender in the " Shays rebellion, " had been sergeant in the company of " Minute-Men," but was promoted to ensign in the new company.

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HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

Sergt. Adamı Rice, Corp. Ebenezer Kellogg, Corp. Elihu Dickinson, Samuel Buekman, Luke Coffin, Azariah Dickin- son, Ambrose Williams, John Dickinson,* who now appears from Amherst ; Fifer Levi Smith, Benjamin Buckman, Elijah Baker, Giles Church, David Pettis, Caesar Prutt,; Daniel Ralef, James Shay, Shelah Dickinson, in room of Richard Wait. The remainder of this company of 60 were mainly from Shutesbury and Leverett.

The following eight months' men were in Capt. Noadiah Leonard's company, same regiment: Ensign Samuel Goukl, Sergt. Moses Cook, Corp. Samuel Field, Privates Moses Hast- ings, Simeon Pomeroy, John Billings, Abner Nash, Elias Smith, Isnae Goodale, Gideon Henderson, Ebenezer Field, Amos Nash, and Samuel Church.

A company of 60 men was enlisted by Capt. James Hen- drick, of Amherst, concerning which the only account found in the State archives is headed as follows : " Roll for Rations to and from the camp. Charlestown Camp, No. 3, Jan'y 13, 1776," and names the Amherst men, viz. : Capt. James IIen- dricks, Sergt. Joel Moody, Reuben Dickinson, Jr., Joseph Petty, Stephen Smith, Joseph Nash, Amariah Dana, Samuel Ingram, Aaron Dickinson, Martin Smith, Elisha Dickinson, Ebenezer Petty, Levi Clark, Ethan Billings, Henry Dyer, John Lee, Jonathan Edwards, Timothy Smith, Timothy Smith (2d), and Elijah Elmer. Others in this company were from Hadley, South Hadley, and Granby. The march from Amherst is reckoned ninety-five miles : allowed for rations, 15s. 10d.

The following were attached to the train of artillery under Capt. Thomas Waite Foster, and were in Col. Woodbridge's regiment at Cambridge, April 25, 1775: Lieut. James HIen- drick, Moses Dickinson, and Simon Fobes.

The return of Col. Woodbridge's regiment at Cambridge, June 14, 1775, gives the following statisties : Capt. R. Dick- inson, 60 men, stationed at the college. Capt. D. Cowden, 31 men, stationed at the college. Capt. I. Dexter, 44 men, stationed at Lechmere Point. Capt. N. Leonard, 54 men, stationed at Cambridge. Capt. S. Pearl, 36 men, stationed at Cambridge. Capt. W. Meacham, 45 men, stationed at the college. Capt. S. Murray, 50 men, station not given. The return is signed by Richard Montague, adjutant, and appended to it is the following record :

" IN COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, June 16, 1775 .- Col. Woodbridge informs this Com- mittee, and it appears by the return he hns made, that three hundred and sixty men stand ready to go nuder him. We would observe that Col. Woodbridge has bren in the camp with his Minute-Men, doing duty, ever since the Battle, but did not apply to this Committee for inlisting orders until orders sufficient to cont- plete the Army were issued; and therefore the Committeo did not give him or- ders, but promised they would recommend him if there should be a vacancy."

Most of the companies composing this regiment, including Capt. Dickinson's, were in the battle on Bunker Hill, June 17th, although the officers were not commissioned until the 21st.

A return dated Sept. 30, 1775, discloses that this regiment was then stationed on the west side of Prospect Ilill, on the road leading from Charlestown to Menotomy. In December following the company of Capt. Dickinson was stationed at Lechmere's Point, where one of his men, Abel Woods, of Shutesbury, was wounded " by a swivel-ball from a ship of war belonging to the enemy." Woods was allowed £22 1Is. 2d. for physician's and other charges.

In the company of Capt. Oliver Lyman, Col. Nicholas

* Squire John Dickinson, of East Amherst, who died in 1850, the last survivor of the company.

+ Caesar Prutt was a negro, the fourth child of Arthur Prutt, who was said to have been the slave of Rev. Isaac Channcy. Casar was born in June, 1727, and lived for a time with Josiah Channey, Esq. Judd says, " In 1807, Aaron Kel- logg, a deranged man, and Cæsar P'rutt, a negro aged eighty years, were set up at vendue to the lowest bidder, and the former was bid off for a year at $50, and the latter at $65." Vide p. 422.

# Squire John Dickinson told Mr. Judd, in 1847, that a part of his company- C'apt. Dickinson's-" was in the battle of Bunker Hill, but not in the hol fight."

Dike's regiment, stationed at Dorchester, were the following, who served from Ang. 12, 1776, to March 31, 1777: Sergt. Henry Lee, Azariah Dickinson, Levi Dickinson, Jonathan Warner, John Fox, Isaac Gould, Nathaniel Edwards, Simcon Dickinson.

The Canadian Campaign .- In Capt. Aaron Hayne's com- pany, Col. Asa Whitcomb's regiment, were Selah Dickinson, April Ist to December, 1776, and Ebenezer Kellogg, enlisted May 1st, died Nov. 22, 1776.

Under the eall of June 25, 1776, Capt. Reuben Dickinson enlisted a company of 86 men, from Amherst and towns adja- cent, which was attached to Col. R. Woodbridge's regiment, and served from July 16, 1776, to March 1, 1777. Those from Amherst were Capt. Reuben Dickinson, Corp. Timothy Ilen- derson, Drummer David Adams, Privates Firman Woods, John Billings, Jr., Adam Rice, John lastings, Daniel Lane, David Hawley, Hezekiah Cowles, John Hodden, Elihu Dick- inson, Amasa Allen, Gideon Lee, Noah Hawley, Eneas Ralef, Noah Goukl, John Workman, James Barnes, Abner Nash, Simeon Pomeroy, Simcon Peck, Jr., Samuel Gould, Jr., Benj. Ralef.

The following, " to re-inforce the Northern Army, " enlisted for two months, under Capt. John Thompson, Col. Leonard's regiment, May 7th to July 8, 1777: Lieut. Noul Dickinson, Sergt. Luke Coffin, Corp. Ebenezer Eastman, Corp. David Stockbridge, Fifer Levi Smith, David Blodgett, Benjamin Buekman, five Diekinsons,-Simeon, Levi, Zimri, Elijah, and Timothy,-Elihu Hubbard, John Ingram, Thomas Morton, Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr. Travel, 180 miles.

The following copy of the pay-roll of the company of Capt. Eli Parker, of Amherst, in Col. Leonard's regiment, raised to reinforee the army at Ticonderoga, contains many Amherst names :2 Capt. Eli Parker, Lieut. Eliezer (?) Warner, Lieut. Samuel Cook, Ens. Ezra Day, Sorgt. Silas Matthews, Sergt. David Town, Sergt. Matthew Moody, Sergt. Timothy Stock- well, Drummer Elisha Nash, Fifer Reuben Smith, Corporals Amasa Smith, Samuel llastings, John Cowls, and Nathaniel Butterfield, Privates Moses Alvord, Nathan Abbott, Joshua Burt, John Burchet, John Bush, Jonas Burnet, Enos Cook, Judah Clark, Israel Cole, Sylvanus Chapin, Benjamin Clough, Adonijah Cole, Samuel Dean, Jonas Elwell, Daniel Gould, Enos Goodman, Eliphalet Gaylord, Joseph Goodale, Oliver Hastings, Timothy Hilyard, Elijah Hannum, John Kibbe, Ebenezer Kentfield, Silas Lee, Amos Lamb, Elisha Moody, William Montague, Lewis Morgan, Simeon Peck, Jeremiah Pike, James Persifield, Daniel Plumly, Daniel Reed, Daniel Smith, Aaron Smith, Caleb Smith, Paul Smith, Elisha -, Stephen Shumway, Amasa Shumway, Enoch Thayer, Samuel Taylor, William Town, William Town (21), Jonathan War- ner, David Worthington, Enos Woodbridge, Sewall Warner, Joshua Whitney, William Waite. This company enlisted for two months, and were in service from May 8th to July 16, 1777.

In Col. David Wells' regiment, under Capt. Jeremiah Bal- lard, with the " Northern Army," from May 10th to July 20, 1777, were Lient. Jonathan Dickinson, David Lard, and Aaron Smith.

Capt. Reuben Dickinson, in July the same year, marched with a company to Moses' Creek to " reinforce the army, " and was attached to Col. Elisha Porter's regiment. The company served 38 days, and included the following Amherst men : Capt. Reuben Dickinson, Sergt. Joel Moody, Daniel Benjamin, Azariah Dickinson, Medad Dickinson, Medad Moody, Thomas Williams, Giles Church, John Dickinson, Enos Cowles, Amos Ayres, Nathaniel Dickinson, Timothy Green, Samuel Ingram, Henry Chandler, Joseph Pettis, Reuben Smith.

The following, under Capt. Oliver Smith, in the same regi- ment, marched for the defense of Bennington, Aug. 17, 1777,

¿ The places of residence are not given in the document from which this is taken,

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

" found themselves, carried their own baggage," and were out seven days : Jonathan Ingram, John Kibbe, Moses Kellogg, Elihu Dickinson, Oliver Hastings, and Jonathan Cook.

The following went, under the call of August 9th, " for one- sixth part of the militia :" in Col. Woodbridge's regiment, Capt. Moses Hawey's company, Aug. 14th to Nov. 29, 1777; Lieut. Jonathan Diekinson, Lieut. Elisha Baker, and Sergt. Lemnel Clark ; in same regiment, under Capt. Samuel Cook, of Amherst, Lieut. Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr.,* Lieut. Enoch White, Sergts. Luke Coffin (promoted to quartermaster, October 9th), Adam Rice, Ethan Pomeroy, and Nathaniel White; Corps. Isaiah Carrier and Daniel Lane; Fifer Levi Smith ; Privates Elias Smith, Asa Ayres, David Blodget, Samuel Bacon, Enos Clark, Caleb Dodge, Samuel Dean, Ebenezer Darwin, three Dickinsons,-Zimri, Timothy, and Simeon,-Jobn Elwell, Noah Ilawley, Nathaniel Harring- ton, Thomas Judd, Amos Kellogg, Daniel Kimball, Zenas Leech, John Montagne, William Montagne, Isaac Marshall, Abner Nash, Jonathan Selden, Oliver Smith (died November 28th), Enos Woodbridge, Benjamin Whitney, Jacob Warner, Thomas Gaylord, Philip Ingram, Samuel Packard, Ebenezer Taylor, Franeis Trainor, John White. Capt. Cook's com- pany was out from August 17th to December 7th, and a part was in the battle at " Bemis' Heights," October 7th.

The companies of Capt. Dickinson, Capt. Harvey, and Capt. Cook " were in the army under Gen. Gates ; all took a more or less active part in the battles of September 19th and Oc- tober 7th, and all were present at the surrender of Burgoyne, October 17th.17

Campaigns 1777-81 .- Under the eall for three years' men, issued in January, 1777, the following were enlisted from Amherst : Willis Coy, $50 bounty ; Reuben Diekinson, $50; John Fox, Jr., fifer, $20; Samuel Gould, killed ; David Pet- tis, Joseph Young, re-enlisted in 1780 for three years ; Noadiah Lewis, "during the war ;" and James Trumble, Samuel Brown, John Johnson, and Jonathan Battis, each three years.

The following marched Ang. 18, 1777, " on an alarm to New Providence," and were out four days, under Lient. Noah Dick- inson, Col. Porter's regiment : Lieut. Noah Dickinson ; Sergts. Isane Hubbard, Joseph Dickinson, Henry Franklin, and Josiah Warner; Privates Ebenezer Mattoon, Aaron Alvord, John Ingram, Abner Adams, Amariah Dana, William May, Martin Kellogg, Justus Williams, Ebenezer Dickinson, Dan- iel Church, Jeremiah Cady, Zachariah Ilawley, John East- man, Elijah Diekinson, Levi Dickinson.

The following on September 23d marched "on an alarm to Stillwater," and were out until October 24th, under Capt. Reuben Dickinson, Porter's regiment : Capt. Reuben Dickin- son; Lieut. Noah Dickinson; Sergts. Henry Franklin and Josiah Warner; Corps. Thomas Marshall and Benjamin Buckman; Privates Stephen Smith, John Ingram, Elihu Dickinson, David Blodget, David Cowls, Nathan Dickinson, Elihu Hubbard, William May, Simeon Cowls, Hezekiah Belding, Ebenezer Dickinson, Lemuel Moody, Timothy Green, Ebenezer Eastman, Henry Chandler, Seth Dickinson, Elijah Dickinson.

The following enlisted for twelve months " in R. I. service," from Jan. 1, 1778, under Capt. Joshua Parker, in Nathaniel Wade's regiment : Lieuts. Ebenezer Mattoon, Elijah Dick- inson, and Philip Ingram. May 15th, Ebenezer Boltwood enlisted in Capt. Parker's company for eight months.

" List of men drafted from Amherst for nine months' ser- vice from date of arrival at Fishkill, July 8, 1778 :" David Lard, age 38; Simeon Peck, 22; Daniel Gould, 18; Timothy Dickinson, 17; Zimri Dickinson, 20; Benjamin Buekman, 21. These were under Col. Porter.

" Men in Capt. Abner Pomeroy's company, Col. Ezra Wood's regiment, eight months' service, 1778:" Solomon Dickinson, Edmund Gould, Levi Smith, fifer, Samuel Buck- man.

" Men enlisted from Amherst to serve nine months in the Continental Army, agreeable to a Resolve of the General Court passed June 9, 1779 :" Jonathan Allen, Joseph Young, Eleazar Baker, John Canada, Nahum Darby, Joseph Kim- ball, William Ewing, Hugh Canada, Daniel Darby.

Men in service at New London, Conn., in Capt. Elijah Dwight's company, July 20th to August 25, 1779: Lieut. Luke Coffin ; Enos Nash, Silas Lee, John Boltwood, Joseph Church, Nathan Smith, Reuben Ingram, Nathan Perkins, Enos Kellogg, Ashmael Prutt, Zimri Dickinson, James Cow- den, Elihu Warner, Silas Wright, Josiah Pierce, Carmi Wright, Thomas Adams, Joseph Cook, Eldad Mocdy.

" In Capt. Joshua Woodbridge's company of New Levies, R. I. service, for the month of December, 1779," were Owen Briggs, Bezaleel Bowen, Simeon Dickinson, and Elihu Diek- inson.

In Capt. Moses Montague's company, Oct. Ist to Nov. 21, 1779, were John Church, Solomon Dickinson, Edmund Gould, Elliott Gray.

"Six months' men enlisted from Amherst in the Con- tinental service July 1, 1780, stationed near West Point. Travel, 144 miles to camp:" Simeon Dickinson, age 17; Samuel Root, 16; Edmund Gould, 17; Noah Ilawley, 20; Gideon Moon, 20; Nathan Perkins (2d), Solomon Dickinson, 19; Lemuel Conant, 23; Zenas Dickinson, Aaron Bartlett, Joseph Kimball, 18; Zimri Dickinson, 21; Hezekiah Moon, 27; William Moore, 18; Joseph Robbins, 18; David Lard, 40; Simeon Morton.

Levi Dickinson, 21, enlisted Aug. 10th, for three months, under act of June 22, 1780.

" Men drafted to march to Horse Neck under Col. Samuel Hlow, 1780:" in Capt. Thompson's company, Robert Emmons and Benjamin Leech ; in Capt. Brackenridge's company, Levi Nash, John Boltwood, Solomon Boltwood, and Zachariah Field.

The following served from Aug. 12th to Nov. 15, 1781, under Capt. Oliver Coney, in Col. Sears' regiment : Corp. Solomon Dickinson ; Drummer, John Fox; Simeon Morton, Levi Dickinson, Joseph Kimball, Noah Hawley, Eli Parker, Jr., Edmund Gould, John Belding, Elisha Ingram.

Dec. 18, 1780, the inhabitants of the town voted to " give to each soldier that shall inlist for this town for three years, or during the war, the sum of three pounds, hard money, pr month, the town to receive their wages ; or in lieu thereof, the town will give to each soldier that sball inlist as aforesd forty shillings pr. month in hard money, in addition to their Conti- mental l'ay ; also that the town will give each soldier that shall inlist as aforesaid two shirts, two Pairs of Stockings, and two pairs of shoes yearly, in case he fails of the same from the Continent, or State ; and the Town Direct the Militia offieers to make the above proposals to their respective companies in the name of the Town."

Toryism .- Amherst was not without prominent representa- tion of Toryism. Their lack of zeal in the patriot eause, in the view of some historians, is palliated by the fact that they in general had most to lose in case of failure. Those of as- sured position and influence under the British erown had least to gain by revolution. Among the most prominent of this elass were the minister, Rev. David Parsons, Josiah Chauncey and his son Isaac, Simeon Strong, Esq., Lieut. John Field, Ensign John Nash, Solomon, William, and Ebenezer Bolt-

* Ebenezer Mattoon, Jr.,-known as Gen. Mattuon,-died at an advanced age in 1843. He was an ardent Whig, " was graduated at Dartmouth'in 1776, and was many years Representative and Senator in the Legislature; afterward member of Congress, sheriff of Hampshire County, and adjutant-general of the State. He was, on the whole, the most distinguished public man-native of the lown-who has resided in Amherst. He also was only twenty-four years of age when he became a Representative, in 1781, aml his great influence contributed in marked degree toward keeping Amherst on the right side in the Revolu- tionary struggle."-Centennial address by M. F. Dickinson, Jr.

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HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

wood, Deacon Simeon Clark, Isaac Goodale, Moses Cook, Charles Chauncey, and Lieut. Robert Boltwood. The minis- ter was a man of positive views and gave offense to the ma- jority, who voted, in 1777, " that the conduet of the Rev. David Parsons* is not friendly with regard to the common cause, and that a committee notify him of this vote." The result of the committee's interview with the minister is not recorded.

Capt. Isaac Chauncey, Lieut. John Field, and Ensign John Nash, who had respectively received their commissions from the colonial Governor, Hutchinson, were required to formally renounce all authority thus conferred. This was done at Northampton in November, 1774, and subsequently at Am- herst. The Whigs were still suspicious of Chauncey and Nash, and the district afterward voted that Chauncey should " burn all the commissions he had ever received from the king," and commit his firearms into the hands of the select- men. The latter request was complied with, but the arms were afterward restored.+ Nash also was required to destroy his commissions,

April 8, 1776, Chauncey was convicted of "insulting he- havior" toward the committee of safety, and of being "an enemy to his country," and, as he afterward complained, was "refused bail and a fair Tryal by another committee, and ordered not to go from his father's Farm, except on Sun- days and to Funerals, and was likewise ordered to pay 39 shillings lawful money to six men whom the committee had appointed to keep him the night before." He further com- plained that he was " confined in Northampton Jail with a mittimus to the Jailor setting forth that ye petitioner was an enemy to America, and requiring the Jailer to keep ye peti- tioner in close confinement until he should be dismissed by lawful authority." These facts appear in his petition to the General Court, dated at Northampton jail, April 13, 1776. On the 18th it was determined " that the petitioner have leave to withdraw." He was subsequently "confined to certain limits," but, on August 26th, was advertised by the committee as having " clandestinely departed ('tis supposed ) to some part of Connecticut on no good design ; this is therefore to desire the good people of that State or of other States, or of other States where he may be found, to secure him in such manner that he may not have it in his power to injure America." Lieut. Robert Boltwood was similarly advertised.

Church affairs suffered by disputes which the diversity of views engendered, and occasionally the services were inter- mitted because of them. A friend of Mr. Parsons, with whom he sometimes exchanged,-Rev. Abraham Hill, of Shutesbury, -greatly offended the people by his free expression of opin- ions which were deemed unpatriotic. He was prohibited from further preaching, by a vote of the town, in January, 1780.

In 1778 the town voted that " persons not owning Inde- pendence on the crown of Great Britain, agreeably to the Declaration of Congress, shall not vote."

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS.

Mr. Oliver M. Clapp was born in Amherst, in 1802, and is one of the few belonging to the ancient families of the town who antedate the last war with the mother-country. His grandfather Oliver, born in Northampton in 1744, was de- scended by five removes from Roger Clapp (an immigrant who

settled at Dorchester), and in after-years removed to what is now Amherst. The house into which he moved, and in which Oliver M. was born, stood on East Street, and has since been demolished.

Mr. Clapp relates many stirring ancedotes, some of which are traditional, and others of happenings within his experi- ence,-how some of the officers of Gen. Burgoyne, previous to the battles of Saratoga, ventured to attend a "country danee" somewhere beyond their lines, believing themselves sufficiently disguised to escape detection, and how they were captured by the vigilant " Yankees" and confessed that the latter were too sharp for them ; how, during Shays' rebellion, when the insurgents were being driven to the mountain fast- nesses in Pelham by the government forces, eleven loads of supplies were sent to their relief by sympathizers in Berkshire, each load guarded by two mounted soldiers. These twenty- two forming the escort sought entertainment at the house of Mr. Clapp's grandfather, but were advised to make all haste to Pelham, as the militia would soon be upon them. The advice was timely, for the pursuing horsemen were already to be seen coming over the hill from the west, right furious for the fray. One bold, well-mounted rebel spurred his steed in the direction of the pursuers, swinging his hat in taunting defiance until they came very near, when he suddenly wheeled and led the chase up the hills to the castward. Selecting a favorable position, the guard displayed their arms to advantage across the path, and thus checked the valiant horsemen, who, believing they were decoyed into an ambuscade, sped down the hill again and reported that they had barely "escaped the jaws of hell."

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History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 75

Author: L.H. Everts & Co Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts Number of Pages: 700

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 700