USA > Massachusetts > History of the Military company of the Massachusetts, now called the Ancient and honorable artillery company of Massachusetts. 1637-1888, Vol. I > Part 36
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Benjamin Allen (1677), of Charlestown, son of Walter Allen, of that town, was born at Newbury, April 15, 1647. He was a member of Capt. Moseley's (1672) com- pany for the December campaign in 1675. His father, in his will, dated Feb. 19, 1679-80, does not mention Benjamin (1677). A Benjamin Allen died in Charlestown, Sept. 20, 1678.
Joshua Atwater (1677), of Boston, son of Joshua, of New Haven in 1638, was born April 10, 1658, in Milford, Conn. His father removed to Boston in 1659. Ann, sister of Joshua (1677), married, in 1672, Jeremiah Dummer (1671), and was the mother of the famous Jeremy (Harv. Coll., 1699). The selectmen decided, " 25, 7, 1671," that " Mr Joshua Atwater [1677] hath libertie granted him to his sellar dore to continue as it is, paying 5s p. ann. in money to begin the first of July last." He does not appear to have held any office in the town of Boston. He was drowned Feb. 12, 1691-2.1
Benjamin Allen (1677). AUTHORITIES: Wy- man's Charlestown Genealogies and Estates; Bond's Ilist. of Watertown.
Joshua Atwater (1677). AUTHORITIES: Sav- age's Gen. Diet .; Boston Records.
1 "Feb 12, 1691-2. Joshua Atwater dies, fall- ing off the outward Wharf : he was drowned about 2 or 3 in the morning, intangled in the wood as the
Jury brought it in; was going on board the sloop Mary. Was excommunicated." - Sewall Papers, Vol. I., pp. 356, 357.
"[1688] April 20. Joshua Atwater's wife dies. It seems he carried her out of Town but last Mon- day [April 16]. She was a worthy Gentlewoman." - Sewall Papers, Vol. I., p. 211.
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John Barnard (1677), of Boston, son of Matthew (1660), was born in Boston, Sept. 29, 1654. He was admitted a freeman in 1678, and died in December, 1732. He was the father of Rev. John Barnard (Harv. Coll., 1700), whose autobiography is given in 3 Mass. Hist. Coll., V., 178. Lieut John (1677) was fourth sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1683, ensign in 1696, and lientenant in 1700.
In 1678-9, a fire-engine was imported from England, and on the 27th of January the selectmen chose Thomas Atkins as foreman, and among his twelve chosen assistants were John Barnard (1677) and his brother, Thomas Barnard (1681). This was the first fire-engine in town, and John (1677) and Thomas (1681) were members of the first regular engine company in the town of Boston. John Barnard (1677) doubtless followed the trade of his father, that of a carpenter, for during eight years, between 1680 and 1700, he was appointed by the selectmen to measure boards and timber. In 168, he was a member of Capt. Clarke's (1644) company, and a tithing-man ; was a representa- tive in 1696 7, and served as a selectman in 1701 and 1703-6. In 1701, the selectmen agreed with John Barnard (1677) to erect a new house for Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, the school-master, and to remove the old house, and in 1704 they agreed with Mr. Barnard (1677) to build a new school-house for the " Free School," or " Latin School." In the Boston town records, 1701-15, he is called both " Deacon " and " Captain."
William Davis (1677), son of William Davis (1643), was born in Boston, June 25, 1653. He was a brother of Major Benjamin Davis (1673), and a member of the Old South Church. He probably married Abigail Eliot, daughter of Jacob. William (1677) died Jan. 23, 1706-7.
Judge Sewall wrote : " Feb. 25, 1706-7; . . . After that I visit the widow Eliott who dwells with her daughter Davis."
Joseph Dudley (1677), of Roxbury, son of Gov. Thomas Dudley, also brother of Patience Dudley, wife of Major-Gen. Daniel Denison (1660), and of Sarah, wife of Major Benjamin Keayne (1638), was born July 23, 1647. Joseph Dudley graduated at Harvard College in 1665 ; was admitted a freeman in 1672 ; representative from 1673 to 1675 ; an assistant from 1676 to 1685, and was made president of the colonies of Massachusetts and New Hampshire in 1686.
In 1682, he had visited England, was deeply engaged in court intrigues there, became one of Andros's council, and was made chief-justice of an unconstitutional supreme court. After long imprisonment in New England, he returned, in 1689, to England, and for eight years was deputy-governor of the Isle of Wight, under Lord
John Barnard (1677). AUTHORITIES: Sav- age's Gen. Dict .; Boston Records.
William Davis (1677). AUTHORITIES: Sav- age's Gen. Dict; Hist. Cat. of Old South Church.
Joseph Dudley (1677). AUTHORITIES : Whit- man's Ilist. A. and II. A. Company, Ed. 1842; Drake's Ilist. of Roxbury; Dudley Family; New Eng. Ilist. and Gen. Reg., 1847, 1850, 1869; Eliot's Biog. Dict .; Savage's Gen. Dict .; Hill's Ilist. of Old South Church.
"[1720] April 2. Gov. Dudley dies about noon.
"April S. Gov. Dudley is buried in his father Gov. Dudley's Tomb at Roxbury. Boston and Roxbury regiments were under arms and 2 or 3 Troops : Bearers, His Excellency Gov. Shute, Sam-
uel Sewall, Col Townsend, Col Appleton : Mr. Presi- dent Leverett, Col Samuel Brown. Scarvs, Rings, Gloves, Scutcheons. Councillors and Ministers had Scarvs, and Consulary Men. Col. Otis, Thaxter Quincey, Dows, Nordon, Judge Lynde, Col Paine were there out of Town. Judge Dudley in a Mourn - ing Cloak led the Widow : when I took leave of her She desired my Prayers. Were very many people, spectators out of windows, on Fences and Trees, like l'igeons. The Bells in Boston were rung for the Funeral; which was finished when the Sun was near an hour high. I and my wife and son and daughter Sewall went and came in the Hackney coach very well. Laus Deo." - Sewall Papers, l'ol. III., pp. 248, 249.
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Cutts. He returned, in 1702, with a commission from Queen Anne as Governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, in which office he remained until November, 1715. He died at Roxbury, April 2, 1720, and was, as he requested, " buried with his father." His brother, Paul (1677), joined the Artillery Company at the same time that Joseph (1677) did. The latter was captain of the Roxbury company, but probably obtained his rank of major and of colonel by service in the British army. Joseph Dudley (1677) was agent for the colony in England during 1682, jointly with Major Richards (1644), and returned Oct. 23, 1683.
The following appeared in the Boston News-Letter, April, 1720 : -
"On Saturday, 2d current, died the very honorable Joseph Dudley, Esq., at his seat in Roxbury, in the 73d year of his age, being born September 23d, 1647 ; and on Friday 8th current, he was interred in the sepulchre of his father, with all the honor and respect his country was capable of doing him; there being two regiments of foot with two troops of horse in arms ; and while his funeral was passing, the guns at his Majesty's Castle William were fired ; and on the occasion all the bells of the town of Boston were tolled. There attended at the funeral, the members of his Majesty's Council, in Boston and the neighboring towns ; a great number of Justices of the Peace, Ministers, gentlemen, merchants and others.
"Gov. Dudley was the son of Hon. Thomas Dudley, Esq. (for many years Governor of New England) and the son of his old age, being born after his father was seventy years old. During his childhood, he was under the care of his excellent mother, and the Rev. Mr. Allen, the Minister of Dedham, who married her. He was educated at the free school in Cambridge, under the famous master Corlet ; from thence he went to the College in Cambridge, and there took his degrees in the Presidentship of Mr. Chauncy. The first of his public appearance for his country's service, was in the Narraganset Indian war, 1675. In 1686, the government of the Massachusetts Colony being changed to a President and Council, he had a commission to command in chief ; and after the arrival of Andros in the government of New England, New York, etc., he continued President of the Council and Chief Justice. In 1690, he had a commission as Chief Justice of New York. In 1693, he went a third time for England. While in England, he had the honor to serve as a member of the House of Commons for the borough of Newton, on the Isle of Wight; but, staying in England till his Majesty's death, he was obliged to get his commission renewed from Queen Anne, with which he arrived at Boston, June 11th, 1702, and was received with great respect and affection, and continued in the government until November, 1715.
" Having been educated at Harvard College, he always retained for his Alma Mater an affectionate regard. It was, no doubt, fortunate for this institution that so warm a friend to it had so much power in the country, after the Province Charter was annulled in I686.
" He was a man of rare endowments and shining accomplishments, a singular honor to his country. He was early its darling, always its ornament, and in his age its crown. The scholar, the divine, the philosopher, and the lawyer, - all met in him. Under his administration, we enjoyed great quietness, and were safely steered through a long and difficult Indian and French war. His country have once and again thankfully acknowl- edged his abilities and fidelity in their addresses to the throne. He truly honored and loved the religion, learning and virtue of New England; and was himself a worthy patron and example of them all."
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When Andros's government was overturned by the people, Mr. Dudley (1677), one of the most obnoxious to them, was arrested and kept a close prisoner a long time, and the representatives in the General Court decided his offence was such that he was not bailable, and they sent up to the Council of Safety heads of charges against him and others.
Lieut .- Gov Danforth wrote to Increase Mather: "Mr. Dudley [1677] is in a peculiar manner the object of the people's displeasure; even throughout all the Colonies, where he hath sat as Judge, they deeply resent his correspondence with that wicked man, Randolph, for overturning the government. The Governor and Council, though they have done their utmost to procure his enlargement, yet cannot prevail, but the people will have him in the jail ; and when he hath been by order turned out, by force and tumult they fetch him in."
He himself wrote to Cotton Mather, on June 1 : " I am told that this morning is the last opportunity for rolling away the stone from the mouth of this sepulchre, where I am buried alive," etc.
He wrote Gov. Bradstreet, Sept. 12: " After twenty weeks' unaccountable imprisonment, and many barbarous usages offered me, I have now to complain, that on Monday, the whole day, I could be allowed no victuals till nine o'clock at night, when the keeper's wife offered to kindle her own fire to warm something for me, and the corporal expressly commanded the fire to be put out."
On his third visit to England, we find him endeavoring to take advantage of com- plaints from the province, and supplant Gov. Phips, whom he caused to be arrested in England, and held to bail in twenty thousand pounds.
In 1705, Mr. Dudley (1677) became very unpopular, having negatived Thomas Oakes (1684) as speaker of the House, and being accused of encouraging an illicit trade with the French possessions in North America. The famous Bank party were his opposers, and wished his removal. He met the Assembly at the election, May, 1715, for the last time, but made no speech.
Mr. Hutchinson says, "No New England man had passed through more scenes of busy life than Mr. Dudley [1677]. He was educated for the ministry, and if various dignities had been known in the New England churches, possibly he had lived and died a clergyman ; but, without this, nothing could be more dissonant from his genius. He soon turned his thoughts to civil affairs. Ambition was the ruling passion, and perhaps, like Cæsar, he had rather be the first man in New England than second in Old. Few men have been pursued by their enemies with greater virulence, and few have been sup- ported by their friends with greater zeal. We have seen a second generation inherit the spirit of their ancestors, the descendants on one side preserving an affection for his family and posterity, and, on the other, retaining equal dissatisfaction against them. He applied himself with the greatest diligence to the business of his station. The affairs of the war, and other parts of his administration, were conducted with good judgment. In economy he excelled, both in public and private life. He supported the dignity of a Governor without the reproach of parsimony, and yet, from the moderate emoluments of his post, made an addition to his paternal estate. The visible increase of his substance made some incredible reports of gross bribery and corruption to be easily received ; but, in times when party spirit prevails, what will not a Governor's enemies believe, however injurious and absurd ? "
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Paul Dudley (1677), of Boston, merchant, was a younger brother of Col. Joseph (1677), and was born at Roxbury (baptized), Sept. 8, 1650. He married, in 1676, Mary, daughter of Gov. Leverett (1639), and died Dec. 1, 1681. His widow married for her second husband, Col. Penn Townsend (1674). Mr. Dudley (1677) was a merchant, registrar of probate under the colonial régime, collector of customs for the ports of Boston and Charlestown, and a member of the Old South Church.
James Hill (1677), of Boston, was probably a son of John Hill (1647), of Dor- chester. The latter mentions a son, James, in his will of April 11, 1660. Capt. James (1677) married, April 10, 1662, Hannah, sister of 'Daniel Henchman (1675). He was a member of the Old South Church, was elected deacon Nov. 24, 1693, and was also its treasurer. He was fourth sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1678, and its lieutenant in 1685. Sergt. Hill (1677) was appointed ensign in the foot company commanded by Capt. John Walley (1671), May 11, 1681, and he was appointed to the command of the same company, Feb. 13, 1683-4.
He was, probably, a cooper by trade, as the selectmen appointed him a culler of staves in 1669, 1670, and 1671 ; he was a highway surveyor in 1680-1, captain of a military company, in Boston, from 1684 to 1692 inclusive, and selectman of Boston from 1688 to 1690 inclusive, and in 1693. He died Feb. 26, 1720-I.
Henry Powning (1677), of Boston, son of Henry, was born April 28, 1654, but is not mentioned in the records of the town. June 1, 1677, one hundred and ninety-nine " Handy craftsmen " petitioned the General Court for "protection" in their several callings, against intruders. One of the signers was Henry Powning (1677).
Rev. Josiah Flint, of Dorchester, delivered the Artillery election sermon of 1677. He was a son of Rev. Henry Flint, of Braintree, was born Aug. 24, 1645, graduated at Harvard in 1664, and was ordained Dec. 27, 1671. Josiah was the father of Henry (Harv. Coll., 1693), who was a distinguished tutor in that institution from 1699 to 1754. Rev. Mr. Flint appears to have been a devoted and conscientious minister, whose service was frequently interrupted by ill-health. He died in Dorchester, Sept. 15, 1680, at the age of thirty-five years. His monument expresses the general regard : -
"A man of God he was so great, so good,
His highest worth was hardly understood."
Paul Dudley (1677). AUTHORITIES : Dudley Family; New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg., 1847, 1856, 1869; Eliot's Biog. Dict .; Whitman's Hist. A. and H. A. Company, Ed. 1842; Hill's Hist. of Old South Church.
" [1677] July 24. Rec'd of Mr. Paul Dudley [1677] to be distributed among the poor now re- siding in Boston, come from other parts impover- ished by the war; 12 barrells of wheat, I barrell of malt, 12 barrells of flour, 15 barrells of oatmeal, 2 firkins of butter and 170 pounds of cheese, which was accordingly distributed." - Boston Records.
"Thorsday, Xr. 1. 1681. The well accom- plished Merchant and Accomptant, Mr Paul Dudley dyed, being little above 30 years old." - Sewall Papers, Vol. II., p. 17.
James Hill (1677). AUTHORITIES: Boston Records; Whitman's Ilist. A. and II. A. Company, Ed. 1842.
" Feb. 23, 1720-21, Dined at Mr Sewall's, with Mrs Man, Grand-daughter of Capt Ilill, who was pray'd for with his wife. . . . Feb. 25. Mrs Ilannah IIill, wife of Capt James Hill, dyes about 5 p. m. AEtat. 83. . Feb. 26. Lord's Day, Capt and Dea- con James Hill dyes about 6 a-clock in the morning. Etat. 82. Dyed Praying : Optando si non affirm- ando. . . . March 2: After Lecture Capt James Ilill and IIannah his wife are buried. . . . South Burying place. Great Funeral." - Sewall Papers.
Rev. Josiah Flint. AUTHORITIES : Ilistories of Dorchester; Savage's Gen. Dict .; Sprague's Annals of American Pulpit.
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1678-9. The officers elected were : John Hull (1660), captain ; John Walley (1671), lieutenant ; Ephraim Savage (1674), ensign. John Atwood (1673) was first sergeant; John Noyes (1676), second sergeant ; Benjamin Davis (1673), third sergeant; James Hill (1677), fourth sergeant ; John Hayward (1673), clerk ; John Scottow, drummer, and Edward Smith, armorer.
Gov. John Leverett (1639) died in Boston, March 16, 1678, and was buried on the 25th, then considered the first day of the legal year. For nearly forty years he was active in public matters ; equally efficient in leading his company into conflict or presiding over the interests of the colony. He was fearlessly faithful to New England in peace and war, at home and abroad.
The new members recruited in 1678-9 were : Samuel Checkley, Nathaniel Elkin, Humphrey Luscomb, Thomas Smith, John Tay, Benjamin Thwing, William White.
Samuel Checkley (1678), of Boston, was born in Preston, Northamptonshire, England, Oct. 14, 1653, and was half-brother of Capt. Anthony Checkley (1662). He arrived at Boston, Aug. 3, 1670. Samuel (1678) was a physician and surgeon in Boston, also proprietor of an apothecary's store, to which business his son, Richard, succeeded. He married, in 1680, Mary, daughter of Joshua Scottow (1645). They had eleven children, only two of whom survived their father, viz., Richard and Samuel. An obituary notice of Samuel Checkley (1678) is given in the News-Letter of Jan. 4, 1739.
He was for many years active in the military of Boston, being appointed ensign of Capt. Wing's (1671) company, Feb. 16, 1685-6, and after the usual promotions became major of the Boston regiment in 1702, lieutenant-colonel in 1706, and colonel from 1710 to 1712. He is called "Col," however, in the Boston Records, as early as 1706. He received twelve different commissions, from that of ensign, given by Gov. Bradstreet, to that of colonel, by Lieut .- Gov. Tailler (1712). He was a member of the Old South Church, and was elected deacon Oct. 15, 1693, which honor he declined ; selectman from 1693 to 1696 inclusive ; representative in 1702-7, and town clerk from 1720 to 1733. After the revolution which overturned Andros's government, he was actively engaged in reviving the Artillery Company, and was fourth sergeant in 1685, third sergeant in 1690, lieutenant in 1694, and captain in 1700. He was also one of his Majesty's justices of the peace from 1714 to 1727 inclusive. He died Dec. 27, 1738.
Rev. Samuel Checkley, son of Col. Samuel (1678), delivered the sermon before the Artillery Company in 1725, and Rev. Samuel, grandson of Col. Samuel (1678), delivered the sermon in 1757.
Nathaniel Elkin (1678).
Humphrey Luscomb (1678), of Boston, a merchant, was one of the founders of King's Chapel in 1686.1 His name appears in the Boston town records but once, April 6, 1686, when he and Theodore Atkinson (1644) came before the selectmen and
Samuel Checkley (1678). AUTHORITIES: Boston Records; Whitman's Ilist. A. and II. A. Company, Ed. 1842; Records of Mass. Bay; Ilill's Hist. of Old South Church; New Eng. Ilist. and Gen. Reg., IS48, 1861.
" [1719] Sr 14th ... visited Col. Checkley who is very sick, says he is this day 66 years old; takes my visit very kindly, and desires Prayers." - Sewall Papers, Vol. III., p. 332.
Humphrey Luscomb (167S). "[16SS] Mon- day June 11. About 3 this Morn, Major Luscomb dies of a Fever. . . .
" Maj. L. was buried June 15, 16SS. between 7 & S P. M. Six companies attended. After the Volleys several great guns were fired." - Sewall Papers, Vol. I., p. 217.
1 See Foote's Annals of King's Chapel.
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desired them to make a record of an agreement between them relating to the bounds of land near Bendall's Dock. The agreement is recorded, signed, and witnessed. Administration was granted on his estate by Sir Edmund Andros, June 23, 1688, in which Humphrey Luscomb (1678) was called "Major." He was doubtless appointed to military office by Gov. Andros. He died June 11, 1688.
Thomas Smith (1678), of Boston. His sureties were Capt. Hutchinson (1670) and Ensign Checkley (1678). His name appears in Boston Records, April 25, 1681, when he is chosen as a tithing-man from Capt. Walley's (1671) company.
John Tay (1678), son of William, of Boston, was born Nov. 16, 1647. He does not appear to be mentioned in the Boston town records, and his father, in his will, dated April 28, 1680, does not mention him.
Benjamin Thwing (1678), of Boston, son of Benjamin, was born in July, 1647. He was a carpenter by trade, a member of the Old South Church, and was admitted to be a freeman May 19, 1680. He married, about 1669, Abigail Dickson. The Boston town records say that liberty was granted, in 1679, " Benja Thwinge to lay Timber " on the town land, and July 29, 1680, " Benja Twinge " was chosen a tithing-man from Capt. Hutchinson's (1670) company.
On Friday, Jan. 14, 1681, as he was going from Mount Hope to Rhode Island in a canoe, with an Indian, the canoe was upset by the wind and ice, and Mr. Thwing (1678) was drowned.
William White (1678) was one of the founders of King's Chapel in 1686, and on the record of the first meeting, June 15, 1686, his name stands next after Mr. Luscomb's (1678). William White (1678) was born in 1646, and was named, with two others, in March, 1688, by Sir Edmund Andros, to obtain contributions for building an Episcopal church in Boston.
Rev. Samuel Nowell, a son of Increase Nowell, who was one of the founders of the First Church in Charlestown, and of the First Church in Boston, delivered the Artillery election sermon of 1678. Rev. Samuel Nowell was never a settled minister, but served as chaplain in King Philip's War. He became a freeman in 1677, an assistant in 1680, and in October, 1685, was chosen treasurer of the colony, an office from which he was relieved the next year by the commissioning of Joseph Dudley (1677) as Governor. Randolph wrote the Earl of Clarendon, July 14, 1682, that as leaders in the "high misdemeanors," he designated " Thomas Danforth, Samuel Nowell, a late fanatic preacher, and now a magistrate," etc. He went to England to act with Mr. Mather at court in favor of New England, Capt. Elisha Hutchinson (1670) being also present, but died at London in September, 1688. His wife was the widow of Hezekiah Usher (1638).
Rev. Cotton Mather, writing in the Magnalia, Book VII., Chap. 6, Sect. 10, of the Swamp Fort fight, says : " I wish I could particularly give an 'immortal memory' to all the brave men that signalled themselves in this action. But among them, how shall
Benjamin Thwing (1678). AUTHORITY : The Thwing Family, by Walter E. Thwing, 1883.
William White (1678). AUTHORITIES : Foote's Annals of King's Chapel; 3 Mass. Hist. Coll., Vol. I., p. 84.
"Capt William White commanded the South Company in 1687." - Sewall's Diary.
Rev. Samuel Nowell. AUTHORITIES: Math- er's Magnalia; Savage's Gen. Dict.
PROVINCE HOUSE.
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I speak thy praise ! thou excellent Samuel Nowel, never to be forgotten ! This now reverend, and afterward worshipful person, a chaplain to the army, was author to a good sermon preached unto the Artillery Company of the Massachusetts, which he entitled, ' Abraham in Arms,' and at this fight there was no person more like a true son of ' Abra- ham in Arms,' or that with more courage and hazardy fought in the midst of a shower of bullets from the surrounding savages. But -
"Time would not let me all his deeds recite, - His skill in council - prowess in the fight."
1070-80. The officers elected were : John Walley (1671), captain ; Penn Townsend (1674), lieutenant ; Benjamin Davis (1673), ensign. William Greenough (1675) was first sergeant ; Jeremiah Dummer (1671), second sergeant ; Ephraim Sale (1674), third sergeant ; Joseph Belknap (1658), fourth sergeant ; John Hayward (1673), clerk; John Marion, drummer, and Edward Smith, armorer.
Boston had, meanwhile, become the principal seaport in North America, untram- . melled as yet by a royal custom-house, and the flags of the maritime nations waved at her wharves.
Boston, in 1679, had about nine thousand inhabitants, occupying less than two thousand tenements. Some of the houses in the business portion of the town were of brick, with tile or slate roofs, and others were of wood, plastered roughcast on the outside with cement, in which was mixed finely-powdered black glass. The greater portion of the houses, however, were of wood, covered with clapboards, and roofed with cedar shingles. The chimneys were large, built in a stack in the centre of the house, and the windows were small.
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