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 4
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
19
HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1637-8]
what hath made the Artillery Company in London so to flourish for so long a time together but the stock of the Company well managed whereby they have done great things and have been able to perform many exercises (though chargeable) both for the delight of all beholders and the great benefit and experience of the soldiers and to the increase of their number, and indeed I had in my purpose several other legacies to have bestowed on this Company for their encouragement and the example of others and have them in a readiness and of some consequence but the small appearance of the Company and the declining of it daily which cannot be but a great discouragement to the Capt and officers that command them, as also to the soldiers what do appear and causes a kind of contempt instead of esteem in those that behold them, makes me fear the final dissolution of it and so all gifts will sink with it and come to nothing hath been the cause of altering my resolution, though I know a skilful commander though he have a body of men but 4 files 6 deep which is but 24 soldiers, yea I would add further, if he have but half so many but two files 6 or 8 deep, with them he may per- form such variety of exercises, not only for the postures but the several motions doublings facings counter marches wheelings yea such variety of forms of battles and several kinds of firings and charges as should not only be delightful but very useful and gainful to those that are exercised and not only for two or three training days, but have matter enough to exercise them for several years which I should hardly have believed, did not I know it to be true and have seen it with mine eyes, yet notwith- standing what comfort or credit can a Capt have to go into the field with 6 or 12 soldiers and under the name of an Artillery or Military Company, it would be my rejoicing if there could be any means thought on or used to increase and encourage this Company that is and may be so honorable and advantageous to the whole country, that it may remain and continue still in splendor and esteem increasing and not declining, but all things have their changes."
Captain Keayne (1637) follows this expression of generosity, counsel, fear, and hope, with other legacies. He makes gifts, to the town of Boston, three hundred pounds ; to the free school in Boston, fifty pounds ; to "our own church," fifty pounds for the relief of the poor ; to Harvard College, one hundred pounds, and, conditionally, six hundred and twenty pounds more ; to Rev. John Cotton ; to his brother-in-law, Rev. John Willson ; to Mr. John Willson ; to Elders Oliver and Colborne; to Rev. Mr. Norton ; to Mr. Bellingham, deputy ; to Edward Winslow; to Major-General Gibbons (1637) ; to his workmen and servants and others, various sums, amounting, probably, to fifteen hundred pounds. Mr. Keayne (1637), in his will, estimates his property at " £4000 or thereabouts," and adds, " it is well known to some that I brought over with me two or 3000 lb in good estate of my own."
The three hundred pounds given to the town of Boston were for a market-place and a conduit, the former to contain " some convenient room or two for the courts" (which had hitherto been held in the meeting-house), " to meet in both summer and winter and so for the Townsmen and Commissioners in the same building, or the like, and a convenient room for a library, and a gallery, or some other handsome room for the elders to meet in ; also a room for an armory."
In March, 1656-7, the town selected a committee to consider the " modell of the towne house," as suggested in his will. One hundred and four citizens gave £367 1IS., and Captain Keayne (1637), by will, £300 towards the contemplated structure, which was completed in 1658, and occupied the site of what is now called "The Old State
20
HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
[1637-8
House." Oct. 9, 1667, the Legislature ordered "the necessary full and suitable repair of the Town and Court House in Boston, founded by the late Captain Robert Keayne." This building was destroyed in the great fire in Boston, which occurred in the night of Oct. 7, 1711. The library contemplated in Captain Keayne's will was established, and existed probably until 1711.1
The conduit, not proving so successful as was expected, was removed in about twelve years. His legacy to the free school was probably applied to what is now called the Public Latin School in Boston, one of the greatest ornaments of the city.
Captain Keayne (1637) died in his own house in Boston on the 23d of March, 1655-6.2 The inventory of his estate amounted to £2,427 12S. Id., and his debts and funeral expenses were £274. The will was probated May 2, 1656, but the estate was not finally settled until Jan. 29, 1683, when, both of the executors being dead, letters of administration were granted to Colonel Nicholas Paige3 (1693) and Anna, his wife, granddaughter of the deceased. His widow, Ann Keayne, married, on the 16th of October, 1660, Samuel Cole (1637).
The burial-place of Captain Robert Keayne (1637) has been patiently sought, but it is not positively known. It is believed that for thirty years (1630-60) what is now called " King's Chapel Burial-Ground" was the only place of burial in the town. In 1645, Thomas Scotto sold to the town the present City Hall lot. It is described in the deed as having the "Burying place toward the west." Aug. 20, 1660, the town " ordered that the old burying place shall nott bee broken up any more withoutt leave of some two of the select men first obtained "; and Nov. 5, 1660, it " ordered, that the old burying place shall bee wholly deserted for some convenient season, and the new places appointed for burying onely made use off." In the year 1660, two new cemeteries - the North Burial-Ground on Copp's Hill, and the South, or Granary Burial-Ground - were laid out for use. In King's Chapel Burial-Ground, Governor Winthrop was buried in 1649, Rev. John Cotton in 1652, Thomas Oliver in 1658, William Paddy (1652) in 1658, Jacob Sheafe (1648) in 1658, all of whom were intimate friends of Captain Keayne (1637). Therefore it seems reasonable to conclude that Captain Robert Keayne (1637) was buried within the present limits of King's Chapel Burial-Ground.4
1 " [1683] Augt 2d Giuen David Edwards on ordr vndr ye select mens hands to receaue of Elder John Wiswall & Doctr Elisha Cook, 34ld. 45. in mony for severall things he brought from England for ye vse of the Library, by order of Capt Brattle, & is in pte of a greate sume due from them, for Capt Robt Keynes legacie to ye vse of sd Library, as appears fol. 47. . . .
" 1694-5 March 11. At a public meeting of freeholders and inhabitants it was voted that the bookes of the Register of Birthes and deathes in the Town of Boston shall be demanded by the Select men in whose hands soever they be and that all Bookes or Other things belonging to the Library and all the goods or Estate belonging to the Town be demanded and Taken care of by the Select men." - Report of Boston Rec. Com., Vol. VII., pp. 162 and 220.
"[1702] August 31" the selectmen "Ordered that Mr. John Barnerd jun. be desired to make a Cattalogue of all the bookes belonging to the Towns Liberary and to Lodge the Same in ye sd Liberary."
Feb. 28, 1704, it was voted in the Board meet-
ing that Mr. John Barnerd, Jr., having "Set the Towns Liberary in good order, he is allowed for Sd Service two of those bookes of wch there are in ye Sd Liberary two of a Sort." - Report of Boston Rec. Com., Vol. XI., pp. 26, 37.
In June, 1713, an advertisement was printed for the purpose of having all books belonging to the town's library "before the late fire " returned to the town treasurer.
2 "The 26th of the Ist month, 1656, Capt Robert Keyn died. He was a man of good under- standing and learning, both in divine, civil and military arts and knowledge. He gave to the town a considerable sum, in his will, towards a town- house and conduit." - Diary of John Hull (1660). Boston Records say he died "23d of the Ist mo."
3 The petition of Nicholas Paige (1693) and Anna, his wife, to administer on Capt. Robert Keayne's estate. Jan. 29, 1683-4, is given in the New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg., 1877, p. 105.
4 Shurtleff's Topographical and Historical Dis. of Boston; Drake's Hist. of Boston, pp. 99, 100.
2I
HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1637-8]
" Captain Robert Keayne" (1637), said the Rev. Samuel K. Lothrop, in his bi-centennial sermon, delivered before the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company in 1838, "was one of those men, rare elsewhere, but of whom New England and this city especially, have seen many, who belonging to what is commonly called the middling interest, occupying neither a very exalted nor a very obscure station in society, pos- sessing neither extraordinary wealth nor extraordinary talent, have yet been eminent for their public usefulness, for their high moral worth as men, for their faithful services as citizens. He fostered in his day and generation the most valuable interests of the community, and promoted, by his influence and example, the cause of sound morals, rational piety, social progress, order and happiness. And so long as this Company continues to exist and worth and virtue are honored by its members, so long he will be held in grateful remembrance as an honest man, a faithful citizen, a sincere Christian."
Robert Sedgwick (1637), the second signer of the original roll of the Company, was a son of William and Elizabeth (Howe) Sedgwick, and was born in Woburn, Bedfordshire, England, where he was baptized May 6, 1613. He married, in England, Joanna - -, who after his death became the second wife of Rev. Thomas Allen, of Norwich, England, previously of Charlestown, Mass. Mr. Allen's first wife was Ann (Sadler) Harvard, the widow of Rev. John Harvard.
Capt. Sedgwick (1637) and his wife Joanna joined the Charlestown church, Feb. 27, 1636-7, having emigrated to America in 1635. He became a freeman March 9, 1636-7, when he was appointed captain for the town, and the next month was chosen a representative. He was repeatedly re-elected, and served in the General Court sixteen terms. He was engaged in Charlestown in mercantile pursuits. His house fronted on the square near where the Bunker Hill Bank now stands, and his wharves were near the town dock. Mr. Whitman (1810) says, that "Capt Sedgwick [1637] had been a member of the Artillery Company in London," but his name does not appear on the records or roll of the Honourable Artillery. He was probably connected with " the Military Garden of London," an association for improvement in the art of war, distinct from the company above mentioned. Johnson (1637) plainly tells us that Capt. Sedgwick (1637) was " nursed up in London's Artillery Garden." 1
He was chosen captain of the first train-band in Charlestown, which he drilled every Friday afternoon ; he was captain of the Artillery Company of the Massachusetts in 1640, 1645, and 1648; commander at the castle in 1641, and of the Middlesex regiment in 1643. On the organization of the colonial militia, in 1644, he was appointed "Sergeant Major" or commander of the Middlesex regiment. In a pamphlet entitled "Good News from New England," the author says :-
" Prest to oppose haters of peace, with guide Of officers, three regiments abide In Middlesex, seven ensigns are displayed, There disciplined by Major Sedgwicke's aid."
Robert Sedgwick (1637). AUTHORITIES : Hist. of Middlesex Co., by D. Hamilton Hurd; New Eng. Ilist. and Gen. Reg, ISS7, 1888, etc .; Froth- ingham's Charlestown; Johnson's Wonder-Work- ing Providence; Wyman's Charlestown Genealogies and Estates; Savage's Gen. Dict .; Whitman's Hist. A. and I1. A. Company, Ed. 1842; Winthrop's Hist. of New Eng., Savage's Edition.
' Robert Sedgwick was " the first Sergeant
Major chosen to order the Regiment of Essex, stout and active in all feats of war, nursed up in London's Artillery garden, and furthered with fifteen years experience in New England exact theory : besides the help of a very good head piece, being a frequent instructor of the more martial troops of our artillery men," etc. - Wonder-Working Providence, by Ed- ward Johnson (1637), Ed. 1867, p. 192. " Noble Captain Sedgwick." -Woburn Records.
22
[1637-8
HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
When, in 1645, a king's ship had been captured in Boston Harbor by Capt. Stagg, who had been commissioned by Parliament, the General Court authorized and appointed Sergt .- Major Gibbons (1637), of Boston, and Sergt .- Major Sedgwick (1637), of Charles- town, "to keep the peace in the said towns, and not to permit any ships to fight in the harbor, without license from authority."
Capt. Sedgwick (1637) was associated with John Winthrop, Jr., and other leading colonists, in establishing iron-works at Lynn, in 1643, the first, it is affirmed, on the American continent. Smelting, forging, and casting were carried on for some years, the bog-ore furnishing the raw material; but Hubbard says that soon, "instead of drawing out bars of iron for the country's use, there was hammered out nothing but contention and law-suits." After a lingering existence of forty years, the fire of the forges was finally extinguished, the buildings were razed, and heaps of scoria only remained for vegetation, in the course of years, to convert into grassy hillocks. In other business operations, Capt. Sedgwick (1637) subjected himself to admonition for the same " frailty " which caused his friend, Capt. Keayne (1637), so much persecution by church and state, "taking more than sixpence in the shilling profit"; but he escaped with an admonition.
In 1652, Sergt .- Major Sedgwick was; promoted [to the rank of “ Sergeant-Major General," or commander-in-chief. He held the office for one year, during which time he was actively engaged in improving the discipline and drill of the colonial forces, spending his money freely, whenever and wherever it was needed.
Gen. Sedgwick (1637), attracting the favorable attention of Oliver Cromwell, then Lord Protector of Great Britain, was authorized, with Capt. John Leverett (1639), afterwards Governor, to organize an expedition against New Netherlands, now New York. Cromwell furnished them with three ships and a small body of troops, and authorized them to increase their force by recruits in New England. When, after some delays, they arrived at Boston, the Dutch war was already over, and, before the Massa- chusetts contingents could be enlisted, news of the peace reached Boston. The com- missioners then determined to make Acadia the object of their attack. "It was," says Hutchinson, "a time of peace between the two nations, but the English had good right to the country, and the complaints of the French in Europe could not prevail upon Cromwell to give it up again." The Lord Protector asserted that a sum of money, promised by France in consideration of the cession of Acadia, had never been paid. Gen. Sedgwick's (1637) account of his collecting an expedition is so Cromwellian in its tone that it merits republication. It is dated, " From General Sedgwick [1637] at Charles Town, New England, this 24th September, 1654," and is as follows : -
" I know you cannot but be acquainted with our first business we were designed unto. God did not seem to smile upon us in that business, in many of his workings towards us. But so it fell out, even when we were ready to advance with our forces to the southward, we had countermands as touching that business; we, then, being in a posture of war, and soldiers here listed in pay, attended the other part of our commis- sion against the French, and the fourth of July set sail for Nantusket with 3 ships, one Catch and about two hundred Land Soldiers of old England and New. Our first place designed for was St. John's Fort, there we arrived the 15 Ditto, and in four days took it in, where we found a gallant Fort, above seventy proper Soldiers, seventeen peeces of Ordnance, besides Murtherers, Stockefowlers and other Ammunition. Having sent away the French and settled our Garrison, we set sail for Port Riall, and five days after
23
HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1637-8]
our arrival there, took in that Fort, as also a ship of France, that lay under the Fort ; In the Fort, we found Seamen, Soldiers and Planters, about 135 fighting men. Our force with which we landed, and lay intrenched against the Fort was but equal in number ; there was in the Fort twenty peeces of Ordnance, above forty barrels of powder, with other necessaries. Our work being finished there, we set sail for Penobscout, and took that in, where we found a small Fort, yet very strong, and a very well composed peece with eight peece of Ordnance one Brass, three murtherers, about eighteen Barrels of powder, and eighteen men in garrison. I am willing to hope God intends a blessing in this affair to the English Nation, and to the Plantations in particular. It's a brave Countrey full of fine Rivers, Airable Pastors, full of Timber, gallant Masts, full of Mines, Coal, Marble, Iron, Lead, and some say, Copper. Many convenient places for fishing, making of Oyl, and good quantities of trade for Beaver and Mons-skins."
Cromwell, who had once thought of emigrating to New England, often expressed a tender regard for the settlers there, and near the close of 1654 he undertook to carry out a plan whereby he might mitigate their trials and hardships by providing homes for them in a more congenial climate where there was a fertile soil. The expedition was repulsed on the island of Hispaniola, but seized the island of Jamaica on the 17th of May, 1655. The troops were soon reinforced by four regiments, one of which was commanded by Gen. Sedgwick (1637), who was immediately detailed to act in the place of Edward Winslow, deceased, as a commissioner to govern the conquered territory. In his first report, he said that he found things " in a sad, deplorable and dejected condition," the soldiers being " so lazy and idle as it cannot enter into the heart of any Englishman that such blood should run in the veins of any born in England." As the original commissioners were all dead, Gen. Sedgwick (1637), in conjunction with the principal military officers, framed an instrument of civil government, constituting a Supreme Executive Council, with himself at its head. Cromwell approved of what he did, and promoted him to the rank of major-general, using every exertion to procure emigrants from Scotland and Ireland for his colony. Gen. Sedgwick (1637) died on the 24th of May, 1656, soon after he received his new appointment. His widow was living in 1667 at Stepney, near London. Their daughter, Sarah, was the second wife of Gov. Leverett (1639). Gen. Sedgwick (1637) and wife, Joanna, had five children, of whom William joined the Artillery Company in 1666, and Robert in 1674. The Book of Possessions (City Document No. 39, p. 2), represents him as owning nine separate pieces of property in Charlestown, containing about forty-eight acres. He was an active citizen, devoted to the interests of the town, superintended the building of the first fortifications in Charlestown, and was one of the most conspicuous persons of his time.
Joseph Weld (1637), of Roxbury, whose name stands third on the original roll, was a merchant, and a brother of Rev. Thomas Weld of that place. He was admitted a freeman in 1636; was a representative from Roxbury in the General Court, 1636-43 ; was selectman prior to 1643, and was the captain of the Roxbury Com- pany, which in 1636 was included in the regiment of which John Winthrop was colonel and Thomas Dudley lieutenant-colonel. He was chosen ensign of the Artillery Company
Joseph Weld (1637). AUTHORITIES: New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg, 1853; Drake's Hist. of Roxbury; Whitman's Hist. A. and HI. A. Company, Ed. 1842; Savage's Gen. Dict .; Mem. Hist. of Boston.
Mr. Weld's (1637) first wife, Elizabeth, came with him from England. She died in October, 1638, and, April 20, 1639, he married Barbara, niece of Edward Clap, of Dorchester.
24
HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
[1637-8
at its organization in 1638. Whitman (1810) says, that when Capt. Weld (1637) was in London, in 1644, "the wife of La Tour having commenced an action against Capt. Bayley, captain of the ship, which brought her from London by a six months voyage to Boston, and recovered £2000. damages ; and the captain having also commenced an action for his freight in which he was unsuccessful, Bayley was persuaded or advised to attach Captain Weld [1637], who was one of the jury who tried the case, together with Stephen Winthrop [1641], the Governor's son, and Recorder of the Court. This being done, they were forced to find sureties in a bond of £4000. to answer him in the Court of Admiralty. Bayley was finally obliged to give over this suit ; and then he procured out of Chancery a ne exeat regnos (that they should not depart the realm) against them ; but the cause being heard they were discharged, Captain Bayley losing his charges and they, theirs. Weld [1637], Winthrop [1641], and Thomas Fowle [1639], the owner of the ship, petitioned the General Court, for indemnity, but in vain."
The homestead of Capt. Weld (1637), containing two acres of garden and orchard, was between the Denison estate and that of Elder Heath. As a recognition of his valuable services in behalf of the colony, he received from the town the valuable estate in West Roxbury known recently as the "Bussey Farm," which he bequeathed to his son. His "services" are indicated in a vote of the General Court, Oct. 1, 1645 : " The Court thinks it meet that Mr. Peters and Mr. Weld, being sent over to negotiate for the country, having been long absent, desire they may understand the Court's mind that they desire their presence & speedily return."
During the four months' detention, "it being winter," of Mrs. Ann Hutchinson, previous to her being driven into exile, for her unorthodox opinions, she was in the custody of Capt. Weld (1637), at Roxbury.
Capt. Weld (1637) died while in command of the Roxbury train-band, Oct. 7, 1646, leaving a widow, Barbara, and an estate inventoried at £2,028 11s. 3d., no inconsiderable sum in those days. He was buried in the old burying-ground on Eustis Street. His widow became the second of four successive wives of Anthony Stoddard, who joined the Artillery Company in 1639.
Thomas Savage (1637), tailor, of Boston, was the fourth signer of the roll of the Artillery Company, and he would undoubtedly have been named in the charter, had he not been involved in the movement headed by his mother-in-law, Mrs. Ann Hutchinson. For this, he, with other officers who were her adherents, were disarmed by order of the General Court until they recanted.
Major Thomas Savage (1637), son of William, was born at Taunton, England, in 1606, and came to Boston in the " Planter," in April, 1635. He was admitted a freeman in May, 1636. Having married Faith, the daughter of William and Ann Hutchinson, in the following year, he was classed among the adherents of his mother-in-law, was disarmed, and obliged to retire for a time into Rhode Island. On his return, he became the first orderly sergeant of the Artillery Company, with which he was thenceforth rominently identified. He had, by his first wife, seven children, viz. : Habijah (1665), Thomas (1665), Hannah, Ephraim (1674), Mary, Dyonisia, and Perez. His first
X
Thomas Savage (1637). AUTHORITIES : New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg., 1847; Bridgman's King's Chapel Burial-Ground; Mather's Magnalia;
Savage's Gen. Dict .; Report of Boston Rec. Com., 1634-1660; Savage's Winthrop; Mem. Hist. of Boston; Hill's Hist. of Old South Church.
X
25
HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1637-8]
wife died Feb. 20, 1652, and, the 15th of the September following, he married Mary, daughter of Rev. Zachariah Symmes, of Charlestown. By his second wife, he had Sarah, Richard, Samuel, Samuel 2d, Zachariah, Ebenezer (1682), John (1694), Benja- min (1682), Arthur, Elizabeth, and Elizabeth 2d. He resided at the corner of Fleet and North streets, and his tailor's shop was at the lower end of Cornhill, now Washing- ton Street.
Major Savage (1637) represented Boston in the General Court in 1654-7, 1659-62, 1677, and 1678, or ten years ; Hingham in 1663, and Andover in 1671, presiding as speaker in 1659, 1660, 1671, 1677, and 1678. He was an assistant in 1680 and 1681, and held other positions in church and state. In 1669, he was one of the founders and members of the Third Church (Old South), and subscribed liberally towards the estab- lishing of a free school in Boston.
It was in the military affairs of the colony that Major Savage ( 1637) was especially prominent. In the war for the subjugation of King Philip, the chief of the Wampanoags, he was commissioned as major of the Massachusetts forces under Major-Gen. Denison (1660), whose instructions to Major Savage (1637) concluded as follows : " And in case the Lord should discuall ye General so as to take him of the service, you shall take charge and command of all according to the commission given him." Major Savage (1637) had under his especial command the troops of Capt. Paige (1693) and the foot companies of Capts. Henchman (1675), Prentice, and Moseley (1672), number- ing in all about three hundred men. The commissary stores provided included " 2000 weight of Biskit, 40 barrels of pease in casks, 10 barrels of Pork, 10 kintalls of drye fish, I hogshead of Rumme, 6 jars of oyle, 4 barrels of Raisins, I barrel of sugar, I hogs- head of salt and a quarter cask of wine." Provision was also made of powder, shot, flints, and " 50 bushels of Indian corn parched and beaten to make nocake," " with 300 small bags for each man to carry nokake." When the expedition reached the Wam- panoag villages at Mount Hope, they were found deserted, King Philip and his warriors, conscious of their inability to cope with the whites, having retreated into the Narra- gansett country, when a peace was proclaimed. The troops returned to Boston and were there disbanded, Major Savage (1637) resuming the care of his business.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.