USA > Massachusetts > History of the Military company of the Massachusetts, now called the Ancient and honorable artillery company of Massachusetts. 1637-1888, Vol. II > Part 14
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Major Cunningham (1758) died June 5, 1795, leaving a numerous family of chil- dren, and was buried at Dedham.
Thomas Deering (1758), son of Henry and Elizabeth Deering, was born in Boston, May 16, 1720. He was a grandson of Henry Deering (1682). He made the general walk or visitation of the town in 1753, but does not appear to have held any town office.
John Downe (1758), distiller, of Boston, son of William (1716) and Sarah (Dan- forth) Downe, was born in Boston, Sept. 2, 1732. He married, about 1759, Ann, daugh- ter of George and Anna Holmes. John (1758) was a relative of Thomas Downe (1733). He was chosen constable of Boston in 1756 and 1765.
Aug. 27, 1766, " Mr John Downes [1758] appointed by the Sessions a measurer of grain &c in this port, applied [to the selectmen] for scales but as they had before recom- mended three persons to the sessions as suitable & sufficient for that trust who were accordingly appointed & supplied by the Selectmen with measures and scales," Mr. Downe's (1758) request was declined.
Richard Boylston (1758). AUTHORITY : Wy- man's Charlestown Genealogies and Estates.
James Cunningham (1758). AUTHORITY : Records of Boston and Dedham.
John Downe (1758). AUTHORITIES: Boston Records; Early Masonic Records; Suffolk County Probate Records.
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Mr. Downe (1758) received the Masonic degrees in St. John's Lodge, of Boston, March 27, 1754. He attended the feasts of St. John the Baptist in 1754, 1755, 1757, and 1759, and was present at the installation of Jeremy Gridley as grand master, Oct. I, 1755. He was present in Grand Lodge as junior warden of St. John's Lodge in 1756, and junior warden of the Masters' Lodge in 1757, 1758, and 1759.
His son, Nathaniel Holmes Downe, who entered the service as a marine, Jan. 26, 1780, on the ship "Protector," commanded by Capt. John Foster Williams, was captured May 5, 1781, and taken to Mill Prison, England. He was exchanged in July, 1782, and returned to Boston, Aug. 14 next following.
April 16, 1773, John Downe (1758) was appointed guardian of Mary Ann and Nathaniel Holmes Downe. As Willis Hall, of Medford, was appointed guardian of the same children, May 7, 1779, it is probable that John Downe (1758) died not long prior to the latter date.
Edward Jackson (1758), innkeeper, of Boston, son of Joseph (1738) and Susanna Jackson, was born March 1, 1735. He married, May 29, 1755, Susanna Dana, by whom he had a son, Samuel, born Sept. 2, 1759, and a daughter, Mary, baptized Aug. 30, 1761. He kept a tavern in the centre of Brighton. He never held any town office in Boston. He rose to the grade of captain in the Revolutionary War.
Edward Jackson (1758) was a brother of Rev. Joseph Jackson, who was invited to deliver the Artillery sermon in 1761, but declined. They were brothers of Col. Henry Jackson, of Boston.
David Jenkins (1758), of Boston, son of David and Sarah Jenkins, of Boston, was born Feb. 14, 1720, and married Rebekah Atkins, Feb. 18, 1747. He was elected to office in the town in 1746, and was continued for several years. He also made several of the annual visitations or walks about the town for purposes of inspection, etc., the last time being in 1761. He was a member of the local militia, and rose to the rank of captain in the Boston regiment.
Nathaniel Loring (1758), merchant, of Boston, son of Nathaniel and Susanna (But- ler) Loring, was born June 11, 1713. He married, (1) June 7, 1739, Mary, daughter of Edward Gray, of Boston, who was the owner of the rope-walks where occurred the differ- ences which originated the Boston Massacre; (2), June 18, 1749, Mary Gyles, of Rox- bury. He held a town office in 1752, and subsequently, prior to 1765, he made the general and annual walk or visitation of the town on several occasions. His father was one of the early and prominent members of the New Brick Church, joining it May 23, 1722. Nathaniel (1758) was baptized in the Second Church, June 14, 1713.
Mr. Loring (1758) was a merchant, and his place of business was near Faneuil Hall. In 1750, he was on the grand jury. He was appointed guardian for his daughter Hannah, for property bequeathed to her by her uncle, Joseph Heath, of Roxbury, who gave his sister, Mrs. Loring, five hundred acres of land in Shrewsbury. He also officiated as a visitor of the public schools during several years prior to 1768. He died in 1770.
Edward Jackson (1758). AUTHORITY : Bos- ton Records. David Jenkins (1758). AUTHORITY: Boston Records.
Nathaniel Loring (1758). AUTHORITIES : Boston Records; New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg., 1853.
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Edward Lyde (1758), merchant, of Boston, son of Edward Lyde (1702), was born Dec. 29, 1725, and married Katherine Gouch (Gooch), Jan. 15, 1765. He served as clerk of the market in 1768.
Capt. Lyde (1758) was proscribed and banished by the State in 1778.
William Murray (1758) became a member of St. John's Lodge, of Boston, in 1773. He attended the installation of Jeremy Gridley as grand master, Oct. 1, 1755, and of John Rowe as grand master, Nov. 28, 1768. He was present in Grand Lodge on several occasions between 1756 and 1768.
William Murray (1758) never held any office in the town of Boston. He was second sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1761. He embarked for Halifax with the royal army in 1776.
Moses Peck (1758), watchmaker, of Boston, married, Jan. 17, 1758, Elizabeth Townsend, who died at Boston, June 25, 1793, aged sixty-two years. Capt. Moses Peck (1758) died in Boston, March 27, 1801, aged eighty-three years, at No. 63 Cornhill, where the funeral services took place March 30.
He became a member of the Old South Church, May 23, 1742. He served as one of the clerks of the market four years, - from 1755 to 1758, - and was elected constable in 1756, but declined. Aug. 24, 1770, he was drawn as a juror for the August court. He was drafted, Dec. 18, 1776, as one of the quota of Boston ordered by the General Court to reinforce the Continental Army at or near New York. June 9, 1779, he con- tracted with the town to keep the North Church clock in good repair, according to the vote of the town, which contract was continued for two years.
David Spear (1758), cooper, of Boston, son of Joseph and Mary (Collier) Spear, of Braintree and Hull, was born in 1726, in Hull, Mass. He was published (1) Jan. 25, 1749, to marry Elizabeth Oliver, of Annapolis, N. B .; (2) Feb. 27, 1755, to marry Sarah, daughter of Thomas Stoddard (1744). She died Jan. 17, 1791, and he married, (3) May 2, 1791, Mrs. Mary (Hammett) Holland. She died June 17, 1799, and he married, (4) Aug. 7, 1800, Sarah Loring, daughter of Samuel, of Hull, Mass. She died March 12, 1828. Mr. Spear (1758) died in Boston, July 8, 1803.
The Columbian Centinal, of Jan. 19, 1791, says : " Patience Capen, wife of Hope- still [1763], who died Jan. 19, 1791, aged 57, was a sister of Sarah, wife of Capt. David Spear [1758], who died Jan. 17, 1791, aged 58 years."
Capt. Spear (1758) was chosen by the town a culler of staves and hoops from 1754 to 1774 inclusive, also, in 1781, 1782, and 1783 ; a juryman for the April term of the Inferior Court in 1771, and for a Maritime Court, Aug. 9, 1786. Aug. 9, 1779, he was appointed one of a committee for the purpose of procuring subscriptions to fortify the harbor.
There was a great fire in Boston, on Spear's Wharf, March 10, 1802, which consumed ten stores. The fire extended to the stores on Long Wharf, and Nos. 2 to 8 inclusive were entirely destroyed, with their contents. Nos. 9 and 10, Long Wharf,
Edward Lyde (1758). AUTHORITIES : Boston Records; Sabine's American Loyalists.
William Murray (1758). AUTHORITIES : Early Masonic Records; Sabine's American Loyalists.
Moses Peck (1758). AUTHORITY: Boston Records. David Spear (1758). AUTHORITIES: Boston Records; MS. of William G. Spear, of Quincy, Mass.
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were pulled down to arrest the flames. John Osborn, Jr. (1764), and others, inserted in the newspapers of March 13, 1802, cards of thanks to the firemen.
David Spear (1758) was second sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1763, and ensign in 1768. He is called "Captain " in 1779, in the Boston Records.
Thomas Symmes (1758), of Boston, only son of Col. John (1733) and Martha Symmes, and cousin of Col. Andrew, Jr. (1760), was born in Boston, Sept. 8, 1729. He married (published), Feb. 22, 1753, Rebecca Marshall, of Boston.
The record of the Artillery Company for 1758 is as follows : -
"April 3'd, 1758. The Company being under Arms in Faneuil Hall, Voted, That the Rev. Mr. Thomas Barnard of Salem be desired to preach the next Artillery Election Sermon, and that the present Commission Officers with the Treasurer, John Phillips, Esq. [1725] be a committee to wait on him and desire the same.
"Attest : SAMUEL TORREY, Jun. Clerk.
" May Ist. The Company being under Arms, Capt Thomas Savage [1739], being one of the committee to wait on the Rev. Mr. Thomas Barnard to desire him to preach the next Artillery Election Sermon, reported that he had accepted the same. The Evening being spent at Sergt Perkins [1755], it was there Voted, That Capt Thomas Savage [1739], Capt Newman Greenough [1740] and Mr. John Leverett [1750] be a committee to take the most prudent and proper measures to get the money due to the Company from the heirs of Col. Joseph Blanchard [1737], deceased. Voted, That thirteen pounds, six shillings and eight pence, lawful money, be paid by the Treasurer of the Company, Col. John Phillips [1725], to the present commission officers towards defraying the charges of the dinner upon the ensuing Election day ; and the Company to dine with them. Attest : SAMUEL TORREY, Jun. Clerk.
"June 5th. The Company being under Arms, it was Voted, That the old Com- mission Officers with the Treasurer, be a committee to wait on the Rev. Mr. Thomas Barnard, and return him the thanks of this Company for his Sermon preached before them this day. The Evening being spent at Capt Greenough's [1740], it was Voted, That the committee's account of charge in going to Dunstable, being three pounds, four shillings and one penny, lawful money, be allowed and paid by the Treasurer, John Phillips, Esqr. [1725]. Voted, That Col. John Phillips [1725], Maj. Joseph Jackson [1738] and Mr. Samuel Swift [1746] be a committee to settle and adjust with the heirs of Col. Joseph Blanchard [1737] & others, who are by bond and mortgage in arrears to the Company, and in order thereto, to consult all such counsel-in-the-law as they shall think fit, and to make return as soon as may be ; and what shall be done by said com- mittee to be final, touching the premises ; and the charge arising thereby to be borne by the Company. Attest : SAMUEL TOKREY, Jun. Clerk.
" June 5th. 1758. The Company being under Arms, it was unanimously Voted, That the thanks of this Company be given to Mr. Samuel Torrey, Jun. [1752] for his good services as Clerk to this Company for three years last past.
" Attest : JOHN EDWARDS, Clerk.
"Sept 4th. The Evening being spent at Lieut Gore's [1743], it was there Voted, That Mr. William Hyslop [1755] should serve as Sergeant in the Company the present year. Voted, That every person should learn the present exercise before they are admitted into this Company. Attest : JOHN EDWARDS, Clerk."
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Rev. Thomas Barnard, of Salem, delivered the Artillery election sermon of 1758. He was the son of Rev. John Barnard, of Andover, and was born in that place, Aug. 16, 1716, graduated at Harvard College in 1732, and was ordained at Newbury, Jan. 31, 1739 (according to Joshua Coffin, "History of Newbury "), as pastor of the Second Church. He resigned this pastoral office, Oct. 29, 1749, and, for a time, applied himself to the study and practice of law. He re-entered the ministry, however, and was installed as minister of the First Church, in Salem, Sept. 17, 1755. He continued actively engaged in church work until he was disabled by paralysis, in 1770. He died Aug. 5, 1776.
Mr. Barnard is spoken of as "a man of solid excellencies, both of mind and character, not brilliant but strong and rightly balanced, 'much beloved by his society and esteemed by the public.' " 1
His son, Rev. Thomas Barnard, of Salem, delivered the Artillery election sermon in 1789.
The following named members of the Company are given in the Record Book as " Artillery soldiers under the fine of 1/ per diem for non-appearance " : -
Benjamin Andrews (1754), Nathaniel Baker (1751), William Baker (1745), Samuel Ballard (1755), Samuel Barrett (1755), Jeremiah Belknap, Jr. (1745), Joseph Belknap (1742), William Bell (1756), Nathan Blodgett (1742), Joseph Bradford (1740), John Bridge (1751), John Butler (1745), Joseph Butler (1742), Jonathan Cary (1756), Benjamin Church (1742), Barnabas Clark (1755), John Coburn (1751), Thomas Dawes, Jr. (1754), Isaac Decoster (1755), Josiah Edson, Jr. (1747), Samuel Emmes (1757), Benjamin Goldthwait (1740), Samuel Goodwin (1739), John Gore (1743), William Heath (1754), Samuel Hendley (1746), William Homes (1747), Jacob Hurd (1743), Daniel Jones (1754), John Joy (1755), Thomas Lawlor (1746), Samuel Liver- more (1746), Jonathan Lowder (1747), Joseph Mann (1754), Thomas March (1747), David Mason (1754), John Milliken (1741), William Moor (1749), William Murray (1758), Benjamin Phillips (1755), Thomas Raymond (1747), Nathaniel Ridgeway (1756), Samuel Ridgeway, Jr. (1756), Isaac Royall (1750), Benjamin Russell (1745), Thomas Stoddard (1744), John Storer (1739), Onesiphorus Tilestone (1747), Benjamin Walcott (1745), John Waldo (1739), Josiah Waters (1747), Samuel Whitwell (1755), John Wood (1756).
The above list was made out probably in 1758-9.
The officers of the Artillery Company elected in 1759 were : John 1759. Phillips (1725), captain ; William Taylor, (1738), lieutenant ; Onesiphorus Tilestone (1747), ensign. Jonathan Cary (1740) was first sergeant ; Samuel Ballard (1755), second sergeant; Samuel Emmes (1757), third sergeant ; Samuel Whitwell (1755), fourth sergeant, and John Edwards (1747), clerk.
The war was vigorously prosecuted by Lord Amherst, and by the end of the summer of 1759 nearly the whole of Canada had fallen into the hands of the English. But the victory was obtained at a high cost to the colony, and the distress brought upon the
1 Rev. Edmund B. Willson, in Hurd's Hist. of Essex County.
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people was very great. In 1758 the Assembly made its greatest effort, raised an army for public service, and greatly reduced the arms-bearing population of the colony. The expense of the regiments raised for that service was one hundred and twenty thousand pounds sterling ; towns in the Province paid sixty thousand more to procure men, and the defence of the colony's frontier cost thirty thousand more. Seven thousand men were put into the field in 1758, and nearly as many called for in 1759.
Many inhabitants left the colony, " removed to other Governments to live more free from taxes "; four towns revolted from the jurisdiction of Massachusetts ; five thousand men had been raised, and a double bounty was offered for fifteen hundred additional. Gov. Pownall found difficulty in obtaining officers for these regiments. As nearly all the members of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company had been in active service, and some of them continuously so, the years 1758 and 1759 show that a majority of its membership, liable to bear arms, were in the path of war, and largely shared in the great victory obtained in the summer of 1759.
The members of the Artillery Company recruited in 1759, were : Richard Boynton, Christopher Clark, Joseph Gale, Jr., Josiah Salisbury, Samuel Simpson, John Skinner, Peter Verstile, Job Wheelwright.
Richard Boynton (1759) married, Sept. 19, 1745, Sarah Peirce, and was published to marry Ann Andrews, Jan. 2, 1755. He was chosen, Nov. 2, 1772, a member of the Committee of Correspondence " to state the rights of the Colonists," etc. This com- mittee consisted of twenty-one persons, - the most prominent men of the town. In 1774 he was one of the committee selected to carry the resolutions of the Continental Congress into execution, and in 1776 was again elected on the Committee of Corre- spondence and Safety. He was ensign of the Artillery Company in 1764, lieutenant in 1767, and rose to the grade of major in the militia. His residence during the Revolu- tion was on Court Street, Boston. He held the office of deputy sheriff in 1789, and resided on Marlboro Street.
He died March 27, 1795, aged seventy-four years.
Christopher Clark (1759), caulker, of Boston, son of Benjamin (1733) and Miriam Clark, was born Feb. 2, 1737. He married, Oct. 11, 1763, Rebecca Cobourn, and resided on Unity Street. He served many years in the militia, and became first lieutenant in Col. Paddock's (1762) train of artillery. In 1767 and 1768 he was one of the bondsmen of Abraham Savage, tax collector. July 5, 1782, the town, by vote, expressed its thanks to Mr. Christopher Clark (1759) " for his generous donation of a bell for the use of one of the publick schools in this town." He held the office of inspector of police in Boston in 1788.
Joseph Gale, Jr. (1759), tin-plate worker, of Boston, son of Joseph and Mary (Alden) Gale, was born in Boston, March 1, 1736. He married, June 13, 1765, Sarah Huntington. Mr. Gale (1759) never held office in the town of Boston.
Not long prior to the Revolution, he moved from Boston to Norwich, Conn., where, according to a deed dated 1785, he had pursued his trade. He enlisted as a Continental
Richard Boynton (1759). AUTHORITY : Bos- ton Records. Christopher Clark (1759). AUTHORITIES : Boston Records; Mass. Archives.
Joseph Gale, Jr. (1759). AUTHORITIES : Boston Records; New Eng. Hist, and Gen. Reg., 1864; Gale Family Records.
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soldier, and was made captain of a Connecticut company in Col. Parsons' regiment, the Sixth, in Gen. Putnam's brigade, and was at the siege of Boston in 1775. After the war, President Washington appointed him collector of customs in Connecticut, which office he held for several years. He was a brave soldier, and an honest man, whose character was above reproach. His wife, Sarah, died in 1787, aged forty-four years and seven months ; he died at Norwich, Conn., in December, 1799, aged sixty-three years.1
Josiah Salisbury (1759), merchant, of Boston, son of Nicholas and Martha (Saunders) Salisbury, was born in Boston, March 10, 1734.
Samuel Salisbury, a deacon of the Old South Church, was a brother of Josiah (1759), and Deacon Josiah, of the Old South, was a son of Deacon Samuel.
Mr. Whitman (1810), in his history of the Artillery Company, Ed. 1842, p. 308, says, Mr. Salisbury (1759) "was one of the last who wore the old cocked hats. It was always known if he had money to let, without asking him ; for if he had, he always wore the front peak of his hat high up when he walked down to the Exchange, and low down was always sad foreboding to borrowers."
Josiah Salisbury (1759) died May 2, 1818.
Samuel Simpson (1759), of Boston, son of John and Mary Simpson, was born July 21, 1731.
March 8, 1756, he was elected constable of Boston, and was excused. At the same meeting the town voted that any person chosen to serve as a constable might be excused by paying to the town treasurer four pounds, lawful money. He was fourth sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1764, and in the local militia rose to the grade of captain.
John Skinner (1759), pewterer, Newbury Street, Boston. He married (published), Jan. 22, 1752, Edith Edeston, and, (2) June 26, 1754, Mary Tuttle. He held the town office of assay master from 1765 to 1783 inclusive. He was fourth sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1763, and ensign in 1772.
Ensign Skinner (1759) died Feb. 12, 1792, aged seventy-two years. His dwelling was near Winnissimet Ferry.
Peter Verstile (1759), merchant, of Boston. He was chosen a warden in Boston for the years beginning March 13, 1775, and March 29, 1776.
Job Wheelwright (1759), cooper, of Boston. He was married to Abigail Barnard, March 13, 1756, by Rev. Thomas Foxcroft. He served as a culler of staves and hoops from 1762 to 1779 inclusive, and, Feb. 6, 1777, was chosen from Ward 10 one of a committee to prevent monopolies and oppression. He was third sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1763, and rose to the grade of captain in active service.
Mr. Wheelwright (1759) became a member of the First Lodge, A. F. and A. M., in Boston, in 1762, and retained his membership until his decease. He held the office of senior warden in 1765. He was senior warden of the Masters' Lodge in 1769 and 1773.
Josiah Salisbury (1759). AUTHORITIES : Boston Records; Whitman's Hist. A. and H. A. Company, Ed. 1842.
John Skinner (1759). AUTHORITY : Boston Records.
Job Wheelwright (1759). AUTHORITY : Bos- ton Records.
1 Columbian Centinel, December, 1799.
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The last meeting of St. John's Grand Lodge which he attended was Dec. 27, 1774, at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern, and the last meeting of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge which he attended was June 24, 1777.
His place of business was near Oliver's Dock, Liberty Square, and his residence on that part of Atkinson Street, originally called "Green's Lane." He died Wednesday evening, Sept. 12, 1798, aged sixty-five years.
The record of the Artillery Company for 1759 is as follows : -
" April 2'd 1759. The Company being under Arms, in Faneuil Hall, Voted, That the Rev. Mr. Amos Adams of Roxbury be desired to preach the next Artillery Election Sermon ; and that the present Commission Officers, with the Treasurer, John Phillips, Esq. [1725], & Capt Thomas Savage [1739], be a Committee to wait on him and desire the same. The Evening being spent at my House Voted, That Mr. William Hyslop [1755] be discarded the Company and have his name erased out of the Company's Books.
"Voted, That the expense of this evening be paid out of the Company's money.
" Attest : JOHN EDWARDS, Clerk.
" May 7th. 1759. The Evening being spent at Sergt Edward Carnes [1755], and Capt Newman Greenough [1740], being one of the Committee to wait on the Rev. Mr. Amos Adams, to desire him to preach the next Artillery Election Sermon, reported, that he had accepted the same. Voted, That thirteen pounds, six shillings and eight pence, lawful money, be paid by the Treasurer of the Company to the present Commission Officers towards defraying the charge of the Election Dinner, & the Company to dine with them. Voted, that Mr. Benjamin Andrews [1754] be discarded the Company, and have his name erased out of the Company's Books. Voted, That there be a committee to revise and examine the list and settle the same. Voted, that the Committee consist of the following persons, viz : Capt. Thomas Savage [1739], Messrs John Gore [1743] John Leverett [1750] & John Edwards [1747], the present Clerk, to settle the Com- pany's list. Attest JOHN EDWARDS, Clerk.
" June 4th. The Company being under Arms, it was then Voted, That the old commission officers, with the new ones, be a Committee to wait on the Rev. Mr. Amos Adams, and return him the thanks of this Company for his Sermon preached this day. " Attest : JOHN EDWARDS, Clerk.
"October Ist. 1759. The evening being spent at Ensign Tilestone's [1747], it was there Voted, That John Edwards [1747], the present Clerk, have one quarter part of the fines he shall collect from the delinquent members of the Company. Voted, That the members of the Company meet at Faneuil Hall, for to perfect themselves in the military exercise on the Tuesday next following the next March meeting for the choice of Town Officers, and that the delinquent members pay a fine of eight pence, lawful money. Voted, That the Committee chosen in May last to revise and examine the list, relating to the members of the Company, meet and settle the same.
" Attest : JOHN EDWARDS, Clerk."
Rev. Amos Adams, of Roxbury, delivered the Artillery election sermon of 1759. He was a son of Henry and Jemima (Morse) Adams, and was born in Medfield, Sept. 1, 1728. He graduated at Harvard College in 1752, and was ordained as the sixth pastor of the First Church in Roxbury, Sept. 12, 1753. He married, Oct. 18, 1753, Elizabeth,
Wm taylor
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daughter of Deacon Henry Prentice. He resided in the parsonage, opposite to the church, " now owned and occupied by Charles K. Dillaway, Esq."1 The headquarters of the army, during the siege of Boston, were on Meeting-house Hill, and Rev. Mr. Adams and his family were obliged to temporarily leave the parsonage. It became the headquarters of Gen. John Thomas. Mr. Adams was a very energetic man - a true patriot ; could both pray and preside at meetings of the town and the militia, and was scribe of the convention of ministers, which, in May, 1775, recommended the people to take up arms in defence of their liberties. He was pastor of the First Church from the time of his ordination until his decease- a period of twenty-three years. One Sunday, after preaching his usual time to his own people, he addressed a regiment in the open air, which resulted in his death, from extra exertion and exposure, at Dorchester, Oct. 5, 1775. "At the time," says the Boston Gazette, " he was seized with his last sickness, he was engaged as chaplain to a regiment in the Continental Army, who paid the funeral honors to his remains on the following Saturday."
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