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 19
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Col. Crafts (1765) in 1779 was again appointed on a committee by the town to fortify the harbor, and on another to determine what it is necessary to do to protect the town in case of an invasion by the enemy, and in November of that year was called upon to devise means for the procuring of clothing for the Continental Army. He served the town of Boston as selectman for several years immediately succeeding the Revolution, also in 1793 and 1798, and was county treasurer from 1788 to 1795 inclusive. He was for many years a justice of the peace, and during the latter part of his life acting justice.
Col. Crafts (1765) was the subject of the following pithy sarcasm, supposed to have been written by his nephew, Thomas Crafts, United States Consul to France : -
" Dear Justice Crafts, fair, factious partisan !
I like thee much, thou fiery-visaged man.
I love to hear thee charm the listening throng
Thy head and wig still moving with thy tongue !
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Thus Jove of old, the heathen's highest God, Their minor Godships governed with his nod; In this you differ from that great divine, - Once from his head came wisdom, ne'er from thine. The mind of Justice Crafts no subject balks, Of King-craft, Priest-craft, craftily he talks, Oft have we heard his crafty tales and laughed, But never knew him mention justice-craft."
The Columbian Centinel notices his decease, and adds : " Funeral from his dwelling house, north side of the Old Brick Meeting house," Jan. 16, 1799.
William Cunningham (1765), painter, of Boston, son of William and Elizabeth Cunningham, was born Sept 28, 1722. He was published, March 18, 1744, to marry Abigail Downes. His place of business was No. 9 Newbury (now Washington), Street. He was a brother of Major James Cunningham, who joined the Artillery Company in 1761. William Cunningham, Sen., was one of the founders of Hollis Street Church in 1731. Capt. William Cunningham, Jr. (1765), was elected constable of Boston in March, 1750-1, but declined to serve, and paid the fine. In 1779 William (1765) and James (1761) were in business together. In 1781 William Cunningham (1765), when proposed by an auctioneer as his bondsman, is called in the records, " Gentleman." He was identified with the militia, and rose to the grade of captain.
Samuel Gridley (1765), of Boston, probably son of Col. Richard and Hannah (Deming) Gridley, was born in Boston June 14, 1734, and died in October, 1801, aged sixty-seven years.
Another Samuel Gridley, son of Jeremiah and Abigail Gridley, was born Aug. 8. 1734, and died in Dec., 1799, aged sixty-six years. Samuel Gridley was published Jan, 10, 1759, to marry Susanna Hill. He was third sergeant in the Artillery Company in 1767.
Samuel Gridley (1765) is not mentioned in the Records of the Town of Boston.
Zephaniah Hartt (1765), shipwright, of Boston, son of Ralph (1739) and Mary Hartt, was born in Boston Dec. 19, 1724. He married, Nov. 24, 1748, Sarah Copp, of Boston. He lived on Charter Street, and in his day acquired great distinction as a ship- builder. He shares the honor which makes "Hartt's shipyard " forever famous in our naval history as the place where the frigates "Constitution " and " Boston " and the brig " Argus" were built. In the militia, he attained the rank of lieutenant. Nov. 8, 1776, he was selected from Ward I to ascertain the damage to the town "since the Boston Port Bill."
He died in September, 1791, aged sixty-seven years, and was buried from his dwelling-house in Charter Street.
Nathaniel Heath (1765), mason, of Boston, son of Samuel and Mary Heath, was born in Boston July 4, 1732. He was published, March 13, 1754, to marry Mary Adams, of Boston. He was third sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1768.
Oct. 28, 1767, he was voted forty pounds, due him, for taking down and repairing the remainder of the Widow Crosby's house, near the Salutation Tavern, in order to
William Cunningham (1765). AUTHORITY: ton Records. Nathaniel Heath (1765). AUTHORITY : Bos- Boston Records.
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widen the street there, and Nov. 8, 1776, he was selected from Ward I to ascertain the damage "since the Boston Port Bill." Feb. 4, 1777, while holding the rank of cap- tain, he was selected by the selectmen as a committee to search the houses in Ward I for the purpose of obtaining blankets for the use of the Continental Army. Capt. Heath (1765) was probably in the army several years, where he attained the rank of major, as his name does not again appear in Boston Records until Aug. 4, 1783, when he was employed to repair the wall of the North Burial-Ground. In 1796 he resided on Charter Street.
Major Nathaniel Heath (1765) died in Boston, May 5, 1812, aged eighty years, and his wife, Mary, died Oct. 12, 1809, aged seventy-two years. Both were buried in Copp's Hill Burial-Ground.
William Heath (1765), yeoman, of Roxbury, son of Ensign Samuel and Elizabeth (Payson) Heath, was born in Roxbury, March 2, 1737.1 He was of the fifth generation of that family who inherited the same real estate in that town. The old homestead of the family was situated at the corner of Heath Street and Bickford Avenue. It was taken down in 1843. William Heath (1765) was brought up a farmer, was fond of military exercises, and read and studied every military treatise obtainable. He thus became acquainted with the theory of war in all its branches and duties. He was, when quite young, a a member of the local militia, " but," he says, " through the inactive state of the military company to which he belonged, in the spring of the year 1765" (it was May 6), " he went over to Boston and entered a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Com- pany." This immediately recommended him to the notice of the colonel of the first regiment of militia, in the county of Suffolk, who sent for him, and importuned him to take command of a company. He was commissioned by Gov. Bernard as captain of the Roxbury company. The governor was so much pleased with Capt. Heath (1765) that he publicly declared, " he would not only make him colonel of the regiment, but, if it were in his power, a general officer also." Capt. Heath (1765), and other members in Roxbury and Dorchester, used to walk into Boston, carrying their guns, to attend the drill meetings of the Artillery Company. He was lieutenant of the Artillery Company in 1768, and its captain in 1770.
In the beginning of 1770, Capt. Heath (1765) wrote addresses to the public, which were signed " A Military Countryman," and were printed in the Boston Gazette, in which he urged " the importance of military discipline and skill in the use of arms, as the only means that could save our country from falling a prey to any daring invader."
During Gov. Hutchinson's term, Capt. Heath (1765) had no command, but when, in 1774, the people selected officers, he was rechosen captain of the Roxbury company, and the same year was elected, unanimously, by the officers of First Suffolk Regiment, colonel. He was prominent in town matters, frequently moderator of the town meet- ings ; in 1761, represented Roxbury in the General Court, also from 1771 to 1774; was a delegate to the Provincial Congresses of 1774 and 1775 ; an active member of the Com- mittee of Correspondence, Safety, and Inspection ; delegate to the Convention that adopted the Federal Constitution, in 1788 ; State senator in 1791-2 ; judge of probate for Norfolk County, from 1793 until his decease, Jan. 24, 1814. Several times he was· un- successfully proposed for governor, but in 1806 he was elected lieutenant-governor. He,
1 See Memoirs of Major-Gen. Heath ( 1765), containing anecdotes, details of skirmishes, battles, and other military events during the American War, written by himself, and printed at Boston, August, 1798.
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however, declined to accept, and refused to be qualified. He was chosen by the people, in 1812, a presidential elector, and was president of the College of Electors, the whole of whom voted for DeWitt Clinton. His opponent, for presidential elector, was Ex-Presi- dent Adams, whom he defeated.
In 1768, several regiments of British troops were in Boston. On a field-day, under command of Capt. Heath (1765), then lieutenant,1 it appearing probable that the Artil- lery Company would not leave the Common until after the roll-call of the troops, their commanding officer sent orders that the Artillery Company must retire without beat of drum, and that there must be no firing at the deposit of the standard. The Company opposed a compliance therewith, but Lieut. Heath (1765) conceiving it his duty to comply with the order of a superior officer in his Majesty's service, marched to Faneuil Hall in silence, and without firing. This appeared to some of the members an infringe- ment of their privileges. The first sergeant, or orderly, Hopestill Capen (1763), resented it so highly that, after the Company was dismissed, he went to the top of his house and fired his musket three times, and subsequently would not vote for Gen. Heath (1765).
Feb. 2, 1775, Capt. Heath (1765) was chosen one of the five general officers authorized by Congress " to oppose the execution of certain acts of the British Parlia- ment." In June, 1775, he was made a provincial major-general, and in August follow- ing, the Continental Congress conferred the same rank upon him. He was the only general officer on the ground on the 19th of April, 1775, organizing and directing the armed husbandmen in their first conflict with British regulars.2 On that day he went to Lexington, accompanied by Dr. Joseph Warren, afterward major-general, at which time the latter came very near being killed. Gen. Heath (1675) was in command of a brigade near Boston until the spring of 1776, when, in command of six regiments of the American Army, he started for New York. He remained in active service in the Hudson Valley until Feb. 10, 1777, when he obtained leave of the commander-in-chief to make a short visit to New England. March 14, 1777, he started from Roxbury on his way back to his command, but before he reached Worcester an express-messenger overtook him with orders from Gen. Washington, assigning him to take command of the Eastern Department, Gen. Ward having applied for leave to rejoin his command. Gen. Heath (1765) returned to Boston, and took command.
June 4, 1779, Gen. Washington ordered him to join the main army. Polite and affectionate addresses were received by him, on his leaving this department, from officers of the line, staff, and department, and of the Boston regiment. On the 11th of June he left Boston, accompanied by a number of officers and citizens on horseback or in car- riages, who attended Gen. Heath (1765) as far as Worcester, where the gentlemen had ordered an elegant dinner. After dinner he took his leave amidst a shout of hearty wishes for his health and prosperity. On the 22d of June he greeted Washington at West Point, and was assigned the command of the troops on the east side of the Hudson. Upon the discovery of Arnold's treason, it was to Gen. Heath (1765) that Gen. Wash- ington intrusted the command at West Point. May 22, 1779, Major-Gen. William Heath (1765) was elected by Congress a Commissioner for the Board of War, - an honorable appointment, with a salary of four thousand dollars a year, - but Gen. Heath (1765) declined to accept it, choosing "rather to participate in the more active opera-
1 It was customary hefore the Revolution, and so continued until recently, to give the lieutenant the honor of commanding the Company one field-day during the year.
2 Drake's Hist. of Roxbury, p. 388.
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tions in the field." Gen. Washington granted him another furlough, and, April 21, 1780, he set out for Roxbury, where he arrived on the 29th. June 2, 1780, the commander- in-chief ordered him to Providence, R. I., to advise and assist the French on their arrival. Oct. 14, 1780, the French having previously arrived at Newport, R. I., Gen. Heath (1765) was ordered to proceed to West Point and take command of that post, where he remained until May 9, 1781, when he was sent by Gen. Washington to the governors of the Eastern States to present the distressed situation of the army in regard to provision, and seek relief. Having performed the mission assigned him, he left Roxbury for the seat of war, July 12, 1781, where he arrived July 29, and Aug. 18, Gen. Washington being about to start for Virginia with the larger part of the army, Gen. Heath (1765) was placed in command of the Department of New York, which position he held until April 4, 1782, when the commander-in-chief returned and resumed command of the main army.
June 10, 1783, Gen. Heath (1765) was general of the day. " It is a little remark- able," says Gen. Heath (1765), " that the general by whose orders and under whose direction the first guard in the American Army was mounted at the foot of Prospect Hill, on the evening of the 19th of April, 1775, after the battle of that day, should happen, in the course of service, to be the last general of the day in the American main army, on the roth of June, 1783, to inspect, turn off, and visit the guards."
June 23, 1783, Gen. Heath (1765) started homeward, but not before Gen. Wash- ington had placed in his hands a sealed letter, "to be read at his leisure." The letter was written throughout by Gen. Washington, and was expressive of his gratitude to, and affection for, Gen. Heath (1765). "This letter," said he to Brissot de Warville, in 1788, " is a jewel which in my eyes surpasses all the eagles and all the ribbons in the world."
Gen. Heath (1765) arrived at his farm, in Roxbury, July 1, 1783. From this time until his decease, except from 1783 to 1790, he held public office. He died Monday, Jan. 24, 1814, and was buried on the Friday following from Rev. Mr. Porter's church.
Soon after the House of Representatives of Massachusetts was called to order, Jan. 26, 1814, Mr. Otis rose and announced, " The venerable Heath [1765] - the com- panion of Washington - the honest patriot - the Christian soldier - has paid the debt of nature. He was, before his decease, probably, the only surviving major-general of that army which gave us Independence ; and his memory is dear to his country."
An order then passed that "the Legislature will adjourn on Friday, at one o'clock, to attend his funeral, and that the members will wear a suitable badge of mourning, as a token of respect for his memory." The Senate concurred in this order. His funeral was also attended by the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, from respect to his amiable character and patriotism. He was a genuine republican, affable in his manners and firm in his principles. So plebeian was he in his convictions that rather than allow his name " to stand affixed to an institution, or wear a device which is construed by many of our fellow-citizens the indication of an order and distinction in society," he renounced the Society of the Cincinnati, and withdrew therefrom.
He married, April 19, 1759, Sarah Lockwood, of Cambridge. They had four sons and one daughter. His widow, Sarah, died Oct. 16, 1814, aged seventy-eight years, eight months, and seven days.
Gen. William Heath's (1765) sword, epaulettes, and military sash, "worn during his service in the war of the Revolution," belong to the New England Historic Genealogical Society. They were exhibited by James S. Loring, Nov. 4, 1857, with the rapier of Warren, " wielded as it was on the field of Lexington and in skirmishes around Boston."
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John Leighton (1765), of Boston. His birth is not recorded in Boston. Elizabeth, daughter of John Leighton (1765) and Elizabeth his wife, was born in Boston Sept. 22, 1776. It seems that Mr. Leighton was absent from Boston from 1766 to 1775.
In 1758 John Laughton joined Engine Company, No. 7. Jan. 22, 1766, Mr. William Sutton, master of engine No. 7, presented to the selectmen Thomas Bolster in place of John Loughton, " who has left the Province." There being no John Leighton on the town book, there is a possibility that John "Leighton " and "Laughton," also " Loughton," were different spellings of the same name.
Christopher Marshall (1765), of Boston, son of Christopher (1724) and Elizabeth Marshall, was born Nov. 19, 1728. He was a brother of Col. Thomas Marshall who joined the Artillery Company in 1761. Christopher (1765) never held any office in the town of Boston.
Christopher Marshall (1765) was a minute-man at the battle of Bunker Hill, and was captain of a company in Col. Thomas Marshall's (1761) regiment (10th), March 3, 1777. Capt. Marshall (1765) was present at the execution of Major André, and afterward said, " There was not a dry eye in the throng of brave men who gathered around the fatal tree." He was also present at the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne and Lord Cornwallis. Although never wounded in the many battles in which he was engaged, his coat and hat bore marks of bullets.
When Capt. Marshall (1765) joined the Continental Army, in which he served seven years, he removed his family to Connecticut. After the war he returned to the town of Boston, and resided on State Street.
Ephraim May (1765), of Boston, son of Ebenezer and Abigail May, of Roxbury, was born in that town Jan. 23, 1727-8. His wife's given name was Zabiah.
Sept. 9, 1776, the town clerk informed the inhabitants of the town that, agreeable to their recommendation, signified to the General Assembly, they had appointed Henry Bromfield, colonel; Thomas Dawes (1754), lieutenant-colonel ; Ephraim May (1765), major, and William Dawes, Jr. (1768), second major of the Boston regiment of militia. Aug. 26, 1776, Capt. Ephraim May (1755) was one of the thirty-six persons selected to take the census of the town. He represented Ward 12. Aug. 28, 1776, he was elected a warden, but was excused. He served as lieutenant of the Artillery Company in 1773.
He died in May, 1797, aged sixty-nine years, and was buried in tomb No. 124, on the Common Burial-Ground.
Dimond Morton (1765), of Boston, son of Joseph Morton, Jr., and his wife Amiah, or Annah, Bullock, of Plymouth, was born in Plymouth about 1741. The birth date is not recorded in Plymouth'or Boston. Mr. Morton (1765) married Margaret Johonnot, of Boston. She died, July 9, 1787, aged forty-five years. His father kept the White Horse tavern (site of the Adams House, Washington Street) from 1760 to 1764. Capt. Dimond (1765) lived in Sheaff's Lane, now Avery Street. He was identified with the militia, and rose to the grade of captain.
Dimond Morton (1765). AUTHORITY : Bos- Records. John Leighton (1765). AUTHORITY : Boston
Christopher Marshall (1765). AUTHORITY : Hurd's Hist. of Middlesex County, Vol. I., p. 508.
ton Records.
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William Perkins (1765), son of William and Elizabeth (Palfrey) Perkins, of Boston, was born in 1742. He married, Dec. 20, 1763, Abigail Cox, by whom he had eight children. The second, Samuel, joined the Artillery Company in 1791. Mr. Perkins (1765) was elected scavenger for Ward 8, in Boston, in 1771 and 1772.
William Perkins (1765) was a member of Col. Paddock's (1762) regiment of artillery, prior to the Revolution. At the battle of Bunker Hill he was a lieutenant in Capt. Callender's company, and afterward its captain. He was commissioned a captain in Col. Knox's regiment of artillery, Jan. 1, 1776; in Col. Crane's, Jan. 1, 1777 ; was promoted to major, Sept. 12, 1778, and served through the war. He followed the fortunes of the American Army, and was at Grenadier's Battery, N. Y., in June, 1776; at Harlem Heights, in October, 1776 ; at Fish Hill, in December, 1776 ; at White Hall, in November, 1777 ; at Valley Forge, in 1777-8 ; also was engaged in Sullivan's Rhode Island.Cam- paign, in 1778, having charge of the artillery and military stores at Providence from November, 1779, to the fall of 1781, and afterward at West Point. Nov. 9, 1785, he was appointed to the command1 of Castle William, in Boston Harbor, and continued in com- mand, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, until the island was ceded by the State to the United States, in 1798. Subsequently, and until his decease, he held the position of an inspector in the Boston Custom House.
William Perkins (1765) was a member of the Masonic Fraternity. He united with the First Lodge, in Boston, in 1763. He is recorded as present at the St. John's Grand Lodge, in 1760 and 1761.
Col. Perkins (1765) died at Boston of yellow fever, Oct. 23, 1802. The Palladium of Oct. 26, 1802, says, concerning him, that he was " a worthy citizen, a good man, whose engaging manners endeared him to all who knew him."
William Rogers (1765), cooper, of Boston. He was a culler of staves in 1772, 1773, and 1774, and was first sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1769. In the militia he attained the grade of lieutenant.
Samuel Searle (1765), tailor, of Boston, son of George Searle and Katherine his wife, was born in 1741. He never held any office in the town of Boston. He was a Revolutionary officer, and a lieutenant in Col. Craft's (1765) regiment. He died at his dwelling on Orange Street, Boston, April 27, 1790, aged forty-nine years.
Samuel Sellon (1765), farrier, of Boston, married (published, Oct. 7, 1756) Sarah Butler, of Boston. He was a native of England, and was engaged in mercantile pursuits before he came to America. He was not bred to any mechanical trade, but when he settled in Boston he took up the business of a farrier, which he carried on for some years in connection with other branches of the trade of a blacksmith. His shop was in Brom- . field Street, on the spot afterward occupied by Washingtonian Hall, and his dwelling- house was on the opposite side of the street. He was the owner of both of these estates.
William Perkins (1765). AUTHORITIES: Bos- ton Records; Memorials of the Society of the Cin- cinnati; Whitman's Hist. A. and H. A. Company, Ed. 1842.
Samuel Sellon (1765). AUTHORITIES: An- nals of Mass. Char. Mech. Association; Drake's Hist. of Boston.
1 " Boston, Wednesday, November 9, 1785. William Perkins Esq. [1765] late Major in the corps of artillery raised in this state for the Conti- nental army, is appointed by His Excellency the Governor, and the Hon. Council, Captain-Lieutenant of Castle William (so called) vacant by the death of Colonel William Burbeck." -- Boston Newspaper.
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He was shrewd, intelligent, and upright. He was one of the founders of the Massachu- setts Charitable Mechanic Association.
March 11, 1745-6, Samuel Sellon (1765) was elected a constable of Boston, and in 1774, one of the five wardens of the town. Feb. 7, 1752, a destructive fire " near Marl- borough Street " destroyed Mr. Sellon's blacksmith shop. He was identified with the militia, and held the position of captain.
Samuel Sellon (1765) advertised, May 26, 1790, in the Columbian Centinel, that " he now carries on the business of Smith and Farrier, in Bromfield's Lane ; . . . as he has had about thirty years practice in Farriery, he flatters himself to be well acquainted with that art."
He removed to Weston, Mass., about 1800, where he died, and was buried in the Chapel Burial-Ground, Boston.
Asa Stoddard (1765), bricklayer, of Boston. Just after the fire of Feb. 3, 1767, Paddy's Alley was widened and straightened from Ann to Middle (now Hanover) Street. It became North Centre Street. Asa Stoddard (1765) was one of the owners on that alley, near the corner of Middle Street. He was one of the representatives of Ward 5 on the committee selected Nov. 8, 1776, to aggregate the damage done the town " since the Boston Port Bill." He was third sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1769, and ensign in 1774. Mr. Stoddard (1765) was drawn as a juror in a maritime court, Aug. 15, 1781. He became a member of the Lodge of St. Andrew in 1765, and was chosen senior deacon thereof, Nov. 30, 1770, held the office of steward in 1772, and, Nov. 6, 1772, M. W. Grand Master Joseph Warren appointed him as grand sword bearer of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge. March 4, 1774, he is recorded at Grand Lodge as senior warden of St. Andrew's Lodge.
Administration on his estate was granted in 1787.
Jonathan Stoddard (1765), housewright, of Boston, was born in 1739. His wife's given name was Sibylla. June 1, 1768, he was engaged by the selectmen to widen the ferry ways near Winnisimmet seven feet, and to make all necessary repairs there. He was elected a scavenger, in charge of Ward 5, in 1775, 1776, and 1777, and, Nov. 8, 1776, was one of the committee, selected from Ward 5, to collect the account of damage since the Boston Port Bill. A committee was appointed by the town to consider "what is necessary to be done to prevent danger from those persons in Boston inimical to the United States." March 14, 1777, it reported, and a committee of one from each ward was appointed to take the names of refugees and other disaffected persons, etc., and report to the Committee on Correspondence. Capt. Jonathan Stoddard (1765) repre- sented Ward 5 on that committee. He was active in the Revolution, served in the army, became captain, and was intrusted with important duties. He was a member of the guard over the tea-ships, under command of Edward Proctor (1756), on the night of Nov. 29, 1773. He was drafted, Dec. 18, 1776, for service in the Continental Army, and not paying his fine, performed the service. Feb. 4, 1777, he was one of the committee from Ward 5 to collect blankets for the Continental soldiers. Capt. Stoddard (1765) was drawn as a juror in a maritime court, Nov. 14, 1781, and was elected surveyor of boards for the years 1780-4, and a viewer of fences in 1783.
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