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 22
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After the Peace, the State of Massachusetts applied to Congress for their restora- tion, which was granted, May 19, 1788, when Congress " Resolved, that the Secretary of War cause a suitable inscription to be placed on said cannon ; and that he deliver the same to the order of his Excellency, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts."
Gen. Knox, a native of Boston, then Secretary of War, well knew the history of the guns, and caused the arms of Massachusetts, with an inscription, to be chiselled upon them in bold relief. This work was done by Joseph Callender, of Boston. The guns were in seventeen engagements during the Revolutionary War, and one was taken by the enemy, and retaken, several times.1
William Dawes, Jr. (1768), was chosen by the town of Boston an informer of deer from 1770 to 1773 inclusive, warden in 1774, and, Sept. 9, 1776, the town clerk informed the inhabitants that, agreeably to their recommendation, signified to the General Assembly, William Dawes, Jr. (1768), had been appointed second major of the regi- ment of militia in the town of Boston. He held other minor town offices prior to the Revolution.
Not long after the affair of the cannon occurred the ever-memorable ride to Lexing- ton and Concord. For some days before the 19th of April, 1775, it had been known the British were preparing to move. It was suspected that the destination of the troops would be Concord, where stores of war material were gathered, and in the vicinity of which were Hancock, Adams, and other Revolutionary leaders. On the afternoon of the day before the attack, Gen. Warren learned that the British were about to start. He waited until they had begun to move to their boats, and then he sent out William Dawes, Jr. (1768), by the land route,2 over the Neck, and across the river at the Brighton Bridge to Cambridge and Lexington ; and directly after, " about ten o'clock," he " sent in great haste" for Paul Revere, and sent him by the water route through Charlestown to Lexington to arouse the country, and warn Hancock and Adams. About midnight Paul Revere arrived at Parson Clark's, where he found the leaders of the Revolution. A half hour later, Revere met Dawes (1768) on the Green in Lexington. The latter started from
1 Columbian Centinel, June 4, 1788.
2 " Intelligence of the intended expedition to Lexington on the 19th of April was conveyed over the Neck by William Dawes [1768], who was mounted on a slow-jogging horse, with saddle-bags behind him, and a large flapped hat upon his head to resemble a countryman on a journey. Col. Josiah
Waters [Capt. Waters (1747), not Col. (1769)], of Boston, a staunch Whig, and who afterwards, as engineer, assisted in buikling the forts at Roxbury, followed on foot on the sidewalk at a short dis- tance from him until he saw him safely past all the sentinels." - Drake's Hist. of Roxbury, p. 74.
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Boston, without going home, eluded the guard at the Neck, and going by the longer route of Brighton Bridge and the Cambridge road, aroused the families on the way. After a little delay for refreshment, Revere and Dawes (1768), accompanied by Dr. Prescott, rode on towards Concord. About half way between the two towns, near Hartwell's Tavern, they met British officers. Prescott and Dawes (1768) were a hundred rods behind, alarming a house, when Revere discovered them. Prescott escaped ; Dawes (1768), chased by the British, dashed up to an empty farm-house, flapping his leather breeches, and shouting, " Helloo, boys, I've got two of 'em !" and his pursuers were frightened, and made off. In the excitement of the chase, Dawes (1768) pulled up so suddenly that he was thrown from his horse, and lost his watch, and did not get it again until some days later, when he returned to search for it. Revere did not escape so easily. In fleeing from those soldiers, he rode into the midst of another party, to whom he was forced to surrender. They proceeded with him, as a prisoner, to Lexington, where, in the excitement which preceded Pitcairn's arrival, Revere escaped, with the loss of his horse, and joined the party at Parson Clark's about three o'clock in the morning. The further movements of William Dawes (1768) during that memorable night are not known, but it is probable he continued his ride, as he intended, to Concord, and aroused the people on the way.
Paul Revere, in his statement of that night's transactions, says : " About ten o'clock, Dr. Warren sent in great haste for me. . . . When I got to Dr. Warren's house, I found he had sent an express by land to Lexington-a Mr. William Dawes [1768]. . . . I arrived at Rev. Mr. Clark's, at Lexington, where Hancock and Adams were, about a half hour before Mr. Dawes [1768] and having refreshed ourselves started off for Concord." His capture and escape are related as above by himself.
William Dawes (1768) at once joined the Continental troops at Cambridge, and, it is said, fought at Bunker Hill. When Boston became unsafe, he moved his family to Worcester, and, soon after the evacuation of Boston, he was appointed by Congress commissary at Worcester. The following story is told in regard to his ( Mr. Dawes') treatment of those British soldiers captured at Saratoga : -
" While upon their march to the neighborhood of Boston, the British behaved with such insolence as confirmed the country in their determination never to submit, for the people said : ' If they are thus insolent now they are prisoners, what would they be were they our Masters?' The Germans stole and robbed the houses, as they came along, of clothing and everything on which they could lay their hands to a large amount. When at Worcester, indeed, they themselves were robbed, though in another way. One Dawes [1768] the issuing commissary, upon the first company coming to draw their rations, balanced the scales by putting into that which contained the weight a large stone. When that company was gone (unobserved by the Germans, but not by all present), the stone was taken away before the next came ; and all the other companies except the first had short allowance."
Mr. Dawes (1768) probably knew that the Hessians had already supplied themselves pretty freely. While in Worcester he went into partnership with his brother-in-law, Mr. Coolidge (1786), in the grocery business. At the close of the war, he returned to Boston, resided in Distill House Square, and carried on the same business in Dock Square. Near the close of 1796, his health having failed, he, with his family, removed to Marlboro, to the farm presumably once occupied by his father. There he died, Feb. 25, 1799. His remains were brought to Boston and buried in the King's Chapel Burial-Ground.
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Elisha Eaton (1768). He was elected a clerk of the market in 1766, but was excused from serving ; was elected scavenger for Ward 10, in 1771, and attained the grade of captain in the militia.
John Fullerton (1768), distiller, of Boston. He served the town as scavenger for Ward 10, in 1773 and 1774, as constable in 1779 and 1780. He was first sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1772, and lived on Milk Street. Administration on his estate was granted in 1793.
John Greenleaf (1768) was a member of the Old South Church in 1766. May 11, 1768, Mr. Franklyn, master of Engine No. 9, presented the name of a fireman to take the place of John Greenleaf, "who left the service." July 1, 1772, John Greenleaf (1768) made a visit to the public schools with the justices, selectmen, and others.
John Haskins (1768), cooper and distiller, of Boston, son of Robert and Sarah (Cook) Haskins, was born in Boston March 12, 1729. His father came to Boston from England, and died during the infancy of his son. John (1768) married, in Malden, March 12, 1752, Hannah Upham, of Boston.
John Haskins (1768) was a culler of staves, in Boston, from 1759 to 1774, at which time he was a cooper, in company with his stepfather, Thomas Hake. He lived in Rainsford's Lane, now Harrison Avenue, and his estate extended through to Washington Street, opposite Boylston Market. He was a protester against the Whigs in 1774. Mr. Haskins (1768) was commissioned by Gov. Hutchinson captain of a company in Col. John Erving's Boston regiment, and, Feb. 20, 1772, he took the appointed oath before Col. Erving, John Leverett (1750), and Thomas Dawes (1754), field-officers. He was a worshipper at King's Chapel, and in 1785 was on a committee appointed to amend the prayer-book. He was a Royalist, and took no part in the Revolutionary struggle. He remained, however, in Boston, and immediately after the evacuation of the town by the British, took the oath of allegiance to the State. A characteristic anecdote has been preserved concerning Capt. Haskins (1768). He was of a deeply religious character. One day while the family were at dinner, the distillery which adjoined his house was dis- covered to be on fire. The children started eagerly from their places, but were instantly checked by their father. Calling them back to the table, he returned thanks, according to his custom, "The Lord be praised for this and all his mercies." " Now," he added, " you may go." He died in Boston, Oct. 27, 1814.
Michael Homer (1768) was a " bricklayer and Mason, near Oliver's dock : chimnies and cabbusses for vessels, built at the shortest notice." He was a son of Michael and Sarah Homer, who first appear in Boston Records in 1727, and was published, Sept. 29, 1767, to marry Hannah Allen.
At a meeting of the selectmen, June 8, 1768, the master of Engine Company No. 6 presented the name of a person to take the place in the company of " Michael
Elisha Eaton (1768). AUTHORITY : Boston Records. John Fullerton (1768). AUTHORITY : Boston Records.
John Greenleaf (1768). AUTHORITY : Bos- ton Records.
John Haskins (1768). AUTHORITIES : "Ralph Waldo Emerson, his Maternal Ancestors," by Has-
kins; Memoir of Ralph Haskins, by David G. Haskins, Jr., 1880; New Eng. Ilist. and Gen. Reg., 1873, P. 56.
Michael Homer (1768). AUTHORITIES : Bos- ton Records; Whitman's Hist. A. and II. A. Com- pany, Ed. 1842; Bridgman's Hist. King's Chapel Burial-Ground, p. 200.
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Homer, who has lately entred into the Artillery Company." July 7, 1773, he visited the public schools of Boston, with the justices and others. He was third sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1770, and lived in Cold Lane. In 1787-8, he was second lieuten- ant of the Republican Volunteers, and in 1791 became a captain in the Boston regiment. He held the latter position several years. " He died at Hopkinton, Mass., aged sixty- nine years."
William Hoogs (1768), of Newton. He was published, Oct. 3, 1763, to marry Elizabeth Stoddard, and became a captain in the military service. In a list of the free- holders, in Newton, it is recorded, "William Hoogs [1768] owned a house valued at nine hundred dollars and had seventy-four acres of land valued at fifteen hundred dol- lars." He was a selectman of Newton.
" Capt. Hoogs [1768] removed to Canada and in crossing the lakes was drowned with his whole family."
Israel Loring (1768), housewright, of Boston, son of Caleb and Rebecca (Lobdell) Loring, of Hingham, was born Aug. 30, 1741. He married (published) Mary Homer, of Boston, Oct. 17, 1765.
His brother, Joshua Loring, joined the Artillery Company in 1769. Capt. Israel (1768) was fourth sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1771, its ensign in 1790, and a captain in the militia. May 14, 1766, the selectmen approbated Israel Loring (1768) as a member of Engine Company No. 6. He resided on Water Street. His place of business was on Loring's Wharf.
Capt. Loring (1768) died at Dover, Mass., in December, 1820, aged seventy-nine years.
John Newell (1768), cooper, of Boston, son of Andrew and Martha (Ivory) Newell, of Charlestown, was born (baptized) May 14, 1738. He followed the trade of his father, who was a cooper, and lived in a " house of H. Gowen's estate," in Charlestown, in 1770. He married, May 27, 1760, Elizabeth Skillings, of Boston, and, in 1782, married Mary -. He had two sons, Andrew and John, who were baptized at the New North Church, March 29, 1761. Capt. Newell (1768) removed to Boston, and in 1780 was an inn-holder. June 5, 1782, the selectmen approbated a Mr. Cooper to keep a tavern in the house lately improved by Mr. Newell (1768), situated in Way's Lane, but he was succeeded by John Newell (1768), June 11, 1783. Mr. Newell (1768) was, April 27, 1785, appointed an inspector of pickled barreled fish, pork, and beef, and, April 13, 1786, Capt. John Newell (1768) was appointed an inspector of oil. In 1771 he was third sergeant of the Artillery Company.
Capt. Newell (1768) died June 13, 1792, aged fifty-four years, and was buried in the King's Chapel Burial-Ground.
John Skillin, Jr. (1768), shipwright, of Boston. The Boston Directory, of 1789, names "John Skillen, carver, the wharf north of governor Hancocks ; house, Fish Street." He was a captain in the militia. He died in July, 1801, aged sixty-three years.
William Hoogs (1768). AUTHORITIES : Whit- man's Hist. A. and H. A. Company, Ed. 1842; Smith's Hist. of Newton.
Israel Loring (1768). AUTHORITY : Lincoln's Hist. of Hingham.
John Newell (1768). AUTHORITIES: Boston Records; Wyman's Charlestown Genealogies and Estates.
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Nathaniel Waterman (1768), cooper, of Boston, was chosen a culler of hoops, staves, etc., March 25, 1764, and was annually re-elected until 1775. He was first ser- geant of the Artillery Company in 1770, and was a captain in the militia.
Charles Williams (1768), merchant "gentleman." Nov. 11, 1776, he was chosen from Ward 8 "for collecting an account of damages sustained since the Boston Port Bill," but July 9 was excused from serving. Mr. Charles Williams (1768) was a collector of taxes, in Boston, from 1782 to 1786 inclusive. His bond was ten thousand pounds. Two of his bondsmen were Daniel Bell (1733) and Benjamin Edes (1760). He was fourth sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1768.
Lieut. Williams (1768) died in Boston, June 28, 1793, aged sixty-one years, and was buried from his residence, on Sudbury Street. " He was a man of unspotted integrity and universal benevolence."
Jacob Williams (1768), cooper, of Boston, son of Sendall (1738) and Elizabeth Williams, was born in Boston, March 21, 1741. He was a nephew of Jonathan Williams, Jr. (1729). He was a culler of staves, hoops, etc., from 1766 to 1777 inclusive, warden in 1778, and the same year was one of a committee to purchase good fire-arms for the militia of Boston. Capt. Williams (1768) was fourth sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1770.
Mr. Whitman (1810) says of Capt. Williams (1768), he " was shipwrecked on the coast of Africa, and was one of the survivors, who, after great suffering, reached Macao, as related in 'Saunders Journal.' He went to Vermont, where he died, at an advanced age, in 182 [ or 2."
The record of the Artillery Company for 1768 is as follows : -
" April 8th, 1768. Monday being unsuitable Weather, the Company under Arms this day, viz : Friday, it was then Voted, That the Rev. Mr. Aaron Smith of Marlborough be desired to preach on the anniversary Artillery Election of Officers in June next, and that the present Commission Officers, with the Treasurer, be a committee to wait on him & desire the same. The Committee chosen (Sept 7th. 1767) to consult what measures would be most beneficial for the increase of the Company, made the following report, which was accepted.
"The Report of the Committee appointed by the Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company, at their meeting in Sept. 1767, to consider what plan may be most expedient to raise the reputation, secure the interest, and save the expence of said Company - The Committee have several times met and taken the state of the Company into considera- tion, and beg leave to Report as follows : It appears to the Committee, that the extraor- dinary expenses attending the Officers of said Company have been very discouraging to its members, as well as to many who have discovered an inclination to join it; it also appears, that a very great saving may be made in the expences ; so great as to take off any objections of this sort for the future ; if the interest of the Company be carefully attended to. And as a preliminary to the above, the Committee think it highly neces- sary, that we ascertain the exact amount of the principal (monies), in hand, or otherways, in order to know the bottom on which we propose to delineate the plan, and that an addi-
Charles Williams (1768). AUTHORITY : Bos- ton Records.
Jacob Williams (1768). AUTHORITIES: Bos- ton Records; Whitman's Ilist. A. and H. A. Company, Ed. 1842.
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tion of one or more be made to the Committee now existing to expedite this matter as soon as may be ; and till that be done, we can only go upon supposition, that our Capital Stock will amount to five hundred pounds; and if so, we propose the whole interest of said capital stock, amounting to one hundred dollars per annum be allowed to the Com- mission Officers to provide the dinner on the anniversary Election of Officers ; and that it be recommended that they do not exceed said [amount]. That the Expence of the Evening be paid by the new elected officers in the following proportions, viz : the Cap- tain, three-sixths : the Lieutenant, two and the Ensign, one. That the Sergeants enter- tain the Company in their respective turns as formerly, and to make no other provision than is proposed by the plan annexed, which is thought to be fully sufficient, viz :
" 9 Bottles, 2 Gallons Wine £o 9
4 8
" 8 Gallons Punch, - half hundred Lemons
IO
" Rum & Sugar
6
8
" Biscuit .
2
8
8
"10 lb Cheese .
£1 16 0 6
If souring is scarce & dear, then the Sergeant to provide Wine only, that the sum of one pound, sixteen shillings, be not exceeded. And it is further recommended, in order to save unnecessary trouble to the Sergeants, that there be provided a large Military Chest, sufficient to hold the aforesaid stores ; said Chest to be kept in the upper chamber of the Market, the Key to be lodged with the Clerk. That the Sergeant whose turn it is to entertain the Company, by applying to him may have such key and the Chest be put in the Hall, with the aforesaid stores, not to be taken out until the Company is all seated at the tables ; and furthermore, it is recommended that the door of the Hall be shut as soon as the Company is all seated at the tables, as aforesaid. The Committee are also of opinion, that if the members of the Company were a little industrious, & would com- municate to such as they are connected with, who may be likely to joyn us, how trifling the expense is like to be now, to what it was formerly, we should soon have as sufficient number as desired.
" Voted, That Col. Thomas Marshall [1761], Capt William Homes [1747], be joined the Committee to settle the affairs of the monies due from Col. Blanchards [1737] heirs to the Company. Attest : ROBERT JENKINS, Tert's, Clerk.
" May 2d, 1768. The Company being under Arms, That Committee chosen to wait on the Rev. Mr. Aaron Smith of Marlborough to desire him to preach the next Artillery Election sermon, reported that he desired to be excused : they then Voted, that the Rev. Mr. Jonas Clark of Lexington be desired to preach the next Artillery Election Sermon ; and that the present Commission Officers, with the Treasurer, be a Committee to wait on him and desire the same ; and in case of his refusing, the said Committee is to provide a Minister to preach on that day. Voted, That the Treasurer pay thirty pounds to the present Commission Officers towards defraying the charge of the next Election Dinner in June next, and the Company to dine with them. Voted, that Robert Jenkins (1756), the present Clerk, have one quarter of the fines he shall collect from the delinquent members. Attest : ROBERT JENKINS, Tert's, Clerk.
"June 6, 1768. The Company being under Arms, it was then Voted, That the present Commission Officers, with the Treasurer, be a Committee to wait on the Rev.
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Mr. Jonas Clark and return him the thanks of this Company for his Sermon preached this day.1 Attest : ROBERT JENKINS, Tert's, Clerk."
" Boston, Saturday June 4, 1768. This being the Anniversary of his Majesty's birth, when he entered upon the 31st year of his age ; at sunrise, flags were displayed at Castle William and at each of the town batteries : at twelve o'clock the guns of the Castle and batteries were fired, and at one his Majesty's ship, the Romney of 50 guns, fired a royal salute. His Excellency, the Governor's troop of guards, under the command of Colonel Phipps, the regiment of militia of this town, commanded by Colonel Jackson [1738], with the train of Artillery under Capt. Paddock [1762] mustered in King Street, where the troop and regiment fired three vollies, and the train several discharges of their new field pieces, after which the troop and regiment marched off. Then the train performed the exercise of a mock fight, during which their soldier-like behavior, their management of the artillery, and the good order observed, gave general satisfaction to a numerous crowd of spectators. His Majesty's Council, the House of Representatives and the officers of the militia, attended his Excellency at the Council Chamber, where a number of loyal toasts were drank, viz : The King, Queen, Royal Family, Union between Great Britain and her Colonies, the Province, &c &c. Then the Captains marched their respec- tive companies to their own houses, where genteel dinners were prepared, for their officers and other gentlemen of the town." 2
Rev. Jonas Clark, of Lexington, delivered the Artillery election sermon of 1768. He was born at Newton, Mass., Dec. 25, 1730, graduated at Harvard College in 1752, and was ordained over the church in Lexington, Nov. 5, 1755. He died Nov. 15, 1805, after a ministry of a little more than half a century. "His sermons were rarely less than an hour long, often more. There is a tradition that, on a certain occasion, he was known to have prayed two hours." He was a true son of liberty, and the militia of Lexington, who, on the morning of April 19, met the British regulars, only carried into practice the teachings of their venerated pastor.
" Mr. Clark," says Mr. Everett, " was of a class of citizens who rendered services second to no others in enlightening and animating the popular mind on the great ques- tion at issue - I mean the patriotic clergy of New England." It was at his house, in Lexington, that Samuel Adams and John Hancock, while under proscription, tarried ; there Paul Revere and William Dawes, Jr. (1768), found them on the morning of April 19, 1775, - and thence they escaped, before the arrival of the British, into the town of Billerica.
Rev. Jonas Clark. AUTHORITIES : Sprague's Annals of American Pulpit, containing an interesting account of Mr. Clark by his son-in-law, Dr. William Ware, Hollis Professor in the University in Cam- bridge; Eliot's and Allen's Biog. Dicts.
1 " Boston, Monday, June 6, 1768. This being the Anniversary of the election of officers for the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, his Ex- cellency, the Governor, his Majesty's Council, and several other gentlemen attended by the C mpany, went in procession to the Old Brick Meeting House, where a sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Jonas Clark of Lexington, from these words, 2d
Chronicles, chapter 17, verse 16: 'And next him was Amasiah, the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the Lord; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.' After which the following gentlemen were chosen for the ensuing year : James Cunningham Esq. [1761] Captain, Mr. William Heath [1765], Lieutenant Mr. David Spear [1758] Ensign. They then marched to the British Coffee House, where the company gave an elegant dinner, and the new elected officers treated in the evening." - Boston Gazette.
2 Boston Gazette.
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1769. The officers of the Artillery Company elected in 1769 were : Josiah Waters (1747), captain; Edward Carnes (1755), lieutenant; Robert Jen- kins (1756), ensign. William Rogers (1765) was first sergeant ; John Stutson (1765), second sergeant ; Asa Stoddard (1765), third sergeant ; Ebenezer Torrey (1765), fourth sergeant, and Joseph Pierce (1769), clerk.
March 22, 1769, Major Cunningham (1761) applied to the selectmen of Boston for "the favor of Faneuil Hall to exercise the Artillery men - for some Time before their appearance, which was granted him accordingly."
The members of the Artillery Company recruited in 1769 were : John Arnold, John Bartlett, John Boyle, Joseph Croswell, John Grant, Jr., Joshua Loring, Manasseh Mars- ton, John Fisk Osgood, Joseph Pierce, Thomas Russell, Thomas Sherburne, Jr., John Simpkins, Josiah Waters, Jr.
John Arnold (1769), a cabinetmaker, of Boston, was published to marry Abigail Foster, March 10, 1763. He was elected a constable of Boston, March 13, 1769, and a surveyor of boards for the year 1782. He enlisted for service in the Continental Army, May 3, 1775, was mustered Aug. 1, 1775, and served three months and six days. Admin- istration on his estate was granted in 1784.
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