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 26
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" Attest : SAMUEL CONDON, Clerk.
" April 9th. 1773. At a meeting of the Company at Faneuil Hall, the Committee appointed to consider what uniform might be most proper for the drummers & Fifers, report, a white cloth coat, with blue lappels, trimmed with blue & white cloth trimmed with gold binding. Also propose an assessment of five shillings on each member for the expense of the same ; which was unanimously agreed to by the Company, And Voted, That the aforesaid Committee be desired to procure the materials and get the above uni- form completely by next muster day. Attest : SAMUEL CONDON, Clerk.
" May, 1773. The Company being under Arms, the Committee appointed to wait on the Rev. Mr. Simeon Howard, to invite him to preach on the anniversary Artillery Elec- tion of Officers in June next, reported he had accepted the invitation. Voted, The Treasurer pay thirty pounds to the present Commission Officers towards defreying the expenses of Election Dinner in June next, and that the Company dine with them. The Treasurers accounts being read, it was Voted, To accept the same. Voted That Samuel Condon [1768], the present Clerk have one quarter part of the fines he shall collect the present year from the delinquent members of the Company. Voted, To meet as usual, fines as usual. Voted, The thanks of the Company be given to Messrs Bartlett [1769], Fullerton [1768], Russell [1769] & Inglesby [1771], for their gift to the Company of making Drummers & Fifers clothes : also to the Committee for their care & trouble pro- curing & ordering the same. Voted, The present Commission Officers be a Committee to examine the Clerks Accounts for the two last years past. Voted, The present Com-
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[1773
mission Officers, Col. Joseph Jackson [1738], Capt Samnel Barrett [1755], and Capt Josiah Waters [1747], be a Committee to wait on the Field Officers, to know if either of them will take the command of the Company the ensuing year.
" Attest : SAMUEL CONDON, Clerk.
"Jnne 7th. 1773. The Company being under Arms, in the field, it was then Voted, That the present Commission Officers, with the Treasurer, be a Committee to wait on the Rev. Mr. Simeon Howard and return the thanks of this Company for his Sermon preached this day.
Attest : SAMUEL CONDON, Clerk.
"October, 1773. The Company being under Arms in the field, it was then Voted, That Mr. Joseph Pierce [1769] and Mr. Josiah Waters, Jun. [1769], be a Committee, with the Clerk, to wait on the delinquent members of this Company & demand payment of their arrearages. Attest : SAMUEL CONDON, Clerk."
" Boston, Monday, June 7, 1773. Friday last being the Anniversary of his Majesty's birth-day, when he entered the 36th year of his age, the same was observed here in the following order. In the forenoon, the troop commanded by Colonel Phipps ; the com- pany of Cadets, commanded by Colonel Hancock, with their band of music; the militia of the town, commanded by Col. Erving, with the Train of Artillery, commanded by Major Paddock [1762], and the company of Grenadiers commanded by Major Dawes [1754], belonging to the Regiinent, with their band of music, mustered and formed into a regiment in the Common, when the militia went through their exercise to admiration ! From thence, at one o'clock, the regiment marched into King [now State] Street, when they again went through the exercise and firings to the approbation of many thousand spectators ; and about three o'clock were dismissed. The officers of the regiment, with the non-commissioned officers, dined at the Royal Exchange Tavern; the company of cadets at the Bunch of Grapes ; the Artillery Company at the British Coffee House and the Grenadier Company at Major Dawes's [1754], at which several places many loyal toasts were drank. The band of music belonging to the regiment of Cadets and Major Paddocks [1762] fifes and drums, after dinner were in the balconies in King- Street, and alternately played a great variety of tunes before a vast number of spectators. After which the Train of Artillery went with their canon into the Common to fire at a target and made many excellent shots. The regiment was reviewed in the Common, before thousands of spectators." 1
" Boston, September 23, 1773. Yesterday being the anniversary of his Majesty's coronation, the guns at Castle William and at the batteries in this town as also on board his Majesty's ships of war in this harbor, were fired at one o'clock on the occasion. The same day being designed as the fourth training for the Boston militia for this year; in the morning his Excellency's company of Cadets, commanded by the Hon. Col. Hancock, appeared under arms, in the training fields, and marched into King street, with a band of music, where, after going through their exercises and manœenvers, fired their volleys. In the forenoon the troop of gnards commanded by Lieutenant Snelling, in the absence of Colonel Phips, were mustered, as also the several companies of the Boston militia under the command of Colonel Erving and marched to the training field under their respective captains, viz : The Artillery under Major Paddock [1762]; the company of Grenadiers nnder Lientenant Pierce [1769], with a band of music; Ist [company],
1 Boston Newspaper.
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HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1774]
Major Boynton [1759]; 2d, Captain Stimpson [1761]; 3d, Captain Waters [1747]; 4th, Captain Gay [1761]; 5th, Captain Ridgeway [1756]; 6th, Lieutenant Bell [1756], (Captain Barrett [1755], being absent) ; 7th, Captain Haskins [1768]; 8th, Captain May [1765]; 9th, Captain Spear [1774]; 10th, Captain Symmes [1760]; 11th, Captain Proctor [1756]; 12th, Captain Wheelwright [1759]. After forming into battalion and performing military exercises, they marched into King [now State] Street, preceeded by the troop of guards, where three volleys were fired by the troop and battalion, and a discharge of the Artillery. After which the officers and company of the troop dined at Mr. Brackets, on Boston Neck. The field officers and the officers of the militia com- panies dined at Capt Jones's [1754], the Exchange tavern. The officers and company of Cadets at Col. Ingersols, the Bunch of Grapes.
" The military exercises and manœuvres of each corps respectively were performed to the universal satisfaction of a numerous company of spectators both of town and country. In the evening was a grand concert of music at Concert Hall, and a number of fireworks were played off in King street." I
" Artillery Soldiers under the fine of 6/ per diem for non-appearance " : -
Martin Ricker (1771), Thomas Bumstead (1764), Samuel Condon (1768), William Dawes (1760), Elias Dupee (1763), John Grant, Jr. (1769), William Heath (1765), William Hickling, Jr. (1764), John Hinkley (1772), William Homes, Jr. (1766), Michael Homer (1768), Abraham Hunt (1772), Levi Jennings (1764), Edward Kneeland (1772), Israel Loring (1768), Joshua Loring (1769), John Newell (1768), John Osborn, Jr. (1764), John Popkin, Jr. (1766), Joseph Pierce (1769), Daniel Rea, Jr. (1770), Josiah Salisbury (1759), John Simpkins (1769), Thomas Stevenson (1762), Asa Stoddard (1765), Nathaniel Thwing (176r), Ebenezer Torrey (1765), Josiah Waters, Jr. (1769).
The above list was probably prepared in 1773.
Rev. Simeon Howard, of Boston, delivered the Artillery election sermon of 1773. He was born in Bridgewater, May 10, 1733. He graduated at Harvard College in 1753, after which he remained at the university as a tutor until he was invited, on the death of the Rev. Dr. Mayhew, to take charge of the West Church, Boston. He accepted the invitation, and was ordained May 6, 1767. By his faithful ministry he won the esteem of all. He was a member of many societies organized for the promotion of humane interests ; was a fellow of Harvard College from 1780 to 1804, and secretary of the board of overseers. He died Aug. 12, 1804, after a pastorate of thirty-six years. President Willard, of Harvard College, delivered the funeral discourse.
1774. The officers of the Artillery Company elected in 1774 were : William Bell (1756), captain ; John Stutson (1765), lieutenant ; Asa Stoddard (1765), ensign. Cuthbert Inglesby (1771) was first sergeant; Abraham Hunt (1772), second sergeant ; John Hinkley (1772), third sergeant ; Stephen Whiting, Jr. (1772), fourth sergeant, and Samuel Condon (1768), clerk.
This year the Boston Port Bill was passed, the harbor closed, and the people " cruelly deprived " of the means they had used to support their families. "Boston
1 Boston Newspaper.
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HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
became the most striking monument of ministerial tyranny and barbarity." Its people suffered for the necessaries of life, and other colonies contributed largely to their support during their great distress. Such a condition could not but operate strongly and adversely upon the welfare of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. Its meet- ings were suspended after the June anniversary of 1774,1 probably on account of the depression of the town, and the general sorrow and apprehension which burdened all classes, and were not resumed until 1782, on account of the absence of so many members in the country's service. The school of the soldier was temporarily closed, and most of the pupils took lessons in active warfare upon the various battle-fields of the Revolution.
Gov. Hutchinson prorogued the General Court early in 1774, and it never assembled again under the charter. The official dispatches of Gov. Hutchinson, Chief-Justice Oliver, and the other royal officials, addressed to the King's ministers in London, and not only giving them incorrect accounts of the state of affairs in the colonies, but advising extreme measures for subjugating the rebellious spirits, were obtained posses- sion of by Benjamin Franklin, who sent them back to Boston, and they were publicly read in Faneuil Hall, at a large town meeting. They were the spark necessary to kindle revolutionary flames, and the struggle for independence was commenced.
Gov. Hutchinson, who had been superseded by Thos. Gage, Esq., sailed for London on the Ist of June, 1774; the port of Boston was closed by order of the British Parliament, and three transports, with troops on board, had arrived at Nantasket. On Wednesday, the 15th, the Forty-Third Regiment landed at the Long Wharf, marched to the Common, and there encamped. On the Ist of July, Admiral Graves arrived with his fleet from London, and more transports arrived from Ireland, with the Fifth and Thirty- Eighth regiments, which, with the artillery from Castle William, encamped on the Com- mon. Early in August, the Welsh Fusileers came by water from New York, landed at Long Wharf, and encamped on Fort Hill. The Fifty-Ninth Regiment, from Halifax, landed at Salem, and remained there until the 12th of September, when it marched to Boston, and encamped on the Neck, where it entrenched itself.
Gov. Hutchinson, son of Col. Thomas (1694), was constantly in dispute, during his term of office, - from March, 1771, to May, 1774, - with the council and assembly. Those persons, however, who favored the Crown, sympathized with hin, and, just previous to his departure for England, addressed to him letters expressive of sympathy and good- will. They testify "to the entire satisfaction they feel in the wise, zealous, and faithful administration " of Gov. Hutchinson ; lament the loss of so good a governor ; deplore the calamities impending over Boston and the province, and wish him a pleasant voyage to England.
There were one hundred and twenty-four "merchants and others," and twenty-four " barristers and attorneys," of Boston, who thus addressed Gov. Hutchinson. Among them were the following-named members of the Artillery Company : Hopestill Capen (1763), Martin Gay (1761), Joseph Goldthwait (1732), John Gore (1743), John Joy (1755), and Adino Paddock (1762).
The members of the Artillery Company recruited in 1774 were : Thomas S. Bord- man, Nathaniel Call, Jacob Gill, Lemuel Robinson, Joseph Spear, Jr., John Wise.
1 While this is true, so far as the record of the Company shows, yet a letter of John Andrews, Esq., given in note on page 185, contains an account of a parade Oct. 3, 1774.
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HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1774]
Thomas S. Bordman (1774), hatter, of Boston, son of Capt. William Bordman (1758) and Susanna, was born March 23, 1752. He married (published July 16, 1781) Thankful Higgins, of Eastham.
Having served an apprenticeship in the hatting business with his father, he was admitted into partnership, under the firm name of William Bordman & Son. They did an extensive business in the manufacture and sale of hats, and were engaged in the pur- chase and exporting of furs. Their place of business was near the head of Ann Street. On the death of the senior partner, about 1809, the business was continued by the son until within three years of his decease, which occurred April 26, 1828. " An upright, useful, and worthy man."
His brother, William, Jr., joined the Artillery Company in 1786. Thomas S. Bord- man (1774) resided on North Square.
Nathaniel Call (1774), housewright, of Boston, son of Richard and Mary (King) Call, was born in Charlestown in November (baptized, 17th), 1745. He was a brother of Capt. William (1787). Nathaniel (1774) was taxed in Ward 7 in 1780 and 1782, and " probably married Elizabeth Green, Oct. 18, 1770."
He was captain of a company of artificers in the Revolution. He served as second sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1788, and its ensign in 1791. He lived on Green Street, and died very much regretted, Aug. 18, 1827, aged eighty-two years. His remains were placed in tomb No. 64, in the burying-ground on the Common.
Jacob Gill (1774), hatter, of Milton, son of Samuel and Hannah Gill, was born Jan. 1, 1745-6. He was lieutenant in Capt. Robinson's company of Col. Ezra Badlam's regi- ment, in January and February, 1787, actively engaged to quell the insurrection of Daniel Shays ; colonel of the Third Regiment, First Brigade, First Division, Massachu- setts Militia, from 1794 to 1798, and in 1799 was commissioned brigadier-general of that brigade.
In 1795, Gen. Gill (1774) bought in Milton the westerly half of what was once called the Hutchinson estate, which he owned at the time of his decease. He lived previously in a house that stood where the building of Mr. S. W. Johnson now stands, and his workshop was on the location now occupied by the provision store of George Everett. He died in Milton, Sept. 20, 1820.
Lemuel Robinson (1774), tavernkeeper, of Dorchester. In May and September, 1774, Capt. Lemuel Robinson (1774) was chosen to represent the town in the General Court to be held at Salem. Gen. Gage having recalled the writs for the latter meeting, Capt. Robinson (1774) was authorized to meet the representatives of the other towns in "General Provincial Congress." On the 5th of October, ninety representatives assembled at Salem, but, no governor appearing, they resolved themselves into a "Provincial Con- gress," and was the first regularly organized legislative body assuming revolutionary powers in America.
Thomas S. Bordman (1774). AUTHORITIES : Boston Records; Whitman's Hist. A. and H. A. Company, Ed. 1842; MS. of Mr. Joseph C. Whit- ney, of Boston.
Nathaniel Call (1774). AUTHORITY : Wy-
man's Charlestown Genealogies and Estates, Vol. I. p. 168. Jacob Gill (1774). AUTHORITIES : Teele's Hist of Milton; Mass. Archives.
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HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
[1774
The following extracts are from the diary of Col. Samuel Pierce, of Dorchester : -
" 1763, April 21. I grafted for Mr. Lemuel Robinson [1774] : he and I grafted 245 heads in one day.
" 1769, Aug. 14. Was a very grand entertainment at Mr Lemuel Robinsons [1774]. All the Sons of Liberty met ; there was 124 carriages there.1
" 1774, May 18. Mr Lemuel Robinson [1774] was chosen to represent the town.
" 1774, Nov 17. The officers of this regiment met at Stouton to choose their field Officers. Chosen for the same - Lemuel Robinson [1774], Deacon Gill and Joseph Vose.
" 1775, Feb. 27. The field officers resigned.
" 1775, March 7. They met again and [the same field officers] were rechosen."
Joseph Spear, Jr. (1774), cooper, of Boston, son of Joseph and Mary (Collier) Spear, was born April 7, 1722, at Hull, Mass., and he died in Boston in February, 1791. He married, (1) Oct. 25, 1743, Elizabeth Phebe Binney, who died in 1757 Or 1758, daughter of John and Hannah (Paine) Binney, of Hull, and, (2) June 14, 1759, Mary Dawson.
He was identified with the militia, and became a captain in Col. Craft's regiment. In 1778, Joseph Spear, Jr. (1774), and his brother, Lieut. David (1758), were captured by the British, and were carried to Pembroke, England. They were released Oct. 14, 1780.
He never held any town office in Boston. In 1785, he became a member of the Lodge of St. Andrew, A. F. and A. M. In 1788, he was fourth sergeant of the Artillery Company. He resided on Leverett Street, also called Quaker Lane.
From 1789 until his decease he was an officer of customs, "a useful member of society and one whose death is lamented by all who were acquainted with him."
John Wise (1774), tailor, of Boston, married Mary -. She died Sept. 12, 1795, aged thirty-nine years. He was interested in the militia, and was second lieutenant in the Boston regiment in 1779, and captain in 1784. Capt. John Wise (1774) and his wife, after lingering sickness, aged fifty-five and thirty-nine years respectively, died in 1795. They resided in West Boston, near the meeting-house.
The record of the Artillery Company for 1774 is as follows : -
" 1774. April 4th. The Company being under Arms in the field, it was then Voted, That a Committee be appointed to confer with Blanchard [1737] respecting his Bonds due to the Company. Voted, That Col. Jackson [1738], Maj. Dawes [1754], Capt Waters [1747] and Capt Gay [1761 ] be a committee for the purpose aforesaid. Voted, The Company meet to exercise at Faneuil Hall every Friday evening in the weeks pre- ceding the training in May next, at half past seven o'clock ; and any Member being
Joseph Spear, Jr. (1774). AUTHORITIES : Boston Records; MS. of W. G. Spear, of Quincy. 1 The entertainment of Aug. 14, 1769, was a celebration of "the Union and Association of the Sons of Liberty in this Province." The "Sons" assembled at Liberty Tree in Boston and thence proceeded to Liberty Tree tavern, known as " Rob- inson's [1774]" tavern, in Dorchester, where they
dined at two o'clock P. M. About three hundred sat down to tables spread in the field under a tent. Toasts were drank, songs sung, etc., and at five o'clock P. M. Mr. Hancock in his chariot led off for Boston. John Adams, who was present, vouches for the per- fect sobriety of the " Sons of Liberty." - See Diary of John Adams, 1769.
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absent at that time shall pay a fine of six pence, and if absent the whole evening one shilling ; and for neglect of gun & bayonet one shilling for the use of the Company.
"Voted, That the Rev. Mr. John Hunt of Boston be desired to preach on the Anniversary Artillery Election of Officers in June next, and the present Commission Officers with the Treasurer be a committee to wait on him and desire the same.
" Attest : SAMUEL CONDON, Clerk.
" May 2d 1774. Monday, the weather being unsuitable, the Company did not turn out till the Friday following : being then under Arms in the field, the Committee appointed to wait on the Rev. Mr. John Hunt of Boston, report they had waited on him with the requests of the Company, but that he had declined on account of his health not admitting. Voted, That the same Committee be a Committee to wait on the Rev. Mr John Lathrop and desire him to preach on the Anniversary Artillery Election of Officers in June next. The Treasurer's accounts being read it was Voted That the same be accepted. Voted, The Treasurer pay the present Commission officers thirty pounds, lawful money, towards defraying the expenses of the Election Dinner in June next ; and further more that the Company dine with them. Voted, That the Clerk borrow of the Treasurer ten pounds, lawful money, on account of the balance due to him from the Company, and that Mr. Joseph Pierce [1769], & Mr Josiah Waters Jun. [1769] be a Committee to adjust the Clerks accounts and assess the Members of the Company for the balance that may be due him ; and that the said Sum of ten pounds be repaid to the Treasurer when received of the Members. Voted, The Company meet to exercise at Faneuil Hall every Friday evening preceding the training in June next precisely at eight o'clock. Fines as Voted April last. Attest : SAMUEL CONDON, Clerk.
"June 6th. 1774. The Company being under Arms, in the field, it was then Voted, That the present Commission Officers, with the Treasurer, be a Committee to wait on the Rev. Mr. John Lathrop, and return him the thanks of this Company for his Sermon preached this day.1 Attest SAMUEL CONDON, Clerk."
Rev. John Hunt, of Boston, was invited to deliver the Artillery election sermon of 1774, but he declined on account of ill health. He was the son of Capt. John and Esther (Wells) Hunt, and was born in Northampton, Nov. 20, 1744. He graduated at Harvard College in 1764, and taught school in his native town from October, 1765, until March, 1769. In connection with his teaching, he pursued a course of theological studies, and was licensed to preach in 1769.
Rev. John Hunt. AUTHORITIES : Sprague's Annals of American Pulpit; Hooker's Mem. Dis., Northampton, 1775; Hill's Hist. of Old South Church.
1 " Last Monday, being the anniversary of the election of officers for the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, the following gentlemen were chosen for the ensuing year : - Lieut. William Bell [1756], Captain; Mr. John Stutson [1765], Lieu- tenant; Mr. Asa Stoddard [1765], Ensign.
" Previous to the choice the Company waited on Major General Brattle [1729], the members of his Majestys Council, several of the Honorable House of Assembly, and a number of the Reverend Clergy, and other persons of distinction, to the Old Brick Meeting-house, where a learned discourse,
suitable to the occasion was delivered by Rev. John Lathrop. After which they proceeded as usual to Faneuil Hall, where an elegant dinner was provided for the aforesaid gentlemen, and in the evening an entertainment was made by the new elected officers.
"The officers of the Company are chosen an- nually, and it has always been customary for the Governor of the Province to receive the badges of their commission from the old officers and deliver them to the new. As his Excellency, Governor Gage, was at Salem on that day, he authorized Major General Brattle [1729] to act in his stead." - Bos- ton Newspaper.
"June 6 [1774], Monday, warm, Artillery Elec- tion. Rev. John Lathrop preached a very suitable sermon." - Thomas Newell's Journal.
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Rev. Joseph Sewall, who delivered the Artillery election sermon in 1714, died in 1769. Two years after, Sept. 25, 1771, Rev. John Hunt became his successor, and was ordained on that day. Mr. Hunt was a genial and affectionate man, of winning and per- suasive manners. He died, deeply lamented, Dec. 30, 1775, at the age of thirty-one years, after a pastorate of but four years' duration.
Rev. John Lathrop, of Boston, delivered the Artillery election sermon of 1774. He was born May 17, 1740, in Norwich, Conn. He graduated at Princeton College in 1763, and pursued the study of medicine. For a short time he was an assistant in Moors' Indian School, then kept at Lebanon. On the death of Rev. Mr. Checkley, who delivered the Artillery election sermon in 1757, Mr. John J athrop was engaged to supply the pulpit. After a trial of several months, the Second Church and Society unanimously invited him to become its pastor. He accepted, and was installed May 18, 1768. He was pastor of the church during the Revolution, when the Old North Meeting-House, erected in 1677, was torn down for fuel by the British. After the Evacuation, the Old North, or Second, Church and the New Brick Church united in public worship, and May 6, 1779, they formed a perpetual union.
Mr. Pemberton died Sept. 9, 1779, and Rev. Mr. Lathrop continued as pastor of the new Second Church. His ministry covered the long period of fifty years, and he died Jan. 4, 1816. The sermon, at his interment, was delivered by Rev. Mr. Parkman, of Boston. He was buried in the Granary Burial-Ground.
1775- It was upon March 6, 1775, that Gen. Joseph Warren delivered the oration " to perpetuate the memory of the horrid massacre perpetrated on the evening of the 5th of March, 1770, by a party of soldiers " under Capt. Thomas Preston. Thanks were voted to the orator, and a committee, of which Col. Thomas Marshall (176r) was one, was appointed to wait upon him, and request a copy for the press.
Samuel Adams, moderator of the adjourned town meeting, April 3, 1775, being at the Congress then sitting in Concord, Samuel Swift (1746) was chosen moderator pro tempore.
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