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 29
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battle, and by their regular movements in retreat. He was second only to the cele- brated Baron Steuben in his knowledge of tactics. After this officer joined our army, and was appointed inspector-general, we find that Gen. Brooks [1786] was associated with him in the arduous duty of introducing a uniform system of exercise and manœuvres into the army." After the battle of Lexington, he was appointed major in a regiment of minute-men, and at the age of twenty-two, a field officer in the Continental line, and rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. At the close of the war he was discharged with the brevet commission of colonel. The regiment was first called "Jackson's Regiment," after its colonel, and gained the camp name of the " Bloody Eighth, - the first in, and the last out, of battle." This regiment took a distinguished part in the battle of Sara- toga, and was then, and during most of the war, commanded by Col. Brooks (1786). On the surrender of Burgoyne, Col. Brooks (1786) joined the army under Gen. Washing- ton, and suffered all the privations and hardships of Valley Forge. He was actively engaged in the battle of White Plains, and, in the memorable battle of Monmouth, he was adjutant-general of the advanced column of the army. At the termination of the war, Col. Brooks (1786) returned to private life, rich in honor and glory, and universally respected and loved.
Col. Brooks (1786) was a member of the Masonic Fraternity. He was present at the quarterly communication of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge, at Freemason's Hall, in Boston, March 2, 1781, when he "laid before the Grand Lodge a. List of the Officers and Members of Washington Lodge for this Year." In that list Col. John Brooks (1786) is recorded as master. Washington Lodge was in the American army during the Revo- lution, and was, therefore, what is termed " a Travelling Lodge." That Lodge was char- tered Oct. 6, 1779, and Gen. William Hull (1788) was its first junior warden. It was borne upon the Grand Lodge roll until Dec. 8, 1785, when it was reported as extinct. In 1780, Col. Brooks (1786) delivered a Masonic oration at West Point, in the presence of Gen. Washington, who, with many officers of the army, were members of the Fraternity.
Upon the organization of the militia, after the war, he was appointed major-general of the Middlesex Division, which office he held during ten years. He was the successor of Gen. Hull (1788) in the command of that division, a great number of the companies of which he assembled on Cambridge Common to be reviewed by the President of the United States in 1789. Gen. Washington, after passing the line, and observing their military conduct and appearance, made the complimentary remark to Gen. Brooks (1786), in allusion to our final success in the Revolutionary War, “Ah ! General, if we had had such troops as these, we should have made short work of it."
In the suppression of Shays' Rebellion he was actively engaged. During the War of 1812-4, Gen. Brooks (1786) sustained the arduous and important office of adjutant-general of Massachusetts, which office he held until 1816, when he was elected governor of Massachusetts. Seven years, successively, he filled this honorable office with dignity, impartiality, and energy, at the end of which time he voluntarily declined another term.
Soon after his return from the Revolutionary War, he recommenced the practice of medicine in Medford and the adjoining towns. He became interested in the Massachu- setts Medical Society in the year 1803, when he was elected counsellor, and in 1808 he delivered an anniversary discourse before that society. After his service as governor of this commonwealth, he was elected president of the Massachusetts Medical Society. He
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was also a representative, senator, councillor, and elector of president and vice-presi- dent. He was a delegate to the convention which framed and adopted the federal constitution of Massachusetts. He was appointed, by Washington, marshal for this district, and subsequently was inspector of revenue. Yale College conferred upon him the honorary degree of A. M., in 1781, and Harvard did likewise in 1787. The latter also conferred upon him the degree of M. D., in 1810, and of LL. D. in 1817. He was prominent in the Society of the Cincinnati, was elected to deliver the first oration before it, July 4, 1787, and on the death of its first president, Gen. Lincoln (1786), Gen. Brooks (1786) was elected to that highly honorable office. He was also a member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences, president of the Washington Monument Association, of the Bunker Hill Monument Association, and of the Bible Society of Massachusetts.
Major-Gen. Brooks (1786) was the first member admitted into the Artillery Com- pany after its revival in 1786, and he was twice elected as commander, namely, in 1787 and 1794. In the language of Rev. Mr. Deane, in his Artillery sermon in 1816, the first public appearance of Gen. Brooks (1786) as governor : "Here we behold the wise and virtuous ruler in the midst of his subjects; like the father of a family, inspiring love and respect by his presence, deriving the strength of his government from his sacred regard to their happiness, and receiving from them the homage of the heart, and not of com- pulsion."
His final illness was neither long nor painful. He probably caught a severe cold while attending the funeral of his successor, Gov. Eustis, whom he survived but a few days. He bore his illness calmly, and said, " My case is beyond physicians. I have received my orders : I am ready to march." He died at Medford, March 1, 1825, aged seventy-three years, and was buried March 3. Medford appeared clad in mourning ; all business was suspended ; the shops were closed. His body was carried into the meeting- house, which was filled by his townsfolk, of all ages and both sexes, with strangers of distinction. Above ninety members of the Artillery Company, in citizens' dress, under command of Col. Gibbens (1810), attended the funeral.
In Gov. Brooks's (1786) family are several commemorative swords. One, called the " straight, gilt, scabbard sword," has the following inscription : -
" To His Excellency John Brooks, commander in chief of the Militia of Massachu- setts, and twice Commander of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company : This sword is most respectfully presented by that ancient corps, in full confidence that it will be wielded with glory and success in war, and be preserved untarnished in peace."
On the other side is the following : -
" Presented on the field, in Boston, June 2, 1817, and on the 180th Anniversary of the Institution."
The sword worn by Col. Brooks (1786) in the battle at Saratoga, Oct. 7, 1777, has been presented by A. S. Rawson, Esq., to the Massachusetts Historical Society. The sword carried by Col. Alexander S. Brooks, through the War of 1812-4, is preserved. The one he wore at the time of his death was captured by his father from a Hessian officer in one of the battles of the Revolution. Another sword, belonging to Col. Alexander S. Brooks, was given to his son George by his mother. George Brooks was a lieutenant in the Second Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, in 1862, at Newbern, N. C.
John, the son of Gov. Brooks (1786), had a " long, curved sabre " presented to him by Lafayette, in Paris. It had a rich sash attached to it. This sabre and sash were on his person when killed in the naval battle on Lake Erie.
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The granite pyramid which stands in the old burial-ground in Medford bears the following inscription : -
"Sacred to the memory of John Brooks [1786], who was born in Medford, in the month of May, 1752, and educated at the town school. He took up arms for his country on the 19th of April, 1775. He commanded the regiment which first entered the enemies' lines at Saratoga, and served with honor to the end of the war. He was appointed Marshal of the District of Massachusetts by President Washington ; and, after filling several important civil and military offices, he was, in the year 1816, chosen Governor of the Commonwealth, and discharged the duties of that station for seven successive years to general acceptance. He was a kind and skilful physician ; a brave and prudent officer ; a wise, firm, and impartial magistrate ; a true patriot, a good citizen, and a faithful friend. In his manner he was a gentlemen ; in morals, pure ; and in pro- fession and practice, a consistent Christian. He departed this life in peace, on the Ist of March, 1825, aged seventy-three. This monument to his memory was erected by several of his fellow-citizens and friends, in the year 1838."
William Brown (1786), merchant, of Boston, son of William and Mary Brown, was born in Boston, Oct. 26, 1763. He resided at the famous " Green Stores," once a place of extensive business. They stood on the site of the Williams Market. "In July, 1775, when the siege had fairly begun, the work nearest the town mounted eight twenty-four-, six twelve-, two nine-, and seven six-pound guns, and was called during the siege, 'The Green Store Battery,' from the warehouse of Deacon Brown [1786], painted that color, which stood on the site of the Williams Market."
Lieut. Brown (1786) was a member of Hollis Street Church, and held the office of deacon. He was representative for Boston in the General Court, also a senator. " A man of common education but of strong mind ; popular and much respected. Although not a frequent or elegant speaker, yet his mild manner and perfect knowledge of human nature rendered him a powerful legislator. He long prevented the erection of the South Boston Free Bridge, while his ingenuity circumvented his adversaries, and obtained the bridge above, near his own property, and originated the building of Front Street " in 1806-7, which, in 1841, was called Harrison Avenue in honor of Gen. Harrison.
Thomas Clark (1786), merchant, of Boston, son of Rev. Jonas Clark, of Lexington, who delivered the Artillery election sermon in 1768, was born in Lexington, Sept. 27, 1759.1 He married, in 1782, Sarah Conant, of Charlestown. She died April 16, 1822. Mr. Whitman (1810) says, in his history of the Artillery Company, "The first time Capt. Clark put on a military coat was to join with the Cadets in firing a salute on the news of the surrender of Burgoyne's army." His store, in 1789, was No. 22 Cornhill, now Washington Street.
The Cadets disbanded on the discharge of Col. John Hancock by Gov. Gage, in 1774. Subsequently, a new company of volunteers was raised ; Col. Henry Jackson was captain ; Benjamin Hichborn, lieutenant, and Perez Morton, ensign. It was called the " Independent Company," and went to Newport, R. I., on public service. Capt. Clark
William Brown (1786). AUTHORITIES : Whit- man's Hist. A. and H. A. Company, Ed. 1842; Drake's Old Landmarks of Boston.
Thomas Clark (1786). AUTHORITIES : Clark
Genealogy; Whitman's Hist. A. and H. A. Com- pany, Ed. 1842; Boston Records. 1 Clark Genealogy gives July 6, 1758, as the date.
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[1786
(1786) was a member of this new company. He also joined the Artillery Company on its revival ; was its second sergeant in 1787 ; clerk in 1790, 1793-5, 1801-9 ; lieutenant in 1792, and captain in 1796.
Upon the death of the venerable William Cooper, who had been town clerk of Bos- ton for half a century, there were numerous popular candidates of both parties. This created a warm struggle. Capt. Clark (1786) had become infirm, and realized little from his business of auctioneer to support his large family. Just before election, a few friends suggested him as a candidate, with little hope of success; but no sooner was his name announced than the Artillery Company, members and past members, rallied to his sup- port, from all parties, and elected him by a decided majority over all. After that he was elected without opposition until the organization of the city government, when he was assistant city clerk and clerk of the common council. He had a salary of seven hun- dred and fifty dollars, and the perquisite of marriage-publishment fees, said to amount to one thousand dollars annually. He died at Boston, May 29, 1832, aged seventy-two years.
John Coolidge (1786), tailor, of Boston. During a part of the Revolutionary War he was in business in Worcester with his brother-in-law, William Dawes, Jr. (1768). His place of business, in 1789, was on Market Square. He became lieutenant in the militia in 1779, and was third sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1791.
John Coolidge (1786) was a member of the Masonic Fraternity, receiving the degrees in the Lodge of St. Andrew in 1779. He attended the festival of St. John the Evangelist, in 1778, 1779, and 1780; was present at Grand Lodge on other occasions, and, June 2, 1785, was returned to the Grand Body as junior warden of Rising States Lodge.
Andrew Cunningham (1786), merchant, of Boston, son of Major James (1761) and Elizabeth (Boylston) Cunningham, was born in Boston, Feb. 16, 1760. He married, Oct. 2, 1783, Polly Lewis, sister of Mary, who married Alexander Hodgdon (1786). He was active in town affairs, and served as fireward for several years. He resided at No. 90 Newbury, now Washington, Street. He was third sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1788, first sergeant in 1795, lieutenant in 1789, and captain in 1793. He was adjutant of the Boston regiment from 1787 to 1789 ; quartermaster of the First Division, Massa- chusetts Volunteer Militia, from 1789 to 1793, and deputy quartermaster-general from 1794 to 1801. The latter part of his life he was engaged in the insurance business, being secretary and treasurer of the Massachusetts Mutual Fire and Marine Insurance Company from its organization, March 2, 1798, until his decease. He died at Elm Hill, Roxbury, in August, 1829, aged sixty-nine years.
William Cunningham (1786), merchant, of Boston, son of Capt. James (1761) and Elizabeth (Boylston) Cunningham, was born in Boston. He married Miss Lois May, March 1, 1790. His brother, Major Andrew, joined the Artillery Company the same year (1786).
William Cunningham (1786) died in September, 1794, aged forty-seven years.
John Coolidge (1786). AUTHORITIES : Bos- Boston Records; Whitman's Hist. A. and II. A. ton Records; Early Masonic Records.
Company, Ed. 1842.
Andrew Cunningham (1786). AUTHORITIES :
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Edward Curtis (1786), leather-dresser, of Boston. He married in July, 1787, Polly Marshall, of Boston. He lived on Washington Street in 1796.
Isaac Davenport (1786), merchant, of Boston, son of Samuel Davenport, Jr., of Milton, was born in that town Nov. 12, 1753. Samuel, Jr., the father, was on the jury that tried Capt. Preston in the case of the Boston Massacre, Nov. 27, 1770. Isaac (1786) was published, July 7, 1787, to marry Mary, daughter of Samuel May, of Boston. Mr. Davenport (1786) was a partner of John McLean, in Boston, and was an enterprising man. He left two children, both daughters. He lived on Orange, now Washington, Street. He died in Milton, April 20, 1828.
Amasa Davis (1786), merchant, of Boston, son of Joshua and Sarah (Pierpont) Davis, was born in 1743, and died Jan. 30, 1825, aged eighty-two years.
Hon. Caleb Davis (1786) and Major Robert Davis (1786) were brothers of Gen. Amasa Davis (1786). The last named resided on Orange, now Washington, Street. In 1796, his store, house, and lumber-yard were on Orange Street. He was captain of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company in 1795. On the anniversary which closed his year of service as captain, he presented to the Artillery Company, by the hands of his daughter, Miss Catherine Davis, an elegant standard, that presented by Capt. Barrett (1755) having been in constant service since 1771.
Mr. Davis (1786) was much interested in the militia, and an intimate friend of Gov. Hancock. In 1787, he became quartermaster-general of this commonwealth, and held that office until his decease, in 1825. His wife, Sarah, died in August, 1794.
" In this city, Gen. Amasa Davis, at an advanced age. In his death we have lost one of our most useful, patriotic, and eminent citizens : and the State an officer who sustained the important station of quartermaster-general with distinguished integrity and success nearly forty years." 1
Caleb Davis (1786), merchant, of Boston, son of Joshua and Sarah (Pierpont) Davis, was born in 1738, and died July 6, 1797, aged fifty-nine years. His tomb is No. 123 on the Common. He married (published Sept. 10, 1760) Hannah Ruggles ; and was published July 16, 1783, to marry (2) Mary Ann Bant, of Groton, who died Jan JI, 1787.
Gen. Amasa Davis (1786) and Major Robert Davis (1786) were brothers of Hon. Caleb Davis (1786). His store was 37 State Street, and his dwelling-house on Orange, now Washington, Street. He was a member of the Legislature for several years, being speaker of the House in 1780-1, and was selected in 1781-2, but resigned ; director in the Boston branch of the United States Bank in 1793.
The Columbian Centinel said of him, July 8, 1797 : "It may be said with strict truth, that he was a good man ; exemplified the Christian character in the numerous stations which he sustained ; served his generation according to the will of God ; rests from his labors."
Isaac Davenport (1786). AUTHORITIES : Teele's Hist. of Milton; N. E. Hist. and Gen. Reg., 1879.
Amasa Davis (1786). AUTHORITIES: Boston Records; Whitman's Hist. A. & H. A. Co., Ed. 1842.
Caleb Davis (1786). AUTHORITIES: Boston Records; Whitman's Hist. A. and II. A. Company, Ed. 1842.
1 Columbian Centinel, Feb. 2, 1825.
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Robert Davis (1786), merchant, "importer of groceries, wines, and liquors," of Boston, son of Joshua and Sarah (Pierpont) Davis, was born Jan. 24, 1747, and died Nov. 8, 1798. He married (published Oct. 13, 1768) (1) Anna Cotes ; and, (2) Oct. 9, 1776, Mary Farrington, of Dedham. He was a Son of Liberty, a member of the Tea Party, and an officer in Col. Crafts's (1765) artillery regiment, taking an active part in the expulsion of the British fleet from the harbor of Boston, and attained the position of captain, with the rank of major, of the Suffolk County Brigade of Artillery in 1784. He received Lafayette on his arrival in Boston, Oct. 15, 1784, with military honors, and, with his command, took part in the procession, Oct. 20, in honor of Lafayette.
Mr. Davis (1786) received the Masonic degrees in the Lodge of St. Andrew, of Boston, in 1777, and attended the festival of St. John the Baptist on June 24 of that year. He was a brother of Gen. Amasa (1786), and of Caleb (1786). Robert (1786) and Josiah Davis were store-keepers, in partnership, on what is now Washington Street. Robert Davis (1786) resided on the same street.
Samuel Emery (1786). His name does not appear on the Boston Records. He never held office in the Artillery Company.
Joshua Farrington (1786), merchant, son of Jonathan and Prudence Farrington, of Dedham, was born (baptized) in that town, Nov. 19, 1749, and was published to marry Hannah Jefferds, of Boston, May 13, 1779. He kept a general assortment of West India goods, at No. 47 Long Wharf. Robert Davis (1786) married his sister.
He was identified with the militia of Boston for several years, and rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Under general orders of the captain-general, dated Dec. 13, 1787, a general court-martial was convened at the Bunch of Grapes tavern, Boston, to inquire into the conduct of Lieut .- Col. Farrington (1786), of the Boston regiment, on charges exhibited against him by Col. John May (1786), of the First Regiment. In the following spring, Lieut .- Col. Farrington (1786) was "displaced," and Col. Winslow (1786) was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the First Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia.
Col. Farrington (1786) died at Trinidad in February, 1792.
Joseph Ford (1786) was a shop-keeper in Boston, at No. 65 Cornhill, in 1789, but in 1796 had retired, and lived on Eliot Street. He was a son of "Joseph and Perslla [Priscilla ] Ford," and was born in Braintree, Sept. 18, 1740. Aug. 14, 1772, he had, in Boston, a wife named Hannah. He was active in the militia, and rose to the grade of captain.
Capt. Ford (1786) died suddenly, in Boston, Nov. 17, 1797, aged fifty-six years.
The Columbian Centinel said of him : " He was an irreproachable professor of the Christian religion, a sincere friend to his country, and a uniform example of conscien- tious, kind, and inoffensive behavior, in all the relations of domestic and public life."
Richard Gardner (1786), yeoman, of Cambridge, son of Thomas and Joanna (Spar- hawk) Gardner, was born about 1757. He married Hannah Goldthwait (published March 1, 1780). Richard (1786) was born at his father's residence, " near Union
Robert Davis (1786). AUTHORITIES : Boston Records; Whitman's Hist. A. and H. A. Company, Ed. 1842; Crane's Tea Leaves of 1773.
Joshua Farrington (1786). AUTHORITY : Dedham Records.
Joseph Ford (1786). AUTHORITIES: Brain- tree and Boston Records.
Richard Gardner (1786). AUTHORITIES : Swett's Bunker Hill Battle, pp. 40-55; Paige's Hist. of Cambridge, p. 419.
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Square, in the southerly parish of Cambridge, which afterwards was the town of Brighton."
Thomas Gardner was commissioned, June 2, 1775, colonel of a regiment which he had raised for the Continental Army. He led this regiment into the battle of Bunker Hill, where he received a mortal wound. He gave his last injunction upon the field, exhorting his men to do bravely, and was carried from the place of danger to one of safety. On the way, he was met by his son, a second lieutenant in Capt. Trevett's com- pany, of Col. Gridley's battalion of artillery, a youth of nineteen years, who was anxious to assist in bearing his father from the field. His heroic father prohibited it, and told him to "march on and do his duty." Col. Gardner, a few days after the battle, being asked if he was well enough to see his son, "Yes," answered the hero; " if he has done his duty !" He had the satisfaction to see him, and learn that he bravely distinguished himself.
Col. Gardner lingered until July 3, when he died. On the 5th of July he was buried with the honors of war. Gen. Washington took command of the army at Cambridge, July 3, and July 4 issued an order in regard to Col. Gardner's burial. Richard's (1786) brother, Thomas, was slain in the battle of the roth of April, 1775.
Mr. Paige remarks that "no trace is found on the Cambridge records of Col. Gardner's parentage, nor the birth-dates of his children, nor do the probate records refer to the settlement of his estates."
Samuel Gore (1786), painter, of Boston, son of John (1743) and Frances (Pink- ney) Gore, was born in Boston, Jan. 26, 1750-1. He married, March 10, 1774, Mary Pierce, born June 3, 1756, daughter of Joseph (1769) and Sarah Pierce. She died Oct. 5, 1784, and he married Mrs. Susanna Seaver, widow of Nathaniel, by whom he had no issue. By his first wife he had nine children, of whom was Christopher (1814). Samuel Gore (1786) died Nov. 23, 1831.1
Samuel (1786) was an elder brother of Christopher, governor of Massachusetts. He was one of the actors in throwing the tea into Boston Harbor. His father, being a Tory, left Boston with the British Army in 1776, but afterwards returned. The son was an excellent example of a loyal, vigorous North End mechanic, and a true " son of liberty." His shop was in Court Street, at the corner of Gore's Alley, now Brattle Street.
He was also one of the party who took the guns from the gun-house on West Street, and secreted them in the school-house, when Major Paddock (1762) intended to turn them over to Gen. Gage. The narration of that event, given in the "Hundred Boston Orators," page 90, purports to have been received from Mr. Gore (1786). He was a member of Brattle Street Church, and for years one of its deacons. When the Bråttle Street meeting-house was taken by the British as barracks, Deacons Gore (1786) and Newell were permitted to encase the pulpit and columns and remove the body pews, which were conveyed to the paint loft of the former.
Samuel Gore (1786). AUTHORITIES: Whit- more's Genealogy of the Gore Family; Loring's One Hundred Boston Orators; New Eng. Mag., 1832.
1 " In this city, on Wednesday, Samuel Gore Esq. [1786], aged 81. Mr. G. was one of the very small number of mechanics who obtained, secured and sent out of the town of Boston, when it was in the hands of British power, at the commencement
of the Revolution, the only two pieces of cannon then in the town, except those which may have been brought by the British troops. He was also one of that number (and, so far as we know, has left but three survivors) who on the 16th of Dec. 1773 pro- ceeded to the tea ships, (which were at the wharf now called Liverpool Wharf, then Griffin's) and destroyed their cargoes." - Columbian Centinel, Saturday, Nov. 26, 1831.
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