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 35
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" Hon. Major General Benjamin Lincoln [1786], Captain. Col. John Winslow [1786], Lieutenant. Capt John Johnston [1786], Ensign. Maj. William Bird [1787], ist Sergt ; Capt Nathaniel Call [1774], 2d Sergt; Maj. Andrew Cunningham [1786], 3'd Sergt ; Mr. Joseph Spear Jr [1774], 4th Sergt ; Mr. John Fenno [1787], Clerk; Col. Joseph Jackson [1738], Treasurer.
" After performing a variety of maneuvers & firings, ye Company returned to the Hall and concluded this highly pleasing day with sensations adapted to ye Occasion.
" Attest : JOHN FENNO, Clerk.
"The Company met at Faneuil Hall, Monday, June 9. 1788. Voted That the . Commission Officers of the past and those of the present year be a Committee to wait on the Rev. Mr. Osgood with the thanks of this Company for the excellent Discourse delivered by him on the 2'd inst, & to request a copy thereof for the press. Voted, That the same committee procure two hundred Copies thereof for the Company. Voted, The Committee appointed the last, with the commissioned officers for the present year, viz : Hon Benjamin Lincoln [1786] Lt. Col. John Winslow [1786] & Capt John John- ston [1786] be a Committee to superintend the Finances of the Company. Voted, That the next meeting of this Company be at Faneuil Hall on the Second Monday Evening of August next at seven o'clock.
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" Monday evening, August 11th 1788. The Company met according to adjourn- ment for Exercise. Col. Winslow [1786] proposed Maj. Samuel Swan [1788] of Charles- town as a member.
"August 18th 1788. Met for Exercise. Maj. Swan [1788] being balloted for was admitted. Mr. John Fenno proposed Mr. Thomas Curtis as a member. Voted, that the roll be called at half past 7 o'clock next Monday evening.
" August 25th 1788. Mr. Thomas Curtis [1788], being balloted for this Evening, was admitted.
"September Ist. The Company made their publick appearance commanded by Col. Winslow [1786]. Voted, that the Company meet every Monday evening till first Monday in October next : Roll to be called at half past seven o'clock.
"Sept. 8th. Met for Exercise. Voted, That each Member shall pay one shilling and sixpence for two sermons preached by Rev. D. Osgood at the Anniversary, and sixpence apiece for as many more as they may see proper to take !
"Sept. 29th. Met for Exercise. Voted, That the Company will meet on Monday next at Faneuil Hall, 3 o'clock P. M. Voted, That every Member shall bring his Cart- ridge Box filled with blank cartridges for the above occasion. Voted, That the Clerk shall make provision at the Hall as usual for the Refreshment of the Company after the parade.
" Monday, October 6th, 1788. The Company made their last publick appearance for the Year under the command of Gen. Lincoln [1786].
" Attest : JOHN FENNO, Clerk."
On Monday, April 7, 1788, agreeably to their charter, the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of this Commonwealth, commanded by Major-Gen. Brooks (1786), made their first public appearance for the year, and performed the military manœuvres, evolutions, and firings with great exactness.
On Monday, June 2, 1788, the Artillery election was held with the usual cere- monies. His Excellency the governor, John Hancock, with other guests, was received at the council chamber and escorted to the Old Brick Meeting-house, where a sermon was delivered by Rev. Mr. Osgood, of Medford. The Company was seated at four large tables, and the hall was beautifully decorated. After the election, in the usual form, on the Common, the Company, on invitation from his Excellency the governor, repaired to his Excellency's house and partook of refreshments £ The governor was then escortedin to the square, where the Chair of State provided for his Excellency was. The Company passed in review, and performed evolutions and firings with exactness. Major-Gen. Brooks (1786), and the other officers of the Company, resigned to his Excel- lency the insignias of their stations and the commands they held, and Major-Gen. Lincoln (1786) was invested as captain, Col. Winslow (1786), lieutenant, and Capt. Johnston (1786), ensign. The ceremonies being finished, the Company escorted the gentlemen of the General Court, clergy, and military to the Hall, where another elegant entertainment was provided, and, in festivity and good humor, closed the pleasing and brilliant anniversary.
" ANCIENT ARTILLERY ELECTION. - Our venerable and praiseworthy ancestors, in the first settlement of this empire, laid the foundation of such institutions as they thought would best promote the interest, happiness, and safety of their posterity. Among other
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laudable and patriotic institutions, in 1638, by an act of assembly, they incorporated, with certain privileges, an Artillery Company, as a nursery in which the officer should practice the duties of the private soldier, and the first Monday of June is fixed by the charter for the election of such members of the corps as they should think fit to lead and command them for a year. On Monday last [June 2] the Company exercised this privilege. At ten o'clock they marched to the council chamber, from whence they escorted his Excellency the governor, his Honor the lieutenant-governor, the honorable council, and the officers of the several independent corps in this town, who are not mem- bers of the Company, to the Old Brick Meeting-House, where, at the request of the Company, the Rev. Mr. Osgood, of Medford, delivered a sensible and well-adapted sermon. After divine service was performed, the Company escorted the Supreme Executive, several members of the honorable Senate, the honorable speaker, and several members of the House of Representatives, the secretary and treasurer of the State, the Hon. Mr. King, the president of Harvard College, the reverend clergy of the town, and such of the clergy, belonging to other places, as were in town; the board of selectmen, officers of cavalry, the artillery, cadet, light infantry, and fusileer companies, and officers of the various departments, gentlemen and foreigners of distinction, etc., to Faneuil Hall, where they were previously invited by the Company to dine, and where they par- took of a sumptuous and elegant entertainment. The whole company were seated at four large tables. The hall was most beautifully decorated on the occasion ; at the entrance was a large arch, hung with fragrant flowers, bearing on the key-stone the words, 'Incorporated 1638.' From the wall hung eleven large festoons of flowers, of every dye and odor. At the head of the hall were seven pillars of wreaths, decorated with flowers, emblematic of the seven States that have adopted the Federal Constitution, on the key-stones of the arches of which were painted, in large characters, the names of the States, and behind them were fixed figures, almost as large as life, of their Excellencies, the presidents of the Federal and Massachusetts conventions. The beautiful arrangement and symmetry of these decorations excited the astonishment and admiration of the Company, as well as numerous spectators, and the fragrance of the flowers, and the music of an excellent band, added great zest to the entertainment. After dinner, the following toasts were drank : -
"I. The Governor and Commonwealth.
" 2. The United States.
" 3. The States which have adopted the Constitution.
" 4 . Speedy completion of the federal edifice.
" 5. Louis XVI., our illustrious ally, and the friendly powers of Europe.
" 6. The Day.
" 7. Gen. Washington.
" 8. The Militia of Massachusetts.
" 9. May our citizens prize the honor of being soldiers, and our soldiers never for- get that they are citizens.
" 10. Our illustrious ancestor, who first laid the foundation of military knowledge in America, by the institution of this Company.
"II. May benevolence and peace so far influence the citizens of the world that the implements of war may with safety be converted into tools of husbandry.
" 12. The President and University in Cambridge.
" 13. Freedom and peace to all mankind.
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"When the seventh toast was drank, Mr. Rea [1789] sung ' God save great Wash- ington,' 1 in his usual style of excellence.
" After dinner, the Company marched into the Common, to a large square, and having elected their officers for the ensuing year, the Company, on invitation from his Excellency the governor, repaired to his Excellency's house, and partook of a delicate repast provided for them. The Company then escorted his Excellency, and other dis- tinguished characters, into the square, where the Chair of State was provided for his Excellency, and seats for the other gentlemen of the procession. The whole being seated, the Company passed the commander-in-chief in review, and afterwards per- formed several evolutions and firings, with exactness ; after which, Major-Gen. Brooks [1786], and the other officers of the Company, resigned to his Excellency the insignias of their stations, and the commands they held, who, having invested the officers elected to serve the ensuing year with their other badges, the latter received from the commander- in-chief the insignias and command resigned to him, - Major-Gen. Lincoln [1786] that of captain, Col. Winslow [1786] that of lieutenant, and Capt. Johnston [1786] that of ensign.
"The ceremonies being finished, the Company escorted a number of gentlemen of the General Court, clergy and military, to the hall, where another elegant entertainment was provided, and, in festivity and good humor, closed this pleasing and brilliant anni- versary." 2
On Monday, Sept. 1, 1788, agreeably to its charter, the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of this Commonwealth paraded at Faneuil Hall, from whence they marched into the Common and performed their usual manœuvres, evolutions, and firings with soldier-like exactness.
1 SONG. God save Columbia's son ! God bless great Washington ! Crown him with bays ! Shout, shout, America, - Wide over earth and sea, -Shout in full harmony, Washington's praise !
When Britain took the field, Then his strong arm repelled, Fought and subdued.
Now, all victorious, Mighty and glorious,
He presides over us, Great, just, and good !
Raise, then, to heaven the song! Pour in full tides along, Gratitude's strains ! - Say thou'rt our strength and stay - Still we'll confess thy sway - Whilst over America Washington reigns.
2 Boston Newspaper.
For Hull
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On Monday, Oct. 6, 1788, agreeably to its charter, the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, commanded by Major-Gen. Lincoln (1786), made its last parade for the year. The Company made a fine appearance, and performed several evolutions, firings, and manœuvres to the entire satisfaction of a large number of spectators.
Rev. David Osgood, of Medford, delivered the Artillery election sermon of 1788 in " the Old Brick Meeting-house." He was the fourth son of Capt. Isaac Osgood, who lived in the southwest part of Andover, and was born Oct. 25, 1747. David Osgood married Hannah Breed, Nov. 1, 1786 ; they had four children.
Mr. Osgood worked during his boyhood upon his father's farm, but improved every opportunity for studying. At the age of nineteen years he taught school, and at twenty entered Harvard College. After graduation, he continued the study of divinity at Cam- bridge. March 10, 1774, the town of Medford invited him to preach there, as a candi- date for settlement, as colleague with Rev. Ebenezer Turell, who was a grandson of Daniel Turell (1656), and a nephew of Daniel, Jr. (1674). Having preached before the town, he was invited to settle, but as six persons were opposed to his settlement, he hesi- tated to accept the invitation. June 9, 1774, the invitation was renewed. It was accepted, and arrangements for the ordination service were made. The dissentients pro- tested to the council, but after hearing Mr. Osgood's views, as stated by him, the council expressed its unanimous approval of them.
Mr. Osgood "was a true patriot, as well as a learned man, and effective preacher. . . . His appearance in the sacred desk was singularly imposing, especially after age had whitened his locks. He had a well-developed frame, a strongly-marked face, a powerful voice, and sometimes a very animated delivery."
He died Dec. 12, 1822, at the age of seventy-five years, after a pastorate of more than forty-eight years.
1789. The officers of the Artillery Company elected in 1789 were : Brig .- Gen. Hull (1788), captain ; Major Andrew Cunningham (1786), lieutenant ; Capt. Turner Phillips (1786), ensign. Zechariah Hicks (1786) was first sergeant ; Thomas Clark (1786), second sergeant ; John Brazer (1786), third sergeant ; Samuel Prince (1788), fourth sergeant, and Samuel Greenough (1786), clerk.
The entertainment intended to be given June 12, 1789, by Capt. Linzee, on board the British frigate " Penelope," in return for courtesies received, was, on account of the weather, given by him on that day at the American Coffee-House, at which were present, his Honor the lieutenant-governor, the Hon. Mr. Bowdoin, several of the honorable council, the adjutant-general, the officers of his Excellency's suite, the officers of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery of the years 1788 and 1789, the officers of the Inde- pendent Cadets and artillery, in their several uniforms, and a large number of citizens. The entertainment was served in the best style, during which a band of music performed, and concluded with every mark of convivial propriety, mutual attention, and reciprocal good office.
In October, 1789, President George Washington visited Boston and vicinity. He was met at Marlboro by Major Joseph Hall, Jr. (1788), aide-de-camp to Gen. Brooks (1786), and accepted an invitation from him to review the Third Division of State troops
Rev. David Osgood. AUTHORITIES: Histories of Medford, by Mr. Usher and Mr. Brooks.
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on Cambridge Common, on his way to Boston. When Washington arrived at the Vassal House, -" the tent of Mars and the haunt of the Muses," - in Cambridge, which had been his headquarters in 1776, he found Gen. Brooks's senior aide, Col. Hall, at the gate, and was informed by him that the hour of twelve, which had been fixed for the review, had arrived, and that the line was formed. Taken somewhat by surprise that time had passed so rapidly, and still unwilling to be outdone in punctuality, a prominent trait in his own character, the general, without alighting, immediately directed Col. Hall to conduct him to the field. Fearing he had been too hasty in telling Washington that the line was actually formed and ready to receive him, and seeing him remount, Col. Hall left his co-aide, Major Joseph Hall, Jr. (1788), who had accompanied the general from Marlboro, to perform the remainder of his duty, and putting spurs to his horse galloped with the greatest rapidity to the Common, and informed Gen. Brooks (1786) that Wash- ington was on his way, and close at hand. Col. Hall had ventured to tell Washington that the line was formed, as he saw him actually dismounting, and naturally supposed that the general would occupy a few minutes in refreshing himself after his morning's long ride.
Nothing could have surprised Gen. Brooks (1786) more than Col. Hall's announce- ment. His troops were scattered over the field ; but, glancing at his watch, and finding that the appointed time had in truth arrived, although noted for his great deliberation in times of great moment, he lost no time in bringing his troops into line, which was done while the artillery was firing the national salute. This was scarcely accomplished when Washington appeared on the right of the line, and immediately heard from the lips of his old friend and companion-in-arms all through the Revolutionary War, the command, never before so thrillingly given, " Present arms !" It is easy to imagine that no ordinary emotions filled the breast of " the Father of his Country," as, under the wide-spreading branches of the noble tree, standing at the corner of the street, now familiarly called " the Washington Elm," he viewed the scene before him, and recalled to mind the time when, on the same ground, he, with his undisciplined army, commenced the seven years' struggle.
Gen. Brooks (1786), who was an elegant horseman, and sat as proudly erect as a martinet, rode down the line in company with Washington, who most particularly noticed and mentioned its beautiful-appearance. Riding back with rapidity to the rear, and observing that not a single man looked around, but that all (although excited with the greatest possible curiosity) kept their faces steadily to the front, he remarked to Gen. Brooks (1786), in allusion to the seven years' war in which they both had been engaged, "Ah ! General, if we had had such troops as these, we should have made short work of it."
The members of the Artillery Company recruited in 1789 were : Jonas S. Bass, John Baxter, John Bonner, Bela Clapp, Joseph Clark, Michael Homer, Daniel Rea, 3d, William Whittemore, William Williams.
Jonas S. Bass (1789), tanner, of Boston, son of Samuel, Jr., and Deborah Bass, was born in Boston, Sept. 10, 1762. His tannery (ten thousand square feet) was on the south side of Water Street, and he lived in Williams Court, Cornhill. He was third sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1793, lieutenant in 1797, and captain in 1800.
Jonas Stone Bass (1789) is named in the roll of enlisted men in Capt. Brailsford's company, Col. Edward Proctor's (1756) regiment, July 22, 1780, at which time he was
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" seventeen years old ; in stature, five feet nine inches ; complexion, light ; residence, Boston." He enlisted for three months, and marched under Brig. Gen. John Fellows. He was transferred, July 26, to Capt. Alexander Hodgdon's (1786) company, Col. Eben- ezer Thayer's (1788) regiment, and was discharged Oct. 30, 1780. His service was a campaign in Rhode Island, occasioned by an "alarm." The company was raised to reinforce the Continental Army. He continued in the militia, and rose to the grade of captain after the war. He died in Boston in September, 1834, aged seventy-two years.
John Baxter (1789), merchant. In 1789 he kept a boot and shoe store at No. 14 State Street. He married, Sept. 26, 1790, Elizabeth Marshall. His residence was at the "Corner Branch Bank," State Street, and, under the firm name of John Baxter & Co., did business at No. 59 Long Wharf in 1796.
John Bonner (1789), probably a son of Capt. John Bonner, who lived in Mackerel Lane in 1743, was a wood-wharfinger, Batterymarch Street. He was first lieutenant of the Republican Volunteer Company in 1787-8, and captain of artillery in 1809. He resided on Federal Street.
Bela Clapp (1789), contractor and builder, of Boston, son of Joshua and Lydia Clapp, was born in Scituate, July 2, 1760. He married, (1) Jan. 23, 1783, Sarah War- land, - who died Feb. 2, 1804,- and, (2) Feb. 16, 1805, Elizabeth Gilbert, of Littleton, Mass. He was a builder, and erected many fine buildings in Boston. During Shays' Rebellion he was chosen to command a company of drafted men, and marched them to Worcester, where the news of the dispersion of Shays' forces was received, and he returned with his company to Boston. With his wife, Sarah, he joined the Old South Church, Sept. 14, 1783. April 5, 1802, he became a member of The Massachusetts Lodge, A. F. and A. M.
He was a member of the State militia, and served as captain of a military company in Boston from 1790 to 1794. He retired to a farm in Claremont, N. H., where he died July 12, 1812. His son, William W., joined the Artillery Company in 1820, and his grandson, William W., Jr., in 1851.
Joseph Clark (1789), shipwright, "Clark's Street, North End, near the Rev. Mr. Elliot's meeting-house," was born in 1750. He was fourth sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1792, ensign in First Regiment from 1809 to 1811, and became captain.
Mr. Clark (1789) " was a sincere and open friend ; a peaceable and obliging neigh- bor; a worthy member of the community, industrious, honest, punctual, and public spirited, constant and diffusive in offices of kindness."1 He died in Boston, June 9, 1794, aged forty-four years, and was buried from his house, "near Rev. Mr. Elliot's meeting-house."
Michael Homer (1789), bricklayer, of Boston, was the second son of Michael (1768) and Hannah (Allen) Homer, and was born in 1762. He was the father of Rev. Jona- than Homer, D. D., of Newton, who delivered the Artillery election sermon in 1790.
It was Michael Homer, Jr. (1789), who was second lieutenant of the Republican Volunteer Company in 1787-8, - but the record omits the " Jr.," -- and was captain in the Boston regiment from 1790 to 1795. He died Oct. 28, 1828, aged sixty-six years.
John Bonner (1789). AUTHORITY: New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg., 1851 and 1860.
Bela Clapp (1789). AUTHORITIES: Clapp Memorial; Boston Records. 1 Columbian Centinel, June 11, 1794.
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Daniel Rea, 3d (1789), of Boston, was a son of Daniel Rea, Jr. (1770). He married, in April, 1789, Sally Bangs. They resided on Liberty Square.
Mr. Rea (1789) was very proficient as a singer. For several years he was a soloist at the anniversary dinner of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, the entire company joining in the choruses. It is said that at one time, by request, he sung in the presence of President George Washington.
William Whittemore (1789), manufacturer, of West Cambridge, son of Thomas and Anna (Cutter) Whittemore, was born in Menotomy, and baptized Feb. 1, 1761. He married, Nov. 2, 1783, Elizabeth, daughter of Nehemiah Cutter,1 and had ten children. John Hancock Whittemore, their youngest son, served in the Mexican War, and died in Oregon in 1850-1. Thomas Whittemore was a farmer, and his son William (1789) received such an education only as the district school provided. He was of an active business turn, and had a taste for manufacturing. He continued to reside in Menotomy, and introduced the manufacture of cards, which became a profitable business, and also dealt in merchandise. He acquired a patent for sticking the teeth for factory cards, and thereby accumulated a large property. He was a selectman of Cambridge from 1803 to 1805, representative from 1804 to 1806, senator in 1820 and 1821, and a delegate to the State convention of 1820. He died Nov. 2, 1842, aged eighty-one years. He never held office in the Artillery Company.
William Williams (1789) was a hatter in Boston. He married, (1) in August, 1789, Betsy Blake, and, (2) May 10, 1801, Margaret Atwood. In 1789 his place of business was on Ann Street. About 1810 he removed to the State of Maine. He is said to have been a man of fine personal appearance and elegant manners. He was a mem- ber of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, and Mr. Buckingham, in the "Annals of the Association," says of him : " He was an excellent singer, and was chorister at the Second Church. His fine voice and musical talent introduced him to much company and many social and festive gatherings, and made him an agreeable companion and favorite, but contributed nothing to his pecuniary prosperity." He was captain of a company in the Boston regiment from 1796 to 1798, and a captain in the Legionary Brigade in 1799 ; also second sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1794.
Mr. Williams (1789) received the Masonic degrees in The Massachusetts Lodge in 1771, and became a member Jan. 6, 1772. He became a member of St. Andrew's Chapter in 1792.
The record of the Artillery Company for 1789 is as follows : -
" At a meeting of the Antient Artillery Company at Faneuil Hall, Friday Evening, 6th March, 1789, Voted, Unanimously for Mr. Samuel Greenough [1786] to serve as Clerk pro-tem until June next. Voted, to meet on Wednesday Evening next at the Hall for Exercise : the roll to be called half past seven o'clock. Voted, a fine of one shilling to be paid by any member absent the whole Evening, and six pence if absent at roll-call. Voted, that any member that shall attend without his Gun & Bayonet shall be subject to pay the same fine as if absent the whole Evening.
William Williams (1789). AUTHORITIES : 1 See Cutter Genealogy, pp. 164, 165, 250.
Boston Records; By-Laws of The Massachusetts Lodge.
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" Wednesday evening, 11th March. Met for Exercise agreeable to the above vote.
" Monday evening 16th March. Met for Exercise, at the Hall.
" Monday evening 23d March. Met at the Hall for Exercise.
" Monday evening, 30th March. Met at the Hall. Voted, the Company to meet at the Town House floor on Monday next at three o'clock P. M. being the first Monday in April, with their Cartridge Boxes filled with Blank Cartridges. Voted, That the Clerk shall make provisions at the Hall as usual for the refreshment of the Company after the parade.
"Monday, 6th April. The Company paraded at the Town House floor agreeable to the above vote - marched into the Common - performed firings &c, commanded by His Honor the Lieut. Governor, Gen. Lincoln [1786]. Voted, that the three Com- missioned officers & the Treasurer be a Committee to wait on the Rev. Mr. Barnard of Salem, & request him to preach a sermon to the Company on their Election in June next.
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