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 36
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Attest SAMUEL GREENOUGH, Clerk.
" Monday evening, 20th April, Company met at Faneuil Hall for Exercise.
" Monday evening, 27th April. Company met at the Hall for Exercise. Voted, that the Company parade at Faneuil Hall on Monday next at three o'clock P. M. in uni- form, with Arms, accoutrements &c. Voted, That the Clerk notify the absent members of the time & place of parade on Monday next, and provide for the refreshment of the Company as usual.
" Monday, 4th May. The Company paraded at the Hall, - marched into the Com- mon, -performed various evolutions and firings commanded by Col. John Winslow [1786], - returned to the Hall. The Committee report the Rev. Mr. Barnard accepted of the invitation of the Company to preach a Sermon to them at their Election in June next. Voted, To meet at the Hall on Monday evening of the 18th inst, at half after Seven o'clock, on business, without Arms. Attest : SAMUEL GREENOUGH, Clerk.
" Monday evening, 18th May. Agreeable to the above vote the Company met at Faneuil Hall this Evening. Voted, That a Dinner be provided at Faneuil Hall for the Company and such Gentlemen as they shall invite to dine with them the first Monday in June next. Voted, That the three Commissioned Officers, Col. Amasa Davis [1786], Col Josiah Waters [1769] and Mr. William Shattuck [1787] be a Committee to provide and give a bill of fare for the Intertainment of that day. Voted, That the Treasurer pay twenty-four pounds lawful money from the funds towards defraying ye Expense of the Entertainment on Election in June next : and the said Committee as before appointed engage ye Band for said day.
" May 23d. Voted, That the Company parade at the Old South Meeting, & the Roll be called at ten o'clock. Voted, That fifteen pounds, in addition to the twenty-four pounds, for ye expences of the Dinner on Election day, to be borrowed on Interest & repaid out of ye first money collected from ye funds of the Company.
"June 5th, Monday. The Company paraded at the Old South Meeting House & at eleven o'clock escorted His Excellency, ye Governor, Lieut Governor, & Council to the old Brick Meeting House, where a sermon was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Barnard of Salem. After service, ye Company escorted the Governor &c. &c. to Faneuil Hall, where an elegant entertainment was prepared by the Company. At 4 o'clock, ye Company proceeded into ye Common & made choice of Brig. General William Hull [1788], Cap- tain, Major Andrew Cunningham [1786], Lieutenant, and Captain Turner Phillips [1786],
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Ensign, for ye year ensuing. The Company was then led to the Hall by their new Officers, where they finished the day very agreeably.
"June 15th. The Company met at Faneuil Hall. Voted, to print the Rev. Mr. Barnard's Sermon by Subscription, and the Officers were the Committee to superintend the same.
" September 7th The Company met agreeable to their Charter & were led into the Common by Maj. Gen. Hull [1788], where they went through the firings & evolutions with great exactness, & returned to the Hall and partook of refreshments as usual.
"October 5th. The Company met agreeable to their Charter and were led into the Common by Lieut Andrew Cunningham [1786], where they went through the firings, &c. & then returned to the Hall and partook of refreshment. Voted, That the Company meet the third Monday Evening in March next at 7 o'clock, unless sooner called together by ye Officers."
The Artillery election was held on Monday, June 1, 1789, agreeably to their charter. The Company assembled at the Old South Meeting-house at high noon, marched to the council chamber, received the lieutenant-governor, the council, officers of the several independent military organizations in town, and thence proceeded to the Old Brick Meeting-house, where services were held and a sermon preached by Rev. Mr. Barnard, of Salem. After service, a procession was formed and the Company escorted Lieut .- Gov. Adams, Hon. Mr. Bowdoin, the council, senators, judges, members of the House, select- men of Boston, clergy, consul of France, officers of the Cadets, Castle William, light infantry, artillery, fusileers, all in uniform ; Capt. Linzee, and five other officers of the British frigate " Penelope," etc., numbering two hundred persons, to Faneuil Hall, where a sumptuous dinner was served.
After dinner, the usual toasts were offered, and addresses made. After the first toast, -"The illustrious, the President of the United States," - Mr. Rea (1789), Col. Waters (1769), Capt. Wells (1786), and others, sung the following ode : -
" FROM Britain's sea-girt isle, Where Flora's richest smile Luxuriant glows - To this then desert waste, By savages possest,
To be with Freedom blest In calm repose :
" While the same martial fire That did their breasts inspire, Our bosoms warm,
May we with equal zeal Pursue the public weal, Nor feel the bloody steel If call'd to arms.
"Our enterprising sires, Warm'd with fair Freedom's fires, Advent'rous came. Here they their dwelling made, Their standard here displayed Beneath the wild woods' shade Set up their claim.
" Illustrious FOUNDERS, hail ! This day your patriot zeal Your sons proclaim. Your names we venerate, Your glory emulate, And tell our sons how great Their grandsires' fame.
" By faithless foes compell'd To tread the ensanguine field, Unskill'«l in war, This Institution made To teach its martial trade
To wield the shining blade The foe to dare.
" Hark ! The loud trumps proclaim WASHINGTON's glorious name. Charge ! Fill again, Fill the bowl - fill it high, - First-born son of the sky, May he never, never die, HEAVEN SHOUT AMEN !"
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After the banquet, the Company repaired to the Common and elected officers for the ensuing year, viz. : Brig .- Gen. Hull (1788), captain ; Major Andrew Cunningham (1786), lieutenant, and Capt. Turner Phillips (1786), ensign.
His Excellency the governor, from indisposition of body, not being able to take his seat on the Common, the old officers, and those just elected, proceeded to his Excel- lency's house, where the old officers resigned the insignia of their offices, and the new officers were invested therewith by the commander-in-chief.1
Gen. Hull (1788), having returned with his officers to the Common, invited the guests to an entertainment provided for them at Faneuil Hall, to which all repaired, and completed the exercises of the Artillery election. The Hall was elegantly decorated. At the entrance was a bower, and at the upper end, eleven connected pillars, probably denoting the eleven States that had ratified the Constitution of the United States ; between the centre pillars was placed a full-length portrait of the illustrious President of the United States, over which was an obelisk eight feet in length, designed and finely executed by Johnston (1786), representing at the top the All-Seeing Eye, diffusing its influence on "our Fabius," with the words "Fideles Protego" over it. The Hall was profusely decorated with flowers, streamers, flags, etc., and there was but one opinion expressed by the thousands who visited the Hall, viz., that it was an artistic and beautiful decoration.
Rev. Thomas Barnard, Jr., of Salem, delivered the Artillery election sermon of 1789. He was a son of Rev. Thomas Barnard, who delivered the Artillery election ser- mon in 1758, and was born in Newbury, Mass., Feb. 5, 1748. He graduated at Harvard College in 1766, and studied theology with Dr. Williams, of Bradford. At first he leaned to the side of the loyalists, probably through the influence of his parishioners, but event- ually he was a stalwart on the Whig side. He was present and prominent in the first clash of the Revolution, when Col. Leslie, the British officer, came to Salem at the head of three hundred men, for guns which were in Salem, secreted by Col. David Mason (1754). It is said that the counsel of Mr. Barnard, that day, prevented bloodshed, and turned back the King's troops, leaving the object of the expedition unaccomplished. When his father, in 1770, became disabled by paralysis, the First Church became divided as to a colleague. Some wanted Thomas Barnard, Jr .; a small majority preferred Asa Dunbar. This disagreement resulted in the formation of the North Church of Salem, and the settlement, as pastor, of Thomas Barnard, Jr., who was ordained Jan. 13, 1773, and con- tinued in that relation until his death, Oct. 1, 1814. The society was united and prosper- ous throughout his long ministry. He was very kind and genial, and held in the highest respect by all classes and churches. A picture of him is given in the " History of Essex County," compiled by D. Hamilton Hurd, Philadelphia, 1888, page 49, from which work this sketch is abbreviated.
1 Letter from Jeremy Belknap to Ebenezer Hazard, at New York, dated
" BOSTON, June 2, 1789.
"My dear Sir, - I have received no letter from you for several posts. I suppose you are very much engaged, as it must be about the time for you to he reappointed, as I hope and trust you will be. We had, yesterday, the artillery election, an account of which you will see in the papers. Washington's picture was exhibited, and his praises sung in Faneuil Hall with great ardor and sincerity. The most extraordinary part of the story is that Governor H. had a convenient fit of the gout, and could not
appear on the Common, the usual place where the old officers resign and the new ones are invested. However, Lincoln proved himself an older general by insisting on a personal interview, and actually entering the hed-chamber, where the ceremonies were performed under the inspection of the phy- sician and nurse. Much risibility was thereby occa- sioned among those who know the real character of the popular idol.
" We are all well, through mercy; and I am, " Your affectionate friend,
"J. BELKNAP."
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The officers of the Artillery Company elected in 1790 were : Robert 1790. Jenkins (1756), captain; John Johnston (1786), lieutenant ; Israel Loring (1768), ensign. Samuel Todd (1786) was first sergeant ; Lemuel Gardner (1787), second sergeant ; John Bray (1788), third sergeant ; Benjamin Russell (1788), fourth sergeant, and Thomas Clark (1786), clerk.
" The following lines were written by a young Miss of only 11 years of age,
"ON SEEING FANEUIL HALL ON THE DAY OF ELECTION, " JUNE 7, 1790. "SEE here the tables with good things ahound, While joy and mirth fill all the seats around; High on a stage bright CERES doth appear, With fruits of every kind that bless the year. The graceful arches hend with blooming flowers, But much lov'd WASHINGTON above them towers. See there he's plac'd, while numerous ohjects gaze, And at him look with wonder and amaze. Kind heaven with peace and plenty doth them bless, And may heav'n's blessing always on them rest; Then let them close the joyous day in peace, And e'er be thankful for the bounteous feast." 1
The members of the Artillery Company recruited in 1790 were : Ebenezer Little Boyd, Joseph Cowdin, John G. Doubleday, Asa Fuller, Jeremiah Kahler, James Phillips.
Ebenezer Little Boyd (1790), merchant, of Boston, was a brother of Capt. Joseph Coffin Boyd (1786). His place of business was No. 5 on David Spear's wharf, and his residence was on Friend Street. He became a Baptist, and was ordained to the ministry of that sect, and removed from Boston. He received the Masonic degrees in The Massachusetts Lodge in 1792-3, and became a member of that Lodge, June 3, 1793.
Joseph Cowdin (1790) had a wife, Mary, in 1793-4. She was a daughter of Gen. Amasa Davis (1786). He was first lieutenant in the militia in 1791-2, and captain in 1793-4. At the time of his decease, in 1794, he held the positions of first sergeant of the Artillery Company and of captain in the Boston regiment.
Died "in this town [Boston], Capt. Joseph Cowdin [1790], aged twenty-nine years. His remains were entombed on Monday, July 28, 1794, with military honors. The com- pany of the First Regiment which he commanded at the time of his decease paraded under the command of Lieut. Lathrop, and performed the military honors of the day. The commissioned and non-commissioned officers preceded the corpse, and the pall was supported by six captains, the whole in complete uniform. After the mourning relatives, the members of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery, and of the new Relief Fire Society, paid that respect to the deceased which was due to his many virtues and usefulness." 2
John G. Doubleday (1790), grocer, of Boston, son of John and Elizabeth Double- day, was born in Boston, June 12, 1764. His store was No. 30 Marlborough Street, and he resided on Orange Street. He was clerk of the Artillery Company in 1792, second sergeant in 1793, and ensign in 1796.
John G. Doubleday (1790). AUTHORITV : Boston Records.
1 Columbian Centinel, June 16, 1790.
2 Columbian Centinel, July 30, 1794.
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Asa Fuller (1790), tallow-chandler, of Boston, lived on Chambers Street. The firm of Asa Fuller & Co. had their chandlery works on Washington Street, and their store was No. 6 Green's Wharf. He was third sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1794, and first lieutenant in the Boston regiment from 1791 to 1793. He removed soon after to Portland, Me., where he married, Jan. 20, 1807, Nancy Locke.
Jeremiah Kahler (1790), merchant, of Boston, was a native of Germany, and was born in the year 1743. He came to America when he was a young man, established himself in Boston, and became a prominent merchant. "He was always charitable, while he had the means, and ever ready to do acts of friendship. Editors were often indebted to him for translations from the gazettes of his native country. Reverses of fortune did not impair his habits of industry nor his power of being useful, though they limited his sphere of employment. He enjoyed the esteem of a numerous acquaintance, and his memory is respected."
He was ensign of the Artillery Company in 1795, and died in Boston, Feb. 2, 1829, aged eighty-six years. He remained an honorary associate of the Artillery Company until his decease.
James Phillips (1790), rope-maker, of Boston, son of Isaac and Preseler (Pris- cilla) Phillips, was born in Boston, May 14, 1767. In his youth he was employed in a rope-walk owned by à maternal uncle, and afterwards was superintendent of rope-walks owned by Isaac P. Davis. He held this relation from 1795 to 1818, when the rope- walk was destroyed by fire. He then (in 1820) became overseer, or master, of the almshouse, by the appointment of the selectmen, and when it was transformed into a house of industry, and removed from Barton's Point to South Boston, he also had charge of it. Mr. Phillips (1790) received the appointment of secretary to the overseers of the poor in 1825, a situation he retained until his decease.
He was fourth sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1793, clerk in 1797, ensign in 1798, and captain in 1802. For fifty years he enlivened the social meetings of the Company. His peculiar eccentric songs of "Contentment," " Barrel of Beer," "The Parson Who'd a Remarkable Foible," "Gaffer Gray," etc., were always enthusiastically received. He possessed an amiable disposition, frank manners, great benevolence and purity. He was a fireward in Boston for several years, and a surveyor of hemp, under the town government, from 1808 to 1820. He obtained his title of " Major " by being brigade quartermaster under Gen. Winslow (1786). He was in the military escort which conducted Gen. Washington into Boston in October, 1789, and was probably the last survivor of those engaged in that loyal parade. He was secretary of the Charitable Mechanic Association in 1800 and 1801, and a trustee from 1802 to 1804.
He died March 30, 1853, nearly eighty-seven years of age. His tomb, No. 94, on the Common, was built and owned jointly by him and his friend, Col. Daniel Messinger (1792). His brother, Capt. Turner Phillips, joined the Artillery Company in 1786.
Asa Fuller (1790). AUTHORITIES: Boston Directory; Whitman's Hist. A. and H. A. Company, .Ed. 1842.
Jeremiah Kahler (1790). AUTHORITY : Whit- man's Hist. A. and H. A. Company, Ed. 1842.
James Phillips (1790). AUTHORITIES: Bos- ton Records; Annals of the Mass. Char. Mech. Association; Whitman's Hist. A. and H. A. Com- pany, Ed. 1842.
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The record of the Artillery Company for 1790 is as follows : -
" April 5th 1790. The Company met agreeable to Charter, - were led into ye Common by Brig. Gen. Hull [1788], performed firings, &c. Voted, The Commissioned Officers & Treasurer be a Committee to request of the Rev. Mr. Homer of Newtown to preach the Sermon on their next Election - then returned to the Hall & partook of refreshment as usual. Voted, That Col. John May [1786], by his request, be dismissed the Company and his name be put on the Honorary List.
" April 13th The Company met at Faneuil Hall on account of the death of Col. Joseph Jackson [1738], Treasurer of the Company, Voted, the Company will attend ye Funeral of their late Treasurer under Arms. Voted, to have ye Band of Musick & they with the drums & fifes of said Company be put into mourning ; the expence of which was defrayed by the Heirs of the late Treasurer by their particular request : after which the Company received the Thanks of the family for the Honour done them & the deceased. Through the Clerk their Compliments were conveyed to ye Company.
" May 3d. Monday. The Company met agreeable to Charter : most of ye members being sick with the Influenza, the Company did not proceed to the Common, but per- formed their exercise at the Hall. The Commissioned Officers acquainted the Company that ye Rev. Mr. Homer had accepted their invitation to preach their next Election Sermon. Voted, That the Treasurer pay thirty pounds out of the principal & interest due the Company from ye town of Charlestown towards defraying the dinner on Election in June next.
" May 24th. Voted, That the Commissioned Officers, with the Treasurer, & Clerk be a Committee to make arrangements and provide for the public Dinner in June next.
"May 26th. The list of Gentlemen presented by the Committee to be invited to dine at the Hall with the Company the first Monday in June next was accepted by the Company in whole. Voted, That the same Committee that arranged the list of persons to be invited to dine, be ye Committee to compleat & provide all ye necessaries for Election. Voted, That Capt. John Stutson [1765] be dismissed the Company agreeable to his request, and that his name be put on the Honourary List.
" Attest, SAMUEL GREENOUGH, Clerk.
" Monday, June 7th 1790. The Company paraded at the Old South Meeting House, commanded by Brig. Gen. William Hull [1788]; escorted His Honor the Lieut. Governour and Council (His Excellency the Commander in chief being Indisposed) to the Old Brick Meeting House, where an Excellent & well adapted discourse was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Homer of Newtown. The Company then proceeded to Faneuil Hall & partook (with their guests) of an elegant entertainment. The weather being excessive Stormy, the Company proceeded to the Choice of their Officers for the year ensuing in the Hall, when the following gentlemen were unanimously chosen. Mr. Robert Jenkins [1756], Captain ; Capt John Johnston [1786], Lieutenant ; Capt Israel Loring [1768], Ensign ; Col. John Winslow [1786], Treasurer ; Mr. Thomas Clark [1786], Clerk; Mr. Samuel Todd [1786], Mr. Benjamin Russell [1788], Capt Lemuel Gardner [1787], Mr. John Bray [1788], Sergeants. After which the Commissioned Officers repaired to the house of the Commander-in-chief, with the Officers elect, where the former resigned the badges & the latter received them from His Excellency. Voted That the Commis- sioned Officers with the Treasurer be a Committee to wait on the Rev. Mr. Homer, return him the Thanks of the Company for his Services this day delivered, and request a copy for the press. The meeting was then adjourned to the 14th inst.
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" Monday Evening, June 14th 1790. Voted, That the Clerk procure & present the Rev. Mr. Homer with fifty printed copies of his Sermon and assess the Company for their amount in September next. Voted, That Gen. Lincoln [1786], Col. Waters [1769], Gen. Hull [1788], Col. Winslow [1786] and Capt Jenkins [1756] be a Com- mittee to collect & report a state of facts respecting the exchanging the badges between the old & new officers the past and present year.
" Monday, Sept 6th 1790. The Company made their publick appearance com- manded by Capt. Jenkins [1756].
" Monday, Oct 4th 1790. The Company being under Arms commanded by Capt. Jenkins [1756], Voted, That the Clerk purchase four Swords for the use of the Sergeants & assess each member of the Company three shillings, & every new member the same sum on his Admission.
" And your committee further report, that on Wednesday the 2d day of June A. D. 1790, the Officers of the said Company waited on His Excellency, Governor Hancock, Lieut Gov. Adams and the Hon. Council with the respectful compliments of the Com- pany, and requested the honor of escorting them on the day of Election to the Meeting House to attend Divine service : and likewise requested the honor of their company to dine at Faneuil Hall on that day. His Excellency replied, that if his health would admit, he would do himself the pleasure to dine with the Company and should be ready at the Council Chamber to be escorted as proposed. His Honor, the Lieut. Governor and the Hon. Council accepted the invitation without any qualification. That on the morning of the 7th of June A. D. 1790, the day of Election, the Commanding Officer of the Company received a message from His Excellency, the Governor, that his state of health was such, that he should not be able to attend Divine Service, or dine with the Company, but, if possible, he would attend on the Common, there to receive the badges from the old officers and invest. those who were to be elected with them. But if his health was such as to be unable to attend on the Common, he had directed his Honor, the Lieut. Governor to receive and deliver the badges. The Commanding Officer observed to the Adjutant General that as the Lieut. Governor held no military rank, he conceived it was improper to pay him military honors : that as the chair of Governor was not vacant by reason of his death or absence from the Commonwealth, or otherwise, the Lieut Governor had no right to perform the duties of Governor or exercise the powers and authorities which by the Constitution the Governor is vested with, when personally present. The Adjutant General made no other reply, than that he was not directed to return any message to His Excellency, the Governor. The Company proceeded at the usual hour and escorted His Honor, the Lieut. Governor, and the Hon. Council to the place of Divine service and afterwards to Faneuil Hall.
" While at dinner His Honor, the Lieut. Governor, observed to the Commanding Officer, that if the Governor's health would not permit him to attend on the Common, His Excellency had ordered him to perform the duties incumbent on him, and particu- larly to receive the badges from the old officers and invest those who were to be elected with them. The Commanding officer made the same reply to His Honor, as to the Adjutant General, with this addition, that he hoped His Honor would not consider it as a personal, but merely an official objection. That was Mr Adams - Governor, or had a right to exercise the powers of Governor, the Company would pay him the honors with the same pleasure as they would Mr. Hancock, but that under the existing circumstances, it was improper, unprecedented, and contrary to military propriety. His Honor replied,
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that it seemed to be a Constitutional question, and asked what tribunal should decide it? That his orders from the Governor were positive and he could see no other alternative than performing the duties. The Commanding officer replied, that he could not consent to a measure unauthorized by custom, by the Constitution, or by military propriety. Much more was said on the subject, but these were the general principles advanced on the occasion.
" After dinner, His Honor and the Hon. Council withdrew, and the Commanding officer ordered Major Cunningham [1786], the Lieutenant of the Company, to wait on His Excellency the Governor, and to inform him that the Company was then at the Hall, and although the rain was severe, yet, if His Excellency's health was such that he could meet them, he would march them to the Common according to ancient custom, there to elect their officers and perform the ceremonies usual on the day of their election. If that mode was not convenient, that the Company would proceed to the choice of their officers, at the Hall, and the old and new officers would wait on His Excellency at such place as he should appoint to exchange the badges ; or, that the Company would proceed to the choice of their officers, and send their names to His Excellency for his approba- tion, and when approved would exchange the badges between themselves in presence of the Company ; or, if His Excellency would appoint the eldest Major General present to perform the duties, that mode would not be unprecedented. His Excellency returned for answer that his health was such, and the storm being severe, that he could not meet the Company on the Common. That if the Company would proceed to the election of the officers, he would be happy to receive the old and new officers at his house, and there receive the badges and deliver them to the new elected officers. The Company proceeded accordingly to the election of their officers at the Hall, and the old and new- elected officers waited on His Excellency the Governor, at his house, where the cere- monies were performed, the badges delivered, and the new officers invested with them."
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