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 42
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HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
[1797
officers the ensuing year : - Mr. Samuel Todd [1786], Captain Mr. Jonas S Bass [1789] Lieutenant ; Mr Joseph Lovering, Jr [1788] Ensign ; Messrs William Walter Jr [1791], Edmund Bowman [1793], Robert Homes [1792], John Howe Jr [1792], Ser- geants ; Col John Winslow [1786] Treasurer ; Mr James Phillips [1790], Clerk. The Supreme Executive was then escorted into the Square having taken their seats, the Com- pany went through a variety of manœuvres, evolutions and firings to great acceptance. After which in the presence of an immense collection of Spectators, His Excellency received the badges from the old, and invested the new Officers with them. The Com- pany thus organized waited on the Governor & other invited gentlemen to the Hall where a liberal collation and judicious toasts concluded as handsome a celebration as was ever witnessed. Voted, that Capt Clark [1786], Maj. Russell [1788], Mr. John G. Double- day [1790], and Col. Winslow [1786] be a Committee to wait on the Rev. Mr. Ware - return him the thanks of the Company for his elegant Discourse this day delivered, and equest a copy for the press. Attest, GEORGE BLANCHARD, Clerk.
" Mr. Ware, in a very polite letter to Capt Clark [1786], declined giving a copy of his Sermon for the press, for the reasons therein expressed.
"Attest. GEORGE BLANCHARD, Clerk.
"Copy of the Rev. Mr. Ware's letter to Capt. Clark [1786] : - ' I have this day received your communication of the vote of the Anc. and Hon. Artillery Company respecting the sermon delivered before them last Monday. Be kind enough to express to them my thanks for their politeness and candor and the high sense I feel of the honor they do me in requesting a copy of it for the press. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to comply with the wishes of the Company, could I think the performance entitled to the honor of being made more publick. An unwillingness to add to the number of useless publications, I hope will sufficiently apologize for me to the Company in declining their request. With high esteem and respect for the Company, I am Dear Sir, Yours, and their sincere friend and very humble servant, HENRY WARE.'
"Thursday evening, 22d Augst. 1797. Voted, That the Treasurer be requested to call on Capt Samuel Prince [1788] and demand payment of the Fifty pounds of the Company's money, which is loaned in his hands ; the money to be paid in ninety days from this date. Also voted, that the Treasurer be requested to purchase the sum of Eight hundred dollars in Union Bank shares, when the Company's money is collected, on the lowest terms and as soon as is convenient for him to do so.
" Tuesday morning, 9 o'clock Angst 29. Company met at Faneuil Hall and Voted, unanimously, that we attend the funeral of our worthy and very attentive Brother, Capt Robert Jenkins [1756], who has been a member of the A. and H. A. Company for forty- one years. Voted, that the Commissioned Officers be a Committee to wait on the friends of the deceased and inform them of the same.
"Monday, September 4. 1797. The Company paraded agreeable to Charter, marched into the Common, and went through a variety of evolutions and firings with great exactness, commanded by Capt Samuel Todd [1786].
" Attest, JAMES PHILLIPS, Clerk.
" Monday, October 3, 1797. The Company agreeable to Charter made their publick appearance, commanded by Capt Todd [1786]. Attest, JAMES PHILLIPS, Clerk."
295
HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1797]
On Monday, April 3, 1797, the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company com- menced their tour of military duty for the year by a parade in Boston. "Their usual adroitness in exercise, and exactness in the various military evolutions, was particularly distinguishable on this occasion."
June 5, 1797, was a fine day, and the Artillery Company enjoyed one of its most satisfactory anniversaries. The gratification of the spectators was a matter of public record. Among other guests, the chief-justice of the United States was present. The chief decoration in Faneuil Hall consisted of a group of figures, representing President Adams, the late President of the United States, the deceased Gov. Hancock, the late Gov. Adams, and the hero slain on Bunker Hill, - President Adams being in the centre, Washington and Hancock on his right, Gov. Adams and Gen. Warren on his left. Above, in gilt letters, were the words : " Behold Those Patriots ! Imitate Their Virtues." A sumptuous dinner was succeeded by sixteen regular toasts. The governor offered a volunteer toast : "The memory of those independent patriots who first insti- tuted the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company." The concluding exercises passed off in the presence of an immense concourse of spectators, and an evening collation concluded the anniversary services.
Col. Daniel Messinger (1792) sang the following song with so much pathos and expression that frequently, on the anniversary occasions, in answer to the repeated requests of the Company, he was obliged to sing it : -
TO-MORROW, TO-MORROW! OR, THE PROSPECT OF HOPE.
IN the downhill of life, when I find I'm declining, May my fate no less fortunate be Than a snug elbow chair can afford for reclining, And a cot that o'erlooks the wide sea. With an ambling pad pony to pace o'er the lawn While I carol away idle sorrow; And blithe as the lark that each day hails the dawn, Look forward with hope for to-morrow.
With a porch at my door, both for shelter and shade, too, As the sunshine or rain may prevail, And a small spot of ground for the use of the spade, too, With a barn for the use of the flail : A cow for my dairy, a dog for my game, And a purse when a friend wants to borrow;
I'll envy no nabob his riches or fame, Nor what honors may wait him to-morrow.
From the bleak northern blast may my cot be completely Secured by a neighboring hill; And at night may repose steal upon me more sweetly, By the sound of a murm'ring rill; And while peace and plenty I find at my board, With a heart free from sickness and sorrow, With my friends will I share what to-day may afford, And let them spread the table to-morrow.
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[1798
HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
And when I at last must throw off this frail covering, Which I've worn for threescore years and ten, On the brink of the grave I'll not seem to keep hovering, Nor my thread wish to spin o'er again; But my face in the glass I'll serenely survey, And with smiles count each wrinkle and furrow; As this old worn-out stuff which is threadbare to-day, May become everlasting to-morrow !
Rev. Henry Ware delivered the Artillery election sermon of 1797. He was a son of John and Martha Ware, and was born in Sherborn, Mass., April 1, 1764. He married, (1) March 31, 1789, Mary, daughter of Rev. Jonas Clark, of Lexington, Mass. Mr. Clark delivered the Artillery election sermon in 1768. Mary (Clark) Ware died July 13, 1805, and Mr. Ware married, (2) in February, 1807, Mrs. Mary (Otis) Lincoln, widow of Benjamin Lincoln, Jr., eldest son of Gen. Benjamin Lincoln (1786). She died Feb. 17, 1807, a few days after her marriage, and Mr. Ware married, (3) in September, 1807, Elizabeth Bowes, of Boston.
He graduated at Harvard College in 1785, and after a course of study in theology was ordained, Oct. 24, 1787, as pastor of the First Church in Hingham. In 1805 he resigned this pastorate, and, Feb. 5, 1805, the corporation of Harvard College elected him Hollis Professor of Divinity. The overseers eventually concurred, and, May 14, 1805, he was formally inducted into that office. On Aug. 29, 1840, the Rev. Henry Ware, D. D., resigned the office of Hollis Professor of Divinity, being incapable of per- forming the duties of the office by the failure of his sight. Dr. Ware died in Cambridge, July 12, 1845.
1798. The officers of the Artillery Company elected in 1798 were: John Winslow (1786), captain; John Bray (1788), lieutenant; James Phillips (1790), ensign. George Blanchard (1794) was first sergeant; Samuel Watts (1794), second sergeant; William Alexander (1795), third sergeant; John S. Lillie (1794), fourth sergeant ; John Winslow (1786), treasurer, and William Walter, Jr. (1791), clerk.
In August, 1798, the militia of Boston and Chelsea were formed into a legionary brigade. The nine companies of the First Regiment were augmented to sixteen, and were formed into four sublegions, each sublegion being commanded by a major, the entire sublegion forming a corps commanded by a lieutenant-colonel commandant. This formation was, however, of but a short duration.
The Boston Light Infantry made their first public appearance on Thursday, Oct. 11, 1798, under the command of Capt. Daniel Sargent, Jr. At twelve o'clock the company marched into Franklin Place, where an elegant standard was presented them by Mr. Stephen Higginson, Jr. At four o'clock P. M. a banquet was provided at Concert Hall, to which the officers of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, with other guests, were invited.
The Independent Company of Cadets, commanded by Col. May (1786), celebrated their twelfth anniversary on Friday, Oct. 12, 1798, and on the same day the Fusileers also paraded, commanded by Capt. Brazer (1786).
Rev. Henry Ware. AUTHORITIES: Quincy's Hist. of Harvard University; Lincoln's Hist. of Hingham.
297
HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1798]
The members of the Artillery Company recruited in 1798 were : Joseph Callender, Jr., Dexter Dana, David Devens, Joshua Gardner, Jr., Melzar Holmes, David Stetson.
Joseph Callender, Jr. (1798), shopkeeper, of Boston, was a grandson of Joseph Callender (1703). He was born in 1763, and died in May, 1823. " He took advantage of the Bankrupt Act, became a grocer, and brought up a large family." He and his wife Mary became members of the Old South Church, Dec. 11, 1808. His place of business was on the south side of the market, and he resided on Prince Street. He was a member of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association.
Dexter Dana (1798), merchant, of Boston, was a brother of Ephraim Dana (1812). He was third sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1803, ensign in 1808, and its clerk from 1810 to 1815. " He failed in business, but, being discharged by his creditors, commenced business as a grocer and failed again." His troubles greatly affected his mind, and he was removed to Portland, where he lived with his family, supported by his brothers until his decease, which occurred in October, 1822, aged fifty years.
Mr. Dana (1798) received the Masonic degrees in The Massachusetts Lodge in 1813, and resigned his membership July 31, 1816.
David Devens (1798), merchant, of Charlestown, son of David and Elizabeth (Goodwin) Devens, of Charlestown, was born in that town Jan. 10, 1777. He married, June 17, 1804, Abigail Adams, who died Sept. 8, 1821, aged thirty-eight years. He was an uncle of the distinguished jurist and comrade, Gen. Charles Devens, who died in 1890. Mr. Devens (1798) was for several years president of the Bunker Hill Bank, Charles- town, and held the office of fourth sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1802. He became a member of King Solomon's Lodge, A. F. and A. M., of Charlestown, in September, 1799. He died Aug. 29, 1855.
Joshua Gardner, Jr. (1798), of Boston, was a brother of Capt. Lemuel Gardner (1787). He married, in November, 1797, Miss Lydia Wheelwright, daughter of Capt. Job Wheelwright (1759). He was first sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1801.
Melzar Holmes (1798), merchant, of Charlestown, son of Melzar Holmes, was born at Kingston, Mass., Dec. 8, 1774. He married, (published) Sept. 28, 1800, Betsey L. Beal, of Kingston, who died in May, 1810. He became a very enterprising merchant. He was interested in the militia, was one of the founders of the Warren Phalanx, and later became its captain. He built and resided in the house on Salem Turnpike (Chelsea Street ) occupied, in 1875, by Mr. T. M. Devens. When the day for the election of his successor arrived (June, 1809), Faneuil Hall was undergoing repairs and being enlarged. It was doubled in width, and raised one story. The Artillery Company, therefore, dined at the Exchange Coffee-House, and, as the rain fell in torrents, the badges were exchanged in the large area in the centre. The spacious galleries were crowded to excess. Gov. Gore presided.
Joseph Callender, Jr. (1798). AUTHORI- TIES : Boston Records; Whitman's Hist. A. and H. A. Company, Ed. 1842.
Dexter Dana (1798). AUTHORITY: Whit- man's Hist. A. and H. A. Company, Ed. 1842.
David Devens (1798). AUTHORITY : Wyman's Charlestown Genealogies and Estates.
Melzar Holmes (1798). AUTHORITIES: Wy- man's Charlestown Genealogies and Estates; Whit- man's Hist. A. and H. A. Company, Ed. 1842.
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HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
[1798
Capt. Holmes (1798) became, soon after, embarrassed by the restrictive measures of the United States government. His enterprise then led him to the West Indies, where, Nov. 13, 1813, he fell a victim to the prevailing fever. He was first sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1802, lieutenant in 1805, and its captain in 1808.
David Stetson (1798), merchant, of Charlestown, son of Isaac Stetson, of Scituate, was born in that town July 7, 1769. He married, Sept. 8, 1793, Sarah Lapham, of Scituate, who died May 15, 1861. He died Dec. 6, 1833. He owned considerable estate, and lived on Wapping Street.
The record of the Artillery Company for 1798 is as follows : -
" Monday, April 2d 1798. The Company agreeable to Charter met at Faneuil Hall, and it being Rainy they marched out of the Hall, and fired by Company, and returned to the Hall again. The Rev. Nathaniel Thayer of Lancaster was chosen to preach the Election Sermon in June next. Voted that the commissioned officers with Col. John Winslow [1786] be a Committee to inform him of the choice.
" Monday April 23d 1798. Met at Faneuil Hall for exercise, and Voted unani- mously that the Musick should have two dollars and fifty cents for the Spring & Fall trainings and three dollars for the Election Day & fifty cents for evenings. Voted, that the soldiers in future should dispense with Ruffles.
" Monday, April 30th 1798. Met at Faneuil Hall for exercise and Voted unani- mously, That the monies, which is now in the hands of the Treasurer, be at his disposal for one year, he paying lawful interest for the same.
" Monday, May 7th, 1798. The Company agreeable to Charter made their publick appearance commanded by Capt Samuel Todd [1786]. Voted, That there be a Com- mittee chosen to draw up a more eligible way for admitting of members in future ; that the Committee consist of the five following persons : - Capt Samuel Todd [1786], Lt Jonas S. Bass [1789], Ens. Joseph Lovering Jr [1788] Capt Thomas Clark [1786], Col John Winslow [1786]. The Committee appointed to wait on the Rev. Nathaniel Thayer of Lancaster, reported that he accepted of their invitation to preach the Election Sermon in June next.
Attest JAMES PHILLIPS, Clerk.
" Boston, May 14th 1798. The Committee appointed to consider what regulation it may be necessary to be adopted with regard to admitting of new members in future, beg leave to report the following votes : - 1st That when any Gentleman applies to the Clerk to be proposed as a member of the Company, he shall be balloted for at the next meeting as a Candidate only. 2d That persons admitted Candidates shall attend the Sergeants drill and have liberty to meet with the Company for exercise, until they are qualified in the opinion of the Commissioned Officers to appear with reputation to them selves and the Company on muster days, when they shall be admitted to sign the book and become members. 3d That any person who shall neglect to qualify himself agree- able to the above vote in three months, his name shall be erased from the list of candi- dates. 4th That the fines for absence on muster days be raised to two dollars : & for the Evening, at roll-call, twenty-five cents & fifty cents if absent the whole evening.
" May 14th 1798. Voted unanimously, thirty six members present, that the above report be accepted. Attest. JAMES PHILLIPS, Clerk.
David Stetson (1798). AUTHORITY : Wyman's Charlestown Genealogies and Estates.
299
HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1798]
" Monday evening, May 14th 1798. Voted, Capt Samuel Todd [1786], Jonas S. Bass [1789], Joseph Lovering, Jr [1788] Capt Thomas Clark [1786], Col. John Winslow [1786], Mr. George Blanchard [1794], Col. Josiah Waters [ 1769], Mr. William Walter [1791], & Capt Solomon Phipps [1796] be a Committee to make arrangements for the election and report the necessary sum to be assessed on each member to defray the expenses of the day. Attest. JAMES PHILLIPS, Clerk.
" Friday evening, June Ist, 1798. Voted. The Committee reported that two dollars and fifty cents be assessed on each member of the Company and that the Treasurer be directed to pay the deficiency. Voted, That the Treasurer of the Com- pany be required to give bonds, himself as principal, with two sufficient sureties, to double the amount of the Company's property in his hands : the conditions of the bond to be for the faithful discharge of the duties of his office.
"Voted, That Capt Robert Gardner [1794], Mr. Ephraim Prescott [1796], Mr. William Walter [1791], Capt Lemuel Gardner [1787], and Mr. George Blanchard [ 1794] be a Committee to examine the Treasurer's and Clerk's accounts for the year past and to receive the bond from the Treasurer.
Attest. J. PHILLIPS, Clerk.
" Voted, That the assessment of $2.50 heretofore voted to be paid by each member be enhanced to the sum of five dollars. Attest JAMES PHILLIPS, Clerk.
" Monday June 4th, 1798. This being the Anniversary of the Election of Officers, the Company paraded at the Old State House, & at twelve o'clock marched up to the New State House, & received the Commander-in-chief, & other gentlemen, & escorted them to the Old Brick Meeting House, where a Sermon was preached by the Rev. Nathaniel Thayer of Lancaster. They then proceeded to Faneuil Hall, where a sump- tuous entertainment was provided as usual. After dinner the Company marched into the Common and made choice of the following Gentlemen as Officers for the year ensuing, viz : Col. John Winslow [1786], Captain ; Mr. John Bray [1788], Lieutenant ; Mr. James Phillips [1790], Ensign ; Messrs George Blanchard [1794], Samuel Watts [1794], William Alexander [1795], and John S. Lillie [1794], Sergeants ; Col. John Winslow [1786], Treasurer, Mr. William Walter Jr. [1791], Clerk. Voted, that the Commissioned Officers with the Treasurer, be a Committee to wait on the Rev. Mr. N. Thayer with the thanks of the Company for his Sermon this day delivered and request a copy for the press. -
Attest JAMES PHILLIPS, Clerk.
" Monday Evening, 18th June 1798. Voted, That the Commissioned Officers be a Committee to acknowledge the receipt of fifty dollars, sent by an unknown hand, and that it shall be appropriated as requested. Voted that the letter & answer be recorded, which are as follows :
""'Capt John Winslow [1786], Sir : Inclosed is fifty dollars, which I beg you to purchase 3 per. cent stock with, and it is my desire it may be accepted by the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, as a small token of my regard for that Company. The interest I wish to be applied towards defraying their expenses and the principal to remain as long as the existence of the Company, which I hope will be until time is no more. I am with respect, Your assured friend.
"' BOSTON, June 9th, 1798.'
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HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
[1798
"""'A CARD !
""'The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company present their thanks to the Gentleman, who directed a letter without signature to their Treasurer, enclosing a fifty-dollar bill, and assure him it shall be added to their funds agreeable to his direction.'
" Voted, That a Committee be chosen to enquire what further articles are necessary that the Company may be properly equipt and report at the next meeting. The committee were Robert Gardner [1794], Thomas Clark [1786], Ephraim Prescott [1796], William Walter Jr [1791], George Singleton [1792], George Blanchard [1794]. Adjourned to Monday evening next. Attest WILLIAM WALTER Jr. Clerk.
" Monday evening, 25th June, 1798.1 Forty-three members present. Voted, That the first, second and third votes, on the admission of members, passed the 14th May be considered. Voted, that the said Articles or Votes be referred to a new Committee to report at the next meeting. The committee appointed were Thomas Clark [1786], Col. John Winslow [1786], Robert Gardner [1794], Thomas W. Sumner [1792], Ephraim Prescott [1796]. The Committee of equipments reported but the report was ordered to lay over till next meeting. Five members were admitted. Adjourned to Monday evening the 9th July.
WILLIAM WALTER Jr. Clerk.
" Monday evening 9th July, 1798. The Committee appointed at the last meeting to whom was referred the votes passed at a former meeting, on the admission of new members, made their report, which was accepted, thirty-eight present. Ist Gentlemen wishing to become members of the Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company shall make application to the Clerk of said Company in person, or by writing, and it shall be the duty of the Clerk to notify such application to the Company by mentioning the name of such person on the back of the notifications, which are next to be issued. 2d Every Candidate shall stand proposed one meeting at least after such notification is, issued as per first article, when the Company may proceed to ballot for them, or, if they are not entirely satisfied, they may be kept on said list of candidates from meeting to meeting till they have had sufficient time to make all necessary enquiry respecting their private Characters and military Abilities. 3d. Every candidate shall have liberty to exercise with the Sergeants drill, at any time when such drill meets for exercise, until he shall be balloted for ; and if he should be admitted a member in said Company, it shall be his duty still to exercise with said drill until he is discharged therefrom, by the commanding Officer for the time being. 4th That every member of the Company,
1 The following letter - the original of which is in the possession of Mr. William R. Bradford, of Roxbury - is printed in the Boston Globe of Oct. 18, 1896. No reference to the subject-matter of the letter appears in the records of the Artillery Com- pany : -
Sir - I represented to his excellency the governor the request which you and Mr Bray made on behalf of the officers of the Ancient and honor- able artillery company, viz., that the officers of said company may be commissioned as other officers in the militia of this commonwealth are, after being duly elected by the company.
His excellency the governor laid the subject before the council, and I am now charged to inform you and through you the other officers of the com-
pany, that in the opinion of the commander-in-chief the officers of that company are entitled to every consideration without commissions which they would be with them - further that the most honorable appendage of the company is the manner in which the officers are invested with ensigns of their command, and that this privilege may he endan- gered or suffered to fall into disuse hy resorting to that of commissioning. He therefore hopes the officers will not any further urge their requests.
I am, sir, with respect, your humble servant. WM. DONNISON, Adjt Gen'l. BOSTON, July 2, 1798.
Col JOHN WINSLOW, captain of the Ancient and Honorable artillery company.
301
HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1798]
who shall be ordered by the commanding Officer to attend the drill, and shall neglect that duty, shall be subject to the same fines, as is paid by the Company at their evening meetings ; and the Sergeants shall have a roll-call of said men and report all absences to the Clerk of the Company.
" The report of the Committee of equipment next came under consideration, which being amended, was adopted unanimously and is as follows : -
"Voted, That the Company, as soon as may be, be furnished with Knapsacks, with the name of the Company painted on the back; also with Canteens, painted blue, with buff Hoops, and with a priming wire & brush, to be suspended by a chain. Voted, that Mr. Joseph Eaton [1773], Mr. Daniel Messinger [1792], and Mr Edward B. Walker [1797] be a Committee to receive the hats & cockades of the members and make them as conformable to a pattern, to be obtained, as they can, and as the members purchase new hats, they have them made agreeable to the pattern.
" Voted, That the white linen Gaters, as voted originally by the Company, be strictly adhered to on Election days, and that no member presume to appear in the Company with any other than linen ones. Voted, That in order that the buttons may be uniform, that some Gentleman in behalf of the Company import from England, thirty gross of coat and fifteen of vest buttons, double gilt, with the inscription : - ' Incorporated 1638,' on the coat and '1638' on the vest buttons. That the coat buttons be one inch in diameter and the vest in proportion; also ten dozen pairs of yellow knee buckles, uniform and oval. Voted, That any member lending his Gun or any part of his accontre- ments shall forfeit & pay a fine of five dollars. Voted That a Committee of the com- missioned officers be appointed to carry the forgoing votes into effect. Voted, That a Vote passed in the year 1700, restricting the number of the 'train band' to forty be reconsidered and that the number be increased to sixty four. One member admitted : two proposed.
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