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 55
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"We are informed that the steward, who was the cause of the mischief, had demanded leave to go on shore, and being refused he went below, and that simul- taneously with the explosion of the powder the report of a pistol was heard. We are therefore led to presume that he perpetrated this act from motives of revenge, for which he foolishly sacrificed his life.
"The ship is between three and four hundred tons burden, and owned by Messrs. J. and T. H. Perkins, of this town She had on board about four hundred thousand dollars in specie, all of which is saved." 2
" The old election day was a holiday for the negroes in Boston, who were allowed to have the unmolested use of the Common, with an equality of rights and privileges with the white people. Dr. Shurtleff, in some remarks on the subject before the Massa- chusetts Historical Society, said that many would remember vividly the transactions and enjoyments of that gala day, when those of all ages, complexions, and tongues gave
1 Vide Columbian Centinel, Oct. 25, 1817, in which the address and the reply are given in full. : Boston Newspaper.
& Mattoon
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HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1817]
themselves most freely and unrestrictedly to their will and inclination. On the first Monday in June, Artillery election day, the colored people were proscribed, and were not allowed by the whites to appear on the Common, but were hooted, and driven from it with reproaches, insult, and force. It was on 'Artillery election day,' in the year 1817, that the great calamity occurred in Boston Harbor, when the negro boy, William Read, 'blew up the ship' called the 'Canton Packet,' owned by the Messrs. Perkins. The boy had been allowed to go on shore on general election day, but was not permitted to leave the vessel on Artillery election day. The old taunt, which was thrown to every negro on this day, is fresh in the memory of persons who have lived half a century : 'Who blew up the ship? Nigger. Why for? Because he could not go to 'lection and shake paw-paw.' The game of paw-paw, or props, was played with four small shells, known to naturalists as the Cypræa moneta, and was one of the games much practised by the boys of Boston."
The members of the Artillery Company recruited in 1817 were : Thomas H. Blood, Cornelius Briggs, Nathaniel Bryant, John Conant, Andrew Cunningham, Alfred Curtis, Samuel Davis, Benjamin Dodd, Simon Gardner, Lusher Gay, Charles W. Gayetty, Joseph Jenkins, Ebenezer Mattoon, James Monroe, William Palmer, Francis Wyman.
. Thomas H. Blood (1817) was a hatter, of Sterling. After several years' service in the militia, he became, in 1808, major of the First Regiment, Second Brigade, Seventh Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, and served four years. He held the position of lieutenant-colonel of the same in 1812 and 1813, and was brigadier-general of that brigade from 1814 to 1816 inclusive. In January, 1837, the Baptist church in Sterling was constituted at his house. He died at Worcester, May 15, 1848, aged seventy- three years.
Cornelius Briggs (1817), carver and cabinet-maker, of Boston and Roxbury, resided at No. 2 Temple Street.
Nathaniel Bryant (1817), cabinet-maker, in 1820 occupied a shop in West Row, Court Street, Boston.
John Conant (1817), trader, of Boston, was ensign of a company in the Second Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, in 1817, 1818, and 1819. He died at Louisville, Ky., in September, 1822.
Andrew Cunningham (1817), son of Major James Cunningham (1761), joined the Artillery Company, Aug. 4, 1786. He is not recorded as a member of the Company in the return of 1812. The record does not give the date when his membership ceased. July 14, 1817, Major James Phillips (1790) proposed Major Andrew Cunningham, " formerly a member," and captain of the Company in 1793, to be an honorary member. He was, therefore, restored to the roll Aug. 18, 1817, as an honorary member. See page 202.
Alfred Curtis (1817), merchant, of Boston, brother of Philip Curtis (1812), was born in Sharon, Mass. He was senior partner, in 1820, in the firm of Curtis & Bailey, dealers in West India goods, at No. 9 Rowe's Wharf.
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HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
[1817
Mr. Curtis (1817) was quartermaster of the Third Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, in 1818 and 1819, and was adjutant of the same, with the rank of lieutenant, from 1819 to 1822 inclusive. He removed to New York, and was discharged from the Company Jan. 19, 1827.
Samuel Davis (1817), merchant, of Boston, was of the firm of Samuel Davis & Co., dealers in domestic goods, at No. 3 Cornhill Square. Thomas J. Lobdell (1821) was Mr. Davis's (1817) partner.
Mr. Davis (1817) was ensign in the First Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, in 1813 and 1814; lieutenant in the same in 1815 and 1816, and captain from 1817 to 1820 inclusive. He was discharged from the Artillery Company, at his own request, March 24, 1823.
Benjamin Dodd (1817), merchant, of Boston, brother of Silas (1816) and of John (1810), and son of John and Hannah Dodd, was born at Holden, Feb. 16, 1796. He married, Dec. 18, 1817, Maria Faxon. He was ensign in the Third Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, from 1816 to 1818 inclusive, and lieutenant in the same from 1819 to 1821 inclusive. He died abroad, March 28, 1821.
Simon Gardner (1817), printer, of Boston, was born in 1790. He married, but had no children. In his early boyhood he was employed as errand-boy, carrier, appren- tice, and clerk, in the office of Russell (1795) & Cutler, publishers of the Boston Com- mercial Gazette. After the death of Mr. Cutler he purchased a right in the firm, and subsequently, by the removal of Mr. Russell (1795) to Maine, Mr. Gardner (1817) became sole proprietor of that paper. To that he gave his time and strength. He died of brain fever, April 15, 1824, aged thirty-four years.1
Mr. Gardner (1817) was ensign in the Second Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, in 1815 and 1816, and lieutenant in 1817.
Lusher Gay (1817) united with the Artillery Company in 1814, and in 1815 was honorably discharged. Oct. 6, 1817, "Lieut .- Col. Lusher Gay [1817] was balloted for, and unanimously readmitted a member." He was honorably discharged April 19, 1824. See page 376.
Charles W. Gayetty (1817), son of Peter and Huldah Gayetty, was born in Boston, Oct. 31, 1795. In 1817 he held the position of lieutenant in a company belonging to the First Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia.
Joseph Jenkins (1817), housewright, of Boston, joined the Artillery Company, Aug. 6, 1810. He was honorably discharged in 1813. He rejoined the Company, June 30, 1817, and was honorably discharged Sept. 4, 1826. See page 347.
Simon Gardner (1817). AUTHORITIES: An- nals of Mass. Char. Mech. Association; Whitman's Hist. A. and H. A. Company, Ed. 1842.
1 " Simon Gardner [1817] died April 15, 1824, publisher of the Boston Commercial Gazette, aged 34. Ever active, industrious, and enterprising, Mr. Gardner [1817] gradually rose from the station of an apprentice to be the sole owner and director of
that extensive printing establishment - honest, hon- orable, mild, and obliging, it was his happiness to secure many friends, who will remember him with affection. Free and generous by nature, in him many of his poor and needy fellow-mortals have to lament the loss of a kind friend and a generous patron." - Daily Advertiser.
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HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1817]
Ebenezer Mattoon (1817), yeoman, of Amherst, son of Ebenezer Mattoon, of East Hadley, and grandson of Eleazer, of Northfield, was born at Amherst, Aug. 19, 1755. His ancestors came from Scotland in 1662. His grandfather, one of the first settlers of Amherst, moved there in 1734. Ebenezer, the father of Gen. Mattoon (1817), was a farmer in Amherst, and died in 1806, aged eighty-seven. Ebenezer (1817) attended the schools of his town, entered Dartmouth College, but prior to his graduation in 1776, the country being in alarm, and a heavy loss having been sustained by the defeat and death of Gen. Montgomery, he, with three of his classmates, volunteered their services, and, having obtained the consent of the faculty, joined the army in Canada. Although the army was in a broken situation, yet he connected himself with a regiment of New Hampshire troops enlisted for one year. Col. Budle and his adjutant having been placed under arrest for misconduct, the command devolved upon Lieut .- Col. Wait, who appointed Mr. Mattoon (1817) his adjutant, which office he held until the army retreated to Ticonderoga. At that time the regiment, originally four hundred and fifty men, was so reduced by action, fatigue, and capture, as not to contain more than one hundred and twenty, including officers. Personally incapacitated by the small-pox, the camp- disease, and toils of a soldier's life, he obtained a furlough, and returned to Amherst. His ill state of health did not permit him again to join his regiment. Partially recov- ering, he was chosen, in 1777, a lieutenant of militia in his own town, and was imme- diately ordered to Ticonderoga. He was in St. Clair's retreat from that place in July, 1777. In August following he was detached by Gen. Lincoln (1786) in a company of artillery, commanded by Capt. Furnival, in the Continental line, the militia being fearful of entering the service under Continental officers. After some difficulty Lieut. Mattoon (1817) succeeded in enlisting forty-eight men, who joined the company with him under Capt. Furnival. They were in the fight at Bemis's Heights, Oct. 7. At the close of the campaign, in January following, Lieut. Mattoon (1817) returned once more to his father's house. The next spring he was detached as a lieutenant in the militia, and joined Col. Wade's regiment at Rhode Island, and was in the action there and in the retreat. At the close of the year 1778 he left the service.
He joined the local militia near the close of the war ; was promoted to captain in 1785, became major, and, in 1787, colonel of a regiment in the First Brigade, Fourth Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. In 1793 he was appointed brigadier-general of that brigade, and, in 1798, major-general of that division. He held the latter office for nineteen years, when, in 1816, he resigned, and was appointed by Gov. Brooks (1786) as his successor in the office of adjutant-general. The next year (1817) he was chosen captain of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. On the anniversary, June 3, 1818, when he was to have returned the badge of his office, he was prevented by a " distressing indisposition." The esponton of the captain was returned to his Excel- lency by Gen. Winslow (1786), a past commander. Gen. Mattoon (1817) was heard to observe on the election day from whose ceremonies he was detained, that "it was one of the most melancholy days he had ever been called to spend, as he had calculated with no small degree of pride on that day."
Gen. Mattoon (1817) was a scientific and practical farmer ; a man of quick dis- cernment, discriminating judgment, and independent frankness. When invited to join the corps, he replied, that " although an old man, he should be proud to shoulder his
Ebenezer Mattoon (1817). AUTHORITY : Whitman's Hist. A. and H. A. Company, Ed. 1842.
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HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
[1817
gun again in the ranks of the Company." He entered with his peculiar zeal into the interests of the Company, and to his personal exertions, in a great degree, may be attributed the re-introduction of field-pieces.
In 1792, 1796, 1820, and 1832, he was a member of the Massachusetts College of Electors of President ; was senator in 1795 and 1796, and sheriff of Hampshire County for twenty years; also, a representative in the Sixth and Seventh Congresses of the United States.
In November, 1817, he was seized with violent ophthalmia, which terminated in the loss of his sight. On the following June he bade farewell to all public employment. When the convention was called, in 1820, to revise the Constitution of Massachusetts, he was induced to take his seat as a member of that body, to deliberate and act in that assembly, composed of the ablest jurists, the profoundest politicians, and the most tried patriots.
Gen. Mattoon (1817) died Sept. 11, 1843, aged eighty-eight years.
James Monroe (1817), fifth President of the United States, visited Boston in 1817. He was received with great enthusiasm, and was escorted to his lodgings at the Exchange Coffee-House by a military and civic procession.
Monday evening, June 30, 1817, at a meeting of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, "his Excellency James Monroe, Esq., President of the United States, was proposed as an honorary member ; whereupon, voted that the by-laws be so far dispensed with as to ballot for him at this meeting." The ballot being taken, he was unanimously admitted. " His Excellency John Brooks, Esq. [1786], governor of the Commonwealth ; Gen. Ebenezer Mattoon, Esq. [1817], adjutant-general ; Gen. Amasa Davis, Esq. [1786], quartermaster-general ; Brig .- Gen. Henry A. S. Dearborn, Esq. [1816], of the First Brigade, First Division, and Brig .- Gen. John Winslow, Esq. [1786]," were appointed a committee to wait upon his Excellency James Monroe, Esq., and inform him of his admission as an honorary member of the Company.
President James Monroe (1817) was born in Virginia, April 28, 1758, and died in New York, July 4, 1831. He was educated at William and Mary College, which he left in 1776 to join the army of the Revolution. He became aide-de-camp to Lord Sterling, served in the campaigns of 1777 and 1778, and distinguished himself in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth He afterward studied law under Thomas Jefferson. In 1782 he was elected a member of the assembly of Virginia, and in 1783 a delegate to Congress. In 1790 he was elected a United States senator from Virginia. He was governor of Virginia from 1799 to 1802, and at the close of the last term was appointed envoy extraordinary to the French government. Within a fortnight after his arrival in Paris, he and Mr. Livingston secured, for fifteen million dollars, " the territory of Orleans." In 1817 he was inaugurated President of the United States, and was re-elected in 1820. During his second term the so-called " Monroe Doctrine " was pub- licly declared. Bodily infirmity and pecuniary embarrassments burdened his last days.
He died at the residence of his son, in New York City, in 1831, and in 1858 his remains were removed with great pomp to Richmond, Va., and re-interred July 5, in the Hollywood Cemetery.
James Monroe (1817). AUTHORITIES : Appleton's Cyclopedia; New Eng. Hist, and Gen. Reg., 1861.
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HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1817]
William Palmer (1817), merchant, of Boston, died of yellow fever at New Orleans, La.
Francis Wyman (1817), trader, of Cambridge, son of Nehemiah and Susannah (Stearns) Wyman, was born April 27, 1790. He married Susan Jackson (published Jan. 18, 1818), who died July 3, 1843, aged forty-four years. He died July 18, 1822.
He was a clerk in the navy yard, and had custom-house protection to go abroad, Dec. 10, 1807. Col. Nehemiah Wyman (1820) was a brother of Capt. Francis Wyman (1817). The latter served several years in the militia, and attained the grade of captain.
Meetings of the Company for exercise were held March 24 and 31, 1817.
The first Monday in April being the day appointed by the constitution of the State for the choice of governor and senators, etc., the Artillery Company paraded on Friday, April 11, agreeably to the provisions of their charter. Major Benjamin Loring (1810) was in command, Gen. Henry A. S. Dearborn (1816), the commander, being indisposed. Rev. Daniel C. Sanders, D. D., of Medfield, was elected to preach the anniversary sermon on the first Monday of the next June. During the April parade the Company marched through the principal streets to Charlestown Square, where they performed several manœuvres, and returned thence to Faneuil Hall.
Drills by squads were held weekly during April and May, and twice in May the entire Company was drilled with music.
Monday, May 5, the Company paraded in complete uniform, under command of Major Loring (1810), their lieutenant, and marched to Brinley Place, in Roxbury, the residence of Brig .- Gen. Henry A. S. Dearborn (1816), their commander, who was unable to take command, being lame. The Company performed evolutions and firings, after which an elegant collation was provided by the commander. After enjoying great hospitality and attention the Company returned to their armory, and were dismissed.
May 12, 19, 20, 21, and 26 the Company met for drill.
The following is the first report on record in regard to invited guests, etc. The committee appointed annually to have charge of the anniversary arrangements has each year since 1817 reported a similar list, which has been placed on record. These reports show the care exercised in extending invitations, and the proverbial generosity of the Artillery Company.
" The committee appointed the 12th of May, 1817, report the following arrange- ments for Artillery election, June 2, 1817, viz., company to be invited : --
" His Excellency the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and Council
"Senators of Suffolk, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives . 8
" Selectmen and Town Clerk of Boston, 10; Honorary members, 21 . · " Judges of S. J. Court, District, Circuit, Suffolk and Municipal, and
31 Sheriff of Suffolk 7
" Attorney and Solicitor-Generals, Secretary and Treasurer and Judge Bretton 5
"United States Senator and Representatives and Foreign Consuls, 6; Head singer and Organist, 2 ; Officer Cards, 7 . .
. 15
Francis Wyman (1817). AUTHORITIES: Wyman's Charlestown Genealogies and Estates; Bond's Hist. of Watertown.
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HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
[1817
"Major-General First Division and Staff, 6 ; Adjutant and Quartermaster- Generals, 2
" Brigadier-General First Brigade and Staff, 4, and Third Brigade and Staff, 3 ; Gen. Miller and Staff, 2 ·
" Field officers Third Brigade, r1 ; Adjutants, 5 ; Governor's Aids, 2 .
9
18
"Col. Eustis and Adjutant, Col. J. House, Major Brooks, Major Henderson . 5
" Cadet officers, 4 ; Officers of Cavalry, 8 ; Artillery, 9 ; Light Infantry, 19 . 40
" Past Captains in the Navy, 8, and Lieut .- Com. Finch, I . 9
"Commissioners of the Treaty of Ghent, Advocates and Secretary, and Secretary of Pernambuco Legation 6
"President of Harvard University and Clergymen, say . 40
" Fifty cards for members at $3 ea 50
" Active members of the Company 68
- 332
" Deduct invited in two capacities
13
" Net
319
" Members of Congress and other strangers of distinction, that may be in town on that day, be presented with a card by the committee. All other necessary and proper arrangements to meet the exigencies of the day have been attended to, and contracts made by different sub-committees, appointed for the purpose."
The report was unanimously accepted.
May 26, 1817, Brig .- Gens. Arnold Welles (1811), John Winslow (1786), and Amasa Davis (1786) ; Majors Benjamin Russell (1788), John Bray (1788), and James Phillips (1790); Thomas W. Sumner, Esq. (1792); Ebenezer Torrey, Esq. (1765); Capt. Thomas Clark (1786) ; Joseph Eaton (1773), and David W. Bradlee (1811) were appointed a committee to make the arrangements necessary to present his Excellency John Brooks, Esq. (1786), the governor, with an elegant sword, as a testimony of the Company's respect for him as their chief magistrate, and as having twice commanded the Company.
The Company met for drill May 27 and May 29.
Monday, June 2, the Company paraded at nine o'clock A. M. in Faneuil Hall, under the command of Major Benjamin Loring (1810); marched to the State House ; received the governor and other guests, and escorted them to the church in Chauncy Place, where the anniversary sermon was delivered by Rev. Daniel Clarke Sanders, D. D., of Medfield. After the services the Company escorted its guests to Faneuil Hall, where an elegant dinner was partaken of, and the festivity was heightened by appropriate toasts and addresses. Brig .- Gen. Dearborn (1816), as captain, presided at the table, ill health having prevented his performing the previous duties of the day. At four o'clock the Company escorted his Excellency the governor to their allotted square on the Common. The committee appointed May 26, 1817, escorted by a platoon under the command of a sergeant, presented a beautiful sword to his Excellency John Brooks, Esq. (1786), governor and commander-in-chief. At the ceremony of presentation Brig .- Gen. Winslow (1786), acting chairman, and twice commander of the Artillery Company, delivered the following address : -
" May it please your Excellency : In behalf of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, we have the honor to be deputed- to congratulate our common country on
8
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HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1817]
the re-election of your Excellency as governor and commander-in-chief of Massachusetts. As citizens of a free and independent Commonwealth, our joy in this event is increased by the recollection of your civic virtues, and past just and impartial administration of our government. But it is as fellow-soldiers and members of the ancient Company, which twice has had the honor of being commanded by your Excellency, that our felicity prompts us to more than a verbal expression of our feelings, and therefore respectfully solicit your Excellency to accept, in behalf of the Company, the sword now presented, as a testimonial of their unbounded attachment and respect, confident they place it in hands which well know how to wield it with glory and success in war and to preserve it untarnished in peace."
To which his Excellency was pleased to reply : -
"Mr. Chairman, and Gentlemen of the Committee : The costly and elegant sword, which you have in so flattering a manner presented to me, I receive with grateful satis- faction, and, as a testimonial of the attachment and respect of my fellow-citizens of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, it is to me of inestimable value. If my administration hitherto has been such as to afford you, as citizens of a free and independent Commonwealth, just grounds of approbation and confidence, I shall be encouraged to continue a course which, in my best judgment and conscience, I have deemed to be in accordance with the genuine principles of our excellent constitution. This liberal testimonial of your friendship and confidence shall be preserved untarnished, and wielded only in hostility against the enemies of our common country."
The Company then proceeded to the election of officers for the year ensuing, and, having performed several evolutions, the old officers resigned the badges of their respective offices, and his Excellency, having approved of the newly elected officers, severally invested them with the badges of their offices. The governor was then escorted to the State House, and the Company returned to Faneuil Hall. After the usual vote of thanks to the preacher, it was voted that the thanks of the Company be presented to Commodore Bainbridge, for his politeness and attention to the Company, in permitting the band of music attached to the United States frigate " Independence," under his command, to play for the Company during the ceremonies of their anniversary day, June 2, 1817. The Company also sent thirty dollars to the commodore, to be divided among the members of the band.
At a meeting held Monday evening, June 9, a committee, of which Gen. Mattoon (1817) was made chairman, was appointed to inquire into the expediency of petitioning the governor and council for two brass six-pounders, with their accompanying imple- ments, etc., and to consider the subject generally.
June 16, 1817, "the sub-committee from the committee of the Company on the subject of petitioning the governor and council for two field-pieces, asked leave to report that they have duly considered the subject committed to them, which they con- sider as highly interesting, and are of opinion that it would tend to promote the honor, as well as usefulness, of the Company, to have artillery pieces attached to it, provided they can be obtained upon the same conditions, and the Company be entitled to the same advantages and benefits which are granted to other artillery companies in this Commonwealth. The committee are, however, of opinion that it would not be advisable that any measures should be adopted by the Company whereby there would be any additional expense incurred, except what is voluntary on the part of its members ; and as it is expected, should the Company obtain the pieces, that every member would give
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HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
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all due attention to perfect himself in the drill that may be directed, they ought to practice occasionally at the pieces, and adopt such measures as to ensure a respectable appearance whenever the Company should judge advisable to appear in public there- with. Your committee are of opinion that it will not be necessary or advisable to make any alteration in our present uniform for those who may be attached to the pieces, but that the whole Company should improve the opportunity to practice, and when a public appearance is made with them, that the commander make such arrangements and adopt such measures as shall tend to effect the objects contemplated, and promote the honor of the Company. As it respects a house for the pieces, should they be obtained, and also the artillery drill, it was thought by the committee a subject of after-consideration. It is recommended that a report be made to the Company at the meeting on Monday evening next upon the plan here suggested, and that a petition to the governor and council be prepared, ready to be submitted for signatures on that evening, provided the report be accepted.
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