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 56
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" All which is respectfully submitted. " WILLIAM HOWE [1806], " JOHN DODD, Jr. [1810], " ELEAZER G. HOUSE [1810], " Sub-Committee.
" BOSTON, June 12, 1817.
"At a meeting of the general committee on the subject of artillery, the foregoing report was unanimously accepted, and as it embraces all the most important parts of what they considered was referred to their consideration, if this report should meet the approbation of the Company and be accepted, they would further recommend that a committee be immediately raised for the purpose of presenting the petition to the governor and council.
" Which is respectfully submitted. "E. MATTOON [1817], " JOHN DODD, Jr. [1810], " DANIEL DUNTON [1812], " WILLIAM HOWE [1806], " BENJ. LORING [1810], " THOMAS WELLS [1811], " GEORGE WELLES [1807], " MICHAEL ROULSTONE [1810], " Committee.
" JUNE 16, 1817.
"Voted unanimously that the foregoing report be accepted, and that Major B. Loring [1810], Capt. P. Curtis [1812], George Welles [1807], W. Howe [1806], and M. Roulstone [1810], be a committee to present a petition conformable thereto."
Meetings for business were held June 30, July 14 and 28, and Monday, Aug. II. At the last meeting (Aug. 11) the following papers were presented : -
"In council, July 3, 1817. The military committee of the council, to whom was referred the petition from a committee of the Honorable and Ancient Artillery Company appointed for that purpose, requesting a loan of a pair of brass field-pieces, that thereby they may be restored to the ancient situation of the Company, as its name imports, as well as to assist them in acquiring a correct knowledge in the exercise of artillery, united to their present improvements as infantry, respectfully report : That his Excel- lency be advised to direct the quartermaster-general to loan to the Ancient and Hon- orable Artillery Company a pair of brass six-pound cannon, completely equipped for
Zack. G. Whitmana
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HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1817]
field service, and to supply said Company, for the use of said cannon, the usual quantity of ammunition, as is directed by law for other companies of artillery within the Commonwealth.
D. COBB, per order.
" In council, July 3, 1817. This report is accepted, and by the governor approved. " ALDEN BRADFORD, Secretary of the Commonwealth.
" Copy examined.
" A. BRADFORD, Secretary of Commonwealth.
" Commonwealth of Massachusetts. General orders, Headquarters, Boston, July 12, 1817. The commander-in-chief, having on the third instant been advised by the honorable council to direct the quartermaster-general to loan the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company a pair of brass six-pound cannon, completely equipped for field service, and to supply said Company with the usual quantity of ammunition, as is directed by law for other companies of artillery within the Commonwealth ; his Excel- lency accordingly directs the quartermaster-general to furnish by loan the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company with two pieces of cannon of the description above men- tioned, together with complete equipments for the same for field service, and in every respect to comply with the above written advice of the council. The cannon thus loaned to be kept at the laboratory in Boston, and when not in use to be under the care of the quartermaster-general.
" By his Excellency's command, " WILLIAM H. SUMNER,
"Aide-de-camp to his Excellency the Governor and Commander-in-chief."
At the meeting of the Company held Aug. 12, the following letter was presented : -
BOSTON, Aug. 12, 1817.
ADJT .- GEN. EBENEZER MATTOON, EsQ., Captain of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company :
Sir, - I was induced by my friends at the last election to take the office of clerk, greatly against my will. I now find that the duties of that office, connected with many others of a similar kind, not only serve to lessen my professional business, and thereby the means of supporting an increasing family, but also that my health is materially impaired and injured. The active duty of the autumn commences on Monday evening, the 18th instant, when an assessment is usually laid. I have been confined by sickness for nearly two weeks, and although I may be out by the latter part of this week, yet I feel it impossible to perform any part of the duties of the office of clerk. I therefore ask leave to resign said office, assuring you, sir, and the Company, that as far as my health and abilities will allow, I shall ever exert myself to promote their interest and welfare. With sentiments of respect and esteem,
I am your obedient servant,
ZACH. G. WHITMAN.
" Boston, Monday, Aug. 18, 1817. The Company met agreeable to orders. Pro- ceeded to the choice of a clerk, vice Z. G. Whitman, Esq. [1810], resigned. Capt. James N. Staples [1816] was unanimously chosen, was present, and accepted the office."
Meetings for business and drill were held Aug. 25 and 29, and on the first day of
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HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
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September a public parade was held, and the Company was entertained at the residence of the commander.
At the meeting held Sept. 29 the devoted services of Lieut. Whitman (1810), as clerk of the Company, were acknowledged by a vote of thanks. A parade was held the first Monday in October.
Rev. Daniel C. Sanders, D. D., of Medfield, delivered the Artillery election ser- mon in 1817. He was a son of Michael and Azubah (Clarke) Sanders, and was born in Sturbridge in 1768. He was fitted for college by Rev. Samuel West, of Needham, and graduated from Harvard College in 1788. In 1789 he was made preceptor in the Cambridge High School. He studied theology with Dr. Prentiss, of Medfield, taught the North School in that town in 1790, and was licensed to preach in the same year by the Dedham association. He married Nancy Fitch, of Canterbury, Conn. He was ordained to the Christian ministry, and installed as pastor of a church in Vergennes, Vt., in 1794. He resigned his pastoral charge to assume the presidency of the University of Vermont, to which he was elected in the year 1800. He received the degree of D. D. from Harvard College in 1809. In 1814, the university buildings being occupied by the American troops, his family left Burlington, May 14, the British flotilla appearing before the town, and bombardment being expected. He settled in Medfield in Sep- tember, 1814, and was installed over the church in that town in the following spring. He was a member of the convention for the revision of the State constitution in 1820 and 1821. He withdrew from his pastoral relation in Medfield, May 24, 1829. He was representative to the General Court in 1832, 1833, 1834, and 1835, repeatedly a member of the board of selectmen, and prominent on the school committee for several years. He died in 1850.
1818. The officers of the Artillery Company elected in 1818 were : Benjamin Loring (1810), captain; Luke Richardson (1812), lieutenant ; Michael Roulstone (1810), ensign. Nathaniel Richards, Jr. (1816), was first sergeant ; Ethan A. Greenwood (1814), second sergeant ; Francis Southack (1816), third sergeant ; Josiah Wilkins (1816), fourth sergeant ; Andrew Sigourney (1806), treasurer ; James N. Staples (1816), clerk, and Levi Melcher (1802), armorer.
The members of the Artillery Company recruited in 1818 were : Daniel Brown, John Butterfield, Benjamin M. Nevers, Ebenezer W. Nevers, Robert Somerby.
Daniel Brown (1818) was a printer in Boston. After several years' service in the militia he became captain of a company in the Second Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, and held that office from 1818 to 1821 inclusive; was major of the same in 1822 and 1823, and lieutenant-colonel from 1824 to 1827 inclusive. He was second sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1821, and was honorably discharged May 12, 1823.
John Butterfield (1818) was a merchant, engaged in the West India goods business at No. 3 Long Wharf: He resided on Poplar Street. He was probably from Tyngsboro, Mass., and married, Feb. 21, 1813, in Boston, Lucinda Bicknell. He held the position
Rev. Daniel C. Sanders, D. D. AUTHORITY : Tilden's Hist. of Medfield.
Der Hering
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of ensign in the Second Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, in 1818 and 1819, and was promoted to lieutenant. He was honorably discharged from the Artillery Company, April 3, 1820.
Benjamin M. Nevers (1818), livery stable-keeper, of Boston, was born in that part of Woburn now called Burlington, Aug. 18, 1789. He was ensign in the Third Regi- ment, Third Brigade, First Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, in 1818, lieutenant in the same from 1819 to 1822 inclusive, and captain in 1823 and 1824; second ser- geant of the Artillery Company in 1822, and lieutenant in 1827. His brother, Lieut. Ebenezer W. Nevers, joined the Artillery Company in 1818. Benjamin M. Nevers (1818) received the Masonic degrees in Columbian Lodge in 1815, and became a member Oct. 6 of that year.
Ebenezer W. Nevers (1818), wharfinger, of Boston, was born in that part of Woburn now called Burlington, in 1791. He was ensign in the Third Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, in 1819, and lieutenant in the same in 1820 and 1821, but never held any office in the Artillery Company. His brother, Capt Benjamin M. Nevers, joined the Artillery Company in 1818. Ebenezer W. Nevers (1818) died at Boston, Aug. 17, 1838, aged forty-seven years.
Robert Somerby (1818) was a jeweller in Boston, a member of the firm of Robert J. Brown & Co., jewellers, I Marlboro Row and Milk Street. He resided on Carver Street. Mr. Somerby (1818) married, May 3, 1818, Eliza F. Gill, of Boston. He was ensign in a company of the Second Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, Massachu- setts Volunteer Militia, in 1817, and was paymaster, with the rank of lieutenant, in the same, in 1818, 1819, and 1820. He died at Roxbury, Aug. 20, 1821, aged twenty- seven years.
On Saturday, March 14, 1818, a special meeting of the Company was held at four o'clock P. M., for the purpose of attending the funeral of the senior member of the Com- pany, Ebenezer Torrey, Esq. (1765). Services were held at his residence, No. 110 Orange, now Washington, Street. The Company attended in citizen's dress, with crape on the left arm.
Meetings were held March 23 and 30 for drill, Lieut. Dodd (1810) being in com- mand. At the former meeting the field-pieces granted by the governor were accepted by the Company, and times for drill with the guns were appointed. The first drill was held March 27, 1818.
At a meeting, April 16, the commander requested the members, to the number of eighteen, to volunteer for the purpose of manning the field-pieces during the season. The following gentlemen complied, and constituted the first artillery squad, viz. : Capt. Michael Roulstone (1810), Capt. Philip Curtis (1812), Major Benjamin Loring (1810), Ensign Zachariah G. Whitman (1810), Mr. Ephraim Harrington ( 1815), Mr. Ebenezer Goodrich (1814), Lieut. Francis Southack (1816), Mr. John L. Phillips (1813), Capt. William Howe (1806), Lieut. Josiah Wilkins (1816), Lieut. Luke Richardson (1812), Lieut. Ethan A. Greenwood (1814), Ensign Alfred Curtis (1817), Mr. Cornelius Briggs (1817), Capt. Nathaniel Richards, Jr. (1816), Mr. Ephraim French, Jr. (1809), Lieut. Thomas Hunting (1816), Mr. Thomas Wells (1811), Capt. James N. Staples (1816), and Mr. Eleazer Nichols (1814).
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HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
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At the parade in May, the commander being absent, Lieut. Dodd (1810) being in command, Rev. Henry Colman, of Hingham, was chosen to deliver the next Artillery election sermon.
Friday afternoon, May 8, the Company met for field duty, under the command of Ensign Dunton (1812) ; secured the field-pieces1 " Hancock" and "Adams," it being nearly a century since they paraded with them, and marched through the principal streets to the Common, where they went through the firings. A collation was served on their return to the Hall.
During the month of May frequent meetings were held, and both the infantry and artillery wings made careful preparation for the approaching anniversary.
Monday, June 1, 1818, the usual exercises were held, Capt. Dodd (1810) being in command. Rev. Mr. Colman, of Hingham, delivered the sermon. Gen. Mattoon (1817) was prevented from taking command from indisposition. The day was rainy, and after dinner the governor returned to the State House. At four o'clock the Com- pany marched from the Hall to the laboratory, where the field-pieces were received, and, proceeding to the Common, went through the firings, to the gratification of the spec- tators. The Company then marched to the "area of the State House," where the election of officers for the ensuing year was held. The old officers resigned their badges of office, that of Gen. Mattoon (1817) being returned by Gen. John Winslow (1786). The blindness with which Gen. Mattoon (1817) was afflicted caused his absence. After the investiture of the newly elected officers the Company returned to Faneuil Hall, and after a collation were dismissed.
On the 15th of June, 1818, a manuscript history of the Artillery Company was offered by Shubael Bell, Esq., and a committee was appointed to examine it. It was not satisfactory, and was returned. The writer of it is not known.
Frequent meetings were held in July and August, and the Company enjoyed an unusual degree of prosperity.
The September field-day was stormy, but the Company marched to the gun-house, Fort Hill, went through with evolutions, fired the guns, and returned to the Hall.
The last field-day of 1818 was observed Oct. 15, when the Company marched to the town of Charlestown, fired a number of times, and partook of a collation at Capt. Andrew Roulstone's (1811), after which they returned to their armory.
Rev. Henry Colman, of Hingham, delivered the Artillery election sermon in 1818. He was a son of Dudley Colman, and Mary, his wife, and was born in Boston, Sept. 12, 1785. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1805. The Third Congregational Society in Hingham was incorporated Feb. 27, 1807, and the church was organized under the name of the Third Church in Hingham, June 16, 1807. Mr. Colman was the first minister of this newly organized church, and was ordained pastor June 17, 1807. He was dismissed at his own request, March 14, 1820. He was commissioned chaplain of the Second Regiment in 1807, and held the office several years. After leaving Hingham he opened an academy in Brookline, which he continued for several years, and Feb. 16, 1825, he became pastor of the Independent Church, in Salem. He held this relation
Rev. Henry Colman. AUTHORITY : Lincoln's Hist. of Hingham.
1 " Yesterday the Ancient and Honorable Artil- Jery Company, under Lieut .- Col. Dunton [1812],
paraded with two pieces of field artillery. A century has nearly elapsed since the Company before paraded with cannon." - Columbian Centinel, Saturday, May 9, 1818.
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1819]
until Dec. 7, 1831, when he became almost exclusively a farmer, having purchased a farm at Deerfield. Influenced by this pursuit, and commissioned by the State, he visited England, France, and other foreign countries. In England he made many and very strong friends. He was received there with a cordial hospitality. He became ill in London with a fatal disease, and died at Islington, England, Aug. 17, 1849. A monu- ment to his memory stands in Highgate Cemetery, Middlesex, England, which was erected by order of and at the expense of Lady Byron.
1819. The officers of the Artillery Company elected in 1819 were : Thomas Dean (1806), captain ; Zachariah G. Whitman (1810), lieutenant ; Thomas Wells (1811), ensign. Ephraim Harrington (1815) was first sergeant ; Thomas Hunting (1816), second sergeant ; Daniel L. Ware (1811), third sergeant ; Edward Bugbee (1816), fourth sergeant ; Andrew Sigourney, Esq. (1806), treasurer ; James N. Staples (1816), clerk, and David W. Bradlee (1811), armorer.
The members of the Artillery Company recruited in 1819 were : Nathaniel Austin, Ruel Baker, Elijah Crane, Ezra Hawkes, Benjamin T. Pickman, Timothy Rix, George Stearns, Peter L. R. Stone, George Sullivan, William Sullivan, William H. Sumner, Samuel Swett, George W. Thayer, Benjamin Winslow.
Nathaniel Austin (1819), merchant, of Charlestown, son of Nathaniel and Margaret (Rand) Austin, was born March 19, 1772. He was never married. John Austin (1746) was a brother of Ebenezer, the grandfather of Gen. Nathaniel Austin (1819). He was early interested in the militia ; was captain of the Warren Phalanx, and became brigadier- general of the First Brigade, Third Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, in 1809, and held that office until 1827, when he was commissioned major-general, in command of the Third Division. He held this office from 1827 to 1830. He was high sheriff of the county of Middlesex from 1813 to 1831, a representative to the General Court, and senator from Charlestown, also a member of the governor's council. He was elected an honorary member of the Artillery Company, Aug. 2, 1819, and was honorably discharged March 26, 1827.
In March, 1828, the Legislature passed an act creating the Warren Bridge Corpo- ration. Gen. Austin (1819) was one of the corporators, and the chief spirit in this new enterprise.
His office for many years was in " the stone building," 1 in a front room, looking upon Main Street, ascended by an outer flight of stairs in the rear on Town-Hill Street. The office of the Bunker Hill Aurora, in its early career, was in this same building. He died at No. 22 Union Street, April 3, 1861, aged eighty-nine years and fifteen days.
Ruel Baker (1819), painter, of Boston, son of a Revolutionary patriot and soldier of Bunker Hill, John Baker, of Sudbury, was born in that town July 19, 1792. He married, in April, 1818, Mary Newell, a niece of Mrs. Harriet Newell, wife of Rev.
Nathaniel Austin (1819). AUTHORITY : Wy- man's Charlestown Genealogies and Estales.
Ruel Baker (1819). AUTHORITY: Hist. of Columbian Lodge, by John T. Heard.
1 This building, at junction of Main, Harvard,
Bow, and Pleasant streets, was erected from stones quarried at the "Outer Brewster," which Gen. Austin ( 1819), with his father and brother William, bought in 1799 for one thousand dollars. - Record in Suffolk Deeds, Vol. CXCII., p. 165.
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HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
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Samuel, the missionary. He was brought up to the trade of a house and sign painter, finishing his apprenticeship with Darius Brewer, of Dorchester. After working about one year for John Green, Jr. (1835), he began business on his own account, in company with a Mr. Horton. The firm was successful in business. After a few years the firm of Baker & Horton was dissolved, and Mr. Baker (1819), after continuing in business alone for some time, formed a partnership with his youngest son. He served as a member of the common council of Boston from 1833 to 1835 inclusive, and from 1839 to 1841 inclusive. He was representative in the General Court from Boston, and at the time of his decease was a director in the Boylston Bank.
Mr. Baker (1819) was, after several years of military service, promoted to be a lieu- tenant in the Third Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, in 1817, captain in the same from 1818 to 1822 inclusive, and lieutenant-colonel in 1823 and 1824. He was third sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1821, and second lieutenant in 1824. He was elected an honorary member of the Company, April 2, 1827. He received the Masonic degrees in Columbian Lodge, of Boston, and became a member thereof Dec. 29, 1825. He filled various stations in the Lodge, was master four years, from 1837 to 1840, and was treasurer eight years, from 1841 to his decease. He was a member of St. Andrew's Chapter, and of Boston Commandery, Knights Templars. He was the first officer of the former in 1838 and 1839, and of the latter in 1841 and 1842. He was a member of the Grand Lodge, A. F. and A. M., of Massa- chusetts, and served as one of the trustees of Masonic Temple from 1844 until his decease.
He died at his residence in Boston, Jan. 17, 1848, Rev. David Fosdick preaching a funeral sermon at his obsequies, which were held at Hollis Street Church. He sustained through life the character of an upright and honest man.
Elijah Crane (1819), farmer and innholder, of Canton, son of Major Thomas Crane, was born in Milton, Aug. 29, 1754. His father removed with his family, in 1763, from Milton to Canton. At the age of twenty-one years, Elijah Crane (1819) enlisted in the Continental service, and was a member of a company that marched in answer to the Lexington alarm. This company is supposed to have been stationed in Roxbury, near the present Yeoman Street; for, in later years, when Gen. Crane (1819) was attacked by articles in the public press, he is said to have replied : "A man that has stood guard at Lamb's Dam cannot be scared by squibs." This subsequently brought out the toast : " While we venerate the eagle, we would not be unmindful of the Crane who stood sentinel at Lamb's Dam." No record of Mr. Crane's (1819) subsequent enlistment and service appears, but he used to speak of a dinner of hasty-pudding and molasses which he received while driving a four-horse team with supplies for the army in New York State during the Revolution.
In early life he was a farmer, but afterward an innholder. He devoted much time and labor in church, parish, and town affairs, but it was in the military service that he became most distinguished. He was captain of the Third Troop of Cavalry in 1789-90, and in years following commanded a cavalry company attached to the first division of the State militia. Being promoted through various military grades, he was commissioned brigadier-general of the Second Brigade, First Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia,
Elijah Crane (1819). AUTHORITIES: Hist. of Canton, by D. T. V. Huntoon; Grand Lodge Records; Freemason's Magazine, Vol. XXXI .; Dedham Transcript, November, 1878.
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in 1803, and major-general of the First Division, June 16, 1809. He held the latter position until 1827, - so long that the officers under him became weary waiting for pro- motion, although he always said he would resign when a gentleman should be proposed to fill his place. One, more weary than the rest, at a public banquet offered the follow- ing toast : " Major-Gen. Crane [1819], - May he be eternally rewarded in heaven for his everlasting services on earth !" Again, it is said "he had all the virtues except resignation."
His first division muster was at " Low Plain," now Readville, in 1815. When, Oct. 12, 1826, the muster was ordered at the same place, the Boston troops were incensed at being obliged to go so far, and resorted to various methods to worry Gen. Crane (1819). The Boston News-Letter, in speaking of this review, says: "Major-Gen. Crane [1819], in defiance of public sentiment and public feeling, of squibs, crackers, rockets, and pasquinades, seems determined to play his military farce at Dedham on the 12th instant ; the Boston brigade, having no tents, must sleep under the canopy of heaven," which the editor thinks would be almost as bad as " standing sentinel on Lamb's Dam." Gen. Crane (1819) held the muster, and it was conceded by all that it was very credit- able to the division and to the Commonwealth. It was at this muster that the "striped pig" was exhibited. Gen. Crane (1819) gave an order that there should be no liquor sold on the camping-ground. This order was considered an outrage upon the liberties of the mustering patriots. About noon of the first day, one asked another, "Have you been to see the striped pig?" On the outskirts of the field a man had erected a booth, on which he advertised he would exhibit a striped pig. Everybody wanted to see the pig. Admission, "a shilling." Entering the booth, there could be seen, tied to a stake, a large hog, painted with black stripes, zebra fashion. In the rear of the booth were sundry kegs, bottles, demijohns, etc., and the contents of either could be sampled by giving up the ticket of admission. Some persons went in several times to see the " striped pig." This muster was afterward known as the " striped pig muster."
Gen. Crane (1819) made a fine appearance on horseback. He wore his white hair cut short, and brushed straight up from his head, and it is said he reminded spectators of Andrew Jackson, with whom he had several characteristics in common.
Elijah Crane (1819) was landlord of the old tavern in Canton from 1789 to 1800, succeeding Samuel Capen, the author of "Norfolk Harmony." In granting his license the selectmen declared that Elijah Crane (1819) was " of sober life and conversation, suitably qualified and provided for such employment." For twenty years he was high sheriff of Norfolk County. On one occasion he was obliged to visit Northampton on a pauper case, and his manner was so overbearing that Judge Parker, looking directly at him, said, "Gentlemen must be more quiet ; the high sheriff of Hampshire does n't allow as much noise in his county as the high sheriff of Norfolk."
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