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 58
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ARTICLE XI. - GENERAL REGULATIONS.
SECTION I. The field-days are : for the election of officers the first Monday in June annually, and the Friday next preceding the first Monday of April, and the first Mondays in May, September, and October, if suitable weather ; if not, on the Friday following.
SECTION 2. No revision or alteration of the Rules and Regulations of the Company shall be made the same evening it is proposed, nor unless notice thereof has been inserted on the notifications for the meeting when the same is intended to be acted upon, which notification shall be sent to every member.
SECTION 3. No assessment shall be laid, or money appropriated, at any meeting except it be at the Monday evening next preceding the regular field-day or the three drill evenings of the Company next preceding the anniversary, unless notice thereof be inserted on the notifications, as prescribed in the preceding section.
SECTION 4. No vote shall be reconsidered by a less number of members than was present at the time of its passing, provided the numbers were then called for.
Monday evening, May 24, the Company met for drill, and on the next Thursday evening they met "at the vestry of the new church in School Street," on business. Preparations were there made for the anniversary. A public parade for drill was held in the afternoon of May 27, and an evening drill May 31.
The exhaustive report made by the finance committee in 1819 says : " During the year, by the liberality of the Commonwealth, two field-pieces, three-pounders, bearing the patriotic names of Hancock and Adams, with tumbril, harnesses, apparatus, and implements complete, and one year's stock of powder, have become the property of the Company."
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HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
QUINCY, June 1, 1819. [1819
At a meeting held Thursday afternoon, for exercise with the cannon and for business, the following letter was presented : -
TO THE A. AND H. A. COMPANY :
Gentlemen, - Accept my thanks for your polite invitation to your anniversary dinner, at Fanenil Hall, on the 7th of this month. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to meet a society which I have held in veneration from my earliest youth, and to whom I attribute, in a great degree, that valor and military skill, science, and discipline which have contributed so much to the present prosperity and glory of the United States. But if I should not appear at your festival, which I ardently desire, my uncommon age and various infirmities must be the apology of your most respectful humble servant and fellow-citizen, JOHN ADAMS.
Monday, June 7, the Company met, in compliance with orders and ancient usage, to celebrate their anniversary. Fifty-four members, including the officers, were present. The governor and other guests were received as usual; the sermon was delivered by Rev. Thomas Gray, of Roxbury, in the church in Chauncy Place, and dinner was served in Faneuil Hall. The second toast was, "The Commander-in-Chief : the Warrior, the Statesman, the Patriot, who honors the Commonwealth which honors him." The third was, " The President of the United States." The eleventh was " Massachusetts " --
"Though round thy shores rude surges swell, And wild the rough north tempests beat, Arms, Arts, and Science here shall dwell, And Virtue breathe her holiest spell, With Freedom in her rocky seat."
The twelfth, " The Memory of Washington. Sainted shade ! words are too poor to tell thy matchless fame." This was drank standing, in solemn silence. Thirteen regular toasts were offered, and volunteer toasts by the governor, lieutenant-governor, Spanish consul, and Hon. Mr. Holmes, of Maine. The election was held on the Common, the day being unusually fine ; the old officers returned their badges of office, which by the governor were conferred upon those newly elected.
Meetings were frequently held during the summer, at nearly all of which recruits were received into the ranks of the Company.
At a meeting held for field duty, Sept. 6, 1819, the commander, Major Thomas Dean (1806), before leaving the Hall, read to the Company a copy of a letter which he wrote to Mr. Thomas Bumstead (1764), viz. :--
MR. THOMAS BUMSTEAD :
BOSTON, Ang. 31, 1819.
Esteemed Sir, - The A. & H. A. Company, which I have the honor to command, have lately published a roll of all the members thereof since the first foundation of the Company. They have discovered that there are but seventeen now living who were members before the Revolutionary War, and that you, sir, are the oldest on the roll of that seventeen. The Company will feel themselves highly gratified and honored if you, sir, with such others of the seventeen as can conveniently attend, would condescend to receive the usual military salute at your home, on the next field-day of the Company, which will be on Monday next if the weather is suitable ; if not, on the Friday follow- ing, in the afternoon. This is intended by the Company as a token of the veneration,
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HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
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respect, and esteem which the present members have towards the surviving members before the Revolution. Accept, sir, the assurances of my highest respect.
THOMAS DEAN, Captain A. & H. A. Company.
Copy of a letter from John Bumstead, son of Thomas (1764), to Thomas Dean (1806) :-
BOSTON, Sept. 3, 1819.
Dear Sir, - My father being infirm has desired me to reply to your very compli- mentary letter of 31st ult., expressing the wish of the A. & H. A. Company, commanded by you, to pay on their next field-day the usual military salutes, at his home, to the surviving members of that Company who were attached to it prior to the Revolutionary War. The intended honor and manner is particularly gratifying to him. He requests you, in inviting the old members for this purpose, to ask such of the honorary members, or friends, as you may think agreeable and proper, to meet at his home. He also asks the honor of a call from the present officers and members of the Company on that day. Accept his best wishes for the continued prosperity and fame of the Company, and his personal regard, through, dear sir, your obedient servant, JOHN BUMSTEAD.
To MAJOR THOMAS DEAN, Commander of the A. & H. A. Company.
In accordance with the above correspondence, the Artillery Company left Faneuil Hall at three o'clock P. M., and proceeded to the residence of Mr. Thomas Bumstead (1764), and paid him and the other elderly members a standing and marching salute, after which the Company were invited into his house to take a glass of wine with the veterans of the Company. The famous " Burgoyne bowl " was full to the rim, - it held ten gallons, - and the table was laden with the choicest fruits of the season. Thence the Company marched to the Common, went through many evolutions and firings, and then proceeded to the commander's residence, where a bountiful collation was provided. The Company returned to Mr. Bumstead's (1764), and escorted the ancient members to Faneuil Hall, where the day was finished in "reciprocating good wishes for health, prosperity, and happiness, much to the satisfaction of the Company."
Sixteen only of those who were members of the Company previous to the Revolu- tion were then living, eight of whom were present at Major Bumstead's (1764), viz., Major Thomas Bumstead (1764), aged seventy-nine years ; Capt. Joseph Pierce (1769), aged seventy-four ; Mr. Samuel Belknap (1773), aged sixty-eight ; Capt. William Todd (1773), aged seventy-two; Lieut. William Homes (1766), aged seventy-eight ; Capt. John Simpkins (1769), aged seventy-nine; Capt. Joseph Eaton (1773), aged seventy, and Capt. Nathaniel Call (1774), aged seventy-four, making a total of five hundred and ninety-four years.1
1 "OLD ARTILLERY COMPANY.
"On Monday [Sept. 6, 1819] the corps of Ancient and Honorable Artillery, under Major Dean [1806], commenced its autumnal tour of field duty. The occasion was embraced to pay military honors to the oldest surviving member of the Com- pany, Capt. Thomas Bumstead [1764], at his resi- dence in Bumstead Place, where the master of the mansion had invited all the surviving members who were enrolled in the corps previous to the American Revolution, together with the honorary members of later periods. Capt. Bumstead joined the Company in 1764, and there are fifteen others now living who
joined it in various years prior to 1775, eight of whom were present. The united ages of the six- teen exceed eleven hundred years. After paying the usual salutes, the Company were invited to partake, with their brothers of 'olden times,' of a plentiful banquet, part of which had been prepared in the 'Burgoyne bowl,' of the capacity of ten gal- lons, - a stake which depended for its ownership on the surrender of the general of that name, in the capture of whom many of the Company con- tributed their services. . . . " -Columbian Centinel, Wednesday, Sept. S, 1819.
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HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
[1820
The following anecdote was related by Major Bumstead (1764) on that day : Major Paddock (1762), a loyalist, bet that the news of the capture of Burgoyne's army was not true ; Major Bumstead (1764) bet that it was. On a certain afternoon, when the news had been confirmed, a number of the Company met at Major Bumstead's (1764) to drink the bowl of punch. When assembled, a new wager was laid that no one could lift the bowl filled with punch to his lips, drink, and replace it in safety on the table. All attempted in vain except Daniel Rea (1789), who performed it, and won the second wager. From this bowl the Company partook on the 6th of September, 1819.
A public parade was held Oct. 4, when the Company exercised on the Common.
Nov. 30, 1819, an order was issued by Major Dean (1806), informing the Company of the death of Brig .- Gen. John Winslow (1786), and " requesting the attendance of the honorary and active members at the funeral services," which were held on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at the family residence on Purchase Street.1
Rev. Thomas Gray delivered the Artillery election sermon in 1819. He was born in Boston, March 16, 1772, and graduated at Harvard College in 1790. He married a daughter of Rev. Samuel Stillman, of Boston, - who delivered the Artillery election sermon in 1770, - and by Rev. Mr. Stillman, Mr. Gray was prepared for the ministry. Mr. Gray began to preach in Roxbury, "in the Third Parish or precinct," April 22, 1792, being the second pastor of this (now Unitarian) church, and the successor of Rev. William Gordon, D. D., who was invited to deliver the Artillery sermon in 1775. The last named left America for England, March 17, 1786, that he might publish in London his history of the American Revolution. For seven years the church had been without a pastor, and when Mr. Gray began his pastorate the society contained but fifty-four families. Mr. Gray was ordained to the gospel ministry, and was installed over the church as its pastor March 27, 1793. For more than half a century he labored here, and left the society prosperous and united. He died June 1, 1847. Two of his his- torical discourses, "Notice of Rev. John Bradford, and Sketch of Roxbury Churches," 1825, a " Half-Century Sermon," 1842, and his sermon before the Ancient and Honor- able Artillery Company, were printed.
The officers of the Artillery Company elected in 1820 were : George 1820. Welles (1807), captain; John L. Phillips (1813), lieutenant; John Park (1812), ensign. James N. Staples (1816) was first sergeant ; Ira Brown (1816), second sergeant ; Ebenezer Goodrich (1814), third sergeant ; Ephraim Whitney (1816), fourth sergeant; Andrew Sigourney, Esq. (1806), treasurer; Zachariah G. Whitman (1810), clerk, and David W. Bradlee (1811), armorer.
1 "On Monday last [Nov. 29, 1819], Gen. John Winslow [1786], aged 67. He was educated a merchant, and at the first dawn of the American Revolution led a company of artillerists against the invaders of his country, and shared all the dangers, fatigues, and deprivations of the campaigns which preceded the capture of Burgoyne's army. After the war, he was assiduous to discipline the militia of his native place, and passed through all the grades of office until he received the appointment
of major-general of the First Division. He sus- tained, likewise, numerous civil and municipal offices with ability and undeviating integrity; and, at his decease, was treasurer of the county of Suf- folk, and inspector-general of nails. He was a man of extensive, but unostentatious, benevolence, a cheerful, but sincere, Christian, and the best of citizens and of men." - Columbian Centinel, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1819.
George Walles ban 2
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HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1820]
The members of the Artillery Company recruited in 1820 were : Samuel A. Belknap, Martin Brimmer, Christopher A. Brown, William W. Clapp, Benjamin Darling, Ephraim Dodge, Coates Evans, Stephen Fairbanks, Alexander H. Gibbs, Nathaniel Guild, Caleb Hartshorn, Calvin Hatch, George A. Hodges, William H. Hunt, Theodore Lyman, Jr., Peter Mackintosh, Jr., John Muzzy, Thaddeus Page, Samuel H. Parker, Joseph S. Porter, James Talbot, Andrew G. Winslow, Nehemiah Wyman.
Samuel A. Belknap (1820), jeweller, at 30 Cornhill, Boston, was ensign of a company in the Second Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, in 1820 and 1821. He paraded with the Company in 1822, and was discharged March 24, 1825.
Martin Brimmer (1820), merchant, of the firm of Isaac Winslow & Co., 49 Long Wharf, was a son of Martin and Sarah (Watson) Brimmer, and was born in Roxbury, June 8, 1793. He was prepared for college by Rev. W. H. Jenks, D. D., and graduated at Harvard in 1814. When at college he was captain of the University Corps. Pre- ferring mercantile business, he entered the store of Theodore Lyman, Jr. (1820), in Boston, but was subsequently engaged in trade with Isaac Winslow, of the same city. He was an alderman of Boston in 1838, and was mayor of that city two years, 1843 and 1844.
He was much interested in education, and caused " The School and Schoolmaster," an excellent work, to be printed and distributed at his own expense to every school district in Massachusetts. He also cultivated a great interest in the militia. He was ensign of a company in the Third Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, in 1815, 1816, and 1817, lieutenant of the same in 1818, captain of the Rangers from 1819 to 1822 inclusive, and brigade-major under Gen. Lyman (1820) from 1823 to 1826 inclu- sive. He was captain of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company in 1826. In 1845, soon after the reorganization of the Independent Corps of Cadets, he was its commander.
In 1829 Mr. Brimmer (1820) married Harriet E. Wadsworth, of Genesee, N. Y. She died in the island of Cuba, Jan. 1, 1833, and he died April 25, 1847.
" Martin Brimmer, Esq. [1820], late mayor of this city, was on Saturday seized with a rush of blood upon the brain, which from the first attack left no hope of his recovery. He survived, however, until three o'clock yesterday morning, when he expired.
" Mr. Brimmer [1820] was a man of the most amiable and upright character, a gentleman without reproach, and a most useful citizen. Besides the office of mayor, the duties of which he discharged with independence and good judgment, he has filled various public stations, and always in a manner fully justifying the confidence reposed in him. His loss will be sincerely felt, and his sudden death deeply deplored, not only by a numerous circle of friends, but by the public at large." 1
Christopher A. Brown (1820) was a shopkeeper, of Charlestown. He rose to the grade of lieutenant in the Charlestown Phalanx ; never held office in the Artillery Com- pany ; paraded in 1822, and was discharged March 24, 1825.
Martin Brimmer (1820). AUTHORITY: New England Biographies, Vol. I., p. 306. 1 Boston Advertiser, April 26, 1847.
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HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
[1820
William W. Clapp (1820), printer, of Boston, son of Bela (1789) and Sarah (Warland) Clapp, was born in Boston, Nov. 2, 1783. He served an apprenticeship of seven years with Young & Minns, publishers of the Massachusetts Mercury. He subse- quently published the Gazette of Maine six years. In 1813 he issued proposals for the publication of the Boston Daily Advertiser, the first daily paper in Boston, which he established and subsequently sold to Nathan Hale. He then became publisher of the Hampshire Gazette, but soon returned to Boston and bought the Saturday Evening Gazette, which he owned for thirty years. In 1822 he established the first daily evening paper in Boston. He married, Dec. 6, 1807, Hannah W. Lane, of Boston, and died April 30, 1866.
His father joined the Artillery Company in 1789, and his son, William Warland, Jr., in 1851.
Lieut. Clapp (1820) was adjutant of the Second Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, from 1817 to 1821 inclusive. He never held any office in the Artillery Company.
Benjamin Darling (1820), of Boston, by trade was a plumber and glazier, but in 1820 he kept a paint store at No. 61 Broad Street, and resided on Hamilton Street. He was ensign of a company in the Third Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, in 1813, lieutenant of the same from 1814 to 1817 inclusive, and commanded the Winslow Blues from 1818 to 1822 inclusive. He was first sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1822, and second lieutenant of the same in 1825.
Ephraim Dodge (1820) was an innkeeper in South Boston. He was ensign of a company in the Third Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, in 1820 and 1821, and was commander of a company in South Boston from 1822 to 1824 inclusive, when that section was set off as a company by itself.
In 1829 Mr. Dodge (1820) commenced running a hack from South Boston to Boston proper, which was the first public conveyance between those districts. He soon purchased two omnibuses and put on the line, running to and from the city every hour ; fare, ninepence. Broadway not then being in a good condition for wheels, his route lay over the old bridge and up Fourth Street. In 1838 the Warren Association established an opposition line, and having reduced the fare to six cents, Mr. Dodge (1820), "the enterprising pioneer in the business," discontinued his coaches. In less than two years the association sold out.
Coates Evans (1820) is called a trader, of Boston, but his name does not appear in the Boston Directory of 1820. He was not prominent in the militia, nor did he hold office in the Artillery Company. He paraded with the Company in 1822, but he was discharged March 24, 1825.
Stephen Fairbanks (1820), merchant, of Boston, son of Israel, Jr., and Anna (Whiting) Fairbanks, was born in Dedham, Feb. 5, 1784. He married, in 1807, Abby Parker. His parents removed to Francestown, N. H., when Stephen (1820) was fifteen
William W. Clapp (1820). AUTHORITIES : Clapp Memorial; New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg.,
Ephraim Dodge (1820). AUTHORITY: Hist. of South Boston, by David Clapp. Stephen Fairbanks (1820). AUTHORITY : 1860, 1866.
Annals of Mass. Char. Mech. Association.
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HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
1820]
years of age, at which time he came to Boston and was apprenticed to a saddler and harness-maker. When twenty-one years of age he went into business for himself. A few years after he left his trade, and opened a hardware store, - firm name Fairbanks & Loring, importers of hardware, which in 1829 became Fairbanks, Loring & Co. Stephen Fairbanks (1820) retired from the concern in 1846, when he became connected with the Western Railroad Corporation. He was chosen a director, Feb. 11, 1846, and in 1848 was elected its treasurer. He held this office for eighteen years.
He joined the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association in 1804; was its president in 1835, 1836, and 1837, and very active in the interests of the society. He served on the school committee of Boston ; was a member of the lower branch of the Legislature and of the Senate, and an active member of many of the charitable institu- tions of Boston, He was quartermaster of the Third Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, in 1810 and 1811, adjutant of the same from 1812 to 1817 inclusive, and brigade-major from 1819 to 1822 inclusive.
He died Sept. 10, 1866.
Alexander Hamilton Gibbs (1820), merchant, of Roxbury, son of Caleb and Cath- erine Gibbs, was born in Boston, Aug. 2, 1791. He married, Nov. 25, 1816, Ellen Mary Hatch, in Roxbury. He was a man of remarkably fine appearance and soldierly bearing, and was very much interested in the military. At the age of twenty-one, he united with the Fusileers, and in 1815 served as ensign of that company, in the First Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. In 1816-7 he was lieutenant of the same company. Major Gibbs (1820) founded the Norfolk Guards, of Roxbury, in 1818, and was its first commander. This company disbanded in 1855. In 1819 he was promoted to be brigade quartermaster, First Brigade, First Division; in 1820 was an aide to Gen. Dearborn (1816), and in 1821 was appointed brigade-major, First Brigade, First Division He was second lieutenant of the Artillery Company in 1821, and its captain in 1823. He became a member of St. John's Lodge, A. F. and A. M., of Boston, in 1815. He died suddenly, in Boston, March 5, 1827.
"Society has lost a very valuable. member. Major Gibbs [1820] was a public- spirited, active citizen, always prompt to perform his whole duty, as was exhibited in his zeal in several of our military associations, in his punctual and energetic performance of duty as an engineer in our new fire department, and in the faithfulness to the govern- ment and urbanity to the citizens with which he always conduced as an officer of the customs. At the early age of thirty he was elected to the command of the Artillery Company. In all the relations of private life, he was uniformly exemplary, - a kind and judicious father, a faithful and affectionate husband, a generous, true, and constant friend. His well-proportioned, athletic, and graceful form gave to human view a pros- pect of long life, and a few days since he was in the midst of us, full of health, activity, and usefulness ; but God has changed his countenance, and sent him away, as we humbly trust and believe, to receive the reward promised to the faithful and just." 1
He was a member of St. Paul's Church, and, upon his decease, Rev. Mr. Porter delivered a funeral sermon.
Nathaniel Guild (1820), housewright, of Dedham, son of Joseph and Miriam (Draper) Guild, was born in that town, Jan. 3, 1778. He married (published), June 10,
1 Boston Patriot, Chronicle, and Palladium of March 9, 1827.
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HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND
[1820
1810, Miss Hannah Tyler, of Attleboro, who died Aug. 19, 1825. He died at Dedham, Aug. 26, 1845.
Gen. Guild (1820) was chief marshal in 1836, upon the occasion of the two hun- dredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Dedham. He served in the militia for many years, becoming major of the First Regiment, Second Brigade, First Division, in 1813 and 1814, and brigadier-general of the Second Brigade, First Division, from 1815 to 1823 inclusive, being in 1824 succeeded in that position by Gen. Josiah S. Fisher (1821).
Caleb Hartshorn (1820), hatter, of Boston, son of Major Samuel and Mary Harts- horn, was born in Walpole, Jan. 17, 1785. He married - Mackey, of Boston, where they settled, lived, and died. His hat and glove store, in 1820, was No. 19 Cornhill. He was lieutenant in the Fusileers, - First Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, - in 1815, captain in the same from 1816 to 1818 inclusive, and major from 1819 to 1822 inclusive, and subsequently was lieutenant-colonel of the same regiment. He was a trustee of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association in 1817, 1818, and 1819. He was elected an honorary member of the Artillery Company, May 30, 1828.
Calvin Hatch (1820) was a tailor in Boston. He was ensign of a company in the Second Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, from 1820. to 1822, lieutenant of the same in 1823, and captain from 1824 to 1827 inclusive. He paraded with the Artillery Company in 1822, and was discharged May 12, 1823.
George A. Hodges (1820), merchant, of Boston, son of Jonathan Hodges and his wife, Elizabeth Ropes, daughter of Hon. Nathaniel Ropes, judge of the Supreme Court, both of Salem, was born in that town Sept. 21, 1794. He married, at " Cherry Hill," Beverly, Oct. 9, 1817, Abigail E., daughter of Capt. Henry and Phebe (Browne) White, of Salem. He died in Salem, Oct. 24, 1863 ; his wife died on the 23d of March next preceding. At the time of his marriage, and until about 1830, he was a merchant on India Wharf, Boston. He then established himself in business in Philadelphia as a commission merchant, but at the expiration of five years, Mrs. Hodges' health failing, he returned to New England, and resided in Lowell until 1844, when he removed to Boston, and finally to his native place. He was paralyzed during the last five years of his life, but his mind was clear and active, and he kept himself informed of all that was transpiring around him in politics, etc. The decease of his wife caused his interest in worldly affairs to cease, and he soon followed her to his rest.
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