USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > History of the early settlement of Newton, county of Middlesex, Massachusetts, from 1639-1800. With a genealogical register of its inhabitants, prior to 1800 > Part 38
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" My friends, as I am soon to join the army, we meet, many of us, perhaps for the last time. I am a solitary branch; I have no wife to feel my loss, no children to follow me to the grave. Should I fall by the tomahawk, or in the front of honorable battle, on the shore of the stormy lake, or in the infested wood, this poor body may want a friendly hand to protect it from insult ; but I must take my chance of a soldier's life.
" When I am gone, you will find some proof that my last thoughts were with the settlers of Fort Massachusetts ; and perhaps, at some future day, should my desire to serve you and your children be not disappointed, my humble name will not be forgotten in the public assembly, and posterity will bestow a tear upon the memory of Ephraim Williams."
483
ALEXANDER SHEPARD, SEN.
LETTERS OF ALEXANDER SHEPARD, SEN.
[ See Page 408.]
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Newton, regularly assem- bled, this 27th day of October, A. D. 1766: -
GENTLEMEN, -In the first place I would humbly beg that my belonging to the westwardly part of the town may not prejudice any one against hearing and duly considering the truth ; and I trust it will not, for I don't desire in the least to be regarded in anything I shall here offer, any far- ther than it be agreeable to truth, and which many of you, by your own experience, know to be so.
Is it not very obvious that peace and unanimity has for a considerable time threatened to depart from amongst us,- and unhappy strife, contention and divisions greatly prevail in every quarter ? - the which (though by some thought to be but trifling) are alarming, and much to be lamented ; and all just and serious endeavors should be used, to pre- vent the increase thereof, and to obtain a restoration of our former peace and harmony, otherwise the Town is in a fair way for ruin, -for oftentimes has the contention of par- ticular persons only, proved the ruin of towns, and even the destruction of whole kingdoms.
From whence did these sad things proceed ? Were they not, in a great measure, owing to our expending large sums of money needlessly, to gratify the desires of some, while others were deprived of their just rights and privileges ? Pray consider the extraordinary charges, that have, one time after another, for a number of years past, been brought upon the Town. I think they have been sufficient to wean
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us from expending any more needlessly, and from running any farther risks of expending large sums, in endeavoring to seek redress under our burthens, when there is not the least probability of obtaining it. Cast but your eyes upon your own records, and there you may view the entries of many extravagant sums, which have been expended (chiefly by the obstinacy of a few leading men) for presentment, fines, court charges, and for the expenses of committees and their service, in order to prevent repairing and building bridges, and rather than Tom Parker and some others should obtain their will. I know not but that, in the whole sum, was sufficient, with the interest, to have repaired all the bridges in the town, to the end of time; and after all, what bridge have we been freed from the charge of?
Like to these proceedings were some part of the trans- actions of last May meeting. In order to oblige a few fam- ilies, (in a mere trifle,) you voted to a long harangue con- cerning the County way lately laid out through the land of Thomas Beal and others, the which, together with the inad- vertent managements of some of the committee, will inevit- ably bring several hundred pounds (O. T.) needless charge on the Town, provided said way be accepted by the honor- able Court, -and I think there is very little reason to doubt it, -or that another way, more costly, will be laid out; for it can't be expected that several hundred of His Majesty's subjects will be deprived of a convenient way, for the sake of obliging a few families in this town, or for the sake of the charge that will accrue thereby.
I therefore humbly conceive -let others think as they please - that in order to do justice to the Town in general, and to the poor in particular, and to avoid repentance when too late, you will do well to reconsider said vote, as soon as conveniently may be, and to pass another to discontinue that part of the old way leading by land of Messrs. Beal
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and Burridge, and to agree with them on as good terms as may be, for the benefit of the Town, - provided the new way be accepted as aforesaid; and I am well assured that it will not be for the advantage of the Town to oppose the acceptance thereof, nor to oppose the laying out (or opening) the way leading from the house of Joshua Jackson, near the house of John Whitmore.
As to other matters this day depending, I humbly con- ceive that as each one does, or should, bear a just and equal proportion, according to what he possesseth, so he ought likewise to enjoy an equitable right in all privileges, both civil and ecclesiastical.
And as to my affairs, relative to my guardianship over Robert Child and wife,-without any long preamble thereon, I would propose, for the sake of peace and to prevent any further cost, to leave the final settlement of my account to the gentlemen Selectmen, or to Capt. Abraham Fuller only, and request that you would appoint one or the other of them accordingly.
I am, with all good wishes for the peace and prosperity of the Town, Gentlemen,
Your very humble serv't,
ALEX. SHEPARD.
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Newton, in Town Meet- ing assembled, this 5th day of April, A. D. 1784 : -
GENTLEMEN, - As you were pleased to choose me as one of your committee to meet in Convention, in order to lay before the great and General Court such grievances as should be thought the good people of the Commonwealth labor under ; and inasmuch as I have not the least knowl- edge of what is contained in the warrant for the present
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ALEXANDER SHEPARD, SEN.
meeting, by being warned, or by any other information, and don't so much as know the Constable that neglected his duty ; nor shall I make the least uneasiness in the affair, no farther than that it is my opinion that no Constable should have any pay for his service, in warning a meeting, who neg- lects the warning of sundry persons in the execution of one warrant, which has been too often the case, and might have been the means of setting aside several meetings, if the people who have been thus neglected were inclined to be factious ; nor have I the least inclination to hurt the Town for the neglect of an individual, for if every vote that should be passed this day, were disagreeable to my mind, I would not use any means to set the meeting aside.
You will, therefore, permit me to give you something of a detail of the proceedings of the late Convention, which I shall endeavor to do in as concise a manner as my abilities will admit of, and if I should presume to advise in the affair, in any particular article, you will pardon me. I need not here particularize all the grievances which it is thought we labor under, but refer you to the proceedings of the Convention, which will herewith be exhibited to you; more especially to the report of a committee chosen by the Convention.
As to the two first articles in said report, relative to the commutation of half pay to the officers of the army, and granting the impost into the hands of the Hon. Congress,- the commutation, for my part, I am very easy therewith ; but as to granting the impost for so long a time, I can't be so well reconciled thereto. If the commutation is not altogether justly due, (which I do not pretend to dispute, if there be any truth in mankind,) yet it cannot be so aggra- vating, when we calmly consider how the officers, together with the common soldiers, who have in general behaved so valiantly, have been (or like to be) turned off with such
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ALEXANDER SHEPARD, SEN.
securities, that those who are obliged to part with them, (as the greater part of the soldiery are,) they must lose more than three-fourths of them, according to the best informa- tion I can obtain ! Cruel and oppressive such treatment to those, especially, who are deserving of the best of treatment.
The other article of grievance mentioned in the report aforesaid, as to the multiplicity of law suits, &c., the want of a sufficient currency of money, with some other smaller grievances, but more particularly the cruel treatment of the soldiery, just mentioned, I think ought to be redressed; and were I to advise thereon, I could not advise any to set down contented therewith, but like restless spirits, (as they are pleased in general in Boston to term such as are in any way dissatisfied with the proceedings of Government,) to seek redress by incessantly petitioning, pleading and pray- ing, to the great and General Court, and to remonstrate, if necessary, till all hopes of redress were over; and if redress could not be obtained in that way, to take better care for the future who they send to Court. But my advice, (if I dare give it,) as to the two first articles, would be, for every individual in the State to set down contented with them, relying entirely on the wisdom and fidelity of the Congress, in doing justice to each State, in the expenditure of the money that shall come into their hand by way of impost, hoping that it may finally prove for the benefit of all the United States. Sure I am, that the granting the money into their hands, (if it should have no other good tendency,) will serve to raise our credit abroad, which is no trifling matter, when it is got to so low an ebb at home. However, it is yet to be hoped that the time in the grant will be lim- ited to a shorter period, if no other alteration therein.
I have been informed, since my confinement, that several gentlemen in the Town seem anxiously desirous that the Town grant (to be made this day) should be sufficient to
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ALEXANDER SHEPARD, SEN.
discharge the whole of the Town debt, and all other neces- sary charges ; the which I hope will be thought too cruel and oppressive to obtain a vote for. The General Court are become sensible that the burthen that yet remains on the people, by taxes already granted, is too heavy, and seem inclined to ease them, or at least not to burthen them any more at present ; and can any one in this Town be desirous to distress the distressed poor of their Town, who are now spending considerable part of their time in pursuit after money to discharge their taxes and keep out of gaol, and cannot obtain necessaries for the children and the collector at the same time, put to great straits and difficulties by wearing on them, and by their lenity to such as can scarcely keep out of gaol themselves. Cruel indeed would it be to lay heavier burthens on such. There is the greater reason to let them have a little time to breathe, after they have been harrassed and distressed by their taxes. They are often told, by way of contempt or derision, to go to work ; poor encouragement for such to go to work, (though needful and expedient,) when all they have must be taken from them, work or play. The families of many must unavoid- ably become a Town charge, if their burthens be much increased. It must, therefore, be for the interest of the Town to make a grant sufficient only to pay their interest and defray the necessary charges of the Town; and I think none but such as have not a proper sense of feeling for the poor, and came by their own estates very easily, and have been, or now are, in a very easy way of making money, that can desire that any more should be granted.
I intended to have added, but have not strength nor time, shall therefore only add, that I wish you a peaceable meet- ing, and that I am, with due respect, Gentlemen,
Your very humble serv't,
ALEX. SHEPARD.
489
NATHANIEL SEGER.
NATHANIEL SEGER.
[See Page 404.]
NATHANIEL SEGER was the son of Josiah Seger, grand- son of Job Seger, and the great-grandson of Henry Seger, one of the early settlers of Newton. He published a Nar- rative, at Paris, Me., in 1825, written by himself, of his revolutionary services, and his capture by the Indians, from which the following extracts are taken : -
"I, Nathaniel Seger, was born in Newton, and resided there until the Spring of 1774, when I went to Sudbury, Canada, (now Bethel, Me.,) on the great Androscoggin river. I worked here during that season, returned in the Fall, and remained at Newton during the Winter. On the 19th of April, 1775, the British troops made an excursion from Boston to Concord, and a battle ensued between the British and Americans. After this battle, a regiment was called out to guard Boston; I enlisted, and marched to Cambridge. Soon after, I enlisted as a soldier for eight months, in Capt. Nathan Fuller's company, Col. Gardner's regiment. On the 17th of June, this regiment was ordered to Bunker Hill, after that bloody battle had commenced, - but not having correct information, we were too late to re- inforce those on the Hill, who were retreating when we arrived at the Hill. One of our company (James Walls) was wounded ; Col. Gardner was mortally wounded, and died soon after. We retreated with the rest from the Hill, and were met by a party who were bringing refreshments for those who had been in the battle, which were very acceptable to us, as the day was very warm, and we much
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NATHANIEL SEGER.
fatigued. After the battle of Bunker Hill, our regiment was stationed on Prospect Hill, under the command of Lieut. Col. Bond, where we served out our eight months. I re-enlisted in the same company and regiment for one year.
" In the Spring of 1776, when the. British had evacuated Bunker Hill, I, with a number of other soldiers, went to the Hill, and found bottles on their tables, as though they had left in great haste.
" Soon after the British troops had left Boston, our regi- ment, with the rest of the Continental troops, were ordered to New York. We marched to Norwich, Conn., where we embarked in sloops, and soon arrived at New York. In two days after our arrival, fifty men were called for, from our regiment, two of which were detailed from our com- pany, (I was one of them,) to march up the North river, to erect a Fort, at Montgomery. We worked on this Fort about three weeks, and got the Fort in a good way before we left it.
" Our regiment was ordered up the North river, for Can- ada. We sailed to Albany, then marched to Lake George, took batteaux and rowed forty-five miles to the landing, hauled our boats and baggage about one mile and a half by land, to the waters of Lake Champlain, and from thence we rowed to Ticonderoga. Some days after we arrived here, we marched to Crown Point, and from thence to St. Johns, at the outlet of Lake Champlain. Here we hired a Frenchman to pilot us to Chamblee, about twelve miles. In a few days we took batteaux, and went down the river St. Lawrence, for Quebec, rowing forty or fifty miles, to a place called Sorel. Here we met the enemy, and were obliged to retreat to Chamblee, where we made our stand for some time ; many of the soldiers caught the small pox, and orders were given that every man might inoculate.
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NATHANIEL SEGER.
We continued here till the army had recovered from this terrible distemper. After the army had recovered from the small pox, the army retreated to St. Johns, and from thence over Lake Champlain, to Crown Point, rowing day and night, and fired upon by the Indians. The army was very feeble and much debilitated, for want of proper medicines to carry off the relics of the small pox; many have died, and but few were fit for duty. The waters of Champlain were, at this season of the year, extremely unwholesome. On reaching Crown Point, the army were worn down by hard labor and sickness, which increased until the hospitals could hold no more. At Fort George it became so sickly, that our regiment were exempted from duty; there were scarce well men enough to take care of the sick. Col. Bond died. The sickness abated, so that in the month of August our regiment were again fit for duty. I marched under the Lieut., Col. and Major, to Albany, and from thence, under the command of Capt. Hatch, sailed down the North river and marched to Morristown, New Jersey, arriving there in December. Here, on the 3d of January, 1717, I received my discharge and a passport to Boston. After a most fatiguing journey, I arrived at my father's house in Newton, the last of January, very much to my own and their great joy. I received no pay or provisions, to bear my expenses on my long and tedious journey home. I sold what clothing I could possibly spare, and begged on the way. I regained my health and strength; when the enemy appeared at Bennington, Vt., and orders were out to raise men to go there. I again enlisted for this service, in a company under the command of Capt. Joseph Fuller, of Newton. We marched to Bennington, then to Skeensboro', where we were stationed as a guard. Col. Brown, with a party of men, and Capt. Ethan Allen, with his Rangers, were ordered to Lake George landing, where we destroyed
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NATHANIEL SEGER.
the enemy's batteaux, took about two hundred Hessians prisoners, which, with considerable plunder, we brought into camp.
"We were ordered to Stillwater, where we arrived not long before the battle at that place commenced; I was not in that battle, having turned out in a volunteer company of fifty men, who were ordered to guard the swamp, where it was thought the Indians would approach, and harrass our army. We continued here until the battle was over, when the company were ordered in. Our company were ordered to White Plains, where the time for which I enlisted was out, and I was discharged, and returned home.
" In Aug., 1778, men were called for to march to Rhode Island. I enlisted again for this service, and marched to Rhode Island, thence to Newport, then in possession of the British, where great preparations were made for a battle; when suddenly we were ordered to retreat from the Island. The enemy being informed of our design, closely pursued us; we retreated to Fall River, where, in January, 1779, I was again discharged, and again returned home to Newton. I was one year and ten months in the Continental service, in 1775 and 1776 - six months in 1777, and five months in 1778 ; in all, two years and nine months."
Thus far this narrative of Seger's not only gives his own experience of soldiering in the Revolution, but describes the fare and fate of very many other Newton men.
" In the Spring of 1779, I went again to Sudbury, (Bethel,) in company with Jonathan Bartlett, of Newton, and carried kettles to make sugar. The next Spring, Thad- deus Bartlett, of Newton, and a boy named Aaron Barton, joined us at Bethel, and we employed ourselves making sugar, clearing the land, and planting. The Indians ap-
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NATHANIEL SEGER.
peared friendly ; we gave them corn and sugar, and received from them wild meat, tallow, and fur, and lived together on amicable terms. We had no roads; we went by marked trees, and hauled our necessaries on hand sleds. There were but few families in the place, and no neighbors near. We ground our corn with a hand mill.
"In 1781, there were ten families in the town, but the nearest was six miles from us, and some were ten miles from us. The Indians were often among us; we traded with them, and labored to live in good fellowship with them. After a while they grew morose and surly; at length they became very much emboldened, and painted themselves in a hostile manner.
" On the 3d of August, 1781, there came six Indians from Canada, armed with guns, tomahawks, and scalping knives. They took me, Benjamin Clark, Lieut. Jonathan Clark, of Newton, and Capt. Eleazer Twitchell, prisoners, bound us and plundered our dwellings. They loaded us with heavy packs filled with plunder, from our own dwellings, and ordered us to march with our hands bound. We were ordered to travel up the river, and came to a place called Peabody's Patent, now Gilead, where they took James Pettingil prisoner, plundered his house, and ordered him to march to Canada. He having no shoes, could not travel, and they murdered him. We pursued our journey through Shelburn, N. H., and fording the Androscoggin river, came to the house of Hope Austin, plundered the house, shot a man by the name of Peter Poor, and took a colored man named Plato, prisoner, when Lieut. Jonathan Clark was released and allowed to go back. We pursued our way through the woods towards Canada with heavy packs, trem- bling limbs, and aching hearts, not knowing what would befall us. We came to a large mountain and ascended to its summit, where we had a very extensive prospect of that
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NATHANIEL SEGER.
mountainous country. We hurried on till we came to the height of land between the Androscoggin and the Umbagog lake, from whence that river takes its rise. We arrived at St. François and were permitted to sit down and rest. On the fifth day after we were taken prisoners, we came to Umbagog lake. Here the Indians had three canoes, made of spruce bark, in which we crossed the lake. They now unbound us, and we pursued our way for Canada in canoes. From the lake we came to a small river called the Magal- loway ; went some ways on this river, shot a moose, boiled and roasted the meat ; although very hungry could eat but little, having no salt or bread.
"We continued our journey towards Canada, over rough high mountains and through dismal swamps, day after day, weary and faint, our strength failing and spirits sinking. At length we struck upon the waters of the St. François. It was at first but a small brook. On the second day it grew larger, and at night we came to the main branch of the river. On the third day, at night, we came to three canoes, weary, tired and almost worn out. In the morning we took the canoes and went down the river St. François ; there were many carrying places over which we had to lug our canoes, and continued our journey down the river to a village in Canada, where there were seventy Indian war- riors. As we touched the shore an Indian clinched me violently by the arm, and threatened he would kill me. There was great rejoicing among them over their prisoners, scalps, and plunder. A man crowded in among the Indians and took me by the arm, and bid me go with him to the guard house; and Benjamin Clark was soon brought to the same place. The next morning the Indians requested Clark, and the guard let him go with them. They cut off his hair, painted him, and put their dress upon him, like an Indian chief, and gave him his liberty among them. It
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NATHANIEL SEGER.
was fourteen days after we were captured before we arrived in Canada.
" We were two days at this guard house, and then were given up to the Indians, with an interpreter, to carry us in their canoes to Montreal. The Indians took my shoes and shirt from me, and sold them for pipes. I upbraided them for their misconduct, but they told me the king would find me shoes; these were the last things they could take from me. At length we arrived at Montreal and were conducted to the commander, who examined us and asked us many questions, particularly how long we had been in the Ameri- can service.
"The Indians requested that they might keep Mr. Clark, but the commander would not consent; they then took off all the ornaments they had put upon him, and every rag of clothes except his shirt. They now received their bounty money for the prisoners and scalps. Clark and myself were conducted to the gaol, and delivered up to the guard, where were ten prisoners, some of whom were confined in irons. Our allowance of food was not half sufficient for us ; we were kept in this terrible condition forty days; we were then sent up the river St. Lawrence, with forty or fifty prisoners, forty-five miles, to an island, with a guard house and barrack, and a guard of thirty men ; this was in October, the same year that we were taken prisoners. Other prisoners were brought in, which increased the num- ber to one hundred and eighty. We were guarded by men who had deserted from the States; they were cruel and abusive to the prisoners, and cheated them out of part of their allowance. We continued here till the next Spring, 1782, where we endured a very hard Winter; none can know our sufferings and distress, but those who endured it.
" In the Summer of 1782, Lord Cornwallis and his army were taken prisoners by Gen. Washington. This informa-
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NATHANIEL SEGER.
tion greatly rejoiced our hearts, and gave us a lively hope that deliverance was at hand. Soon after this, we were taken down to Quebec and put on shipboard, and detained there in anxious suspense twenty days, and then sailed for Boston about the 10th of Nov. After a pleasant passage, we landed at Castle William, in Boston harbor, crossed the channel in a boat, and landed at Dorchester point, same evening. Benjamin Clark, my fellow prisoner and sufferer, and myself, went to Newton before we slept, to the great astonishment and joy of our friends and relatives. They had never heard a word from us since our capture in Bethel, until they saw our faces. We approached them as though we had risen from the dead. They could hardly believe their own eyes. It was indeed a joyful meeting, and we all rejoiced together with glad hearts. We tarried at Newton sometime to refresh ourselves, and then returned to Bethel.
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