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 40
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Col. Ward was the Master of a public school in Boston, when the first blood was shed for independence at Lexing- ton; he was intimate with the leading men who were engaged with him in bringing about that great event, - Samuel Adams, James Otis, John Adams, John Hancock,
* The following extract from an advertisement, is copied from the BOSTON GAZETTE, published by Edes & Gill, September, 1772.
" The subscriber informs the gentlemen and ladies of Boston, that he purposes to open an English Grammar School, for the instruction of youth, in a house adjoining the Treasury Office, from 8 to 11 in the morning, and from 2 to 5 in the afternoon. He will teach Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, English Grammar, Logic, Composition, Polite Letter Writing, on business, friendship, &c. Price fifteen shillings per quar- ter. To be opened on the second Monday in October. No fire money or entrance will be required.
" JOSEPH WARD."
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Joseph Warren, Josiah Quincy, Jr., Paul Revere, and others of that stamp. They were men, who, having done their utmost to bring about the Revolution, did not dodge when that storm broke upon Massachusetts, but like honest, earnest and brave men, stood by the country through all the dark and trying hours of the conflict.
On the 19th of April, 1775, on learning that the British troops were in motion, he left Boston at the break of day, and proceeded to his father's house in Newton, where he obtained a horse and gun, rode to Concord to animate his countrymen, and get a shot at the British. The next day, (April 20,) " At 11 o'clock, A. M., our General appointed Mr. Joseph Ward, a gentleman of abilities, his Aid-de-Camp and Secretary, who entered on the duties of his new office. This was the first appointment of the kind in the American army." *
On the 19th of May, following, General Artemas Ward, of Shrewsbury, was appointed by the Congress of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, (Joseph Warren, President pro tem.,) General and Commander in Chief of all the forces raised by the Congress aforesaid, for the defence of this and the other American Colonies. The next day, General Ward took command of the army at Cambridge, and ap- pointed Samuel Osgood, Esq., of Andover, and Joseph Ward, Esq., of Newton, his Aids-de-Camp ; the latter also officiated as his Secretary, and in that capacity Col. Ward served at the battle of Bunker Hill, where he rode over Charlestown Neck, through a cross fire of the enemy's floating batteries, to execute an order from Gen. Ward, at which time a broadside was fired at him, by a British man of war. He continued in that office until Gen. Ward re- signed, in December, 1776.
* Gen. Heath's Memoirs, page 16.
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COL. JOSEPH WARD.
On the 10th of April, 1777, the Continental Congress appointed Joseph Ward, Esq., "Commissary General of Musters, with the rank of Colonel." His commission, signed by John Hancock, President, is still in possession of the family, and by them highly prized.
In the Fall of 1778, Col. Ward was taken prisoner, in New Jersey, by a scouting party of refugees, and carried to Flatbush, L. I., where he was confined and maltreated. The horrors of that prison never could be truly realized, except by those who had the terrible misfortune to be its inmates. While a prisoner at Flatbush, he wrote the fol- lowing verses, to cheer up the drooping spirits of his fellow prisoners, in that loathsome place.
THE AMERICAN PRISONER.
And shall we pause in freedom's cause, Repine to give it aid, If one fell hour some joys devour, Or some bright moments shade ?
No fetters bind the freeborn mind,- It acts like angels free, Nor clouds the soul when tempests roll O'er sons of Liberty.
We took the field with hearts well steel'd, Our hopes fixed firm on high, Nor aught we feel can check our zeal,- We dare to live or die.
Tyrants may rage and war may wage With death in every form, But Freedom's charms (e'en strip'd of arms) Bid us defy the storm.
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COL. JOSEPH WARD.
Their rage is vain, the tyrant's chain Can only tyrants bind, Our freeborn souls no power controls, We'll traverse unconfined.
Knock off your chains, forget your pains, My brother prisoners all, And let us join in songs divine, To sing the tyrants' fall.
See Freedom rise bright as the skies, Pure as celestial rays, The tempest o'er no tyrants more Shall dim the golden rays !
Dismiss your earc, think on the fair, The blissful scenes to come, When every flow'r shall gild each hour, And every pleasure bloom.
Sweethearts and wives will bless our lives, Sublimest joys convey, With mingled charms in their dear arms, How bright the glorious day !
Each future sun sees WASHINGTON, In peace and triumph ride, - Each brilliant star shine from afar, Propitious o'er his head.
On Fame's bright wing fresh laurels spring, And round the hero shine, While angels write with sunbeams bright, His deeds in verse divine !
The government of his native State interested itself strongly in his behalf. Great exertions were made to pro- cure his release, particularly by Samuel Adams, which
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were successful, and in April, 1779, he was exchanged for a British officer; and thus expressed his thanks to the Council of Massachusetts.
HEAD QUARTERS, NEW JERSEY, April 3, 1779.
To the Hon. President of the Council of the State of Massachusetts.
SIR, - I this day returned from New York, and joined the army. As I am informed that my exchange was in consequence of the kind attention of the Hon. Council of the State of Mass., I beg leave, Sir, to express my grateful acknowledgments for this distinguished favor. I feel, Sir, with great sensibility, this benevolent and honorable testi- mony of regard, from my parent State. It is a new incitement to ex- ertions in the cause of Freedom, and may that hour alone, which closes my life, terminate my efforts for the happiness of my country.
I have the honor to be, with every sentiment of respect,
Your most obedient and humble servant,
JOSEPH WARD.
On the 10th of January, 1780, Congress passed a resolu- tion that the mustering department be discontinued, and that the duties thereof should be performed by the inspec- tors of the army ; at the same time, Congress, by its vote, expressed its satisfaction with the faithful services of Col. Ward; and Gen. Washington wrote him the following let- ter, the original of which is yet in the possession of the family.
HEAD QUARTERS, MORRISTOWN, Jan. 21, 1780.
DEAR SIR, - I have received your favor of the 19th inst. You will oblige me by completing the musters up to the end of December, as requested in Col. Harrison's letter of the 13th. When the rolls up to that time are finished, I think you had better receive them yourself, and transmit them to the Board of War, as usual. By that time it will be necessary to make the January musters, when I hope the new arrangement will have been completed.
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COL. JOSEPH WARD.
You have my thanks for your constant attention to the business of your department, the manner of its execution, and your ready and pointed compliance with all my orders, and I cannot help adding, on this occasion, for the zeal you have discovered, at all times and under all circumstances, to promote the good of the service in general, and the great objects of our cause.
I am, dear Sir, with great regard,
Your ob't and humble servant,
GEORGE WASHINGTON. Col. Ward.
COL. WARD'S REPLY.
HEAD QUARTERS, MORRISTOWN, Feb. 29, 1780.
SIR, - I had the honor to receive your Excellency's letter of the 21st of January, and with great pleasure have complied with your wishes, as expressed therein.
The Brigade Majors being unacquainted with the business of mus- tering the regiments, caused a delay, by reason of which I could not complete the general abstract, and all the returns to the several officers, until to-day.
I feel, Sir, with great sensibility, the very obliging manner in which your Excellency has been pleased to express your approbation of my services. The approbation of the wise and good is the happiness to which I aspire, and the honor I now receive applies to all the feelings of the heart, as it comes from the man for whom I have the greatest respect and veneration.
Free from all suspicion, at this parting hour, I will not suppress the language of my heart. Should any act of mine survive distant pos- terity, may it be this testimony, - that I served five years in the armies of America, under the command of Gen. Washington, and witnessed the even tenor of his life, guided by patriotism, magnanimity and vir- tue - while justice, benevolence, and candor, condescension and liber- ality, with mingled rays, shone conspicuous, without one varying hour. The citizens and soldiers held him in the embrace of their affections, and every one saw in him his friend and brother.
Be pleased, my dear General, to accept the assurance that neither time nor distance will extinguish the ardor with which I wish you every felicity. May peace soon crown your labors, and each future day shine
/
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brighter, until you join that circle where are pleasures consummate and eternal.
I have the honor to be, with every sentiment of esteem and respect, Your Excellency's most obedient and humble servant.
JOSEPH WARD. His Excellency Gen. Washington.
GEN. WASHINGTON'S REPLY.
HEAD QUARTERS, MORRISTOWN, March 2, 1780.
DEAR SIR, - I am to acknowledge your letter of the 29th of Feb. last. The favorable sentiments of a good man, and one who has exe- cuted diligently and faithfully the duties of his station, cannot fail being agreeable.
I thank you for your good wishes ; and mine, be assured, towards you, are not less sincere for your happiness and prosperity, in whatever walk of life you may go into.
With great regard, I am, dear Sir,
Your most obedient,
GEORGE WASHINGTON. Col. Ward.
April 15, 1780, Congress, by ballot, elected Col. Ward Commissary General of prisoners. He did not, however, accept this office. It would appear from his letter to Gen. Washington, dated Feb. 29, 1780, that that was the last service he performed in the army; and Gen. Washington's reply to that letter was dated March 2d, 1780. It is probable that he returned to Boston in March or April. In July, Gen. Knox writes him the following letter, and directs to him at Boston.
CAMP PRECANESS, NEW JERSEY, July 28, 1780.
Col. Joseph Ward, Boston,-
DEAR SIR, - It is with the greatest pleasure I acknowledge the receipt of three of your favors, the last of which is dated on the 4th
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inst. A constant hurry of business, in consequence of the enemies' incursion into this State, and the arrival of the fleet and troops of our ally, have prevented my obeying the dictates of my heart until the present moment ; and now, my omission has so much the appearance of following the supercilious example of some of our official people, that, were I a Roman Catholic, I should impose some confounded severe penance on myself, for following anything but the immediate fire of the enemy, to protract a duty which I think indispensable to the character of a man of business and a gentleman.
I am sorry you did not obtain the appointment you wished, but I hope you will be settled in a manner that will be perfectly agreeable to you. The employment which you say you exercise at present, viz : that of endeavoring to revive thic spirit of '74 and '75, though not very lucrative to you, yet is very important to your country. If the old spirit revive not, we die, politically die. It must be radically anima- ted ; a sudden rush now and then will not answer; indeed, it is not a good symptom, but like the last flashes of an expiring taper, indicates dissolution.
Think me not capricious, my dear Sir, when I assure you, as my serious sentiments, that there must be a material alteration of senti- ment and of political constitution, to carry on this war successfully.
Great God ! is it possible that a people possessing the least spark of knowledge and virtue, should be so inattentive to their most important concerns as to suffer them, through supineness, to be on the verge of ruin ; and yet is not this the case ? Have we not been dreaming, for more than two years past, and suffered our enemy to retain their old conquests, and make new ones ? not because they were strong and irresistible, but because we were the most inert beings on earth.
The army, the only cogent argument to oppose to an unreasonable enemy, have been permitted, nay, stimulated to decay ; no attention has been paid to its re-establishment, except in the temporary expe- dient of six months' men, and this so tardily done, as to induce a ready belief that the mass of America have taken a monstrous deal of opium.
It is true the Eastern States and New York have done something in this instance, but no others, - propagate this truth. For I have ceased necessary arrangements for the campaign, but we shall move from it in a day or two, towards the North River. Much might have been expected from this campaign, had proportionable and seasonable prep- arations have been made ; at present I know not what to say, - time, which matures all things, will at last discover.
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COL. JOSEPH WARD.
I beg the favor that you will write to me frequently. I do assure you that I will answer them as often as circumstances and opportunity will permit.
I am, dear Sir, with much respect, your humble servant,
HENRY KNOX.
This letter from Gen. Knox, contains important facts. He was Maj. Gen. and Commander of the American Artil- lery, and first Secretary of War under President Washing- ton. It confirms the fact that in the most dark and trying years of the war, from 1778 to 1780, the main reliance for the prosecution of the war, was upon New York and New England. This letter was in reply to three of Col. Ward's letters, from which we learn that he was in Boston, that he did not obtain the office he desired, after the change that the Congress made in the mustering department - that he was occupied in writing for the newspapers, as he had done very many years previous, endeavoring to stimulate his countrymen to greater exertions in prosecuting the war; and where he judged his services were most needed, in urging a revival of the spirit of '74 and '75. "This employment, (Gen. Knox says,) although not very lucrative, yet is very important to the country. If the old spirit revive not we die - politically die;" and knowing his ready mind and pen, gives him this hint, " New York and New England have done something to recruit the army, but no others. PROPAGATE THIS TRUTH."
We may be sure that Col. Ward, in his newspaper essays, did grasp this fact to arouse the delinquent States, and press it home upon all to strain every nerve to recruit the army.
After the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, in Oct. 1781, it became apparent that peace would soon crown our efforts ; Col. Ward then opened a land office in Boston, to which he subsequently added the business of a broker. The late
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Nathaniel Prime, a distinguished financier and citizen of New York City, served his time with Col. Ward, residing, as was the custom of that day, in the family of his employer. Mr. Prime always entertained a high respect for the kind- ness and integrity of Col. Ward, and readily acknowledged it a fortunate circumstance in his life, that he served his time in the office and with the family of Col. Ward. On coming of age he wrote him the following letter.
BOSTON, Feb. 1, 1789.
Joseph Ward, Esq.,
DEAR SIR, - This morning (according to the laws of man) I have entered on the theatre of action for myself. For three years and five months I have been acting for you ; which time I have spent the most agreeably of any part of my life. It is with pleasure I can look back and feel conscious to myself that I have at all times made your inter- est my own, and have acted according to the best of my judgment, to increase the shining ball. Should it meet your approbation, I shall feel peculiarly happy.
I am, dear Sir, with every sentiment of esteem,
Your most obedient and very humble servant,
NATHANIEL PRIME.
Soon after, Mr. Prime established himself in the City of New York, where he acquired a large fortune, became a distinguished financier in Wall street, and one of the prom- inent men of that City. He and his former employer had many business transactions jointly and otherwise, and their friendship only ceased with the death of the latter.
Having acquired a handsome fortune for that day, Col. Ward retired from active business in Boston, removed to Newton, in April, 1792, and purchased a farm at Chesnut hill, in the easterly part of the town. Upon this delightful spot he erected a spacious mansion house, which commanded
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a splendid view of the metropolis, and of the surrounding country ; being the same premises now owned by Charles Brackett. He was chosen to represent his native town in the General Court, in 1796. It was his purpose to have lived out the remainder of his days in Newton, but it was ordered otherwise ; a succession of misfortunes reduced him to poverty ; some account of which is copied from his own memorandum, dated December, 1802.
" When I made my arrangements to remove from Boston to Newton, my property was principally in public securities of various kinds, and by the then prices, the whole was worth $72,000. By the failures at New York, and the fall of public securities, the value of my property was reduced, at the time I removed to Newton, to about $50,000. The total disregard of the contract of the United States, to pay the interest on. the new bills, and the like disregard of the States to their engagements to pay neither interest nor principal, reduced what I could have sold for $25,000 to $8,000, making a loss of $17,000.
" When the State of Georgia sold its new lands, I pur- chased two hundred thousand acres, and sold the same for $25,000 more than its first cost, and took notes for the same, payable at distant periods. The next year the Gov- ernment of Georgia made an Act annulling the law by which the lands were sold, and took other fraudulent mea- sures, in consequence of which the value of the land was greatly affected, and it became doubtful whether in law and equity the notes I received for it would be paid. I there- fore received one-half of the land again, and returned part of the notes, and made a very great discount on the residue of the notes. Hence I lost by the tyranny and fraud of Georgia, upwards of $20,000.
" About this time a corporation was formed to water the town of Boston by acqueducts. The prospect of its being
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useful to the public and beneficial to the proprietors, induced me to purchase one-fifth of the whole interest; but by the misfortune of employing a bad conductor of the works, great loss was sustained.
"John Marston, of Boston, had for several years done some business for me as a broker ; he appeared faithful, and stood in need of assistance in his business, promising inviolable fidelity, and I often endorsed his notes. He did much business as a broker and appeared to rise in property.
* * * " As his business was extensive and gainful; as he had given me assurances of his being worth $10,000, his solemn engagement that in no event would he injure me, I did not think the hazard was great, and I continued to endorse his notes, from time to time. But the result was, he failed, without giving me the least - security. I had no idea that there were notes of my endor- sing unpaid, to the amount of more than $18,000, but to my astonishment, he had neglected to take up his notes until he had out more than $60,000, and upwards of $40,000 of my endorsing, unpaid. The amount of my loss by him cannot now be estimated, as the value of his property cannot be ascertained; but there is no prospect of his paying more than one-half his debts, and it is feared not so much."
It turned out, however, that the prospect of Marston's paying one-half of his debts, was delusive. It is believed that he paid Col. Ward little or nothing, and that his loss by Marston was about $42,000. He also lost largely by investing in the Mississippi Land Company, and also sev- eral other losses of considerable amount; and to crown all these severe and distressing misfortunes, the State of Massachusetts also failed to redeem its obligations ; a brief statement of her injustice will be hereinafter stated.
It was thus that Col. Ward was reduced from opulence to poverty ; but during all these repeated and Job-like mes-
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sages of calamity, he kept the even and pleasant tenor of his way, and " sinned not." He calmly and readily yielded up to Marston's creditors his very pleasant mansion and delightful homestead, and bade adieu to that loveliest spot in his native town, " Chesnut Hill."
In 1804, he removed to Boston, and entered again into the struggle of business in his old age, for the support of himself and family. In July, 1807, Gov. Sullivan ap- pointed him one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Suffolk.
On the 14th of February, 1812, Col. Ward died, in Bos- ton, at the age of 75, leaving a widow and six children, five of whom were in their minority.
The following obituary notice of his death was published in the Columbian Centinel, Feb. 22, 1812.
" Melancholy are the sensations which assail the human mind, on viewing the mighty pillars which have long supported a great and glo- rious fabric, sinking to decay, and prostrated to the dust.
"In beholding the last, and now almost solitary members of the American Revolution, those men by whom our independence was reared, those pillars on which for so many years it has rested, rapidly disappearing from our view, adds a pang to every new occasion, on which these feelings are called into exercise.
" In tracing the actions of the amiable patriot, who has now closed his virtuous career, we behold him, at the commencement of hostilities in 1775, animating his fellow countrymen, by his example and his counsels - portraying the dangers which were about to assail them, and exhibiting the firmness with which such dangers should be met.
" He stood among the first to unsheath his sword, and defend the violated rights of his country ; distinguished by sentiments elevated and patriotic as these, he was selected as the Aid-de-Camp of the then Commander in Chief. *
" He afterwards received the appointment of Muster Master General, with the rank of Colonel. In 1780, his office was associated with that of Inspector General of Discipline. Col. Ward acquiesced with satis-
* Gen. Artemas Ward.
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faction in this arrangement, and received, in a style equally flattering to his character and his conduct, the approbation of Gen. Washington, for the exemplary manner in which he had discharged the duties of his office. With dignity he retired from the Army, possessed of the affec- tion and esteem of his brother officers and soldiers.
" His talents adorned, and his virtues were the charm of private life. The influence of religion over his mind, was equally conspicuous, whether warmed by the genial sun of prosperity, or chilled by the win- ter blasts of adversity. Neither the one nor the other could overcome that superiority to human vicissitude, which is the acme of human virtue.
" In public transactions, justice was his pole star, and truth the guide of his conduct. Firmly relying on this foundation, he considered that he rested on that which could never fail. With confidence he vested his fortune in evidences of property, guaranteed by the public engage- ments of his country, and in titles to land granted and sanctioned by the faith of the Legislature of a State. To the last moment of his life he advocated his claims, with a clearness of conception, and strength of argument, the truth of which must ever be felt and ad- mircd. Although he is dead, the principles of justice and good faith still live. And that the widow and the orphan may yet feel their influence, is the prayer of a sincere friend to suffering humanity."
The claims of Col. Ward upon the State of Massachu- setts, will be briefly stated.
In May, 1780, the General Assembly of the State of Massachusetts Bay, enacted a funding law, for the purpose of drawing in the Continental currency, then much deprecia- ted, called the old emission Bills of Credit, which by an Act of Congress, the Nation and the State were both pledged to redeem. The first section of the law was as follows : -
" Whereas, the just and necessary war in which the Uni- ted States are engaged, requires additional revenue to sup- port and carry on the same ;
" Be it enacted, &c., that there be emitted on the funds hereafter provided, a sum not exceeding £400,000 Bills of Credit, bearing an annual interest of five per cent. per annum; and the Bills to be emitted, to read as follows :
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COL. JOSEPH WARD.
"The possessor of this Bill shall be paid - Spanish Milled Dollars, by the 31st day of December, 1786, with interest in like money, at the rate of five per cent. per annum, by the State of Massachusetts Bay, according to an Act of the Legislature of said State, of the 5th of May, 1780."
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