USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Concord > History of the town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts : from its earliest settlement to 1832; and of the adjoining towns, Bedford, Acton, Lincoln, and Carlisle; containing various notices of county and state history not before published. > Part 10
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Concord > History of the town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts : from its earliest settlement to 1832 : and of the adjoining towns, Bedford, Acton, Lincoln, and Carlisle > Part 10
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assisting in bringing on a new mode of government in this province, in the execution of the laws against all offenders."1 At the same time it was also voted to raise one or more companies to march at a minute's warning in case of alarm, to pay them reasonable wages when called for out of town, and to allow them to choose their own officers ; to buy 420 pounds of powder and 500 pounds of ball in addition to the town stock of ammunition, and a chest of good fire-arms, " that those who are unable to purchase them themselves may have the advantage of them if necessity calls for it." At this meeting also Mr. Samuel Whitney, Capt. Jonas Heywood, Mr. Ephraim Wood, jr., Mr. Joseph Hosmer, Ensign James Chandler, and Mr. James Barrett, were chosen a committee of correspondence to hold intercourse with similar committees in other towns. The selectmen had hitherto acted in that capacity. Delegates were also chosen to the proposed Provincial Congress.
The Provincial Congress met here, Oct. 11th, which was an important event. The delegates from Concord were Capt. James Barrett, Mr. Samuel Whitney, and Mr. Ephraim Wood, jr. ; from Bedford, Mr. Joseph Ballard, and John Reed, Esq. ; from Acton, Messrs. Josiah Hayward, Francis Faulkner, and Ephraim Hap- good ; and from Lincoln, Capt. Eleazer Brooks, Mr. Samuel Farrar, and Capt. Abijah Pierce. The whole number of mem- bers was 288; and it was in all respects a most important assem- bly. The Hon. John Hancock of Boston was chosen president, and Mr. Benjamin Lincoln, Secretary. The meeting was first held in the old court-house, but that being too small to convene so large an assembly, it was adjourned to the meeting-house. The Rev. William Emerson, by invitation of the Congress, officiated as chaplain. Two sessions, one at nine, and the other at three o'clock, were held each day. The state of public affairs was taken into consideration, and an address to Gov. Gage agreed upon ; but it was unavailing, and did not accomplish its intended object. After remaining in session till the 15th, the Congress adjourned
1 It is said to be characteristic of the people of Concord to act with great deliberation, but when they do act, to act effectually. This may be seer in the proceedings just described. From the beginning of the controversy, they were opposed to taking any unconstitutional measures to recover their lost privileges.
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to Cambridge, probably for a more easy communication with the capital.1
The presence of the Provincial Congress tended to animate the citizens of Concord, and inspire them with increasing confidence in the cause of liberty and patriotic action. They approved the recommendations of that body. Several cannon were purchased and brought here, Oct. 13th. On the 24th, the town directed the selectmen to mount them, and to purchase 100 pounds of four- pound cannon ball, 200 pounds of grape-shot, and 392 pounds of powder; and raised £120 to pay the expense.
About this time a liberty-pole was erected, on which the peo- ple's flag was first hoisted here. The occasion brought together a large concourse of people, and was hailed as an auspicious event.
November 21st, the town authorized the constables to pay the money in their hands, belonging to the province, to Henry Gard- ner, Esq. of Stow, who had been appointed by Congress " Re- ceiver General "; and at the same time voted to annul the non- consumption covenant, which, as already noticed, was entered into on the 27th of June. The articles of association, as agreed upon by the Continental Congress, were adopted in its stead. A com- mittee of inspection, composed of Col. James Barrett, Mr. Joseph Hosmer, Capt. Jonas Heywood, Mr. Abijah Bond, and Capt. David Brown, was chosen " to see to the punctual and particular observance of the said association agreement." A preamble - " we, whose names are underwritten, promise for ourselves and
1 The records in the Secretary's office give the following account of the different Congresses : -
First Congress.
Convened at Salem, Oct. 7, 1774 ; adjourned the same day.
Convened at Concord, Tues. Oct. 11 ; adjourned Sat. 15th, same month.
Convened at Cambridge, Mond. Oct. 17 ; adjourned Sat. 29th do.
Convened at do. Wed. Nov. 23; dissolved Sat. Dec. 10th. Second Congress.
Convened at Cambridge, Wed. Feb. 1, 1775; adjourned Thursd. 16th do. Convened at Concord, Tues. March 22; adjourned Sat. 15th April.
Convened at do. Sat. April 22 ; adjourned same day.
Convened at Watertown, Mond. April 24; dissolved May 29th.
Third Congress.
Convened at Watertown, May 31, 1775; dissolved July 19th.
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those under us, that we will strictly adhere to the Continental Congress Association, which is hereunto annexed, in all its parts and clauses ; " - was adopted Jan. 25, 1775 ; and a copy fur- nished to each inhabitant for his signature, by a committee chosen for the purpose, consisting of Ensign James Barrett, Mr. Ephraim Wood, jr., Mr. Samuel Whitney, and Mr. John Green. One of these original papers I find to be signed by seventy -two men and two single women. Stephen Hosmer excepted " tea for his wife only," - all the others were unconditional.
The organization and compensation of the minute companies was brought before the town in December, and referred to a com- mittee, who reported, Jan. 9, 1775, the following regulations :
"1. We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, will, to the utmost of our power, defend his Majesty, King George the Third, his person, crown, and dignity.
" 2. We will at the same time, to the utmost of our power and abilities, defend all and every of our charter rights, liberties, and privileges ; and will hold ourselves in readiness at a minute's warn- ing with arms and ammunition thus to do.
"3. We will at all times and in all places obey our officers chosen by us, and our superior officers, in ordering and disciplining us, when and where said officers shall think proper."
The town agreed to pay each minute man for three hours on two half days in each week, 1s. 8d. for each half day, and a " cartouch-box " ; 1 for ten months, unless otherwise ordered by the town. On the Thursday following a meeting was held to enlist the men, when the Rev. William Emerson preached from Psalm lxiii. 2. About sixty enlisted, including many who were either too young or too old to be required by law to do military duty. The number was subsequently increased to 100, and divided into two companies. Mr. Samuel Whitney was muster-master. On the 27th, a committee, chosen to examine them then exercising, reported that fifteen in the company were unable to furnish them- selves with guns. These were supplied by the town. One of the companies was called the Alarm Company, and directed to take
1 The pay was increased in February as follows: To each captain, 2s. 4d .; Ist lieutenant, 1s. 8d .; 2d lieutenant, 1s. 4d .; sergeant, 10d. ; corporal, 8d. ; and private, 4d.
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care and learn the exercise of the cannon. Much military enthu- siasm prevailed.
During the month of February the town used the greatest cau- tion to have the articles of association observed. Several meetings were held ; and such measures, as the state of the times required, adopted. Capt. Timothy Wheeler, Mr. Andrew Conant, Mr. Samuel Whitney, Capt. John Greene, Mr. Josiah Merriam, Mr. Ephraim Wood, jr., Mr. William Parkman, and Capt. Thomas Davis, were added to the committee of inspection, and directed to return the names of those who declined signing the articles of asso- ciation. Such were to be treated with neglect and detestation.1 Three only were returned.
On Monday, 13th of March, 1775, there was a review of all the military companies in the town. They went into the meeting house, accompanied by a large concourse of spectators, and the Rev. Mr. Emerson preached from 2 Chronicles, xiii. 12; " Be- hold God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets, to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the Lord God of your fathers ; for ye shall not prosper." - These religious services were a powerful appeal to the feelings and understanding of his audience, and to Heaven for the justness of their cause. They were repeated be- fore the companies in Acton the week after. The Thursday following was kept as a solemn fast, on account of the gloomy state of public affairs, when the Rev. Mr. Emerson again preach- ed. His text was Micah, vii. 1-7.
The Provincial Congress, in February, ordered, that large quan- tities of provisions and military stores, sufficient to furnish 15,000 men, should be collected and deposited in Concord and Worcester, principally at the former place.2 In the October preceding, Messrs. Hancock, Orne, Heath, White, Palmer, Watson, Devens, and Pigeon had been chosen by Congress a committee of safety ; and -
Messrs. Cheever, Lincoln, Lee, Gerry, and Gill, a committee of
1 This vote remained in force till May 14, 1778, when the town annulled it, " so far as respects any persons who reside among us, and no farther."
2 William Lincoln, Esq., to whose kindness the author is indebted for many favors, says, that 20 barrels of pork were all the public stores depos- ited at Worcester.
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supplies. These committees usually met together. November 2d, they voted to procure and deposit at Concord 200 barrels of pork, 400 barrels of flour, 50 tierces of rice, and 150 bushels of pease. February 13th, they requested Col. Robinson to send four brass field-pieces and two mortars to Concord, and voted to procure 15,000 canteens ; February 21st, 100 bell-tents for arms, 1000 field-tents, 10 tons of lead balls, cartridges for 15,000 men, 30 rounds each ; 300 bushels of pease and beans, 20 hogsheads of molasses, 150 quintals of fish, and two chests of carpenter's tools. February 23d, they ordered 20 hogsheads of rum to be sent here ; and the next day 1000 pounds of candles, 100 hogsheads of salt, wooden spoons, two barrels of oil, six casks of Malaga wine, nine casks of Lisbon wine, 20 casks of raisins, 20 bushels of oatmeal, 1500 yards of Russia linen, and 15 chests of medi- cine.
Col. James Barrett, who had been appointed by Congress to have the care of all the military stores, was directed on the 15th of March by John Pigeon, " clerk of the committee of safety," to get a sufficient number of faithful men, "to act constantly as a guard every night over the magazines of stores "; and "to " engage a number of teams to be in readiness on the shortest notice, by day or night, sufficient to carry off the stores, on a courier's informing him of attempts being ready to be made on the magazine ; and on a courier's informing him of danger, he was to alarm the neighbouring towns." On the 17th, Mr. Cheever sent from Charlestown John Austin and several other inen, to be con- stantly employed in carrying on the military preparations. He directed Col. Barrett to provide them all necessary provisions, and a house to work in retired from company, " as our operations depend upon secrecy." Guards were stationed at the old south and north bridges, on the Boston road, and in the middle of the town, for the safe keeping of the stores, and to alarm the surround- ing country, should occasion require. Every teamster, suspected of carrying any article to the British, was carefully examined. Concord now became, as it had been a hundred years before, a distinguished military post.
British spies were often sent in disguise into the country, to learn its geography, the state of public feeling, the quantity and condition of the provincial stores, &c. Two of these, Capt.
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Brown and Ensign D'Bernicre, of the British army, went to Worcester in February ; and on the 20th of March visited Con- cord. They went up through Weston and Sudbury, and entered the town over the south bridge. In a narrative of this expedition D'Bernicre says, "The town of Concord lies between two hills that command it entirely. There is a river runs through it with two bridges over it. In summer it is pretty dry. The town is large, and contains a church, gaol, and court-house, but the houses are not close together, but in little groups. We were informed that they had fourteen pieces of cannon (ten iron and four brass), and two cohorns. They were mounted, but in so bad a manner that they could not elevate them more than they were, that is, they were fixed to one elevation ; their iron cannon they kept in a house in town ; their brass they had concealed in some place be- hind the town in a wood. They had also a store of flour, fish, salt, and rice ; and a magazine of powder and cartridges. They fired their morning gun, and mounted a guard of ten men at night. We dined at the house of Mr. Bliss [Daniel Bliss, Esq.], a friend of government ; they had sent him word they should not let him go out of town alive that morning; however, we told him if he would come with us, we would take care of him, as we were three, and all well armed. He consented, and told us he would show us another road, called the Lexington road. We set out, and of consequence left the town on the contrary side of the river to what we entered it." " In the town of Concord a woman directed us to the house of Mr. Bliss ; a little after she came in crying, and told us, they swore if she did not leave the town, they would tar and feather her for directing tories on their road."1 The British officers remarked to Mr. Bliss, that the peo- ple would not fight. He urged a different opinion, and pointing to his brother, Thomas Theodore, just then passing in sight, said, " There goes a man who will fight you in blood up to his knees ! " This brother was opposed to him in politics ; and was subsequently a brave, though unfortunate officer in the American army.2
On the 22d of March the Provincial Congress met again in Concord. There was reason to expect, from intelligence received from Boston, that attempts would be made to take away the stores
1 2 Mass. Hist. Coll. vol. iv. pp. 214, 215.
2 Willard's Address, p. 66.
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here collected ; and to prevent, as far as possible, the militia arm- ing in self-defence. " It was the great object of Congress at this meeting to support the committee of safety in the measures they had adopted for protection ; and to urge the people to prepare for a firm and united resistance, should the crisis require it. They particularly recommended to the companies of minute-men to im- prove themselves in military discipline ; and ordered several com- panies of artillery to be immediately organized. A system of rules and regulations for a constitutional army was adopted, should one be raised. And they earnestly solicited the selectmen of the several towns to provide for the speedy collection of all public taxes ; and to raise money by loans of any individuals able and disposed to furnish it." * " On the 8th of April it was voted to raise an army with all possible despatch, for the defence of the province against any attack which should be made by the British troops, which had a short time before been much increas- ed."1 When Congress adjourned, on the 15th of April, it agreed to meet again on the 10th of May; but gave authority to the committee of safety, and the members in this neighbourhood, to call an earlier meeting, if necessary.
Meantime the committees of correspondence, in conjunction with the citizens, were actively making the military preparations neces- sary for defence. From a manuscript " account of the provincial stores sent to Colonel Barrett of Concord, partly in his own cus- tody, and partly elsewhere, all under his care," found among his papers, the following facts are obtained. These stores were prin- cipally brought here in March by the citizens of the town.
There were received from Mr. David Cheever of Charlestown, one of the committee of supplies, 20 loads of stores, containing about 20,000 pounds of musket-balls and cartridges, 50 reams of cartridge-paper, 206 tents, 113 iron spades, 51 wood axes, 201 bill- hooks, 19 sets of harness, 24 boxes of candles, 14 chests of medi- cine, 27 hogsheads of wooden ware, 1 hogshead of matches, cords, irons, and balls, 20 bushels of oatmeal, 5 iron worms for cannon, rammers, &c. These were stored at Captain Elnathan Jones's, Joshua Bond's, Willoughby Prescott's, Jonas Heywood's, Colonel Barrett's, and the town-house.
1 Bradford, vol. i. pp. 367-369.
12
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[1775.
From Moses Gill of Boston, 11 loads, containing 150 tents, axes, pickaxes, hatchets, spades, wooden spoons and dishes, and canteens, stored at Captain Thomas Hubbard's, Ephraim Wheel- er's, Willoughby Prescott's, and Ephraim Potter's. Also received from R. Pierpont 47 firkins and 2 barrels of butter, stored at Colonel James and Mr. Humphrey Barrett's ; and 55 barrels of beef, stored at Thomas and Elisha Jones's, and 25 barrels at Dan- iel Cray's. "
From Colonel Jeremiah Lee of Marblehead, 6 hogsheads, con- taining 35 half-barrels of powder, 6 of which were stored at Colo- nel Barrett's, 5 at James Chandler's, 6 at James Barrett's, jun., 6 at Ephraim Wood's, 6 at Joseph Hosmer's, and 6 at Jonas Heywood's. This was received in December, and in the accom- panying letter, Colonel Lee writes, " Don't so much as mention the name of powder, lest our enemies should take advantage of it." Eight hogsheads more were soon received from Colonel Lee, 6 of which were sent the last of March to Leicester. He also sent to Concord another load, containing tents, poles, axes, and hatchets, stored at Abishai Brown's ; and also 318 barrels of flour, 68 of which were stored at Ebenezer Hubbard's (which was partly de- stroyed on the 19th of April), 66 at Captain Timothy Wheeler's, 56 at Samuel Jones's, 23 at Isaac Hubbard's, 16 at Jonas Hey- wood's, 82 at Samuel Whitney's, and 7 at Jonathan Heywood's.
From Elbridge Gerry of Marblehead, 7 loads of salt fish, con- taining about 17,000 pounds, stored at Elisha Jones's ; 18 casks of wine, 20 casks of raisins, and a quantity of oil, (which were carri- ed to Stow ;) and 47 hogsheads and 50 barrels of salt, which were stored in 15 different places in town ; 4 loads of tents, tow-cloth, and canteens, stored at Ephraim Potter's ; 1 bundle of sheet-lead, several hogsheads of molasses, and a quantity of linen.
From Salem 46 and from Boston 12 tierces of rice, estimated to contain about 35,000 pounds ; 20 stored at Ebenezer Hubbard's, 6 at Thomas Hosmer's, 3 at Thomas Davis's, 7 at Stephen Blood's, 7 at Edward Richardson's, 5 at Deacon George Minott's, and the remainder in the town-house.
All the stores brought to the town are not mentioned in the above account. Many articles were afterwards brought, and many were prepared here. Firearms, gun-carriages, &c. were manu- factured at Barrett's mills ; cartouch-boxes, holsters, belts, and
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other. articles of sadlery, by Mr. Reuben Brown ; saltpetre, by Josiah Melvin ; oatmeal, by Captain Timothy Wheeler ; wooden plates, spoons, and various other articles used in the camp and the field, by other individuals. Large quantities of beef and pork were put up here for the public service. These military operations continued more than a year afterwards. A part of the building owned by Daniel Shattuck, Esq. was erected at this time for a public store-house.
On the 29th of March a report was circulated that the British troops were coming to Concord, which produced considerable alarm. The Provincial Committee of Safety met here on the 1st, 5th, 14th, and 17th of April. At the last date they directed Colonel Barrett to mount two cannon, and raise an artillery com- pany, and to send four cannon to Groton and two to Acton. They met at Mr. Wetherbee's in West Cambridge the next day, and gave orders for the removal of some of the stores from Concord. These were ordered to be deposited in 9 different towns ; 50 bar- rels of beef, 100 of flour, 20 casks of rice, 15 hogsheads of mo- lasses, 10 hogsheads of rum, and 500 pounds of candles were ordered to Sudbury ; 15,000 canteens, 1500 iron pots, the spades, pickaxes, bill-hooks, axes, hatchets, crows, wheelbarrows, and several other articles, were to be divided, -one third to remain in Concord, one-third to be sent to Sudbury, and one third to Stow ; 1000 iron pots to be sent to Worcester.
Meantime the minute companies were often out for military ex- ercise. The excitement was so great that some carried their guns with them at all times, even while attending public worship on the Sabbath. The committee of correspondence met daily with other distinguished citizens in town. Though very indefinite ideas prevailed, respecting the objects of the enemy, yet all the people were daily discussing in groups the great crisis, which seemed near at hand. What that crisis might be was yet doubtful.
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
CHAPTER VII.
BATTLE OF CONCORD.
" Some future historian will relate with pleasure, and the latest posterity will read with wonder and admiration, how three hundred intrepid rural sons of free- dom drove before them more than five times their number of regular, well- appointed troops, and forced them to take shelter behind their own bulwarks."- Article entitled " The Rural Heroes ; or the Battle of Concord," Boston Newpa- per for May, 1775.
AT length came the 19th of April, a day destined to live in the annals of Concord and of the world, as long as freemen exist. The preceding winter had been one of great mildness.1 The spring vegetation was uncommonly forward. Fruit trees were in blossom, winter grain had grown several inches out of the ground, and other indications equally propitious were observed on that memorable day. And on the morning of the 19th the weather was as delightful, as if Providence intended thus to mark with peculiar favor the commencement of a series, of glorious events, which happily resulted in the establishment of an independent republic. The exclamation of Adams on that morning, " O what an ever glorious morning is this!" was doubtless true, whether applied to the weather or the occasion.
At this time there were stationed in Boston ten large regiments of British troops, of seven companies each, the 4th or King's own regiment, 5th, 10th, 23d, or Royal Welch Fusileers, 38th, 43d, 47th, 57th, and 59th, and a battalion of marines of six companies. A detachment of 800 of these troops, consisting of grenadiers, light infantry, and marines, had been taken off duty on Saturday the 15th, under pretence of learning a new exercise ; and about
1 In a journal kept by the Rev. Thomas Smith at Falmouth, Maine, where the weather is colder than here, are the following entries; "January 23, 1775, very moderate weather; 27th, a summer day; 28th, wonderful weather. February 7th, there has been no snow and but little rain since the.29th of December ; wonderful weather, we saw two robins ; 11th, warm day; 18th, cold ; 20th snow, incomparable sledding ; 21st, a summer day ; 23d, a great snow-storm. March 7th, the frost seems out of the ground in the streets ; 15th, we have wonderful moderate weather ; 28th, it has been a wonder of a winter ; so moderate and unfreezing."
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10 o'clock on Tuesday evening, the 18th, embarked from Boston, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Smith, of the 10th regiment, and Major John Pitcairn, commander of the marines ; and landed at Lechmere Point. After having received a day's provisions and thirty-six rounds of cartridges ; they began their march about 12 o'clock, in silence and under cover of night, towards Concord. The object of this expedition was to destroy the military stores deposited here, and to apprehend Messrs. Han- cock, Adams, Barrett, and other distinguished patriots, who had become obnoxious to the British government. To facilitate the accomplishment of their object, officers were despatched during the day and evening of the 18th, to intercept any messengers who might be sent by the friends of liberty, and thus to prevent the dis- covery of their approach. Happily for the provincials it could not be concealed. The first movement of the British troops in Bos- ton was known; and no sooner known, than messengers were immediately despatched towards their intended destination. Paul Revere left Charlestown about 11 o'clock, passed through Med- ford, awoke the captain of the minute company there, and alarmed almost every family on his way to Lexington. Nearly at the same time. William Dawes set out for the same destination and passed through Roxbury. Having arrived at the Rev. Mr. Clark's in Lex- ington, Revere found Hancock and Adams, who had tarried there on their way from Concord, after the adjournment of the Provin- cial Congress, to whom he related what he knew of the intended expedition. They also received similar intelligence from the committee of safety then in session at West Cambridge. After he had stayed there a short time, Dawes arrived, and both proceeded together towards Concord. They had not travelled far before they were overtaken by Dr. Samuel Prescott of Concord, who had spent the evening at Lexington, at the house of Mr. Mulliken, to whose daughter he was paying his addresses ; and having been alarmed, was hastening his return home. All rode on together, spreading the alarm at every house. When they arrived near Mr. Hartwell's tavern in the lower bounds of Lincoln, they were attack- ed by four British officers, who belonged to the scouting party sent out the preceding evening, aud Revere and Dawes were taken. Prescott was also attacked, and had the reins of his bridle cut ; but fortunately succeeded in making his escape by jumping his horse
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