USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Hanover > History of the town of Hanover, Massachusetts, with family genealogies > Part 13
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Hanover was not incorporated until 1727 and the hostilities above referred to first broke out in 1690. The record for the first thirty-seven years of intermittent conflict does not effect us as a town.
The first warlike action which appears upon our records is- under date of September 9, 1734, when 35£ were voted for a "town stock of ammunition." On the second day of March, 1740, it was voted to keep this stock of powder and shot "in the Meeting-House Chamber" and the town treasurer was authorized "to take out of
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HISTORY OF HANOVER.
the lease of the flats as much money as will purchase said stock, agreeable to the law, with what Thomas Josselyn already has."
The law compelled each town to maintain its supply of am- munition.
In this year, Capt. Winslow enlisted a company in the County of Plymouth to go to the Spanish West Indies upon an expedition commanded by Admiral Vernon.
This expedition was terribly disastrous. Massachusetts sent, according to the Muster rolls, five hundred men of whom but fifty returned. Disease which accompanies the presence of Northerners in tropical climates, carried off more than battle. The only votes on the Hanover records which relate to this expedition is under date of December 28th, 1741. "Voted Dea. Thos. Josselyn, 13£ 16s 4d. for men's rates gone to Cuba and elsewhere," with six «other similiar votes.
It is impossible to learn all the Hanover men who participated in this unfortunate business.
Barry gives Samuel Eells, Ensign; John Stoddard, Joshua Turner, John Whitcomb, Ezekiel Ladd and Robert Young. Samuel Eells died "either on the passage from Carthagena to Ja- maica or at Jamaica, May 9th, 1741, aged 35.
The "Last French War" began by operations in Ohio, in which General Washington figured. The ill-fated General Braddock was -sent from England as Commander in Chief. An expedition to remove the French neutrals from Acadia was undertaken in 1755. The troops from Massachusetts, two battalions under command of Lieut. Col. John Winslow of Marshfield, repaired to Acadia and took part in the unhappy removal. Barry notes the following en- listments from Hanover during the campaigns of this war.
Col. Ezekiel Turner, for the expedition to Crown Point. James House, of Hanover, was captain in the same expedition, from March 29 to September 8, 1756, having been major from Novem- ber 27, 1755 to March, 1756 at Fort William Henry. Cooms House, Seth Wetherell, and Daniel Garnett, all of Hanover, were in Capt. House's Company. James Nowit, an Indian living in Hanover, was in Capt. Loring's Company, and John B. Worrin of Hanover, enlisted in Capt. Abel Keen's Company. He was a native of England and perhaps not a resident of Hanover, but 'he served to Hanover's credit.
"In the muster-roll of Capt. John Loring's Company," says Barry, "encamped at Fort Edward, July 25, 1756, occur the names of Lawrence Ekins, a native of Ireland, but a resident of
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MILITARY HISTORY.
Hanover, Jeremiah Rogers of Hanover and Bezaleel Palmer, Thomas Cook, Samuel Witherell, and Nathaniel Palmer." Luke Bowker, blacksmith and John B. Worrin were on the roll of Capt. Abel Keen's Company.
Among those in Thomas Clap's regiment in the expedition to Crown Point were the following names:
Peter B. Warren,
William Gray,
Samuel Witherell,
Thomas Cornish,
Joseph Turner,
John Hanmer,
Joshua Dwelley,
Joseph Stetson, Jr.
John Perry,
John Ramsdell,
Thomas Barstow,
Bezaleel Palmer,
Jeremiah Dillingham,
Thomas Cook,
Nathaniel Stetson,
Elisha Palmer,
Benjamin Estes,
all of Hanover.
Capt. James House, after being at Crown Point, marched with Thomas Clap's Regiment to the relief of Fort William Henry, in August, 1757.
Dr. Jeremiah Hall, of Hanover, was Surgeon in Joseph Tha- cher's Company, in 1757.
In the expedition to Canada in 1757, Elisha House, Seth Joyce, and David House, all of Hanover, took part.
In 1758, there went to Canada in Thomas Clap's Regiment the following Hanover men :
Nathaniel Josselyn, aged 37
Edward Peters, aged 19
Seth Woodward, aged 22
James Sylvester, aged 39 Joshua Remington, aged 37
John Hunt, aged 17
April 12, 1759, Capt. Abel Keen mustered into his Company for- the invasion of Canada :
Henry Bray, aet. 18, Lemuel Bates, aet. 18,.
Mark Rogers, aet, 18.
And into Col. Clap's Regiment, at the same time, went Elisha: Palmer, aet, 41, Prince Osgood, 18 Mark Rogers, 18.
In Abel Keen's Company (Col. Doty's Reg) were: Jeremiah Rogers, Abner French, Abraham Cate, Nath'l Josselyn, Amos Love, Dennis Morrison,
Jonathan Pratt,
Prince Osgood, Jonathan Peters, Edward Peters,
Thomas Rogers, Aaron Rowell,
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HISTORY OF HANOVER.
Joshua Staples,
Jesse Torrey,
Abner Torrey,
Jonathan Torrey,
Zephamiah Witherell,
Samuel Witherell,
all of Hanover.
From March 31 to November 1, 1759, at Lunenburg in Abel Keen's Company were :
Jeremiah Rogers,
Henry Bray,
Lemuel Bates,
Samuel Bowker,
Leonard Hill,
Prince Osgood,
Elisha Palmer,
Mark Rogers,
all of Hanover.
In Col. John Thomas' Company for Canada, in 1760, was Isaac Nowett, an Indian.
In 1760, Daniel Reed's Company was at Ticonderoga. In it were :
Gideon Studley, who was out 46 weeks. Timothy Church, who was out 40 weeks.
Isaac Nowett,
Edward Peters, Thomas Rogers,
In 1762, the town was divided into two districts and a military company was raised in each district. Of the North Company, David Stockbridge was Captain; Joseph Cushing, 1st Lieutenant ; John Bailey, Jr., 2nd Lieutenant; and David Jacobs, Ensign. Of the South Company Joseph Josselyn was Captain; Simeon Curtis, 1st Lieutenant ; Joseph House, 2nd Lieutenant ; and John Josselyn, Ensign. Of the Division to which these companys belonged, David Stockbridge was Lieutenant Colonel, and Joseph Josselyn was Major. Robert D. Eells was second Quarter Master in the Troop of Horse.
In the same year, 1761-2, Edward Peters, of Hanover, was in Capt. Lemuel Dunbar's Company, from April 18, 1761 to January 4, 1762. Stephen Curtis was out in 1762. Benjamin, son of Daniel Teague, was in Abel Keen's Company; also John Bates and Henry Dillingham. In Job Williams' Company, from Novem- ber 18, 1761 to July 29, 1762, were John Bates, William Bradley, and Stephen Curtis, in the employ of Benjamin Curtis.
Elisha Barrel, who died in Hanover, in 1829, ae. 96, was out in the French War; also Samuel Brooks, who died in Hanover, in 1830, ae 95, and Jedediah Dwelley, William Perry and Oliver Winslow, *
* the latter of whom died near Crown Point, in 1759. These men were of Scituate, though their names occur
143
MILITARY HISTORY.
on the Hanover Records; and, at a subsequent date or after the close of the war, some of them resided in the town.
1768. November 7. "Voted to Samuel Barstow 6s. for making a door to the powder room and for moving the powder." 1771, March 11, "Capt. John Bailey and Capt. Simeon Curtis chosen to take care of the Town's Gun Powder in the best way and manner they can." 1774, November 21, "Paid Capt. John Bailey for four quarter barrels of Powder, 9£ 8s."
At this time the population of the town, as nearly as can be ascertained, was eleven hundred and five.
These records show the part she bore in these important contests and the long duration of the service which most of the men gave to their Mother Country's cause.
One of the incidents of the constant warfare which went on be- tween the English and the French for the possession of Canada and which culminated in the peace of 1763, was the removal of the French Neutrals from Acadia, Nova Scotia, in 1755. Massachu- setts sent, as her contribution to aid the mother-country in this expedition against Nova Scotia, one regiment of men, in two battalions. Gov. Shirley was the Colonel of this Regiment, but Lt. Col. John Winslow, of Marshfield was in actual command. Winslow raised two thousand men for this purpose, who were en- listed for one year, or longer if desired.
It was deemed wise to free the country of Acadia of its inhabi- tants. Without commenting upon what appears to have been a most brutal course to pursue against people who merely refused to take the oath of allegiance to their conquerors, it is enough to say that this course was carried out. The inhabitants were col- lected at various ports and carried away to different parts of the colonies. Their houses and barns were burned, their lands and property confiscated, and they were driven to the ships with noth- ing but the clothing they wore. Families were separated, husbands being sent on one ship, wives on another, and perhaps children on a third. Grand Pre was the point of departure of many. Gov. Lawrence, who had charge of the Grand Pre deportation, estimated that he had to provide for the removal of 7,000. The deporta- tion went on from 1755 to 1760. It is stated by Rameau that there were 18,000 Neutrals as these people were called in Acadia; and Mrs. Williams' "French Neutrals" states that from 10,000 to 20,000 were carried away. There were collected at Grand Pre for embarkation 1,923 persons, 483 of whom were men, 337 wom- en, heads of families, 527 sons, and 576 daughters. The cows
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HISTORY OF HANOVER.
numbered 1,500, young cattle 5,700, horses 493, sheep 9,000, hogs 4,000, and hens innumerable.
Of these exiles, 2,000 were at different times landed at Boston and distributed throughout the country. After peace was declared, 800 assembled at Boston and, on foot, sought their old homes. The journey occupied four months.
Hon. Jedediah Dwelley, in a letter published in the North River Pioneer, Dec. 27th, 1895, says that, late in 1755 or early in 1756, 40 of these Neutrals were sent to Scituate, of whom 9 came to Hanover and were put in care of John Bailey on South Main street,-8 were carried to Abington, 7 to Halifax, and 10 to the house of Mr. Joseph Jacobs, in Scituate. Presumably the remain- der were left in Scituate, as, in 1758, there were 17 Neutrals in that town, occupying Mr. Jacobs' houses.
They seem to have been very unwelcome visitors. The Hanover people, as well as those of other towns where they were quartered, seem to have regarded them in anything but a pleasant light. A complaint to the Governor and council, made by Charles and Nich- olas Brean, states that they were obliged to work and received no money; that "on Saturday last about 20 men came in threat- ening manner to their dwelling, several with cords in their hands, and forced their father and mother, 77 years old, into a cart and carried them away, they know not whither, binding the petitioners so they could not follow." This may have been an over-drawn statement; for, in 1756, the Selectmen charged the town for ex- penses to Boston to "answer false complaints of said Frenchmen."
After peace was declared, they made their way, many of them, back to Canada. It is said that their reception there was far more inhospitable than it had been in the colonies. Some re- mained, but none, so far as is known, in Hanover.
Many of them scattered all over the country, going even as far south as New Orleans. Pere Le Blanc the Notary, died in Phila- delphia. He was the father of twenty children.
THE REVOLUTION
Hanover took an important part in the events that led up to the Revolution and her activities were untiring until the close of the war.
The names of the most of those who went from Hanover to serve in this war are given in the proper place. Nearly all the able bodied men must have served for shorter or longer periods.
Lack of space prevents the enumeration in full of those who did
CORNER OF CHURCH AND WASHINGTON STREETS
CIRCUIT STREET AT END OF KING STREET
NORTH HANOVER. MANN'S CORNER
KING STREET NEAR RESIDENCE OF O. F. ELLIS
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MILITARY HISTORY.
not go to the war, but who were conspicious in the civil affairs of the time.
Barry treats this period of our history quite fully and brief extracts from his work are given.
"The new act of 1768, imposing a duty on tea, papers, painters' colors, and glass, caused, if possible, a ferment greater than that caused by the Stamp Act: and so thoroughly were the people aroused that it was finally resolved to call a Convention, to meet in Boston, September 21, "to consult upon measures for the safety of the Province." Delegates to this Convention were sent from a large number of towns. Hanover deputed Joseph Cushing Esq., to act as its Representative; a gentleman who had been long and favorably known to his townsmen, and who was distinguished for his unbending integrity and affable deportment ;- who afterwards held an honorable rank in the Conventions of the County and the Congresses of the Province; and who, at a still later period, when peace had been declared and order restored to our disturbed civil institutions, as a token of gratitude and esteem for his ser- vices, was elevated to the office of Judge of Probate for the County of Plymouth, and received a military commission, with the rank of Brigadier General."
"Monday, September 26, 1774, a meeting of delegates from every town in Plymouth County was held at Plympton, and, by adjournment, at the court house in Plymouth, on Tuesday the 27th; and Hanover sent, as its Representatives, Capt. Joseph Cushing, Joseph Ramsdell, Joshua Simmons, Capt. Robert L. Eells, und Dr. Lemuel Cushing; and the first-named gentleman was chosen one of the committee of nine, to prepare an address ex- pressive of their feelings in view of the aggressions of the British Government."
"On the seventh day of October 1774, the First Provincial Congress was convened at Salem; on the 11th, at Concord; on the 17th, at Cambridge, and again at Cambridge, November 23rd, and dissolved December 10th. The Second Congress was con- vened at Cambridge, February 1, 1775; at Concord, March 22nd, and April 22nd, and at Watertown, April 22nd, and dissolved, May 29th. The Third Congress convened at Watertown, Wed- nesday, May 31st, 1775, and was dissolved, Wednesday, July 19th, 1775. To all of these, Col. Cushing, as he is called on the Journals, was sent as a delegate from Hanover, and, in all, he took an active and prominent part. We could enumerate many instances in which he was appointed on important committees; and that his
146
HISTORY OF HANOVER.
services were held in the highest esteem, may be inferred from the fact that his associates were ever ready to assign to him new trusts."
"June 30, 1776, at a meeting in Hanover "held to take into consideration a resolve of the Honorable House of Representatives" of the Massachusetts Bay, relative to advising the person or per- sons chosen to represent them in the General Court, whether, if the Honorable American Congress should, for the safety of the American Colonies, declare them Independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, they, the said inhabitants, will solemnly engage, with their lives and fortunes, to support them in the measure. Voted, to instruct their Representative, that, if said Congress should think it safest to declare them Independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, they, the inhabitants, will support them in the measure."
Probably no citizen of Hanover was more active or conspicious during the war than Joseph Cushing. He lived in a house which stood where now stands that of Horace S. Tower, and the latter uses the Cushing well for his water supply.
The records show that "Hon. Joseph Cushing, Judge of Pro- bate, died December 16, 1791, aged 60 years, of a nervous disorder ending in delirium."
COMMITTEES OF SAFETY DURING THE REVOLUTION.
1775
Barstow, Lieut.
House, John, Jr.
Bass, Benjamin
Jacobs, David
Bates, Seth
Josselyn, Seth
Briggs, Ezra
Perry, Israel
Curtis, Abner
Ramsdell, Joseph
" Bezaleel
Simmons, Joshua
" Capt.
Studley, Benjamin
2 Lemuel
Sylvester, Michael
Cushing, Dr.
Turner, Amos
Eells, Capt.
Whiting, Lieut.
1776
Barstow, Joshua " Samuel, Jr.
Cushing, Joseph
Eells, Capt. Robert L.
Bass, Benjamin
Hatch, John, Lieut.
Briggs, Ezra
Jacobs, David
Curtis, Calvin
Ramsdell, Joseph
" John, Jr.
Simmons, Joshua
" Lemuel
Soper, Joseph, Capt.
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MILITARY HISTORY.
Stetson, Seth Studley, Benjamin Sylvester, Michael
Turner, Amos, Capt. Whiting, Thomas
1777
Barstow, Sam'l, Jr. Bass, Benjamin Curtis, Abner
" Calvin
" Jesse
Lemuel
" Melzar Cushing, Joseph Eells, Capt. Robert L. Jacobs, David
Perry, Israel
Ramsdell, Joseph
Robbins, Timothy
Rose, Timothy
Simmons, Joshua
Stetson, Seth, Jr. " Prince, Capt. Studley, Benjamin Sylvester, Michael
1778 not given
1779
Curtis, John, Jr. Cushing, Joseph Hatch, John, Lieut.
Robbins, Timothy
1780
Bass, Benjamin Curtis, Calvin " Snow
Hatch, John, Lieut. Jacobs, David
Perry, Israel
Cushing, Joseph Eells, Capt.
Soper, Joseph, Capt.
The following glossary explains the meaning of the letters used in the table which follow it:
A. Company on sea coast for defense, Dec. 17, 1775.
B. To Roxbury, Feb. 12, 1776 (probably evacuation of Boston).
C. Expedition to Cohasset, March, 1776.
E. Service rendered, Aug. to Nov., 1776.
F. 3 months service in 1776.
G. Expedition to Ticonderoga, Oct. 1, 1776.
H. Expedition to Rhode Island, 1776. I. Bristol Alarm, 1776.
J. Second Expedition to Rhode Island, 1776.
K. Expedition to Rhode Island, 1777.
Stetson, Prince, Capt. " Samuel
Studley, Benjamin Turner, Marlboro
148
HISTORY OF HANOVER.
L. Expedition to Rhode Island, 1777.
M. At Hull, March 1, 1777.
N. Capt. Calvin Curtis' Company, 1778.
0. Duty near Boston, 1778.
P. Sept. to December, 1778, duty on Castle Island, Boston Harbor.
Q. Expedition to Rhode Island, 1778.
R. Cambridge, February to April, 1778.
S. Enrolled for 8 months, 1778.
T. Service in Gates' Regiment, 1778.
U. Capt. Amos Turner's Company, 1781.
V. Rhode Island Expedition, March, 1781.
W. Raised by the town, April 12, 1778.
X. Expedition to Manchester.
Y. In camp two months, 1789.
List of soldiers from Hanover who served in the Revolution. A few of these resided in other towns :
Bailey, John, Col. " Luther, Major
" Seth -C-
Baldwin, Samuel, Chaplain -I-U- Barstow, James -L-
" Job -C-Q-
Nathaniel -U
" Samuel, Lieut.
Bass, Benjamin, Qtr. Master -C-H-I-
Bates, Benjamin -B-J-R-V-
" Benjamin, Jr. - U-V-
Clement -A-B-E-J-T-U-V-
" Comfort -V-
" Dowty -F-U-
" Gamaliel -C-
" John -K-
" Joseph -B-
" Joseph Neal -T-
" Lemuel -C-L-Q-
" Levi -U-
" Neal -N-V-
" Seth B-E-F-J-L-R-Q-
" Seth, Jr. - B-
" Solomon, Corporal -A-F-
Berry, Amos -F-U-
Bonney, Oliver -J-
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MILITARY HISTORY.
Bosworth, John -P- Bowker, Benjamin -L- Briggs, Ezra -A-C-K-M-V-W- " " Jr. Brooks, Joseph -L-I-B- " Samuel -L-K-H-
Bryant, Solomon -C-K-W-
Carrie, Joseph -J-
Chamberlain, Josiah -V- " Nathaniel -P-
Clark, Belcher -J-
Ben -I-
" Nathaniel -J-V-
Cotthrell, Robert -C-
Crooker, Japhet -L-
Curtis, Abel -C-I-
" Abner, Lieut -C-E-O- " " Jr. - C-
" Calvin, Lieut. - C-E-M-N-S-Y-
" Ebenezer -C-
Elijah -C-L-I-
"
Elisha -M-
" Gershom -C-V-W-
" James -C-
„ Jesse -C-I-L-
" Job -C-I-O-P-
" Joseph, Corp. - C-E-
" Lemuel, Lieut. Capt. - C-
" Melzar, -C-I-
" Prince -C-H-I-
„ Reuben -E-K-M-V-Y-
Seth -A-C-I-L-Q-
„
" Jr. - I-L-
" Simeon, -C-H-L-Q-R-
" Snow -C-H-I-Q- " William -I-L-
Cushing, John, Col. - I-
Cushman, Robert -J- Damon, Eells -Q- „ Josiah -L-
Dillingham, Henry -K- Dwelley, Abner -E-G-X- " Joshua, Lieut. - C-I-L-Q-
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HISTORY OF HANOVER.
Eddy, Ebenezer -B- Eells, Robert -J-
" Samuel -B-E-J-
" " Jr. Fifer -A-J-K-
" William W. - J-K-W-
Garnett, Elijah -J-
" Samuel -P-
Gilbert, Elijah -I-L- " William -C-
Gross, Samuel -B- " Thomas -F-W-
Hatch, Isaac -C-
" John, Lieut. - K-V-
" Thomas -C-I-
Hill, Leonard, Corp. - K-Y-
House, Abner -J-
David -C-
Elisha -K-
" Joseph -B-
" Nathaniel -W-
" Seth -B-
Jacobs David G. Josselyn, Francis -W-F-
" Isaac, Clerk -J-
" Nathaniel -B-H-J-L-N-
Philip -J-
" Seth -C-J-
Lambert, Zachariah -L-
Lindsey, Melzar -W-
Magoun, Nathaniel -L-
Mann, Benjamin -I-
" Joshua -I-M-
" Josiah -L-P-
" Levi -M-
Munroe, Shuble -K-
Nickerson, Joseph -L-
Oldham, Thos. - J-
Palmer, Elisha -B-I-L-U-
Joshua -Y-
Perry, Adam -B-F- " Henry -R-
„ Isaac -I-
151
MILITARY HISTORY.
Perry, Israel -C-H-I- " Samuel -V- " Seth -0- Pratt, Jona, -B-I-P- Ramsdell, Edward -E-
" Joseph -H-J-
Lot -W- " Samuel -R-
Randell, Joseph -C-G-, " Stephen -F-
Robbins, Luther -M-P-Q-U-
Rogers, Caleb -P-
Rose, Laban -B-L-
„ Reuben -K-S-
„ Timothy, Sergt. - B-
Silvester, Benjamin -B-
" Caleb -I-M-O-
" Cornelius -F-M-
Edmund -V-
" Eliab
"
Elijah -B-E-L-
" Elisha -L-
" Henchman -A-I-M-O-
" Jacob -Q-
" Job -R-
"
Joel -E-
" Michael -C-G-H-I-V-
Simmons, Elisha -C-I-L-
Smith, Albert -P-
Soper, Joseph, Capt. - I-T-V-
Skiffe, John -X-
Stetson, Benjamin -B-H-J-U-
" Elijah -C-
" Elisha -L-W-
" Isaac -L-
" Nathaniel -B-
" Thomas -I-
Stoddard, Melzar -K-
Studley, Abner -J-T-U- " Benjamin -A-B-E-F-G-P-Q- " " Jr. - F-
" David -G-
" Eliab -A-C-I-
152
HISTORY OF HANOVER.
Studley, Gideon -B-I- " Jabez · - A-C-I-N-T-V-Y-
Tilden, Cuffey -M- " Job -B-Q-U-
Torrey, David, Drummer -B-J-
James -B-
" Luther -J-K-
" Nathaniel -A-B-E-L-P-
" Stephen -B-E-J-
" Thomas -0-
" Warren -F-
Totman, John -C-
Turner, Amos, Capt. - G-J-K-T-U- " Asa -O-
" Cornelius -V-
»
Elijah -O-W-
" Isaac -B-E-P-
" John -0-
" Joseph -W-V-
"
Marlboro
Melzar, Adjt. - I-
White, Benjamin -B-H-J-
" Cornelius -J-
" Robert -B-
Whiting, Abel -I-
" Asa -R-
" James -B-F-I-L-R-
Witherell, Simeon -J- " Theophilus -J-U-
Woodward, James -U- COL. JOHN BAILEY.
During the Revolutionary War, John Bailey and his son, Luther, attained the highest rank of any of the Hanover soldiers, Luther being a major in his father's regiment.
John Bailey was Lieutenant Colonel May 27, 1775, in Col. Thomas' regiment. Soon after this, he was commissioned as colonel. At West Point, about August 1, 1779, a board of army officers decided on the rank of the different officers, and Col. Bailey was the first, or ranking colonel, his commission being made to date from July 1, 1775; and he was called of the second regiment. This settlement of rank was soon after confirmed by Congress.
In a letter dated at West Point, April, 1780, directed to General
153
MILITARY HISTORY.
Washington, Colonel Bailey asks for his discharge "on account of the situation of his domestic affairs and ill health and having served in the army from the commencement of the War." He was con- tinued in the service, however, until December 30, 1780, when he was retired on half-pay. Probably this half-pay was commuted and he took a lump sum. Previous to the war, he was a ship builder and one of the largest landowners in Hanover; but his long service proved disastrous to his financial interests and he died a poor man. Appleton's biography as well as Drake's gives him honorable mention, saying that "he earned distinction, especially in the campaign against Burgoyne."
He was second in command at Dorchester and in important positions around New York. In September, 1776, his regiment and two others, Glover's Brigade, were thanked by Washington for their gallant conduct and, when Washington resolved to make a sudden dash upon the Hessians at Trenton, among the trusty men he chose was Bailey's regiment. These troops were in two divisions, Bailey being in the first. They crossed the river in the , storm and amid the floating ice and won the fight, recrossed, and, the next morning Washington warmly thanked them for "their brave and steady conduct." Lossing says that, at Saratoga, Gates felt confident of victory, aided by such men as "Poor, Learned, Stark, and Bailey." After the war, Col. Bailey resided on Main street, where he kept a hotel, with slight patronage. He and his son Luther both died in this house.
The military history of the town from the close of the Revolu- tion to 1800, is meagre. The military spirit which war always produces caused more or less interest in the soldiery and an effort, although a feeble one, was made to comply with the militia law.
The town records of this period are concerned principally with soldier's pay, although one item records the unfortunate and some- what disconcerting fact that the town's supply of powder had been stolen. A committee was chosen to renew the supply and to prosecute the thief. No historic record or tradition tells that the thief was caught.
The captain of the militia company during these years, from 1784 to 1800, was Capt. John Barstow.
The Hanover artillery company was, during its existence, the "crack" military organization. It grew out of the second militia company, which was formed during John Adams' adminstration, Timothy Rose, captain.
Benjamin Whitman, Esq., has the credit of organizing the Han-
154
HISTORY OF HANOVER
over artillery company and was, of course, its first captain. The first lieutenant was Dr. Melzar Dwelley; the second Dr. Charles Turner of Pembroke. The uniform, which on being described appears ridiculous to us in these days of khaki, was regarded at the beginning of the last century as gorgeous and appropriate.
The coat was blue, with red facings and brass buttons and cord. The trousers and waistcoat were buff. The waist was clasped by a white leather belt, with a brass breast plate above it. The whole was surmounted by a fur cocked hat, called a chapeau de bras, bearing a black plume tipped with red.
The artillery of the company was one small cannon, or "piece."
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