USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume II > Part 42
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May 18, 1917, at the Town Hall, a Red Cross Society was organized with Dr. F. W. Keyes, president; Judge G. H. W. Hayes, vice-president ; George E. Hodgkins, treasurer; and Miss Ellen V. Long, secretary. There was also a large executive board, of which Mrs. H. N. Doughty was chair- man of the work in the workrooms, while Mrs. Francis R. Appleton and Mrs. Robert B. Parker had charge of the surgical dressing, and Mrs. G. F. Langdon of the knitting department. The Red Cross had as many as 1738 members; knit 2,861 garments; refugee garments, 887; hospital garments, 863; Christmas bags, etc., 740; surgical dressings, 1,100. In the quota for $10,000 in Ipswich for Red Cross work, it went "over the top", as it was termed, and raised $19,000.
When the United States made it known that government bonds had to be taken by the people, in order to do their part along with other allies, the citizens in Ipswich came nobly to the front. The first call for the placing of the First Liberty Loan Bonds was in May, 1917. The apportionment for Ipswich was $120,000. Lively committee work was planned and successfully carried out in a campaign that raised by June 15, $140,000. To warn the subscribers of the close of this "drive" by nation-wide agreement, the church bells were sounded four times to in- dicate that only four days yet remained in which to purchase bonds. At noon, bells and steam whistles sounded ten minutes. In Ipswich, sub- scriptions were received at the First National Bank and in an army tent on the triangular green in the square. National Guards and Boy Scouts aided materially in the sale of bonds. Speeches were made, automobiles ran hither, and yon throughout the district. When finally counted out, it was found that the amount of $206,850 in bonds had been sold to 1,123 individuals-nineteen per cent. of the population. The account of the various War Bond campaigns stood as follows:
1st Bond Issue
Asked None
Received $206,850
1,123
2nd Bond Issue
$260,000
340,450
981
3rd Bond Issue
172,000
297,000
1,097
4th Bond Issue
344,000
442,000
1,249
5th "Victory" Loan
258,000
316,700
671
$1,034,000
$1,603,000
Individuals
Visitors to the Ipswich Historical Society will be shown a fine silk banner given by the Commonwealth to the place that furnished the most bonds in the "Victory" Loan, population considered. No place in Mas- sachusetts bought so large an amount of these bonds as did Ipswich.
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MILITARY HISTORY
Ipswich was placed in what was designated the 21st District Exemp- tion Board comprising Andover, North Andover, Boxford, Groveland, Georgetown, Middleton, Rowley and Topsfield. This board had officers as follows: Judge George H. Hayes, chairman; William Bray, George- town, secretary ; and Percy J. Look, M.D., of Andover.
It was on September 21, 1917, that the first soldiers left Ipswich for Georgetown. Sixty-eight in all went that day. They returned to Ips- wich and at the station Judge Hayes called the roll ,to which all respond- ed. Each was given a "comfort kit," and as the train pulled out the band played, as never before, "America."
In all, as nearly as can now be learned, 304 soldiers went from the vicinity of Ipswich, and from that number sixteen made the "supreme sacrifice," as is shown by the memorial tablet built in front of the City Hall. Their names are: Rodney C. Bamford, Joseph T. Barney, Paul Choput, James Clark, John F. Dolan, Arthur Dropeou, Arthur J. Gal- lent, Samuel J. Kilborn, Joseph H. Murray, Russell S. Murray, Joseph L. Martel, John N. Nutkje, Nicholas Pappar, Engel Pappadoyian, Michael Szuka, Charles A. Scahill. Future generations cannot fail to look with pride upon such a record as was made by the citizens of Ipswich during the recent World War.
Military History of Amesbury-In the early years of the town's settlement the people were not disturbed much by the Indians; but as the settlement grew in population, the Indians became troublesome and caused the settlers to set a watch over their homes, both day and night, for many years. A watch-house was built in each ward, and the people of such ward had to furnish the expense of the watchman, including fuel. No farmer dared to enter his field without his gun, and even old friendly Indians could hardly be trusted. One of these garrisons was located near the Estes estate, one at Pond Hills, and one at "Jamaco," also one at Birchy Meadow. No persons were allowed out later than ten o'clock at night, save by permission of the guards. These conditions obtained first in 1676, and the following year an Indian raid occurred, and several persons were killed by the Eastern Indians. Among those killed was Robert Quinby, and his wife was knocked down and left for dead, but finally survived the shock of the blow given her. King George's War in- volved the colonies in a very expensive conflict with the French and In- dians of Canada, which resulted in the capture of Louisburg. Amesbury men served in all the old French wars, each town being required to fur- nish their quota.
Just as the Continental Congress was organizing, Amesbury voted to stand by the independent position to be taken against the Mother Country. Two days before the battle of Lexington, April 19, 1755, this town had authorized the selectmen to hire £100 sterling, to aid in a war, should one be declared by the Colonies. A company was formed under Captain Currier and marched to the scene of the conflict. In all, two
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companies were present and took part in the Battle of Bunker Hill. July 1st, three days before the "Declaration of Independence", a town meeting was held in Amesbury, the citizens declaring "that they would abide by and defend the Members of the Continental Congress with their Lives and fortunes, if they think expedient to declare the Colonies Indepen- dent of Great Briton." When the important measure was brought for- ward in Congress, Dr. Josiah Bartlett (the ferry-boy of 1729) was a mem- ber from New Hampshire, and placed his name next beneath that of John Hancock, when the document was finally signed. The war came on, and call after call for meen from Amesbury was made, and in each call a response was made and large bounties were paid for men to fill the ranks. So many. men left the farms that ere long it was hard to secure suitable farm help to till the soil. Many families were supported by the town. In 1778 as high as £sixty sterling was given as bounty to men to enlist in the army for nine months. So busy were these men from Amesbury that they took no time to prepare any records of their doings, hence we have no list of the number of men sent to the scene of the conflict.
In April, 1861, when Fort Sumter was fired on by the power later styled the Southern Confederacy, a call was made by President Lincoln for 75,000 men. A town meeting was held in Amesbury, April 27, to plan for a company of men to be sent at once. A bounty of ten dollars was offered each single young man who should enlist, and twenty dollars to all married men. The company was soon formed and they elected as their captain Joseph W. Sargent, who with his company became a part of the Fourteenth Massachusetts Regiment. Later this became a part of the heavy artillery. As the war continued, many men went to the seat of war from Amesbury, but after 1862, it became harder to get men to enlist and large bounties were offered, ranging from $60 to $300 for each volunteer. In 1863 so great was the demand for soldiers that a draft had to be made to the number of fifty-nine men. However, many received $300 bounty and enlisted rather than stand the draft. The selectmen did all in their power to raise men and money and supplies for the men at the front. Let this be a perpetual monument to the loyal citizens of Amesbury.
To classify with just recognition and appreciation the diverse ele- ments of activity that any given community contributed toward the win- ning of the World War most difficult. The record made by the loyal citizens of Amesbury has been fairly well preserved, and from its pages the historian is permitted to draw such facts as space will allow to be used in a general history of the county.
The Amesbury Branch of the Red Cross saw a wonderful increase in the activities of its world-wide order. William E. Biddle was ap- pointed chairman ; Mrs. Emily B. Smith, vice-chairman; Mrs. B. F. Sar- gent, secretary; and James H. Walker, treasurer. As the years go by, it will be interesting to know who had charge of certain departments in
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MILITARY HISTORY
this work, hence it may be stated that home nursing was under man- agement of Mrs. Emily B. Smith ; civilian relief, Carl F. Vietor ; finance, Alfred C. Webster; sewing, Mrs. H. P. Wells, succeeded by Mrs. H. T. Ames and Mrs. F. W. Smith; surgical dressings, Mrs. William E. Bid- dle; yarn and knitted goods, Mrs. Emily B. Smith, Miss Mary Sawyer and Mrs. Sarah Hinckley. Over two tons of partly worn clothing were shipped as a result of the two drives. Thousands upon thousands of gar- ments, bandages, pads and other articles were sent from this Red Cross Chapter. The two membership "drives" in Amesbury were very success- ful. In that of 1917, 1,919 members were obtained, and as a result of the 1918 campaign for Red Cross memberships, there were enough to make the total 2,950. Its financial organization was complete and in 1918 was able to exceed its quota by almost fifty per cent. During the National Red Cross "drive" in 1917, Amesbury Branch secured contribu- tions of $10,594.72, and in 1918, $14,458.47, the total exceeding $25,000, for the two drives. Martin F. Connelly was appointed to take the chair- manship after the resignation of William E. Biddle, the remainder of the board serving through the war, except one secretary, whose place was taken by Miss May S. Allen.
The Local Draft Board here consisted of Thomas C. Simpson of Newburyport, chairman; Dr. Randolph C. Hurd of Newburyport, medi- cal examiner; and Jacob T. Choate of Amesbury, secretary. Drs. Her- bert G. Leslie and Dr. Otis P. Mudge took part in the work of physical examination. During the war period there were 550 men mobilized by the Local Board of this division. As was well said by Jacob T. Choate in winding up the business after the war's end: "Who would have thought ten years before the war that in a country so used to peace, and so lacking in the military spirit, out of every thirty thousand inhabitants, six thousand men would be summoned to schoolhouses or other public buildings, and there be compelled to disclose under oath the amount of their earnings, the cost of family expenses, the amount of their property and other facts upon which liability to military service would be de- termined ; that of the six thousand, two thousand would be summoned to a police station and compelled to submit to a most thorough physical ex- amination, and that later still, more than five hundred would be mobilized and sent to war,-and that all this would be done without any friction whatever, and that everywhere the utmost cheerfulness, the loftiest patriotism would be displayed! The success of the draft system is one of the marvels of the ages. A quarter of a century from now, the maga- zines will be filled with articles reminiscent of the Selective Service Law of 1917."
Amesbury's contributions to the final needs of the U. S. Government in the conduct of the war may be briefly stated to have been as follows: It seems almost incredible that in a community of about ten thousand souls 8,591 individual subscriptions were received, and yet such was the
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fact. Except in the first loan, where no quota was fixed, the subscriptions exceeded the quotas by $611,700. One of the committeemen remarked: "While we have no call to boast of such favorable showing, we cannot be denied the satisfaction of having more than fulfilled the obligation which was placed upon us." The subjoined shows the amounts subscribed in the various War Bond drives :
Number
Subscribers
Amount
Quota
First Loan
1,828
$314,300
Second Loan
1,143
579,700
$286,000
Third Loan
1,702
464,150
346,500
Fourth Loan
2,448
861,450
693,000
Fifth (Victory) Loan
1,470
550,300
519,500
Totals
8,591
$2,769,900
Winnifred L. Bean, in writing in Amesbury of the part taken by the women of the city, has well said:
It was a wonderful lesson in economy to us American women. We had been accustomed to lavishness we scarcely appreciated, the necessity, to conserve food made us realize that we had been enjoying luxury. This being an article on woman's part in the war, I feel that I must call attention to the various ways women filled in the breach made by the absence of the men at war. Even before this country entered the conflict, American women volunteered by the thousands to go across as nurses and welfare workers. Heroic telephone girls well fought their battle, oftentime very close to the front.
Women entered all kinds of industries. They worked in munition factories; they drove automobiles in motor corps; they served as yeowomen in the Navy; they operated elevators and street cars; and they filled clerical positions wherever needed. Women, realizing the need for more production from the soil, clad in suitable raiment, with hoe in hand, flocked to the farms, creating a picturesque figure never to be forgotten. We tried to be good soldiers, feeling certain that if we obeyed the commands of our higher officers, we were most surely helping to win the war, thus bringing it to an end and speeding the return of our dear ones to us.
To women was sent the beautiful gift of hope, many bearing with unbelieving fortitude the months and almost years of anxiety, hoping that soon the hour would come when the clouds would turn inside out and reveal to us their silver linings.
Responding to the appeal to increased food production, the pupils of the Amesbury schools, both public and parochial, promptly enlisted in the club organizations for home gardens and canning. In co-operation with the representatives of the Essex County Agricultural School, and the Massachusetts Agricultural College, and the garden department in the In- terior, the boys and girls carried forward this work with great enthusi- asm. In the summer of 1918, 452 boys and girls planted gardens. They were organized in companies, one company to a school, with officers and committees of organization. Inspection of gardens was carried on by certain members of the teaching force, under the general supervision of Miss Mabel E. Lunt. The area of land under cultivation was twenty-six and one-half acres and the value of the product amounted to $2,359.89. There were also Pig clubs, Poultry clubs, and in the Bond drives, the
795
MILITARY HISTORY
young folks were not behind in showing their loyalty. Nine hundred and sixty-one boys and girls held War Savings Stamps to the amount of $5,747.00. The Boy and Girl Scouts, the Soldiers' Aid Society, and the Aid and Information Committee, as well as the Emergency Hospital, each and all, were successful institutions in Amesbury throughout the war.
No greater loss could any community have sustained in the recent World War than did the citizens of Amesbury in sacrificing the following list of noble sons, that the world might approach nearer to a state of universal peace. It is believed that this list covers all who lost their lives as a result of the war service they saw, up to 1919, when a municipal souvenir was compiled for use and distribution to the men at a home-com- ing reception tendered them in September of that year. At least one of these returned soldiers has died as a result of the war, since that date, and his name is here attached. The total number of deceased is seven- teen. Peace to their ashes! Their names are Cyril C. Bishop, Timothy C. Brick, James F. Broderick, Charles A. Reimer, Earl L. Buchanan, Wil- liam L'Ecuiyer, Luke F. Moran, George B. Carney, Alfred J. Dupont, Frank Gaudette, John J. Thornton, Martin R. Wall, Harold J. McNanley, Edward Porter, Leroy F. Goddard, Martin T. Jennings, Albert Thompson.
Cited for Bravery-Webster L. Blanchard, Belgian Croix de Guerre. Sergt. Peter J. Brisson, received French cross. Ralph W. Cole, Canadian Volunteer War cross in 1917. Edward D. Hanley, Jr., French Cross, cited by Gen. Edwards. Captain James E. MacDougall, Co. D, 322 Inf., cited by Division General and General Pershing. Michael F. Kelley, cited by Commanding General. Luke F. Moran, Co. K, 102d Regiment Infantry, 26th Div. Cited for bravery in carrying messages through shell fire, second battle of Marne. Clarence C. McLaine, cited by General Edwards. Harold F. Proctor, presented with Distinguished Service Cross by General Pershing. With a companion he captured machine-gun nest, taking forty prisoners. Harry L. Pender, awarded Victory Medal with four battle clasps for participation in major operations.
Marblehead in Time of War-In 1775, in what is termed the French and Indian War, as soon as the conflict was fully under way, Marblehead at once took measures to defend her own interests, as well as those of the colonies. A powder-house, suitable for securing ammunition, was built by vote of the town, Col. Jacob Fowle, Col. Jeremiah Lee and Maj. Richard Reed being members of the building committee. The French materially injured the shipping industry in fish on the high seas. Sev- eral vessels were by the French captured, causing much distress. In the early spring of 1759, recruits were called for, and forty-five able-bodied men went into the service in Canada. These men were for the naval ser- vice. They helped to take Quebec, which was to be forever the end of France having rule over Canada. Many interesting pages have been written on the capture of various English vessels, including those from Marblehead, but space here forbids insertion in this work.
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Without entering in any way into the causes leading up to the Revo- lutionary war, let us hasten to record a few important paragraphs con- cerning the part taken in that war by Marblehead. The British soldiers quartered in Marblehead made much trouble, and were the cause of the first acts of violence on the part of the citizens. Finally the troops were withdrawn, and there was then sent a vessel by the English government, to lay about the harbor and search every boat that entered port, obtaining all ammunition and arms that might be shipped to the colonies. This was done by authority of the Governor of Massachusetts. However, one vessel containing guns and powder managed to land in the night and secreted the chests of guns, etc., at an outside place; these were finally used in equiping the first company of soldiers which fought the English in that war. Colonel Glover commanded a regiment of four hundred and fifty men at Marblehead, and some of this regiment were in the battle of Bunker Hill later on. There was also a company of artillery that was of great service in the earlier years of the struggle. Two men from Marblehead were killed at Bunker's Hill.
When Independence was declared, July 4, 1776, a messenger rode into Marblehead, giving out the news, and it was counted so great a thing that within a few weeks, when printed copies of the document were ob- tained, the town clerk was instructed to transcribe the same in the records of the town; this was carried out, and the transcription may still be seen in the town hall.
During the War of 1812-14, Marblehead was not beyond any other part of the country in denouncing the English Government, and both on land and sea she made herself felt in a most powerful way. Over one thousand men from Marblehead were in the war for "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights." Of these 726 were on board privateers, 120 in the navy, 57 in the army, and 100 were in the Marblehead Light Infantry.
Concerning the Civil War and the part taken by Marblehead, it may be said that she sent her full quota in all the calls of President Lincoln for men. Three companies of militia were among the first sent to Boston, April 16, 1861. These men belonged in the Eighth regiment. During that four-year war Marblehead furnished the army and navy with 1,048 men, a surplus of ninety-nine over quotas; 820 were in actual military service, and 222 in the navy; 110 were killed in battle, or died from wounds and sickness, and 87 were wounded and sent home, many of whom later died as a result of their wounds.
The whole amount of money spent for war purposes in Marblehead was $139,725, aside from that expended by the State; $108,000 was raised by the town and paid to support soldiers' families. Later Massachusetts. paid back this large amount. Whoever visits Marblehead will see a fine monument, erected in 1876, in memory of the fallen heroes of the Civil War.
Of the World War, all the data obtainable for this work were the
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MILITARY HISTORY
subjoined names of the fallen heroes and a few other facts. Out of over two hundred soldiers who went from Marblehead, the following died abroad: Lieutenant Charles A. Evans, Irving E. Brown, (body returned to this country), Christian Christensen, John A. Roundy, and William F. Farrey.
There are no reliable records of the local war work in Marblehead, hence all that can be said is that this town was fully up with her sister towns, and in the various drives always went to and generally above the quota called for.
Military of Georgetown-Inasmuch as the article written by Miss Spofford on the general history of Georgetown contains much concerning the military record of the town, nothing need be said in this chapter, the reader being referred to the chapter of Georgetown for such facts. In passing, it may be stated, however, that in the recent World War George- town furnished ninety-seven men, ten of whom were commissioned of- ficers. Five of the men from this town never returned-two died in hos- pitals, and three were killed in action. Miss Spofford's narrative fol- lows :
The citizens of Georgetown have never been found deficient in patriotism, or backward in coming to the defence of their country when necessary. King Philip's War was the first one in which men from the territory afterward known as Georgetown were engaged. Capt. Samuel Brocklebank, already mentioned as one of the first settlers of George- town, reported to Governor John Leverett, November 29, 1675, that: "This may certify that we have impressed twelve men, according to our warrant." He then bade farewell forever, as it afterward proved, to his home on Pen brook; for on April 21, 1677, he, with two other officers and about one hundred men, was drawn into ambush by the Indians in the town of Sudbury, and all three officers and about fifty men were killed. All were buried in one grave in the forest where they fell.
Up to the close of the French and Indian War, there was more or less fighting with the Indians, and in these early Indian wars men from Rowley and New Rowley were found taking their part. In 1707 one of the Stickneys from Long Hill was called out for a short campaign against the Indians to the eastward. Jonathan Wheeler and Lieut. Benjamin Plumer were in the early French and Indian wars. In 1755 there were two or three men from New Rowley at Lake George with a Rowley com- pany. These soldiers wore their own clothing and carried their own muskets, blankets alone being provided. The early successes of the French in the French and Indian War alarmed the Colonists, and a com- pany of militia was organized, and frequently drilled in almost every town. Soldiers enlisted for a short service or for a campaign, usually entering the army in the spring and returning to their homes in the winter.
In 1756 volunteers were called for by the province of Massachusetts, a bounty of $6 was offered, and pay for privates of £1 6 s. a month. At first the volunteers wore their own clothing and frequently brought their own muskets, for which an extra bounty of $2 was allowed; but later a uniform of red and blue breeches, a powder horn and some other things were provided. A severer struggle than that of the French and Indian
798
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Wars was ever to test the strength and endurance of the Colonists to the utmost. As early as 1770 papers were circulated in New Rowley, pledg- ing the signers to non-intercourse with England, and in January, 1775, special enlistments as minute-men were ordered by the town, and men were drilled once a week. On April 19 reports of a battle at Lexington reached the settlement, and Colonel Daniel Spofford of the Seventh Rgi- ment of militia in Essex county marched to Cambridge, but failed to arrive in season to take part in the engagement. In the battle of Bunker Hill, at least two men from New Rowley fought, Dudley Tyler and James Boynton, who were killed. The firing of the artillery in this battle was distinctly heard here. There were a number of officers in the Revolution- ary War from this town, one captain, Benjamin Adams, and at least five lieutenants.
The names of at least ten men from New Rowley who fought in the War of 1812 have been preserved. During this war the fear of British invasion was so great that specie and other valuables were carried into the interior. In the Florida War, only one person from this town is known to have enlisted; in the Mexican War there were three.
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