USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Dover > Narrative history : a history of Dover, Massachusetts, as a precinct, parish, district, and town > Part 8
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Of those who guarded at Boston and Cambridge in 1778 we find a smaller number. Roxbury being more accessible, they preferred to enlist for service there, but the roll bears the names of Stephen Gay, John Brown, Daniel Chickering, Jabez Whiting.
In August, 1778, a plan was formed for an attack on the British forces in Rhode Island, who were under command of Sir Robert Pigott. He had his head- quarters at Newport, which was protected by batteries and a small naval force. About six thousand men were stationed about the island.
In the vicinity of Providence, Barach Smith, Ebenezer Richards, Jeremiah Bacon, Jr., Josiah Bacon, Jr., Joseph Battle, and Moses Bacon were stationed.
It was planned that the Americans should approach Newport by land, while the fleet of D'Estaing, which
SPRINGFIELD PARISH IN THE REVOLUTION 107
had arrived, should force its way into the harbor. This plan was not carried out - by concerted action. Gen- eral Sullivan marched from Providence ; and the British, fearful of being cut off, evacuated these works on the north and went to Newport. General Sullivan now gathered an army of ten thousand ; but the French fleet, failing to take part in the engagement, were obliged to retreat, leaving the British in possession of southern Rhode Island. Of those who engaged in this contest in Rhode Island in 1778 we find the following names from this precinct : Lemuel Herring, David Chickering, Jr., Ellis Whiting, David Richards, Joseph Bacon, Silas Bacon, and Jabez Whiting.
There are those living 1 who recall Thomas Larra- bee's account, as an eye witness, of the execution of Major André, for whom the Americans had much sympathy, as he was brought to his ignoble death through connivance with the traitor Arnold. Mr. Larra- bee used to repeat Washington's words when besought by André to be allowed to die as a soldier rather than as a criminal, " You were taken as a spy, tried as a spy, and you shall die as a spy."
One verse from Willis beautifully describes Major André's request : -
Thine is the power to give, Thine to deny Joy for the hour I live, Calmness to die. By all the brave should cherish, By my dying breath, I ask that I may perish, By a soldier's death.
I Stephen Pettengill, Needham.
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HISTORY OF DOVER
The daughters of the Revolution contributed their part in the manufacture of blankets, shirts, and stock- ings, which were in frequent demand to meet the parish's quota in supplying the Continental Army. The following supplies were furnished by the residents of this parish in 1781. The price indicates the value of Continental currency at this time : -
£. s. d.
Eleazer Allen, 8 shirts for army 4 8
John Jones, 3 pairs of stockings 18
Joseph Haven, 2 pairs of socks 12
Joseph Draper, I pair of socks .
6 9
Timothy Allen, I pair of socks . 6
Ebenezer Smith, 16 pairs of shoes 8
James Draper, stockings . 2
Capt. Ebenezer Battle, 16 pairs shoes 8
4
Ebenezer Battle, 5 pairs of socks .
I IO
Ebenezer Newell, 4 blankets and travelling expenses 6 19
John Battle, 4 pairs socks and one dollar in cash 2
8
The extremest inflation of the Continental currency seems to have been reached in 1780, during which year Ebenezer Battle sold the selectmen of Dedham one horse for three hundred and fifty pounds ; Thomas Ockinton one horse, six hundred pounds ; Ebenezer Newell one horse, nine hundred pounds,- making a total of eighteen hundred and fifty pounds for three horses furnished for the use of the army.
The history of Continental money is of interest : without it we cannot appreciate the difficulties with which the people were beset. In June, 1775, Congress voted that a sum not exceeding two million Spanish milled dollars be emitted in bills of credit for the defence of America, and that the colonies be pledged
SPRINGFIELD PARISH IN THE REVOLUTION 109
for the redemption of these bills of credit. In Novem- ber three millions more were issued to meet the expense of the war. In February they granted five millions more, five millions in May, and five millions in July,- in all, twenty millions of dollars, all paper money, which became as worthless as an old scrap of news- paper.
The demands were so great and money was so scarce that the scheme did not recommend itself either to speculators or the public. So matters went on until Continental money became valueless. The parish records show that a bill of £2, Ios., 72d., received in 178I, was valued in Continental money as £26, 15s. The depreciation in money was not as great in Massa- chusetts as in some States.
This precinct raised, simply to meet the expense of committees and soldiers who served in the war from 1776 to 1781, £2,836, 135., 5d.
The Hon. Amos Perry, commenting on the records of Col. John Jones, relating to his " minits of marriage portions " given his daughters, extending over a period of more than a quarter of a century (1767-95), says :
" The observance of a uniform standard of valuation caused serious difficulty in apportioning gifts in accord- ance with rules of justice applicable in such a family. One daughter received gifts valued at about three hundred and seventy-six pounds (1767). Another daughter's gifts were valued at about forty pounds (1783). Yet the latter daughter was probably served quite as well as the former. Twenty dollars was repre- sented as equivalent to forty-five pounds. The lowest value of a cow is four pounds, the highest thirty pounds."
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HISTORY OF DOVER
It must be borne in mind that this does not represent all our fathers did for American independence. They were residents of Dedham, and as such bore their share in all that was done by the town. Previous to 1777 the town of Dedham raised and paid all its soldiers, but early in this year it voted a bounty of twenty-four pounds to each man who would enlist for three years, or during the war; and it thus became necessary to reward all who were in the public service. As the town experienced difficulty in this, the parishes took the matter up and raised the money by taxation, hence the full record on the parish books of those who took part from 1777 to the close of the war.
The appropriation for schools in the Springfield Parish in 1780 was £1,418, 13s., 3d. The people suffered from high taxation. The province tax in Dedham in 1778 was £1,857, 13s., IOd., all of which had to be paid into the State treasury by the Ist of October.
The times were so hard during this period that the Rev. Mr. Caryl of his own will relinquished one-fifth of his meagre salary of £66, 13s., 4d., making a salary in these hard times of only £53, 6s., 8d .; and, before the war closed, the parish was obliged to raise in paying this salary four thousand pounds in Continental money, to meet the depreciation in currency. The parish raised in four grants three thousand eight hundred and fifty pounds, to meet the expenses of the war.
In 1782 the parish met three obligations by voting H. Peters Allen, Nathan Draper, and Elijah Dewing "one cow or the value of a cow, to each of them one- third part, for engaging a limited time in the military service in the army."
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SPRINGFIELD PARISH IN THE REVOLUTION
In August, 1777, the parish provided itself with fire- arms, that it might be ready for an emergency. Deacon Haven paid £18, 15s. for five guns. There is no evi- dence that the guns were ever used, and the next year they were sold by the parish. The war at last was over. From the summit of many hills the people of Dover have witnessed the annual display of fireworks in the city of Boston, in commemoration of the Declara- tion of Independence ; but never have they gathered on our hill-tops in larger numbers or with greater joy and enthusiasm than on the evening of February 27, 1784, when the city celebrated the conclusion of peace and the establishment of a new nation. The financial straits of the people are well illustrated in the follow- ing petition of Daniel Whiting -a lieutenant-colonel in Colonel Nixon's regiment and the highest officer Dedham had in the Revolution -to the Massachu- setts General Court, made April 18, 1782, asking for aid in his distress : -
Your petitioner humbly showeth :
That in April, 1775, he enlisted into the militia service of the State in defence of the lives, liberties, and property of the invaded and injured inhabitants of this part of North America, and con- tinued in the service of this and the United States of America, without intermission or impeachment, and to universal acceptance, until the close of the year 1780, at which time the regiment was reduced, and your petitioner obtained a permission to retire from the army, to resume the care, education, and direction of his five motherless children, who were bereaved in his absence, in which time your petitioner sold his real estate and lent the whole pro- ceeds to this State, a very small part excepted, and for a consid- erable part of his wages while in service received depreciated notes, and for the last year's service, 1780, has received no more
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HISTORY OF DOVER
than three months' wages, the nominal sum in Continental paper money of the old emission, and when returning from the army was obliged to borrow money of an inhabitant at West Point to defray his expenses home, being in want of forage in the public stables, both which debts are now due from your petitioner, and he has received no allowance for the deficiency of forage, etc.
And now all the estate of your petitioner that is not consumed by the mutation of the currency, etc., is in public securities; and his debts contracted for the support of his family, and some debts he owed before the war,- which he was not so unjust as to pay in paper currency,- remain unpaid, and he is taxed and classed from time to time, and hath not wherewith to purchase or hire a place of residence for himself and family, and replace some nec- essary personal estate, and purchase some necessary provisions and clothing for upholding life. That he hath such public securi- ties and depreciated notes, one or more of which were due about a year ago, but cannot pay his debts or taxes with any of these, nor procure any necessaries of life upon these, nor obtain any money for services on said securities or depreciated notes without the aid of the Honorable Court.
It is well known that many in this State who now retain their real estate in their own possession, never would lend the public any part of their property, nor perform any actual service in per- son, were at home with their families, took every advantage, and were increasing their substances, while your petitioner was in many perils in the Indian country and other parts, many times without any food, tent, barrack, or covering at the same time. And they even now have recourse to complaint of oppression, injustice, etc.
All your petitioner hath is in the hands of this Commonwealth. Might he, shall he, pay all debts, charges, taxes, etc., and not be able to obtain any part that is due to him, because the whole State is his debtor? If his securities were against individuals in private life, he would not so much deplore his circumstances. But your petitioner cannot anticipate the thought that when the whole Commonwealth or United States are justly indebted to him for his services and suffering in the army as well as the whole of his real estate, and himself and his children now are reduced to a
SPRINGFIELD PARISH IN THE REVOLUTION 113
great strait, and not for the want of charity or a gift, but equi- table payment of part of his just dues, the Honorable Court will treat his petition with any degree of neglect.
Therefore your petitioner prays this Honorable Court to take his very singularly distressing circumstances into consideration and order one or more of his said notes to be paid, and part of his last year wages, and as in duty bound shall ever pray.
(Signed) DANIEL WHITING.
The student of history will find that it was to reward and to meet the obligations of the new government to such men as Daniel Whiting that the Ohio grant was made, the settlement of which led to the development of the great Northwest.
In the darkest hours of the Revolution, General Washington, who was familiar with the country from having made surveys, cheered his officers with these words : "The extensive and fertile region of the West will yield a most happy asylum to those who, fond of domestic enjoyment, are seeking for personal indepen- dence." As early as 1783 officers of the Continental Army to the number of two hundred and eighty-five had petitioned Congress to allow them the tract of land which is now largely included in the territory forming the State of Ohio. This land was given in exchange for a million dollars of the evidence of public debt.
This territory was known as the Northwest. Daniel Whiting received a grant, but through the fraudulent act of another it was lost to his family.
Few relics of the Revolution remain in Dover. A musket carried at the battle of Bunker Hill still ex- ists, and many recall a wooden canteen which Thomas Larrabee used in the service, and a powder-horn which
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HISTORY OF DOVER
bore the inscription, "Thomas Larrabee, his horn. Crown Point, 1760." There appears in one of the illustrations of this volume the picture of a harrow, still in existence, which was used on the Chickering farm during the morning of April 19, 1775, when word of the Lexington fight came.
With all our fathers suffered it is well to remember the strict discipline of the Continental Army. The following extracts from the regimental order-book and notes of John Pitman,' a native of Boston, who served in the army, illustrate this fact : -
" The Cort Proseeded to the Trial of Magnes Noice Confin'd for Muteness & Bad and Disrespectful Language against his offi- cers And wisht one half of them in Hell. Said Noice pleads guilty & Bags the Marcy of the Coart. The coart Finds the prisonir Punashebel agreable to the 5th Artickel & 18 section of the Ar- tickels of War. The Cort Considering the nature of his offence Do Order him to Receive Fifty Strips on his Naked Back."
One Richard Seften, for sleeping away from his quarters and telling a "lye " to his captain about it, received fifty-nine lashes on his naked back. Oliver Washburn had sixty-nine lashes for being drunk. Mark Cargedd had thirty-nine for not answering roll-call. For selling a leg of mutton to a man and stealing it back again twenty-five lashes were given. If a soldier were found with his hat " uncockt," he was liable to be whipped. When the men appeared on parade with their "arms in bad order, their cloathing extremely durty & slovingly in their dress," minute details and orders were given about shaving, washing their faces and hands, the care of their clothes, of their tents, their bedding, their food. The " eting of frute " was forbidden, as was "going a swimming " or "drinking Cold water when hot." An officer was appointed whose sole business was to inspect " the manner of coucking & see that the men Boil or Make a Soop of their Meat which is Much More Conducive to health than the Idle Pracktice of Briling Meat which is strickly forbid."
I New England Magazine, June, 1895.
OLD FARM IMPLEMENTS.
CHAPTER IX.
MILITARY SERVICES.
INDIVIDUAL RECORDS - LEXINGTON ALARM - DORCHESTER HEIGHTS-BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL -TICONDEROGA - RHODE ISLAND - CASTLE ISLAND-BOSTON-CAM- BRIDGE - ROXBURY.
" When freedom from her mountain height Unfurled her standard to the air, She tore the azure robe of night And set the stars of glory there."
Eleazer Allen, private, born August 21, 1740. Marched at the Lexington alarm, April 19, in Capt. Ebenezer Battle's company, was absent six days, and travelled 302 miles. Also served in fortifying Dor- chester Heights in 1776.
Eleazer Allen, Jr., served at Boston seventy-five days, 1778.
Hezekiah Peters Allen, private in Major Heath's detachment of guards at Boston in 1779. Served at Castle Island in 1779, enlisted for six months' service in Continental Army in 1780, re-enlisted for three years' service in Continental Army in 1781. In 1781 made application to the parish to be paid for his service.
Hezekiah Allen, private, born April 15, 1724. Marched at the Lexington alarm, in Capt. Ebenezer Battle's company. He was absent one day, and trav- elled 308 miles.
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HISTORY OF DOVER
Timothy Allen, private, born August 28, 1746. Marched at the battle of Lexington, in Capt. Ebenezer Battle's company, was absent three days, and travelled 402 miles. Also served in 1776 in fortifying Dor- chester Heights.
Ephraim Bacon, Jr., private, born May 26, 1756. Marched at the Lexington alarm, in Captain Battle's company, was absent four days, and travelled 304 miles.
Jeremiah Bacon, private, born August 24, 1729. Marched at the Lexington alarm, was absent six days, and travelled 404 miles. He was also sergeant in Cap- tain Guild's company at Dorchester Heights in 1776. Also served in Rhode Island in September, 1776.
Jeremiah Bacon, Jr., guarded at Roxbury seventeen days, 1778.
John Bacon, private, born April 17, 1722. Took part at Ticonderoga in 1776, serving in Captain Stow's com- pany. He guarded at Providence in 1778.
Joseph Bacon served in Rhode Island in 1778.
Josiah Bacon, private. Guard duty in Roxbury, I776. Marched on alarm at Rhode Island in August, 1778.
Josiah Bacon, Jr., private, born January 6, 1730. Marched at the Lexington alarm, was absent twelve days, and travelled 404 miles. He also served in forti- fying Dorchester Heights in 1776, and took part in Rhode Island in 1778, and did guard duty at Roxbury the same year.
Michael Bacon, drummer, Castle Island nineteen days, 1776; Castle Island thirty-three days, 1778.
Moses Bacon, private. Marched at the Lexington alarm, was absent seven days, and travelled 40 miles.
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MILITARY SERVICES
He engaged in fortifying Dorchester Heights, did service at Castle Island in 1776 and guard duty at Roxbury in 1778.
Silas Bacon, private, born September 11, 1758. Served in Capt. Ebenezer Everett's company and Colonel McIntosh's regiment. Marched on an alarm at Rhode Island, August 1, 1778.
Ebenezer Battle, born January 7, 1727-28, was cap- tain of the Dover company of minute-men, sixty-five of whom marched at the Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775. He served in the taking of Dorchester Heights, 1776; was commissioned captain May 10, 1776; served in Colonel McIntosh's regiment, also Col. Jonathan Tit- comb's regiment ; was at Castle Island in 1776, at Providence in 1777, at Roxbury in 1778 ; was made a second major in 1780.
Ebenezer Battle, Jr., private, born February 4, 1754. Marched under his father at the Lexington alarm, was absent eight days, and travelled 402 miles. Also served at Providence in 1776, and at Roxbury in 1778.
Hezekiah Battle, born January 12, 1758. Was a fifer in Capt. Ebenezer Battle's company, and marched at the Lexington alarm. He was absent three days, and
travelled 40 miles. He engaged in fortifying Dorches- ter Heights, took part in the battle of Bunker Hill, and was at the siege of Boston, and also at Castle Island in 1776, at Roxbury in 1778, and enlisted in the Conti- nental Army for nine months in 1778.
John Battle, born October II, 1741. Was second lieutenant in Capt. Ebenezer Battle's company at the Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775. He was absent six days, and travelled 402 miles.
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HISTORY OF DOVER
Jonathan Battle, private, born May 30, 1724. Guarded Governor's Island in 1778 for thirty-two days.
Joseph Battle, born April 23, 1763, served in Rhode Island in 1778.
Josiah Battle, private, born July 15, 1756. Marched at the Lexington alarm, was absent seven days, and travelled 404 miles. He engaged in fortifying Dorches- ter Heights, and did guard duty at Roxbury in 1778. He was also at Providence the same year, and enlisted for nine months' service in the Continental Army in 1778.
Jabez Baker, born December 9, 1737. Was a ser- geant in Capt. Ebenezer Battle's company, which marched at the Lexington alarm. He was absent twelve days, and travelled 40 miles.
John Brown served at Castle Island in 1776, at Roxbury in 1778, also at Rhode Island in 1778.
Thomas Burridge, private. Marched at the Lexing- ton alarm, was absent five days, and marched 402 miles.
James Cheney, sergeant, marched at the Lexing- ton alarm under Capt. Ebenezer Battle, and was absent three days. Guarded Burgoyne's troops near Boston in 1777-78.
Joseph Cheney. Guarded Burgoyne's troops near Boston in 1777-78.
John Cheney, private, marched at Lexington alarm under Captain Battle, was absent three days, and travelled 404 miles. Was at Castle Island nineteen days, 1776, and did guard duty in Roxbury in 1778.
Daniel Chickering, private, born December 30, 1718. Marched at Lexington alarm under Captain Battle, was absent four days, and travelled 404 miles. Served at
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MILITARY SERVICES
Castle Island nineteen days, 1776; on Capt. Ebenezer Battle's pay-roll, 1783 ; guarded at Cambridge in 1778.
Daniel Chickering, Jr., private, born August 20, 1758. Marched at the Lexington alarm under Capt. Ebenezer Battle, was absent three days, and travelled 402 miles. He marched in the expedition to Rhode Island in 1778 ; Boston, twenty-six days, 1778.
John Chickering, corporal, born August 24, 1744. Marched at Lexington alarm under Captain Battle, was absent six days, and travelled 402 miles. Served at Dorchester Heights, guarded at Roxbury in 1778.
Joseph Chickering, private, born April 20, 1755. Marched at the Lexington alarm, in Captain Battle's company. He was absent four days, and travelled 40₴ miles.
Nathaniel Chickering, private, born March 24, 1750. Marched under Captain Battle at the Lexington alarm. Was absent two days, and travelled 308 miles. He took part at Ticonderoga in 1776.
Samuel Chickering, private, born March 18, 1722. Was in the battle of Bunker Hill in Brewer's regiment. He took part in fortifying Dorchester Heights. Was at Ticonderoga in 1776, and did guard duty at Boston in 1778.
David Cleveland first served in the last French war. He marched at the Lexington alarm, being a private in Capt. Ebenezer Battle's company. Was absent four days, and travelled 40₴ miles.
Nathan Cook, private, took part in fortifying Dorches- ter Heights. Was in the battle of Bunker Hill under Capt. Daniel Whiting. He served at Ticonderoga in 1776, did guard duty at Roxbury, 1778, and entered the Continental Army.
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HISTORY OF DOVER
Abijah Crane, private, born March 20, 1761. Was under Capt. Timothy Stowe at Ticonderoga in 1776. Enlisted December 3, 1779, Continental Army, three years' service.
Ralph Day, private, born June 19, 1717. Marched at the Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775, under Captain Battle. He was absent two days, and travelled 40₴ miles.
Luke Dean, private, born May 27, 1750, marched under Capt. Ebenezer Battle, at Lexington alarm. Was absent nine days, and travelled 404 miles. He took part in Brewer's regiment in the battle of Bunker Hill, also served in fortifying Dorchester Heights. He served in the army at the siege of Boston, and was a corporal of his company ; served eight months and twenty days in 1778.
Elijah Dewing guarded in and about Boston in 1777.
James Draper, private, born February 20, 1732-33. Marched at Lexington alarm under Captain Battle, was absent one day, travelled 303 miles. Also served at Dorchester Heights.
John Draper, private. Marched at the Lexington alarm under Captain Battle, was absent one day, and travelled 303 miles. Guarded stores three months in 1777 ; at Cambridge, 1778.
Joseph Draper, Jr., private, born June 9, 1731. Marched at Lexington alarm under Captain Battle, was absent three days, and travelled 403 miles.
Josiah Draper, private, born August 2, 1758. Took part in the battle of Bunker Hill in Brewer's regiment. Served in the army at the siege of Boston.
Moses Draper, private, born February 9, 1754.
I2I
MILITARY SERVICES
Marched at Lexington alarm under Captain Battle, was absent four days, and travelled 302 miles. He was in the battle of Bunker Hill in Brewer's regiment.
Nathaniel Draper, private, born September 18, 1732. Entered the Continental Army, served from July 17, 1780, to December 23, 1780.
Jesse Ellis, sergeant, born October 25, 1740. Served in Capt. Ebenezer Battle's company one day, 1775 ; also at Dorchester Heights, and at Ticonderoga under Captain Stow in 1776.
John Ellis, private. Marched at the Lexington alarm under Captain Battle, was absent one day, and travelled 302 miles.
Aaron Fairbanks, private. Marched at the Lexing- ton alarm under Captain Battle, was absent eight days, and travelled 404 miles. He also took part in fortifying Dorchester Heights.
Aaron Farrington, born March 7, 1755. Did guard duty at or near Boston in 1778.
Ichabod Farrington was at Ticonderoga in 1776 in Capt. Timothy Stow's company, and did guard duty in and about Boston in 1778. Enlisted in Continental Army for nine months in 1778.
Israel Farrington, Jr., took part at Ticonderoga in 1776, in Capt. Timothy Stow's company.
Samuel Farrington, born October 4, 1730. Served under Captain Battle in fortifying Dorchester Heights, was at Ticonderoga in 1776, and did guard duty at Roxbury in 1778.
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