USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newbury > Reminiscences of a nonagenarian > Part 37
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Miss Peabody's description of the burning of the Capitol was exceedingly interesting. The approach of the Brit- ish had been anxiously watched by the people of the District, but not a doubt of the supremacy of the American arms was entertained, until the morning of the twenty-third of August. Early on that day a rumor arose that the United States troops had been defeated at Bla- densburg. This report was soon con- firmed by the appearance of the re- treating militia. Squad after squad of soldiers passed in rapid flight during the morning. The panic became gen- eral ; most of the citizens packed their valuables and started for the country.
Washington became nearly depopulat- ed ; everything in the form of an ani- mal or vehicle being pressed into ser- vice. Through the day this miscella- neous and incongruous procession had passed Gen. Peabody's residence ; it was nearly four o'clock in the after- noon ; the stream of passers had great- ly diminished when the cry arose, "The President ! the President !" and a coach dashed past, on the back seat of which sat Mr. Madison. The weather was excessively hot and the President had taken off his hat; there was no mis- take, he was recognized at a glance.
Could this be possible ! The family gazed in speechless amazement; then the brave, noble-spirited John burst forth in a torrent of indignation. "Catch . Yankees to have allowed the President to run in this fashion ! they would have died first, every mother's son of them, if they were all Federalists." Gen. Peabody shared his son's excitement. His military ardor was completely roused. "Never was a building better located for defence than the Capitol, if the soldiers, instead of running away, had spent the day in intrenching, some- thing might have been done." The General paced around with the impa- tience of a caged lion. He was urged to remove his family to the plantation of a friend a few miles back , but riding was painful to Adeline's lame hip, and the others preferred to remain and abide events. Towards night it was reported that the iron works, where cannon and ammunition had been cast, were on fire ; but this was a false ru. mor. The British troops without any halt pressed forward directly into Wash- ington ; about eight in the evening the advanced guard entered the city, and in about an hour the kindling fires
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showed that the work of destruction had commenced. It was a still, sultry, moonlight night ; not a breath swayed the flames which rose up; straight, mighty pillars of fire, forming a unique and magnificent spectacle. Gradually they widened and brightened, till the Capitol, the buildings of the several de- partments, and the bridge over the Po- tomac, were wrapt in one sheet of fire. From the portico of their house the Peabody family watched the panorama, this disgraceful vandalism, with feelinge that can better be imagined than ds- scribed. At a late hour the two younger boys, Joseph and Edward, were fairly driven to bed; at breakfast they were not to be found. Much startled, the family were about to institute a search, when in marched the two young heroes, clad in their last winter's scarlet suits, which they had donned for the occasion. thinking that these clothes would "pass muster" amongst the British, their hands and pockets full of half-burnt charts, rulers, paper, knives etc., that they had picked up amongst the ruins. With a grand air they reported the no- tice they had received. One officer had patted Edward's curly head, and in- quired "if he would not like to be a sol- dier?" To which the pert youth re- plied, "that he intended to be one, when he would whip the British sound- ly for thus dastardly burning our Capi- tol." This speech was received with roars of laughter ; and one officer in a splendid uniform, said, "he would give a round sum to own that Yankee boy, that he was made of the right stuff."
Fears were entertained of marauders ; but none of the soldiers crossed into Georgetown. During the afternoon an accident spread great dismay through the army. A quantity of powder had
been hidden in a dry well, which was covered with plank. A party were lounging over the platform smoking, when a spark fell through a crevice and a terrible explosion followed. Some of the group were killed and others wound- ed. This accidental occurrence was re- garded as a Yankee trick, and it spread both consternation and horror through the British ranks. The Yankees were full of tricks. Who knew but that the whole area was undermined ! Terror multiplied terror, till a panic took pos- session of the troops and they scarcely dared to move ; every order was per- formed with fear and caution. In the evening this terror was heightened by a most terrific thunder storm ; the oldest inhabitant could not recall its equal. Glare succeeded glare-a perfect sheet of lightning, while the thunder roared, rattled, crashed and pealed ; rain min- gled with hail poured down like a sec- ond flood, and the wind blew a perfect tornado. The negroes declared "the Lor Gor Ormity was taking up our side for sure." Perhaps the British enter- tained the same opinion. The fleet was driven from their moorings in the river and dashed against each - other, experiencing considerable damage ; tentsowere overturned, horses broke loose, altogether it was a fearful night. The morning showed the enemy in full retreat. Before sunset the rear guard had marched forth, and in a few hours the last straggler had disappeared.
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CHAPTER LVI.
The 9th of September, 1815, my first child was born, a girl, who lived but twenty-four hours. I remained feeble
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for a long time, and it was difficult to say "Thy will be done." Parson Milti- more proved a precious friend at this season, and Dr. Parish often called with words of comfort and cheer.
When Mr. Emery hired the Pillsbury farm, Daniel Colman came to Newbury- port to take the situation he relinquished in the business with Col. Jeremiah Col- man. That gentleman had recently purchased a residence in Newbury, on the Boston turnpike, whither he had re- moved. The last of October Mr. Dan- iel Colman was married to Miss Nancy Pike, the second daughter of Mr. Hen- ry Pike, of Ring's Island. The young couple commenced housekeeping in half of Col. Jeremiah Colman's house, and there the wedding took place, a very pleasant family gathering. Dr. Parish performed the ceremony. The good Doctor often boasted of having married the three brothers to three of the hand- somest and best women to be found. A large L was soon added to the house, giving accommodation to the two fami- lies ; but for some months the two sis- ters-in-law shared the kitchen, one hav- ing a fire in one corner of the capacious fireplace and the other in the opposite; the brick oven being used alternately. Mrs. Jeremiah Colinan was fond of ad- verting to this period, always ending her recital with "and we never had one word of difference."
The next year, 1816, was memorable as "the cold summer." The 1st of June Mr. Daniel Colman and wife, and Mr. Emery and myself, started on a journey to Boscawen. We set out early Monday morning, a raw, pitiless day, and this weather continued through the trip. We wore winter clothing, and fires were as acceptable as in January. Thursday was election day. We went
into Concord in the morning to be pres- ent at the inauguration of the Govern- or. As it seemed fitting to dress for the august occasion, Mrs. Colman donned a blue crape, and one of those smuggled shawls that I have previously described. I wore a black crape, and a black, worsted summer shawl. Mr. Colman and Mr. Emery escorted us to the meeting-house. The wind blew a gale, with an occasional shower of snowflakes ; it was so powerful that it was difficult to reach the church even with the gentlemen's assistance. Hav- ing become seated we strove to enjoy the scene ; but in vain. Our teeth fair- ly chattered in our heads, and our feet and hands were benumbed. Mrs. Col- man had a troublesome tooth, and that began to ache unbearably. We were truly thankful when the services closed. But our dinner at the hotel, in a large cold hall, was fully as uncomfortable. We were only too glad to order our horses ; but the wind was so powerful that in passing over Concord bridge I thought the chaise must be overturned ; even Mr. Emery, who never feared any- thing, was a little discomposed. The night was passed at a hotel on the Chester turnpike, where in company with other travelers, we shivered round a rousing fire, complaining of the cold room.
There was frost every month during the - year ; but little corn ripened that season. As the Pillsbury place was high, warm land, we had a good crop. It was the same at Crane Neck ; my father raised the usual quantity ; but on many farms not a kernel ripened. This produced great distress. In the follow- ing spring seed corn shelled brought three dollars per bushel.
On the 1st day of April in this year,
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during the only heavy thunder shower of the season, the Belleville meeting- house was struck by lightning and speedily consumed. It was the after- noon for the annual spring town meet- ing, which was held in the lower parish meeting-house, and only two or three men in the whole vicinity were at home. About half-past two I sat down before the fire in my room to warm my feet. Turk laid down beside me. It had been thundering some moments, but the shower came up apace. Suddenly a terrible clap burst overhead ; the lightning coming down the chimney crinkled upon the hearth about my feet. Turk jumped half way to the ceiling, then sank on the floor, trembling with fright. For a moment I could not stir. Thinking that the premises must have been struck, with a mighty effort I gained my feet, and by aid of the furni- ture reached the end window. Smoke was curling round the corner of the barn. Supposing it to be on fire, I was endeavoring to get to the door to call Mr. Babb, when he, shouting, "The meeting-house is struck, the meeting- house is on fire," seized a couple of pails of water, and with the boy ran up the street. The Portsmouth stage, Zachariah Davidson driver, was exactly in front of the meeting-house when the bolt struck, and the two leading horses were brought to their knees. Mr. Da- vidson ran his team down High street, giving the alarm. The few men about the neighborhood and a small army of women were soon at the scene of the conflagration. No water was at hand, and the fire spread with such rapidity little could be done ; only a few hymn- books, Bibles and pew doors were saved. The engines and fire companies came up from town, and the men ran
their horses from town-meeting, but it was only to witness the fall of the sturdy frame of the sacred edifice. This was a severe loss to the society, but it was a dispensation of Providence, and no complaint could be made. Ar- rangements were immediately entered upon for the building of another house, which was completed and occupied be- fore cold weather. During its erection the society worshipped in the court- house.
I did not fully recover from the shock I had received for some hours ; and ever after, at the approach of a shower, Turk always, if possible, hid himself under a bed, showing great fear.
After much dissension. the society in the upper parish of Newbury voted to refer the site for a new meeting-house to a committee of disinterested persons. Judge Timothy Pickering of Salem, and Governors John Taylor Gilman and Jeremiah Smith of New Hamp- shire were selected. These gentlemen very properly decided that it should stand on the plain, a little below meet- ing-house hill. A neat edifice, of which the new church at Belleville was almost 'an exact counterpart, had been complet- ed, and on the 12th of June, 1816, the Rev. John Kirby of Middletown, Conn., was ordained.
Two years previous, the 1st of June, 1814, the Rev. Gilbert Williams, of Fog's Manor, N. J., had been ordained pastor over the second parish in New- bury. On the 31st of October, 1816, the Rev. Leonard Withington, of Dor- chester, was settled over the Oldtown Society. Dr. Withington had even then, though a young man and a stran- ger, made his mark, and his ordination was a season of rejoicing and festivity. Of the pleasant family circle I had en-
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tered at my marriage, no one was more respected and beloved than the widow of Col. Dudley Colman. Her father. John Jones, esq., a gentleman of wealth and position, was great grand- son of Michael Wigglesworth, author of "Day of Doom," and grandson of Rev. Samuel Wigglesworth of Ipswich Ham- let, now Hamilton. Her mother was Mary Whipple of Grafton. Mary Jones Colman was his only daughter; her only brother, Nathaniel Jones, died in early manhood, leaving three sons, Nathaniel, John and Samuel, androne daughter, Mrs. Katharine (Jones) Brown, the distinguished teacher in Newburyport, and Georgetown, D. C. After her husband's decease, Mrs. Col- man resided amongst her children. Previous to his settlement in Salem the Rev. Henry Colman was ordained over a society in Hingham. As was cus- tomary for clergymen in country par- ishes, usually there were a few lads boarding in the family, fitting for col- lege under Mr. Colman's instruction. Peculiarly adapted for the office of teacher, a mutual regard was formed between master and pupils, which con- tinued through life.
John Jones, the youngest son, mar- ried Eliza, daughter of Josiah and Olive Neal, and settled in Brookfield ; he died young, and his widow married his broth- er Charles, of Brookfield. Mr. Charles Colman was an active, courageous, en- terprising man, and unusually well in- formed ; he could speak both French and Spanish fluently. In the war of 1812 he was taken prisoner, held as a host- age, and confined in the jail at Quebec. With two others he esacaped. Hving stolen a calf, which they managed to dress and roast, they made the best of their way through the woods for several
days, but were so blinded by mosquito bites they were unable to proceed, and were recaptured. Afterwards Mr. Col- man was taken to Halifax. At the dis- banding of the army he returned home, where he learned that at the time he was taken prisoner a Colonel's commis- sion was on the way to him, which he failed to get. But later he received the deed of one hundred and sixty acres of land, as other soldiers. Bridget Col- man, the only daughter remarkable for her beauty, married a French gentle- man named Chappetin, and went to Providence, R. I.
Aunt Colman was accustomed to make an annual visit to her Newbury relatives, which caused much family festivity. Early in March we received intelligence that Mrs. Colman might be expected on the next Wednesday in the two o'clock stage from Portsmouth. Punctually at the time appointed our visitor came. Dinner over, she called for the swift and began to wind the yarn to knit a petticoat, those garments at that time being universally worn. The stitches having been cast on two long wooden needles, her fingers flew with a rapidity seldom equalled, while an entertaining conversation was sus- tained in which a thorough knowledge of the world was shown, a keen insight of men and modes, coupled with exten- sive reading, expressed with a keen wit, and sparkling versatility of language which was most engaging.
Invitations had been sent for a fam- ily gathering the next afternoon. The ladies came at three o'clock, the gentle- men joining them at tea. A merry evening was enjoyed. Father, and Un- cle Ben Colman and Uncle Searle were brimming over witlı jokes and anec- dotes, in which they were fully sns-
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tained by their sons and nephews. Aunt Dudley was unusually entertain- ing. Aunt Doctor, (as the widow of Dr. Samuel Colman was usually termed,) a stout, dignified lady, became remark- ably genial ; her daughter Mary Ann, the distinguished teacher, in a quiet way added much to the conversation ; her second daughter, Hannah, after- wards Mrs. Wait of Baltimore, a great beauty, looked nnusually lovely. Aunt Searle's black eyes danced with glee, and Mrs. Jeremiah and Daniel Colman, with their little girls, completed the cir- cle. At nine o'clock the company sep- arated with expressions of satisfaction and the hope of many future reunions. Friday it stormed. One ought to have seen Aunt Dudley's fingers fly ! That evening the petticoat was completed- a feat scarcely equalled in the annals of knitting.
CHAPTER LVII.
The summer of 1817 President Mon- roe made a tour to New England. On June 16th a meeting of the citizens of Newburyport was called in the Town Hall to prepare for the distinguished visitor's reception, and the following gentlemen were chosen as a committee of arrangements :
Ebenezer Moseley, Abraham Wil- liams, Robert Clark, Richard Bartlett, Stephen Howard, selectmen ; with Wil- liam Bartlett, Joseph Marquand, Moses Brown, William B. Bannister, Joshua Carter, Thomas M. Clark, William Cross, Daniel Swett, Joseph Williams and Josiah Smith esq. The committee invited the Hon. Jeremiah Nelson to join them.
The following named gentlemen were appointed marshals for Newburyport :
Maj. Joshua Greenleaf, Maj. Abra- ham Perkins, Capt. William Davis, Col. Enoch Plummer, Capt. Thomas Burrill, Capt. Joseph T. Pike, Maj. Ebenezer Stone, Doct. John Brickett, Butler Abbot, Maj. Gilman White. Newbury, joined in the reception, and Col. Ebenezer Hale, Maj. David Em- ery. Maj. Daniel Smith, Capt. John Emery Bartlett, Adj. George Water- man, acted as marshals from that town.
On July 7th, the following military order was issued :
"Pursuant to Division orders, a mil- itary escort has been ordered to receive the President and his suit at Ipswich. The field and staff officers of the several regiments in the Brigade, together with such captains and subalterns as may be so disposed, will assemble in Ipswich in uniform, and mounted, on Thursday, 10th inst., at 9 o'clock, to join in the escort.
Regiment of Cavalry under the com- mand of Col. Jeremiah Coiman.
Brigadier General of the 2nd Brigade and Staff.
Maj. General of 2nd Division and suite.
Part of the Committee of Arrange- ments.
Officers of the several Regiments in the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, M. M. Cavalcade of Citizens.
The escort will receive the President at Ipswich and attend him through the Brigade.
Maj. John Scott and Maj. David Wood, jr., are appointed Marshals, and will arrange the escort.
BENJAMIN STICKNEY,
Brig .- Gen. 2d Brigade, 2d Division, M. M.
The cavalcade to form at the Lower Green ; carriages to proceed in the rear of the procession."
Owing to unavoidable delay the Pres- ident did not reach Newburyport until
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Saturday, the 12th of July, which was an extremely hot day. During his se- vere and long sickness, thinking that his health would never again permit military duty, Maj. Emery resigned his position in the cavalry, consequently * he had no connexion with the troops on this occasion, but he acted as marshal. He still retained his parade horse Pea- cock, and Col. Eben Hale rode our handsome mare Kate. The marshals wore chapeaus ornamented with a black cockade, a gilt eagle in the centre, and swords with scarlet sashes. As Col. Hale and my husband cantered down High street you would rarely see two finer or better mounted horsemen.
"The cavalry under Col. Colman, the field and staff officers nnder the direc- tion of Majors John Scott and David Wood jr., took up the escort and pro- ceeded to Parker river bridge, where the President was met by the Hon. Bai- ley Bartlett, sheriff of Essex, with his suite, together with the committee of arrangements, when Colonel Moseley, as their chairman, addressed him as fol- lows :
Sir,-A number of the citizens of Newburyport and vicinity, desirous of paying you their respects, have taken this liberty to meet you on your journey, and with your permission will accom- pany you to Newburyport, where the citizens of that town will be happy in a more formal manner to pay you their salutations."
The President left his carriage and mounted his horse. On reaching the Newburyport line, the peal of bells and the roar of cannon, from Capt. Coffin's well disciplined company of Artillery, announced the approach of the distin- guished visitor. The President was greeted by loud hurrahs from the throng lining both sides of High street. At-the
Mall he was received by the Washing- ton Light Infantry, Capt. Balch, and passing under a civic arch which was tastefully decorated with wreaths of flowers, he passed through an avenue of youth of both sexes, arranged on each side. The school children wore a uni- form of white and blue, which was most becoming. In front of the Court House waved a revolutionary flag. The pro- cession, after proceeding the length of the Mall, marched down Market street, through Union, down Green, through Merrimac and Market square, up State street to Gilman's Hotel. This was the Eastern Stage House, kept by John Gil- man, which had been removed some two or three years previous from Col. Bart- lett's late residence on the corner of Temple street, to the mansion built by Gen. John Peabody, on State, corner of Harris street, lower half of the pres- ent Merrimac House.
At the hotel the President was greet- ed by a larger assembly than had ever before collected in the town ; and as he entered, accompanied by Gen. Swift, Mr. Mason, other officials, and the com- mittee of arrangements, the gratulatory shouts of his fellow citizens rent the air. The chairman, Col. Moseley, spoke as follows :
"Sir,-The citizens of Newburyport, by their committee, beg leave to pre- sent their sincere respects to the Chief Magistrate of the United States.
Having been called by a free and in- telligent people to preside over their most important concerns, it must be peculiarly grateful to your feelings at the commencement of your arduous du- ties to be made more particularly ac- quainted with their local interests, and to receive their affectionate and respect- ful salutations. It is no less pleasing
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to us than happy for the nation, that we derive the honor of this interview, from the practical operation of that maxim of your illustrious predecessor, the Father of his country, in his last af- fectionate address to his fellow citizens, that timely disbursements to prepare for danger frequently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it. A numerous and wealthy population, stretching along an extensive seacoast, present to a foreign enemy many allur- ing objects of attack, and the present period of peace and public tranquility appears peculiarly favorable for your patriotic efforts for our defence and se- curity. Enjoying as we do the bless- ings of a free government, our attach- ment cannot be the less ardent when administered by one who took an hon- orable and active part in those measures by which it was obtained. We trust that under your administration, by the smiles of a kind Providence, a spirit of peace will be generally diffused, the ven- erable and pious institutions of our fath- ers preserved, and the citizens meet their appropriate reward in the labors · of agriculture, manufactures and com- merce, and in extending the sciences and arts.
Accept, sir, our best wishes, that you may prosper in the important objects of your journey, and at the close of your labors receive a consolation, the most dear to a patriot, in the happiness and prosperity of his country."
The President replied, "That he re- ceived with great sensibility the atten- tions of the citizens of Newburyport- that his principal object in making this tour was to see the situation of the peo- ple in different parts of the country, and the entrance and harbors of the princi- pal towns, and to acquire such informa-
tion as would enable him better to dis- charge the duties of his office ; that in his journey he had been highly gratified with the prosperous condition of the people, and that their situation was far more happy than that of any other in any part of the world, and that we could not be sufficiently thankful to that bountiful Providence which had con- ferred upon us such distinguished bless- ings." The President concluded with desiring "that his grateful sentiments for the kind and respectful manner in which he had been received by the citi- zens might be communicated to them."
After mutually exchanging civilities with his fellow citizens the President and suite sat down to a sumptuous din- ner, served up by Mr. Gilman with much elegance and taste. Gen. Swift presided at the table. Among the guests were Major Gen. Dearborn, Com. Bainbridge, Brig. Gen. Miller, Dr. Waterhouse and Gen. Brickett, with the reverend clergy from this and many of the adjacent towns. Gen. Swift announced the following as the toast of the President : "Happiness and prosperity to the inhabitants of New- buryport." The President having sig- nified his pleasure to dispense with the escort of cavalry, retired into another apartment, and after taking an affec- tionate leave of the committee of ar- rangements he ascended his carriage amid loud and reiterated cheering and resumed his journey. At Amesbury he tarried about an hour, viewed the fac- tories, expressing his admiration at their situation and his gratification at their flourishing condition. He arrived in Portsmouth between six and seven o'clock.
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