USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Standard history of Essex county, Massachusetts, embracing a history of the county from its first settlement to the present time, with a history and description of its towns and cities. The Most historic county of America. > Part 94
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During the treatment of the third body of patients at the hospital, it was discovered that twenty-two persons had taken the disease, and such publie indignation was excited by this calamity that the pro- prietors agreed to close the place, and receive no more patients. A committee was appointed by the town to visit the island, and carefully disinfect all artieles ; but, one of the proprietors being present, and objecting to any interference with the beds, excited the suspicion that the place would again be used as a hospital after the excitement had ceased. The building was now occupied by the steward and his fam- ily, and the town committee, eleven persons in all, and on the night of Jan. 26, 1774, the imnates were aroused by the cry of fire, and found the hospital in flames. The building, with its contents, and a barn adjoining, were totally destroyed, at an estimated loss of £2,000. Twenty men, completely disguised, were said to be the perpetrators of the outrage. The proprietors and their friends were indignant, and so were the people on the other side of the question, and such threats of violence made as to eall for the appointment of a com- mittee by the General Court to try and reconcile matters. Two men were finally arrested, charged with being concerned in the destruction of the property, and were conveyed to the jail in Salem by the sheriff, for safe-keeping. Soon after their imprisonment, small bodies of meu from Marblehead reached the vicinity of the prison, and the numbers constantly increasing, excited apprehensions that a rescue would be attempted, and the magistrates appealed to the military for aid to pre- serve the peace. "The drum beat to aruis," when the crowd, under- standing the signal, with such implements as could be found. com- menced a furious assault on the prison. In a few minutes the doors were broken down, the prisoners rescued, and escorted back to Marble- head by five hundred of their fellow-townsmeu. Reaching the town, the mob dispersed, but re-assembled in the evening, aud extorted an unwilling promise from the proprietors that they would abandon all further proseentious. The sheriff, however, resolved that he would secure his prisoners, and, through his deputies, ordered four or five hundred citizens of Salem to assemble in "School Street," with arms
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and ammunition, on the following Monday, and aecompany him to Marblehead to secure the rescued prisoners, and the leaders of the mob. In the mean time, the sheriff was notified that large numbers of the citizens of Marblehead were arming, and that six or eight hun - dred resolute men had resolved to defend their fellow-townsmen with their lives. In this critical situation of affairs, the proprietors were induced to relinquish all claims on the sheriff or county, and peace was finally restored.
The "Committee of Grievances," or "of Correspondence," as it was sometimes called, and the committee at Boston charged with the sanie duties, established the most intimate relations between the two towns. As the merchants of both places were among the most deter- mined to import no merchandise from Great Britain burdened with a tax, so, at a later day, they resolved " to suspend all commercial rela- tions with the Mother Country if the public good required." The agents of the government officials were sometimes exceedingly adroit in devising plans and measures to excite discord among the patriotic colonists, and commit good men to sentiments inconsistent with their previous declarations and action. The resignation of Gov. Hutchin- son was an event which was improved for such a purpose. A few friends prepared a flattering address to the retiring official, and had it circulated through the Province for signatures. This declared " that the public good was the mark " which the governor "had ever arrived at in his administration," and that this judgment was sustained by the opinions "of dispassionate thinking men," and that the exemption of fishermen from the hospital-tax was alone due to his friendly repre- sentations and efforts.
This address was signed by thirty-three citizens of Marblehead, and its publication in the county newspaper exeited public indignation, and a call was issued for a town-meeting to take the matter into con- sideration. The resolves adopted at the meeting declared "that the Address was injudicious, unwise and insulting to the General Court of the Province, and to those who were the fellow citizens and neigh- bors of the signers ; that it was designed to destroy the harmony of the town in its publie affairs ; that it needlessly agitated questions which may lead to the imposition of additional burdens; that it was false as it was malicious "; and that its signers should only be forgiven and restored to the confidence of their fellow-citizens by a " public re-cantation of the sentiments contained in the address." One of the offenders requested forgiveness at the meeting, while all but ten pub- licly "recanted " within a few weeks, either in town-meeting, or through the columns of the newspaper. Two of them wished "that the address had been to the devil before he had either seen it or signed it."
Thomas Gage, an able and efficient officer, who was in chief com- mand of the British forces in America, became the successor of Hutchinson.
Col. John Gallison, the successor of Fowle as commander of the Marblehead regiment, was chosen as representative to the General Court, and the meeting which honored him with its choice passed instructions for his direction and counsel, in which the revenue meas- ures of the British government are again ably discussed, and aggres- sive measures, like the "Boston port bill," are warmly denouneed. They close with the sentiment, " that no man on earth can pronounce these measures right, and Heaven itself, that Grand Court to which all earthly ones must be subservient, will, we confidently hope, forbid their execution. Do the minions of power tell us that not to submit, is death ? We reply that in our opinion to submit is infinitely worse than death."
The " Committee of Correspondence " was now largely increased, and active measures taken to defeat, as far as possible, the operations of the "Boston port bill," which closed that port against all foreign commerce, and permitted only the entrance of coasters, after having been searched, and placed in charge of a government official at Marble- head. The public and private property of the town, the town-house, and other public buildings, the wharves and storehonses of the mer- chants, were generously offered for the free use of the merchants of Boston in this emergency. A committee of six citizens was appointed to solicit subscriptions and contributions to relieve the necessities of the poor in Boston, and, at one time, "eleven eart loads of Jamaica fish and a cask of oil were sent."
A committee was appointed by the town to consult with the elergy- men, and advise them, with the consent of their churches, "to appoint a day of Fasting and Prayer," in view of the "grievious situation of affairs throughout America." The government authorities now resolved " to suppress town meetings and the citizens were forbidden to assemble except for the choice of Town officers in March and to pro-
vide for necessary town expenses without a special lieense from the Governor." The " Committee of Correspondence " were instructed to notify other towns in the county, and advise the establishment of county delegate conventions, to devise and adopt such measures as may be deemed expedient for the common welfare.
A company of "British Regulars" were stationed on the Neck, to enforce compliance with this and other arbitrary regulations ; but their presence was ineffectual either to prevent publie meetings or silence the patriotic utterance of the citizens. The officers of the militia were notified, by town authority, that the public good required that every man in their different commands should be properly equipped, accord- ing to the requirements of the Province laws, and that four times each week the men should be mustered for a two hours' drill in the manual of arms, and military movements. The week following this action, the selectmen were instructed "to deposit the town's stock of powder in a place of safety where it would be secure for future use."
Azor Orne and Jeremiah Lee had been appointed by the town to represent its interests in the " Old Continental Congress," called to meet in Philadelphia during the month of September, 1774, and Elbridge Gerry was afterwards chosen as an additional delegate ; but each represented that the condition of their private affairs would pre- vent their acceptance of the important trust confided to them by their fellow-citizens. They were then requested to select one of their num- ber for this important service, and were authorized to draw on the town treasury for all necessary expenses. Elbridge Gerry was finally prevailed upon to accept the office, and was thus authorized to act in the most important convention that had ever assembled to consider the difficulties between the Colonies and the mother country. With the public mind constantly agitated by numerous and continued acts of aggression " against the chartered privileges of the Province and the constitutional rights of the people, and a company of "regulars " stationed within a mile of the " Town House " to enforce these acts, it was impossible to preserve the publie peace at all times, and prevent personal altercations between the citizens and solders; and when it was announced that Capt. Merritt, a valued and respected citizen, had been dangerously wounded by a soldier during one of these disputes, the desire to exterminate the hated regulars was almost universal. The citizens were hastily assembled to express their indignation ; but the public resentment was somewhat modified by the official declara- tion, that the act of the soldier was condemned by the officers in com- mand, and the promise that the offender should be punished with "five hundred lashes," as a penalty for the outrage. Still, the presence of British soldiers was regarded as a menace to their cherished rights, and measures designed to drive them from the town were promptly adopted. With this object, a committee was appointed to correspond with similar committees to be chosen by other towns, to prevent, if possible, the sale of supplies to the soldiers : such as "lumber, spars, pickets, straw, bricks or any other material whatever, except such as may be absolutely required to sustain life." Members of the regiment had been advised to drill frequently, to acquire proficiency in the manual of arms, and battalion movements ; and it was now recon- mended by a vote of the town, that each member secure "a good fire arm and bayonet, a pouch and knapsack and thirty rounds of ball cartridge," and select such persons for officers " as were known to be friends to their country." The officers had received their commissions from Hutchinson or Gage, and it was declared, that those who con- sidered it a duty to execute the orders of the governor, " while he was seeking the ruin and slavery of the Province," would be regarded as committing "acts of hostility against the Liberties of America," and the town therefore requested all such officers to publish " their resig- nations in the public newspaper." The inhabitants of the town were earnestly entreated " to preserve their ammunition, and not to expend the same, except in defence of their King and Country's Liberties "; and it was also advised that " no kind of wild fowl, or other game, be pnrehased which has been obtained at the expense of powder," and every one was urged " to discontinue its unnecessary use."
The officers of the regiment promptly complied with the expressed wish of their fellow-citizens, and the thanks of the town were voted to " Samuel Trevett, Nathaniel Lindsey, Ebenezer Graves, Capt. John Glover, Capt. Thomas Pedriek, Capt. John Prince, Richard Pedrick, Nathaniel Holder, Valentine Tedder, Joshua Prentice, John Stimpson, James Doake, William Bartoll, and James Merritt," for their eom- pliance with the wish of the town.
It was not the intention of the citizens, however, to permit thie regiment to disband, and, in the absence of all other recognized authority, the town deliberately voted to issue the necessary commis- sions to officers, and thus preserve the organization.
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Convinced that the regiment would be required at an early day "to assist in defending the Charter and Constitution of the Province as well as the Rights and Liberties of America," it was deemed impor- tant that the organization " should be properly disciplined and in- strueted in the arts of war," and considering that those who should be called as " the first to take the field" would be required to devote their time to this preparation without delay, it was resolved as " both just and reasonable that they should be rewarded for their services." The suni of £800 was therefore " cheerfully granted," as an appro- priation to meet this expense, and Capt. James Mugford was ap- pointed as " Paymaster for the detached Militia or Minute Men," with instructions to honor all drafts for the purpose named, authorized by a committee of the town, consisting of Thomas Gerry, Joshua Orne, and Richard Harris. The committee was instructed to allow a com- pensation of " 2 shillings per day to each private, to Sargents, Clerks Drummers and Fifers 4 shillings, First-Lieutenants 4 shillings 8 pence and Captains 6 shillings"; a service of four hours each day was required, but compensation was only to be allowed for three days in each week.
These measures excited the astonishment and anger of " tory sympa- thizers," and although their numbers were small, yet, relying on the power of the government to crush all attempts at armed resistance, they ridiculed the bold action of their neighbors, or entreated them to discountenance condnet that could only end in disaster to their cause, and the ignominious death of every leader. But this only provoked the warm resentment of their fellow-townsmen, for they publicly de- nounced them as " foes to American Liberty, the minions and creatures of power," attempting "to ruin and enslave their country, beeanse they were lost to Justice Truth and Humanity "; that they were " Ministerial tools and Jacobites "; that it was " criminal to indulge them in their wickedness "; and a committee was instructed " to re- port their names to the town, that it may take effectual measures for either silencing them, or expelling them from the community."
In the mean time, the company of "British Regulars " had been withdrawn from the town, but the resolute conduct of its citizens, in the enforcement of patriotic measures, influenced Gov. Gage to send the " Sloop of War Lively mounting 20 guns," to the harbor, to restrain the inhabitants from action which was denounced as treason- able. This vessel remained in the harbor about two months, and the officers were instructed to search all vessels coming into the harbor, and seize all arms and ammunition which might be discovered.
In the performance of this duty, a vessel containing "a chest of arms, had been compelled to anchor near the Lively," and although a vigilant watch was kept on the prize, yet six young men, led by Richard R. Trevett, conceived and executed the bold plan of boarding the vessel on a very dark night, and securing the muskets. The cap- tain of the "Lively" called on the town authorities for the return of the property, and although a meeting was called, and search made, yet the muskets could not be found.
Soon after this event, on a quiet Sabbath day, a vessel sailed into the harbor, and landed "246 British Regulars on Homan's beach." Having " loaded their guns," they marched through the town, and out on the road to Salem, accompanied by hundreds of young men, curious to learn the purpose of this untimely visit. The story of the expedition, and the defeat of its purpose at North Bridge in Salem, needs no repetition here ; but when, in the early shadows of the even- ing, the disappointed commander led his soldiers back through the town, and was obliged to march by the Marblehead regiment, " drawn up in line and fully armed," he fully realized that if the conflict had commenced at the " North Bridge," but few of the officers and men would have ever reached the vessel again in safety.
In view of the threatening condition of public affairs, the owners of fishing vessels were advised, by vote of the town, to delay prepa- rations for the usual " spring fares." The stirring events which soon followed confirmed the wisdom of this advice, for on Saturday, the 20th of April, the town was agitated as it had never been before, by the exciting news of the fight at Lexington, and the inglorious retreat of the British regulars along the country roads from Concord to Bos- ton. The company of artillery commanded by Richard R. Trevett marched to " the old meeting house" on the following day, and lis- tened to a sermon from the Rev. William Whitwell, whose text for the occasion " was the 15th verse of the 28th Chapter of the Second Book of Chronicles."
The next day recruiting officers marched through the streets, with drums and fifes, inviting enlistments for the " Continental Army," and four days afterwards orders were received directing the return of the " Sloop of War Lively to Boston."
During these exciting events, the town and Province suffered a loss in the death of Jeremiah Lee, which was universally deplored as a publie misfortune.
He early became distinguished among the merchants of the Prov- ince as a gentleman of rare business sagacity and energy, and his business enterprises, prosecuted with great perseverance and industry, soon won for him a princely fortune. It was during these days of prosperity that the imposing structure now owned and occupied by the Marblehead National Bank Corporation was erected by him as a private mansion. It was doubtless one of the most costly and attrac- tive homes at that time in the whole Province ; and the graceful pro- portions of the building, its capacions hall, the mahogany staircase, the ingenious carvings, its historical paper-hangings, and spacious par- lors, were the pride and admiration of that time, as they are the wonder of our own. The earliest measures adopted by his fellow- citizens to resist the unjust claims of the mother country found in him a warm and earnest supporter; and, with the large majority of his countrymen, he believed that these measures would finally secure the repeal of the acts they condemned and resisted. With a business demanding the larger share of his time and attention, he probably gave but little time to the consideration of politics, and when these measures had not only proved ineffectual, but had provoked a harsh and cruel policy towards the Province, and his fellow-townsmen not only denonneed the British Ministry, but charged the King himself with weakness, he hesitated, and protested against the expression of such sentiments as treasonable and revolutionary.
This separation from the great majority of his fellow-citizens was brief, however ; for in a short time he engaged in the controversy with renewed zeal, and nobly sustained every measure designed to vindicate the claims of the Colonies. As the moderator of important town meet- ings, as a town officer in various capacities, as a representative from the town in the General Court, and as a member of the Province " Committee of Safety and Supplies," he rendered faithful public ser- vice. His distinguished townsmen, Azor Orne and Elbridge Gerry, were also members of the same important committee, and all three being detained at Cambridge by public business, on the night of April 18, 1775, they only escaped capture by the British force sent to Concord on that memorable occasion, by hastily leaving their quarters, partially dressed, and remaining concealed, till the search was over and the troops had passed on. It is said that Mr. Lee never recovered from the illness contracted by the exposure on that night, and only three weeks after died at his " country seat " in Newbury.
On the last day of April the "Lively" left the harbor, and the " Merlin," another sloop of war, took her place.
The authorities zealously labored to encourage enlistments, and the town promptly furnished means to purchase necessary war materials. A large "Committee of Safety" was chosen to assist the selectmen in providing "arms, blankets, &e.," for such persons belonging to the town as may enlist in the service of the Province.
The battle of Bunker Hill, in which Samuel R. Trevett and his company of artillery were engaged during the latter part of the action, was the final signal for a general uprising ; and, four days after that event, orders were received directing the Marblehead regiment to march to Cambridge. The companies promptly mustered ; and on the next day, under the command of Col. John Glover, left the town, to engage in that long contest which finally secured the political liberties of our country.
The " Merlin" still continued in the harbor during these events, and her officers not only established regulations for the search of inward- bonnd merchant vessels, but fishing-boats also ; and yet while these British naval officers were vigorously enforeing these petty regulations, John Manly returned from Cambridge, and with a company of volun- teers, on board the "Schooner Lee," belonging to Col. John Glover, safely escaped from the harbor, and commenced that glorious career, as a naval commander, which has immortalized his name in the annals of our country.
The presence of the "Merlin," however, did not deter the inhabitants from making the most efficient preparations for the defence of the town, and "every able bodied man" remaining in the town commenced repairing the "old Fort," working every day, "Sundays included," till the work was completed. During the progress of this work, a mer- chant vessel arrived from the " West Indies during the evening," but her owners had the vessel quietly taken into Salem harbor, where the cargo was hurriedly discharged and landed on the "Ferry shore."
During the following month, Nicholas Broughton and John Selman were commissioned by Washington to proceed in two armed vessels to the entrance of the St. Lawrence River, and capture, if possible,
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certain British vessels, laden with military stores, then known to be crossing the ocean, and bound for Quebec. After an absence of two months the expedition returned, having been unsuccessful. Military stores of every description were sadly needed by the American army, and Congress could do but little in response to the urgent appeals of Washington for the necessary supplies. People residing in the com- mercial towns felt that the country in this extremity depended largely on their vigilance and patriotism to secure such stores. Any enter- prise, no matter how hazardous or desperate, that promised the cap- ture of cannon, muskets, powder, and other military property found ready and willing volunteers. Thus James Mugford, a young fisher- man, and the son of a distinguished citizen, resolved to capture a ship loaded with powder, and then known to be approaching our shores, bound for Boston. The British fleet then lay in Nantasket Roads, having been driven from Boston by the American army, under Wash- ington, only a short time before.
Volunteers, as brave and daring as the young leader, promptly re- sponded to his call for a crew ; and on board the same vessel which Selman had commanded in the St. Lawrence expedition, Mugford sailed out into the bay to watch for the coming stranger. Finally, when a few leagues from the shore, a merchant ship was observed slowly approaching, and the hopes then excited were afterwards con- firmed, when the customary hail of the ocean mariner had been given and returned. Mugford, exposing but few of his men, and offering the services of a pilot, was permitted to approach, till a collision was inevitable, when the welcome order was given "to board," and, after a brief struggle, the ship and cargo was the prize of the Yankee crew. Ordering both vessels into Boston, Mugford boldly and successfully passed the British fleet, and delivered his prize to the public author- ities. Soon after, while returning to Marblehead, his vessel was grounded near the entrance of Boston harbor, where he was soon after discovered, and a large boat expedition despatched from the fleet to effect his capture. In the darkness of the night, he and his crew made a most heroic and successful resistance, suffering the loss of only one man, but that man proved to be the bold young leader him- self, who was shot during the struggle, while encouraging his men. The rising tide soon floated the vessel from her perilous situation, and the next morning she arrived at Marblehead, where her brave com- mander was buried with military honors.
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