USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Haverhill > The history of Haverhill, Massachusetts, from its first settlement, in 1640, to the year 1860 > Part 40
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On the afternoon of the second day, after the Lexington fight, a man named John Tracy, of Marblehead, came riding into town, bare-headed, and in the most excited manner cried out that the British were marching toward the town, and would be here by the next morning, - that they were " cutting and slashing all before them." The news spread like wild- fire, and being generally credited, it produced a complete and most distressing panic. As a large part of the militia of the town were gone to the scene of action, the terror and alarm, particularly among the women and children, exceeded the power of language to describe. Preparations were immediately made, by all who could command any means of trans- portation, to remove at once into the back country; and many who had neither horse nor oxen of their own, hastily collected a bundle of such necessaries as they could carry, and started on foot. The scene on the village common that night can scarce be imagined. Guards had been posted at a distance to give the alarm if the enemy should appear, and, with horses saddled, and ox-carts loaded, and the oxen yoked, the affrighted inhabitants repaired to the grounds around the meeting-house, and the " old town pump," and anxiously waited for daylight, to take up the line of march. Those who lived near by, put their children to bed undressed, and many who lived in more distant parts of the village, brought their children to the houses of those near the meeting-house. And so the night wore slowly away. With the morning, messengers were dispatched to learn more of the dreaded enemy. But no reliable information could be obtained, either of them, or as to the truth of the first report, and gradually the in- habitants became convinced that it was a false alarm, and one after another returned to their own dwellings with lighter hearts than they had left them only a few hours before. º
" In the East Parish, large numbers of the affrighted inhabitants. flocked to the "hemlocks," on the east side of Kenoza Lake, where they remained concealed during the night.
388
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
The origin of the alarm is still involved in obscurity. By some it has been supposed to have been a regularly concocted scheme to alarm and distress the inhabitants, and it is remarkable that the same story, in sub- stance, was simultaneously told, from Ipswich to Coos. In every place the " regulars " were but a few miles behind the messenger. How, or by whom, or with what motives, the report was first started, no one could ever tell. It lasted but one night, and in the morning all who were informed that the rumor was without foundation,
" Returned safe home, right glad to save Their property from pillage ; And all agreed to blame the man, Who first alarmed the village."
Two days after the Lexington fight, the Committee of Safety resolved that eight thousand men should be immediately inlisted out of the Massa- chusetts forces for seven months, unless sooner discharged. Two days later, the Provincial Congress, which had been hastily summoned to con- vene, resolved that it was necessary an army of thirty thousand men should be immediately raised, of which Massachusetts should furnish thirteen thousand, five hundred. These were afterward known as the " eight months service men."
A careful examination of the rolls, shows that at least ninety-four Hav- erhill men enlisted in this service. Below, we give their names, with the company and regiment to which each was attached :-
In Captain James Sawyer's company, in Colonel James Frye's regiment, were
James Sawyer, Captain Franeis Dinsmore Priv't Simeon Pike?
Timothy Johnson, Lieut Joseph Emerson
Joseph Page
Nathaniel Eaton, Joseph Emerson Jr 66 Nathan Peabody 66
Nathan Ayer, Corporal Peter Emerson
Steven Runiels 16
Asa Currier 66
Moses Emerson 66
Wm Sawyer
Reuben Sargent
James Emerson 66
Edward Sawyer
Benjah Clement Fifer
Joshua Emery 66
Lemuel Sanders
John Tyler Drummer
Samuel Ele
John Sanders
Moses Hesseltine, Serjt Isaiah Eaton
James Snow
James Rix, 66
John Eatonº ¥
66
Henry Springert
66 Thomas 'Tyler
Nathl Chiney 66 Ebenezer Griffin
James Townsend
Jonathan Dustan 66
Lemuel Gage
66 William Whittier
66
William Davis
Job Gage
Charles Davis 66 James Kimball 66
Caleb Young
John Dow
Joshua Moors
66
(Total 52)
Dudley Duston
James Pike Jr
Killed at Bunker Hill, June 17th, 1775.
1 Enlisted in another company.
..
Phillip Bailey, Private
Daniel Griffin Lewis George
Chase Sargent 66
Seth Wyman,
James Whittier 66
66
Private
889
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
In Captain Moses McFarland's company, in Colonel John Nixon's regi- ment,
Moses McFarland, Capt Cornelius Mansise, Priv James Pecker, Private
Bartholom'w Pecker, Cor Nathl McFarland " James Smiley 66
Mark Emerson, Fifer Phillip Nelson " Hugh Smiley 66
John Alley, Private David Powers .. William Smiley 66
William Cook David Peaslie (Total 14)
In Captain Micajah Gleason's company, in Colonel Nixon's regiment, Wingate Bradley, Fifer Lemuel Bradley, Private Samuel Rand, Private James Kimball. Lieut Nathaniel Kimball (Total 5)
In Captain -.- Gilman's company, in Colonel Nixon's regiment,
David Bryant, Corporal William Case, Private Moses Emerson, Private
Jonathan Nelson Christopher Clement " Oliver Page William Lamont, Ensign Daniel Dow (Total 8)
In Captain - - Butler's company, in Colonel Nixon's regiment,
John White, Qr Master Matthew Jennerson Sergt
(Total 2)
In Captain John Davis's company, in Colonel Frye's regiment, Peter Carlton, Private" Ebenezer Carlton, Serjtf (Total 2)
In Captain - Wells' company, in Colonel Whitcomb's regiment, Jacob Castle, Private John Crout, Private (Total 2)
In Captain - Francis' company, in Colonel Mansfield's regiment, Nathaniel Duston, Private
In Captain - Cogswell's company, in Colonel Gerrish's regiment,
Daniel Reamiek, Corp David Nickels, Private John Whicher, Private Richard Hesseltine Priv Jonathan Peaslee 66 (Total 5)
In Captain - Poplin's company, in Colonel Gridley's regiment, Samuel Heath, Private
In Captain - Moore's company, in Colonel Nixon's regiment, Jacob Whittier, Private.
The above regiments were all stationed at Cambridge, - excepting that of Colonel Gerrish, which was stationed at Malden and Chelsea. The Haverhill men, with the two exceptions noted, were all (probably) enrolled previous to May 19, 1775, at which time nearly all the above named offi- cers were commissioned.} The time of enlistment was until the following January.
o Did not enlist until July 13th, and served two months and twenty-two days.
1 Enlisted February 14th, and served six months and twenty-one days ..
The returns were sent to the Provincial Congress, June 10th. Colonel James Brickett received his commission as Lieutenant-Colonel, in Colonel James Frye's Essex Regiment, May 20th.
390
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
It is worthy of mention, that although but thirteen thousand, five hun- dred men were called for, fifteen thousand voluntarily enlisted before the middle of June.
The town of Harpswell having applied to the Provincial Congress for a supply of powder, (which was very scarce in the whole colony) that body requested (May 7) the selectmen of Haverhill to let them have one half- barrel, promising that it should be replaced as soon as it could be had. The supply of powder continuing to be very scanty, a committee was ap- pointed to ascertain how much each town had, and report how much could be safely spared for the public service. They reported that in forty towns, a total of sixty-seven and three-fourths barrels could be spared. Of this amount, Haverhill furnished two barrels. Only ten towns in the whole colony were able to sparc an equal amount each.
May 13th the Congress ordered post-riders to be immediately established between Cambridge and the principal towns in the province, and estab- lished post-offices in such towns. Simeon Grecnough was appointed post- master at Haverhill.
On the 15th day of June, the Committee of Safety, after long delibera- tion, decided to occupy Bunker Hill, in Charlestown, and passed a secret vote to that effect. The next day. orders were issued to Colonel William Prescott, Colonel Bridge, and the Commandant of Colonel Frye's" regiment, to be prepared for an expedition, with all their men fit for service, and one day's provision. The same order issued for one hundred and twenty of General Putnam's regiment, and Captain Gridley's company of artillery with two field-pieces.
Early in the evening of the 16th, Colonel Prescott was ordered with these troops to proceed immediately to Charlestown, take possession of Bunker Hill, and erect the necessary fortifications to defend it. Profound secrecy was to be observed. The troops were silently assembled on Cam- bridge Common, where a solemn prayer was offered up by Rev. President Langdon, of Harvard College. At dark, the detachment left the camp, and proceeded to Charlestown. Colonel Prescott led the way, dressed in a simple calico frock, with two sergeants, having dark-lanterns open only to the rear, about six paces in front of the troops. Profound mystery
" Colonel Frye was at the time ill of the gout, and, moreover, president of a court martial. His regi- ment was, therefore, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel James Brickett. Colonel Prescott, under date " Camp at Cambridge Aug 25, 1775," writes to John Adams, at that time a Delegate to the Conti- nental Congress : -
"On the 16th June, in the evening, I received orders to march to Breed's Hill in Charlestown, with a party of about one thousand men, consisting of three hundred of my own regiment, Colonel Bridge and Lieut. Brickett, with a detachment of theirs, and two hundred Connecticut forees commanded by Captain Knoulton."-Frothingham's Siege of Boston, 395.
391
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
hung over the object of the expedition until they crossed Charlestown · neck and found wagons loaded with intrenching tools, fascines, gabions, and empty hogsheads.
But we cannot continue thus minute. Suffice it to say, that the tall, granite shaft on " Bunker's Height," has been erected to commemorate the events of that night and the day following -
" THE GLORIOUS SEVENTEENTH OF JUNE."
In that first battle of the Revolution, Haverhill was largely represented. In the detachment that marched to occupy the hill, on the evening of the 16th, were Lieutenant-Colonel Brickett, one; in Captain Davis's company, one ; in Captain Sawyer's company, fifty-two-Total fifty-four. The whole number of the detachment was not above one thousand men, - thus giving this town one man in every twenty. Of those actually engaged in the battle, the most careful and reliable accounts give us the following :- Lieutenant-Colonel Brickett, one; in Captain Sawyer's company, fifty- two; in Captain Moses McFarland's company, fourteen ; in Captain Glea- son's company, five ; in Captain Davis's company, one ; in Captain Mooer's company, one - total, seventy-four.º
The number of Americans engaged in the battle, fluctuated largely, and the crude state of the army organization at that time, render it impossible to say with precision how many men took part in the action; but after a long and patient examination, we give the above as very nearly the true number of Haverhill men who took part in the glorious struggle on that day.
Of the one hundred and fifteen killed, two were from this town -John Eaton and Simeon Pike- both in Captain Sawyer's company. This com- pany evidently performed hard service on this occasion, as we find in the official list of those " who lost guns, &c., at the Battle of Bunker Hill," the names of twenty-one from this town, - most of whom were attached to this company .; They are as follows : -
Timothy Johnson, William Sawyer, Charles Davis,
Nathaniel Eaton, John Jepson, Joseph Emerson,
Nathan Ayer, William Whittier, Joseph Emerson Jr,
" David How and Samuel Blodget, both of whom afterward became prominent citizens of this town, were also in the battle. Blodget was one of those who succeeded in arresting the retreat of the New Hampshire troops.
Colonel Scammon, of Saco, - who commanded a large regiment from Maine, on that day, - was at one time previous a resident of Haverhill. He was not, however, actually in the battle, although "ordered to go where the fighting was !"
" We also find in the Province Treasurer's book for 1776, -under the head of "Sundry payments made for Losses sustained at the Battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill, paid in 1776,"-the following ; " June. Paid James Brickett & others £382, 6.1." We presume this was paid him for the persons above named.
392
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
Moses Emerson,
Daniel Griffin, John Tyler,
James, Pike,
James Townsend, Stephen Runniels,
John Dow, Joshua Moors, Reuben Sargent,
Seth Wyman, John Cockle,
Phillip Bagley.
Of the three hundred and five Americans wounded in the battle, we can, with certainty, name only one from this town, - Colonel Brickett. He was standing by the side of General Putnam, in the early part of the ac- tion when a cannon-ball struck the plank upon which they stood, knocking them both down. Colonel Brickett was wounded in the foot, and the shock was so great as to cause a " rupture," from which he suffered to the end of his life.º
Colonel Swett, in his account of the battle, says that General Warren, as he went on the hill, to fight as a volunteer, obtained his arms of Lieu- tenant-Colonel Brickett, " who came off with the first wounded."
The tune of the Americans, at Bunker Hill, was " Yankee Doodle." It was the first time of its use by them, but ever after it was their favorite, and has become our most popular national air .¡
" James Frye's regiment, from Essex, was commissioned May 20. The latest return is dated May 26. James Brickett was lieutenant-colonel ; Thomas Poor, major; Daniel Hardy, adjutant; Thomas Kitt- redge, surgeon. Colonel Frye did not go to Breed's Hill with his regiment on the evening of June 16, on account of indisposition ; but was in the battle, behaved with spirit, and was active in urging on rein- forcements. Lieutenant-Colonel Brickett, a physician, was wounded early in the action, and, with other surgeons, repaired to the north side of Bunker Hill, and remained in attendance on the wounded."- Frothingham's Seige of Boston.
+ Yankee Doodle. - To every Yankee, be he boy or man, who can whistle, hum, or sing, the tune of Yankee Doodle is familiar ; but the burlesque song which in old time so often accompanied it, is fast pas- sing into oblivion, and we cannot resist the temptation to give it a place in these pages. The story runs, that the song was composed by a British officer of the Revolution, with a view to ridicule the Americans, who, by way of derision, were styled Yankees. The song has had many commentators and collators, and undergone many additions and alterations. The following version gives it as sung at least seventy years ago, and is probably as near the original as we can now expect to secure it :
" Father and I went down to camp, Along with Captain Goodwin, Where we see the men and boys As thick as Hasty-puddin.
There was Captain Washington Upon a slapping stallion A giving orders to his men - I guess there was a million.
And then the feathers on his hat, They looked so tarnal fina,
I wanted poekily to get To give to my Jemima.
And there they had a swampin gun, As large as log of maple, On a deuced little cart - A load for father's cattle ;
And every time they fired it off, It took a horn of powder,
It made a noise like father's gun, Only a nation louder.
I went as near to it myself As Jacob's underpinnin,
And father went as near again - I thought the deuce was in him.
And there I see a little keg, Its heads were made of leather - They knocked npon't with little sticks To call the folks together.
And there they'd fife away like fun, And play on cornstalk fiddles And some had ribbons red as blood, All wound abont their middles.
The troopers, too, would gallop up And fire right in our faces ; They scar'ed me almost half to death To see them run such races.
Old uncle Sam. come there to change Some pancakes and some onions, For lasses-cakes, to carry home To give his wife and young ones.
But I can't tell you half I see They kept up such a smother ; So I took my hat off - made a bow, And scamper'd home to mother."
393
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
Åt a town meeting, held September 19th, it was
" Voted to dismiss the old Committees of Correspondence; and of Safety, and Inspection ; and to Chuse a new one in their Room."
" Voted that a Committee of Seven Men be chosen to Serve as a Commit- tee of Correspondence, Safety and Inspection ; and are as followeth Viz: Dea Jonathan Shephard, Mr Isaac Redington, Capt Richard Ayer, Lieut -Samuel Merrill, Mr Ephraim Elliot, Lieut Isaac Snow, & Mr Thomas West."
At a meeting held December 11th, the town granted permissson for Nathaniel Marsh and Isaac Bartlett to establish a manufactory of saltpetre, and voted them fifty pounds, for their encouragement. But owing to the unsettled state of the times, it was discontinued.
From the records of the First Company in this town, we copy the follow- ing list of the names of those who were drafted from that company for the continental service in 1775 and 1776 : -
Thomas Cogswell, Capt Stephen Jackson, Samuel Buek,
Samuel Kimball, 1st Lt David Harris,
Daniel Tyler,
William Lemont, 2d Lt Jonathan Harris,
William Greenleaf,
Samuel Walker, Ensign Nehemiah Emerson,
David Moores,
John White, Qr Master Jonathan Dustin, jr,
Stephen Runnels,
John Dow, Samuel Middleton,
William Gage,
James Pecker, Samuel Middleton, jr,
Daniel Remich,
Theodore Tyler,
William Baker,
Moses Keezar,
Joseph Whiting,
John Stickney,
Samuel Lecount,
John Eaton, John Tyler,
Joseph Wakefield,
Jonathan Sargent, David Perley,
James Rix,
Moses Harriman, John Downing,
John Whittier,
Nathan Ayer, Nathaniel Kimball,
Bart Pecker,
James Townsend, Samuel Woodman, John Alley,
Joseph Johnson, Ephraim Dodge, Philip Bagley, privates.
The following is a list of those who served six weeks at Roxbury. They were commanded by Captain Eaton, and marched in December, 1775: -
Obadiah Ayer, John Whiting, Moses Whittier,
Daniel Hill, jr, Nehemiah Emerson, jr,
Samuel Greenleaf,
Moses Willcomb, Peter Middleton,
Amos Clement, Ebenezer Ballard,
The following is a list of those " who hired for two months in February 1776, at forty shillings L. M. pr man." Samuel Appleton, John Cogs- well, jr., Isaac Redington, John Green, Theodore Tyler, Amos Gile, William Wingate. David Marsh, Enoch Marsh, and Nathaniel Marsh, were classed, and hired one man; James Duncan, Samuel Duncan, and Jonathan Barker, were classed, and hired one man; Israel Bartlett and Phineas Carlton, were classed, and hired one man. 50
Joshua Moores,
Stephen Dustin, Job Gage,
394
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
It is impossible, at this time, to give the names of all who served in the army of the Revolution, from this town, or even to give the time, and place, and length of service, of all those whose names are still preserved. It frequently happened that, when an order came to draft soldiers, two, three, and four men were classed, and were obliged to hire one man to serve in their room. This was done so as to make each man bear an equal portion of the burthen.
At the annual meeting, March 19, 1776, the same persons that were elected in September, were re-chosen a "Committee of Correspondence, Safety, and Inspection."
April 23d, a meeting was held and Thomas West, Esq., was chosen a delegate to a county convention to be held at Ipswich, "to consider of some method by which they may obtain an equal representation, by every man's having a like voice in the election of the legislative body of this Colony."
On the 30th of the same month, a meeting was called, and Captain John Mulliken, and Captain Cornelius Mansise, were chosen " a committee to attend a meeting of Committees of Newbury, Newburyport, and Ames- bury, May 2d, at the Town House in Newburyport, to fix on a plan of a Fort to be built on Plumb Island."
At a meeting, warned for the purpose, June 25, 1776, the town
" Voted, That if the Honorable Congress for the Safety of the United Colonies should Declare them Independant of the kingdom of Great Britain, this Town do engage with their Lives and Fortunes to support them in the Measure."
" Voted that the Town Treasurer is hereby impowered to hire money for to purchase Arms &c for the use of the Poor in this Town.""
June 29th, the towns of Haverhill and Newbury applied to the General
1 Assembly for arms and ammunition, " on account of their exposed situa- tion." The Assembly decided that they were " unable to furnish them."t
On the same date last mentioned, (June 29, 1776,) an order arrived to raise forty-three men in this town. The quota of the First Company was eleven. They were destined for Ticonderoga, and marched July 23d. Their government pay was nine pounds per month. The following were furnished by the above company :- James Brickett, Brig. Gen .; Doct
" They purchased twenty-five " Fire arms," at a cost of seventy-five shillings each. The money was borrowed for the purpose, of Nathaniel Marsh.
+ Several British vessels had already been taken by privateers and brought into Newburyport; and but a few days before, a Newburyport privateer, (the Yankee Hero) after a sharp engagement, had struck to a British frigate.
-
895
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
John Wingate, Ens Abraham Sweat, James Rix, Nathan Ayer, Benja Moores, jr, John Gage, Peter Middleton, Dudley Duston, Joshua Mooers, James Clements, and Doct Pecker.
Rix was hired by Isaac Redington and Enoch Marsh; Ayer, by Deacon John Ayer ; Benj Mooers, Jr., by Benj. Mooers and Samuel Souther; Gage by Daniel D. Rogers and Phineas Carleton ; Middleton, by John Sawyer and Joseph Dodge ; Duston, by Nathl. Marsh and Israel Bartlett ; Joshua Mooers, by Isaac Osgood ; Clements, by John White ; and Pecker, by James Duncan.
On the 4th of July, the members of the Continental Congress affixed their names to the Declaration of Independence, and the last hope of reconciliation with the mother country expired. But, as we have seen, this town was prepared to do its part in the contest, and cheerfully and promptly furnished "men and material" whenever called upon. They had carly put their hands to the plough, and during the whole of the long and bloody struggle, we do not find the least sign or symptom of an inclination to look back.
On the 18th of July, order was received from Colonel Whittier" to draft every twenty-fifth man, destined for Ticonderoga. John Bailey, Thomas Hopkins, and Nathaniel Bodge, were drafted from the first company, and marched on the 17th of August. On the 25th of the same month, every twenty-fifth man was raised, and marched for Dorchester. On the 22d of September, an order was received to raise every fifth man in the town, under fifty years of age, destined for New York. The quota of the First Company was twelve, and it was so classed that three men were to furnish one soldier each, and twenty-two were to furnish nine. In December, another was received, to raise every fifth man in the town, to march to New Jersey. The quota of the First Company was again twelve ; three of whom marched, and the others employed substitutes.
" The following letter, from Colonel Whittier, will be read with interest. Though excused from marching to the field, he appears to have continued in charge of the home regiment : -
"To the Honorable James Warren Esqr Speaker .- To be communicated to the Honorable House of Representatives at Watertown.
Gentlemen, -
I have very lately heard that I am appointed to the command of a Regiment for the Canada Expedition. I most sincerely & heartily thank the Honoble Court, for their repeated Honors done me- and should gladly have accepted the appointment - were it not, that my Health of late, has so far failed me, that at present, I find myself unable to perform a Journey of Twenty Miles without much difficulty & delay, - notwithstanding my willingness to assist in this (as I apprehend) just & righteous Cause - yet the great & constant care of a Regiment, & the Fatigues of such a long Journey, render it impossible for me to accept the Invitation, with honor to myself, & any Advantage to the Province, - therefore I trust, that the Honorable Conrt will justify me, in declining to accept, at present, of such an appointment. Gentlemen, That you may have all that wisdom which is proffitable to direct, - & that the American Arms may be crowned with Victory & Success, is the Ardent Prayer of Your most humble & obedient Servant
Haverhill, July 1st, 1776."
JOHN WHITTIER.
396
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
From the index to the Muster Rolls of Colonel Nixon's regiment, in 1776, -which rolls are now in the possession of the Antiquarian Society, of Worcester, Mass., - we copy the following names of those who were from this town. The whole number is 63 : -
Joseph Ayer, Sergt, in Capt Gilman's Company.
The following were all in the Company of Captain Moses McFarland, also of this town.
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