USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Haverhill > The history of Haverhill, Massachusetts, from its first settlement, in 1640, to the year 1860 > Part 41
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Joseph Wood, Ist Lieut Peter Cushing,
Charles Pierce,
Dudley Tyler, 2d "
Noah Church, Daniel Remick,
Josiah Jones, Sergt
James Durgen, Wm Serjeant,
Moses Porter, 6 Moses Downing,
Moses Dennis,
John Smith,
Eliph Cole, Corp
Reuben Donalds,
Jeremiah Stiekney,
John Jipson, 6
Josiah Stevens,
David PeasIce, "
Joseph Elkins, Ebenezer Eastman,
James Smiley,
Wm Baker, Drummer,
Alpheus Ferren,
Paul Sawyer,
John Tyler, Fifer
Samuel Fulsom,
Benja Straw,
Benj Burnham, Servant
Cato Frost.º
Daniel Tyler,
William Ayer, Private
Grant Duncan,
Theodore Tyler,
Jesse Bradly,
Joseph Johnson,
Thomas Tyler,
Abiel Boynton,
Cato Kittredge,“
Francis Toll,
James Bradbry,
Benj Long,
John Taggart,
Saml Baker,
Thos Me White,
Jona Woodman,
Christr Bartlett,
Hugh McDurmid,
Samuel Woodman,
Fortune Burneaux,
Joseph Morse,
Jesse Watts,
George Craige,
Samuel Marble,
John Wallace,
Wm Cook
Benj Pettengill,
Joshua Willett.
Stephen Clark,
While our town was thus freely sending its sons to the field of strife, it was not neglectful of those other measures that required consideration, as a part of the great plan of American Independence, as may be seen by the following copy of the warrant for a town meeting, October 14, 1776 :-
" Ist To see if the Town will Vote to give their consent that the present House of Representatives of this State of the Massachusetts Bay in New England - Together with the Counsel, if they consent in One Body with the House and by equal Voice should consult; agree on; and Enact such a Constitution and Form of Government for this State as the said House of Representatives and Counsel as aforesaid, on the fullest and most mature Deliberation shall judge will most conduce to the Safety, Peace, and Happiness of this State, in all after Successions and Generations:
° Those to which a " is prefixed were probably " colored persons," of whom there was a large number in the army. The first blood drawn in the Revolution, was that of a negro - Crispus Attucks - at the Boston Massacre, on the 5th of March, 1770.
Wm Smith,
Jona Serjeant, "
-
397
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
2dly and if Voted-Then -
To see if the Town will Vote and direct that the same be made publick for the inspection, and perusal of the Inhabitants; before the Ratification thereof by the Assembly."
Upon both of these propositions the town voted affirmatively.
The Continental Congress having called for 88 battalions "to serve during the war, or for three years," fifteen of which were apportioned to Massachusetts, a resolve passed the Assembly January 26, 1777, making a requisition on the towns for "every seventh man of sixteen years old and upward, without any exceptions, save the people called Quakers."
The whole number who enlisted in this town, under this requisition, was sixty four. The following table, prepared from the " Regular Army List," gives the name, time of service, &c., of each man : -
Names
Bounty Recd
Regiment Time of
Time of Service Enlistm'nt, serted
d. dead Name of Com- s. de- manders or Cap- tains
mo. d
Edmund Baker,
$20
9th 14-0
D Wo
Dix
Timothy Betle, .
9-18
3 yrs
d Blanchard
Samuel Buek,
.35-0
DW
2d Co
Jacob Buek,.
66
47-0
$6
Fortune Burnix, .
48-0
Eliphalet Buck,
11-7
66
S Cogswells
William Baker,.
13
12-25
Page
Ebenr Ballard,
$20
16
43-9
Lt Inf
William Case, .
20
9 46-6
DW
Carr
Asa Currier,
66
11-24
66
d
Colos Co
James Clements,. .
11
33-0
3 yrs
Greenleaf
James Clements Jr.
11
5-20
d
66
John Dow,
50
9
35-0
66
2d Co
Moses Downing,.
66
45-6
DW
Carr
William Davis,.
36-0
3 yrs
John Davis, .
0-0
66
66
Edward Deacon,
10
36-0
4th Co
John Gross,
2d
12-0
D W
Bradford
Samuel Gage,
11th
18-16
3 yrs
d
Greenleaf
Job Gage,.
William Greenleaf,. . .
13th
6-15
DW
Page
William Hermon, .....
9
4-17
3 yrs
d
2d Co
William Harriman Jr, ..
9
46-3
DW
6 6
William Harriman, ....
4-17
3 yrs
d
1
6th 12-24
3 yrs
d Holden
Joseph Curriaur,
·
66
36-0
Charles Davis, .
S
Invalid
6
35-4
° During the war.
398
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
Name
Bounty Recd
Regiment Time of Service
Time of Enlistm'nt serted
d. dead Names of Com- s. de- manders or Cap- tains
Perley Haynes,
9
36-0
3 yrs
Blanchard
John Hutchins,
11
34-17
Greenleaf
John Hutchins,
13
15-16
6
d Smart
John Jepson,
9
6-29
66
d Blanchard
John Johnson,
11
34-7
DW
Invalid Greenleaf
Abner Kimball,
9
36-0
3 yrs
Carr
Moses Keezer,.
11
34-19
Invalid Greenleaf
Moses Lacount,.
6
3-4
d Daniels
Jonathan Louger,.
9
36-0
Blanchard
John Lowgee, .
11
19-27
66
d Greenleaf
John (or Jona) Moore.
50
4
0-0
Pope
Nathaniel Moody,
9
36-0
2d Co
Benja Moody, ..
9
36-0
3 yrs
2d Co
Samuel Middleton, ..
20
66
34-16
DW
Humphrey Moody,
9
36-0
3 yrs
Moses Moores,
13
36-12
66
Page
Daniel Parker,
8
31-0
DW
Wiley
Daniel Page, .
9
36-0
3 yrs
Blanchard
Benjamin Pressey,
9
34-20
66
Wesson
Nathan Peabody,
11
35-10
66
Greenleaf
William Pecker,.
66
36-0
66
66
Oliver Page,.
66
9-10
David Peasley,.
13
0-2
66
S Page
Joseph Richards,
5
45-11
DW
Col Co
James Rix, ..
9
35-4
3 yrs
Blanchard
Jacob Row,.
66
14-20
66
d
Elias Rowell, .
9
12-20
3 yrs
dead Blanchard
Samuel Renes, .
13
35-13
Smart
William Smith,
9
43-21
D We
Blanchard
Samuel Staples,
12-0
3 yrs
d
John Straw Jun,
13
36-0
Page
John Straw,
17-11
66
d
John Thomas,.
9
0-1
66
S Blanchard
John Thomas,
66
48-0
DW
2d Co
John Willson,
9
0-1
3 yrs
S Blanchard
Nicolus Wilcome,
37-14
DW
Carr
James Pecker,. .
(Hazens Regt)
30-23
66
Hughes
In the above list we find the names of five who deserted. As we must make a corresponding discount from our town's patriotic account, it is no small satisfaction to give their names. Here they are : - Eliphalet Buck,
1
66
46-21
DW
2d Co
Samuel Remick,
mo. d
399
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
John Davis, David Peasley, John Thomas, John Wilson! As Buck first served almost a year, perhaps we should have placed his name last on the list, instead of the first.
At the annual mecting (1777) "Brig Gen James Brickett, Capt Timothy . Eaton, Dea Ezra Chase, Lt Isaac Snow, Capt John Mulliken, Capt Samuel Merrill, and Samuel Ayer," were chosen the Committee of Correspondence and Safety for the year.
In April, eleven men were drafted from this town, for two months service at Bristol, R. I. The following is a copy of their Pay Roll : -
" Pay Roll for Capt Johnson's" Company in Coll Titcoms Regmt of Militia from the State of Massachusetts Bay to the State of Rhodisland for two months Service from their arrival in Providans in said State with addition of Days travil from their several homes to the place of Distination and Return home to the several towns where they came " &c.
Bristol, June 27, 1777.
James Crowel, Lieut.
Service. 2mo 10d arrivd Apl 27. Dischd June 27 1777
Benjamin Ordaway Sergt.
66
66
Caleb Cushen,
66
66
60
John Alley,
Pr.
James Kimball,
66
66
66
Joshuay Kimball,
Daniel Adams,
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
Daniel Mitchal,
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
Jonathan Hayns,
66
66
66
66
66
66
William Sergant,
66
66
May 21, 1777, a meeting was held, principally " To see if the Town will Vote to instruct their Representatives to form a new Constitution of Government in Conjunction with the Counsel-and when so formed to be laid before the Town for their Inspection and Approbation or Disapproba- tion, or alteration before it be Enacted."
2dly " To Chuse a Committee to see that the Regulating Act shall be carried into Execution, agreeable to an Act of the General Assembly."
Upon the first article the town voted "not to instruct;" and upon the second, voted to choose a committee of three, to see the Act carried into execution. At an adjourned meeting, June 2d, " Brig Gen James Brickett, Capt James Sawyer, and Dea Jonathan Shepard," were chosen such committee.
Captain Samuel Johnson, of Andover.
2
Joseph Ayers,
66
66
400
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL,
In July, another draft was made, for men to reinforce the northern army till January 1st, 1778. The First Company furnished eleven.
In September, a volunteer detachment turned out to reinforce the northern army. Through the kindness of John Bartlett, Esq., a son of Lieutenant Israel Bartlett, we are enabled to give the names of these volunteers, and also a copy of the Journal kept by the latter, during the time : -
" Sept. 1777. Reed an invitation for half this Regt to turn out as vol- unteers to reinforce the Northern Army for 30 days after their arrival at head quarters : the following turned out of this company :
Capt. Nathl Marsh, Moses Emerson, Thomas Hanes,
Lieut. Israel Bartlett,
Ebenezr Greenough, Cotton Kimball,
James Ayres, John Gage, Dudley Ladd Jr,
Beuj. Moors Jr, Jacob George, Saml Souther,
Nathan Ayers,
David Green,
John Souther,
Jonn Baker, James Haseltine, Jeremh Stickney,
Edmund Chase, Saml Walker,
Ebenezr Duston.
Benj. Baker recd half a hire from David Marsh. Ebenezer Porter paid by Charles Haddock. Joshua Moors paid by Ebenezer Wood. Jonn Har- ris paid by Phineas Carlton and Enoch Marsh. Mark Withan by Simon Mansies. John Clark reed 8 Dollars of J. Reddington. Enoch Caldwell paid 20 Dollars. James Pell paid 20 Dollars. Marched 4th. Oct. 1777. Was absent 5 weeks. hire £6.0.0. Gen. Brieket turned out at the same time."
" Journal
of a march in the year 1777, when the British Army Surrendered to Gen- eral Gates; kept by Israel Bartlett.
Oct. 4 Marched, put up at Osgood's in Andover.
5 Marched and put up at Bedford.
6 Breakfasted at Concord ; Dined at Stow ; poor house, but fine peo- ple - Put up at Bolton, good house -
7 Breakfasted at Lancaster - Dined at Holton - Put up at Rutland at one Bartlet's, a very good farm.
8 Breakfasted at Oakham - Passed through Newbraintree and dined at Hardwick - Put up at Hinse's in Greenwich -
9 Breakfasted at Amherst - passed through Hadley and put up at Northampton.
10 Dined at Chesterfield - Stop'd and baited at Partridgefield - Put up at Worthington -
11 Put up at Pittsfield -
1 1
401
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
12 Marched to Hancock - Stopd & viewed the spring & dined at Phil- lipstown, put up at ditto -
13 Settled all accounts in Company - Arrived at the New City of Albany & passed over the North River, and put up at Half Moon -
14 Marched and arrived at the Old Camp at Stillwater.
15 Marched and arrived at Head Quarters at 12 O'Clock. Encamped in the Woods- Good House & Grand fire.
16 A fine morning, opens with expectations of seeing Mr. Burgoyne & all his troops in our possession this day-10 O'Clock, we were alarmed and ordered to turn out, for that Gen. Burgoyne had refused to sign the capitulation, and hostilities would Com- mence in one hour. Defered till 12 O'Clock - Sunset ; news again, that the articles are signed - General orders, that men lay on their arms, for the General suspects treachery.
17 Parade at 10 O'Clock to receive Gen. Burgoyne, who accordingly arrived at 12 O'Clock, and the troops followed at three O'Clock. we are ordered to draw three days provision, and march in order to take charge of the prisoners, who are to march to Boston.
18 Marched to Stillwater - This day very fatiguing. Encamped this night.
19 Marched this day at 1 O'Clock 8 miles and encamped in the woods.
20 Marched this morning & gained 10 miles, which brought us to the front of the army at a place called St. Croix.
21 Marched 18 miles to Williamstown, through a severe snow storm, put up at a very good house -
22 Halted all day at Williamstown to draw provisions -
23 Marched at 10 O'Clock towards Lanesborough - The army in two divisions; we in the rear of the first division.
24 Marched 7 miles to Pittsfield and halted at good quarters -
25 Saturday. We marched to Worthington 20 miles, through exceed- ingly bad mountains and deep mud - We marched late, but got . good quarters ----
26 Sunday we rested - The people very religious. We are to march tomorrow to Northampton.
27 Monday. We marched to Northampton to day, 18 miles, through the rain & mud, very fatguining. Arrived at 2 O'Clock - Three men left came up to day and tell us that the people, we thought religious, deny our paying reckoning.
51
402
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
28 Tuesday. We rested at Hampton all day on account of a very' severe storm of rain and snow.
29 Wednsday. We are ordered to advance in front. We marched and crossed the river at 10 o'clock, and advanced four miles from Hadley : place called Amherst.
30 Thursday. We marched thro' Belcher and Warc and put up at Weston, about 20 miles from Amherst.
31 Friday We marched 12 mile and halted in front of the British Army-Breakfasted & marched to the furthest part of Brookfield 11 miles from our last quarters. Were forced to march 4 or 5 miles further than we intended, for want of quarters.
Nov. 1 Saturday-We marched 13 mile to Spencer & halted all the rest of day to draw provisions ; the commisary being absent, could not draw
2 We drew one day's provision and marched thro' Leicester and halted at Worcester, 14 miles from our last quarters.
3 Monday. We marched to Northborough and halted 10 miles from our last quarters.
4 Tuesday-Marched from Northborough to Marlborough, 8 miles and halted-we are mustered and obliged to march, occasioned by the Artillery's advancing beyond the lines set-we marched 5 miles and halted at Sudbury.
5 Wedny. Marched to Watertown, 5 miles from Cambridge.
6 Thursday we marched to prospect hill in Charlestown, through rain and mud, the worst day's march we have had; we expected to continue till rested, and draw provisions, as we had none since we left Brookfield: but on our return from Prospect Hill a Maj. of Brigade overtook us and dismissed us, with the General's thanks; but the provision would have done us more good, as little could be procured at Cambridge."
The closing paragraph of the Journal affords us an opportunity to say that General Brickett, who commanded the escort of the prisoners, seriously embarrassed himself by advancing large sums of money from his private purse, and contracting obligations to furnish necessary provisions and accommodations for the troops, during this long and tedious march. For all this, he never received one penny ! Massachusetts claimed that it be- longed to the United States government to reimburse him ; and Congress was pleased to refuse to allow him the claim, on the ground that General Brickett was not an United States officer, but under commission from Massachusetts ! Between the two, the General's just claim fell to the
1
1
403
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
ground, and to this day has never been paid. When Congress afterward pensioned the soldiers of the Revolution, General Brickett was urged to secure one for himself, as he could readily do so, but he indignantly refused to accept a pension, while his higher claim was ignored by the government.
The following, copied from the original in the State Archives, are well worth a place in our pages : -
" To the Honorable General Court Now sitting in Boston.
The petition of B. G. James Brickett Humbly Sheweth, That whereas in obedience to a Resolve of the Genl Court in the year 1777, for Reinforcing the Northern Army, then under the command of General Gates, I marched with a number of Men, and joined said army, soon after which the articles of Convention between Mr General Gates and Gen Burgoyn were Exchanged, after which by the General's Direction, I re- cieved orders to take ye command of the Escort for Gen Burgoyn's troops from Saratoga to Boston, which Business was compleated as Expeditious as possible, for which Services I have not Recieved any Recompense. Not- withstanding the aplication made to Generals Heath & Glover - who I considered as the proper persons to apply to - wherefore this is to beg you would consider of the affair & Grant such compensation, as you in your wisdom shall think proper for said services, & the Necessary Extra Ex- penses I was at - and your petitioner as in Duty Bound will ever pray
Dated Haverhill James Brickett
March 27th 1780
" I do hereby Certify ; That Brigadier General James Brickett, was appointed to ye Command of about five Hundred Militia, Detached from General Gates army, to Guard a Division of ye Convention Troops, from Saratoga to Cambridge, in Octobr 1777 - which Charge he executed with Judgment and Prudence
Jno. Glover B General
Marblehead 29 Apl 1780
" State of Massachusetts Bay In the House of Representatives May-1780
On the Petition of Brigr James Brickett
Resolved that Brigr James Brickett be allowed for his Services in Rein- forcing the Northern Army under the Command of Major Genll Gates; that he Le permitted to make up a Rolle as Brigr and Exhibit the same to the Committee on Rolles for allowance; & the Trear is hereby ordered to charge the same to the Continent."
1
404
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
General Brickett afterward wrote that he would make up his Rolls as soon as he received returns of " parts of one or two Regiments." This is as far as we ean trace the matter. For reasons above given, he finally failed to receive his well-earned wages.
But to return to our town. October 6, 1777, a meeting was warned,
" Ist. To see if the Town will carry into Execution a late Act of the Great and Genl Court, intitled an Act for the Securing this and the Other United States against the Danger to which they are Exposed by the inter- nal Enemies thereof :
2dy To see if the Town will chuse some One Person to collect Evidence against those Persons that may be deemed Enimieal to their Country, as directed by the said Aet :
3dy. To see if the Town will chuse a Committee to Supply the Soldiers Families that are gone into the Continental Service, agreeable to a Resolve of the General Court of this State."
Upon the first and second articles, the vote was in the affirmative ; and Thomas West was chosen to collect evidence, agreeably to the second article.
At an adjourned meeting, held October 20th, a committee of ten were chosen " to supply the families of such non-commissioned & private sol- diers as are in the Continental Service." The following are the names of the committee : - Thomas West, Deacon Moses Clement, Edward Ordway, John Mitchell, John Smith, Jr., Jonathan Webster, Esq., Mr. Isaac Red- ington, Captain Timothy Eaton, Deacon Ezra Chase, and Lieutenant Isaac Snow.
January 12, 1778, a town meeting was called,
" To see if the Town will take into consideration the Proposals of the Continental Congress in entering into a Confederation, and perpetual Union between the States, and to give Instructions to their Representatives how to aet for or against it."
The following named persons were chosen a committee "to peruse the Articles of Confederation, and give their Representative Instructions Respecting them ": - Hon. Judge N. P. Sargeant, Brigadier-General James Brickett, Major Enoch Bartlett, Samuel White, Esq., Mr. Joseph Haynes, Captain Samuel Merrill, Mr. James Duncan, Doctor William Bachellor, Deacon Ezra Chase. The meeting then adjourned for one week.
January 19th, the inhabitants of the town met, according to adjourn- ment, and passed the following : -
" Voted, That a Union of the Thirteen independant American States is a Matter of the greatest importance for the defence and Protection of this and the Other American States:
405
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
Voted, That the Confederation, or Plan of Union formed by the Honble Congress, and laid before the Town, is in general very agreeable. Though in some respects we could wish it altered :
Voted, as the Opinion of this Town, that the Larger States in this Con- federacy Ought to have votes in Congress, in, or near the proportion of the Taxes they pay for the Common Defence. - that it appears necessary some Plan or Mode should be added to the Confederation for compelling such States as shall be defective in Raising Men, or Money for the common Defense, to perform their Duty : Lastly
Voted, that our Representative be Instructed, in Conjunction with the Other Representatives of this State, to Authorize our Delegates, or any Number of them in Congress, to confirm and establish this Confederation, or Plan of Union, with such alterations and Amendments as the General Assembly may think necessary.
The Moderator dismissed the meeting."
At the annual March meeting, the following were chosen the Committee of Correspondence and Safety : - Brigadier-General "James Brickett, Captain Timothy Eaton, Deacon Ezra Chase, Isaac Snow, John Saw- yer, Captain Samuel Merrill, Joseph Pike.
The renunciation of allegiance to the Crown of Great Britain, rendered it necessary for all the American colonies to establish, as soon as practica- ble, independent governments, for the protection and security of the people and their interests. The growing necessity of a Constitution, or Form of Government, for Massachusetts, led the General Court, in June, 1776, to appoint a committee to prepare one. But as the opinion was generally expressed that the subject should originate with the people, the business was not proceeded in by the committee. The House contented itself with recommending the people to choose their deputies to the next General Court with power to adopt a form of government for the State. This recommendation was renewed more formally the next spring. In the in- terval, a convention of the Committees of Safety of a majority of the towns in the State, met at Worcester, and voted that it would be improper for the existing General Court to form a constitution, but that a conven- tion of delegates from all the towns should be called for that special purpose.
A majority of the towns having chosen their representatives with a special, or, at least, implied consent, to form a constitution, the General Court at their next session appointed a committee for that purpose. The result was, that a draught was agreed upon, approved by a convention, and submitted to the people.
406
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
April 13, 1778, a town meeting was held
" Ist To see if the Town will vote to accept of the New Form of Govern- ment lately proposed by the Convention of this State :
2d. To see if the town will vote to joyn in a Convention of this County, to be held at Ipswych on the 15th Instant, relating to the new Form of Government, proposed by the Convention of this State, as recommended to us from the Select Men of Newbury Port."
" Voted, not to act on the 1st Article. Voted, not to comply with the Request of the Select Men of Newbury Port &c."
The meeting was then dismissed.
May 21st, another meeting was called to consider the subject. The warrant for the meeting directed " all Male Inhabitants being free and Twenty one Years of Age To take into their deliberate Consideration the Constitution and Form of Government agreed upon by the Convention of this State on February last ; to see if the town will approve of the same."
The Clerk records : - " At the Request of the Moderator, I read the Form of Government proposed. After some talk, & without any Vote being tried, the meeting was adjourned to Monday next."
Monday, June 8th, the town again met, and proceeded to vote upon the proposed Constitution. The result was seven votes for, and sixty-three against it. The record gives us no clue to the reasons for this strong oppo- sition to the new Constitution, but we find that throughout the State the general objections against it were, that it contained no declaration of rights; that the principle of representation was unequal ; and that the powers and duties of the legislators and rulers were not clearly and accu- rately defined. Besides, the opinion was still general, that such a Constitution should be framed by a convention of delegates, chosen directly by the people. The vote in the State stood ten thousand against the con- stitution, and two thousand in its favor ; and one hundred and twenty towns made no return.
While the people were thus laboring to establish a proper form of state government for themselves, they were at the same time making the most vigorous efforts to establish their national independence, as may be seen from what follows : -
May 5th, a meeting was held to see what the town would do about " procuring fifteen soldiers for the Continental Army, which this Town is obliged to Raise."
After voting that they would raise the men required, it was
" Voted that the Militia Officers of the Companies of this Town be em- powered to procure by hiring, sd soldiers, on the most reasonable Terms, at the Charge of the Town :
407
HISTORY OF HAVERHILL.
Voted that the Town Treasurer be directed to hire & furnish sd Officers with such sums of Money as may be necessary for raising sd Men: The Officers to be accountable to the Town, for such sums of Money as they shall recieve."
The meeting then adjourned for one week. At the adjourned meeting, the treasurer was directed " to hire Money as soon as possible, to enable the Officers to raise Soldiers "; - and the militia officers were ordered " to raise Men for the Militia Service, by hiring, at the Charge of the Town."
On the succeeding page of the town records, we find a list of the names of those of whom the treasurer borrowed money. It is as follows: -
" According to a Vote of the Town in the last Meeting, held on May 5, 1778, I borrowed Money of the following Persons, viz.
May 13 Revd Gyles Merrill & 75 Isaac Redington 18
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