USA > Massachusetts > Dukes County > Marthas Vineyard > The history of Martha's Vineyard, Dukes County, Massachusetts, Volume I > Part 33
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The following company was raised under this authority, being enlisted from the 7th to the 14th of October, and the service was one month and twenty-five days.
[Mass. Revolutionary Rolls, XXXVII, folio 22.]
A PAY ROLL FOR CAPT. BENJAMIN SMITH'S COMPANY STATIONED ON THE ISLAND OF MARTHA'S VINEYARD FROM THE TIME OF THEIR IN- LISTMENT TO THE FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER, 1775.
Benjamin Smith
Captain Lieutenant 66
Richard Luce John Smith Peter Norton, Jr.
Private
Samuel Norton
James Shaw
William Norton
Sergeant
John Holley, Jr.
66
Francis Meeder
Joseph Holley
Seth Cleveland
Joseph Hammett
Levi Young
James Skiff
66
Noah Norton
Corporal
Hugh Stuart 66
Timothy Vincent
Uriah Norton
Cornelius Dunham
66
Henry Daggett
John Haselton
66
Jonathan Hammett 66
Joseph Shed
Drummer
Henry Young Jonathan Smith
66
Benjamin Tucker
Private
Henry Coffin
David Smith
66
Thomas Coffin
66
Robert Norton
William Smith
66
Joseph Swasey, Jr.
Uriah Dunham
Matthew Daggett
66
Joseph Tarnance
66
Edward Burgess
66
John Rosson
66
Timothy Smith, Jr.
Silas Daggett
Benjamin Gillson
66
Joseph Smith
Peleg Hillman
Joseph Norton
66
Thomas Butler, Jr.
David Davis
66
.
Samuel Frothingham
Fifer
Zachariah Norton
Sprowell Marchant
William Waley
William Norton, Jr.
This company, the first raised on the island during the war, consisted of three commissioned and eight non-com- missioned officers, two musicians, and thirty-one privates.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
THE CONSERVATIVE ELEMENT BETRAYS TIMIDITY.
The geographical position of Martha's Vineyard and the feebleness of the military strength of the colonies at the pre- cipitation of the struggle with the crown conspired to give the situation of its inhabitants a peculiar standing during the Revolution.
The population of the Vineyard was only 2881 in 1776, and besides the scantiness in numbers it was sparse in char- acter, rendering concerted action by them in defence of the island a task out of proportion to their strength. The colonies could not afford men and supplies enough to make the island independent of the king's troops and frigates, and from a strategical consideration was not worth the great outlay which such a movement entailed. Indeed, had it been of value in a military sense, it is safe to say that the British forces would have seized and garrisoned it. It would have been of more value to the American cause, however, could they have erected forts and batteries along the Vineyard Sound for the purpose of protecting the few armed vessels which constituted our fleet at that time, giving them a safe harbor from which to sally forth on missions of reprisal, as well as to harass frigates of war belonging to the crown. The situation was so full of complications that many of the faint-hearted on the island continually spread the alarm of "death and destruction," if the British should attack the defenceless place. This natur- ally made for discontent with the provincial authorities, who had greater problems in the field. Both Edgartown and Tis- bury began to show signs of dismay at the prospect, and sought for aid. At a meeting held on Oct. 30, 1775, the free- holders of Edgartown voted: -
that Rev. Samuel Kingsbury, John Worth & Enoch Coffin Esqrs serve the town as a committee or agents to attend the General Court now setting at Watertown or to such committees that are or may be empowered to act in the Recess of the Court, and acquaint them with the unhappy situation and circumstances of this much Exposed Town and the Great Danger which the Inhabitants conceive themselves to be in of Being Distroyed by the men of war and Armed Vessels, or Drove from their habitations and thereby Exposed to Want & famine and Beg the Direc- tion of the Honorable Court respecting the matter.1
Tisbury held a similar meeting seven weeks later, Decem- ber 18, and decided that they would "Prefer a Petition to the
1Edgartown Records, I, 303.
338
The Vineyard in the Revolution, 1774-1778
general court to Send us A Committee of that Court to come here & take a View of our Circumstances and Report what Mode of conduct wee Shall pursue in order for our Safety under Our Situation and that the Select Men Prefer the Sd Petition in behalf of the Town." 1
There were Tory influences at work as well, men who were satisfied with the existing state of governmental affairs, the wealthy and the well-born class, of which every community had representatives during the war. In a small community they were more trouble than a dozen open enemies to the patriotic cause. The old and conservative element always shrinks from overt acts, however necessary, and counsels peace, often at any price. Some of them refused to take office under the new order of things. This condition was not peculiar to the Vineyard, and these sentiments were generally felt the most at this time, when the timid shrank from the results of the first real taste of warfare, and speculated on what might happen in the future. This situation is clearly shown early in 1776, in the following letter of the chairman of the committee of safety for Dukes:
Honorable Sir:
Judging it to be of Importance to the County of Dukes County whereto I belong that the honourable Council of this Colony be informed of the State of Civil Affairs &c here, I think it to be my Duty to give your Honour the following Intelligence with respect thereto, to be by your Honour communicated to the rest if you shall think fit.
Now four out of the nine commissionated to be Justices in this County, viz: - William Mayhew Esqe appointed Sheriff & Mr Robert Allen appointed Coroner remain unsworn: appearing unwilling to be so: and neither of them except Jonathan Allen Esq. being present when the other civil officers here were sworn which was done on the 22d of Novbr last: of the five Justices who have been sworn, two viz: Ebenezer Smith and Beriah Norton Esquires live at Edgartown & two viz: - James Athearn and Shubael Cottle Esquires at Tisbury, and I only at Chilmark, and the only sworn Coroner Mr Ebenezer Norton lives at Edgartown.
As I have informed your Honour of these who have been commis- sionated to be civil officers here decline to be sworn: I hope it will not be tho't impertinent if I account for this in the following manner. The real state of things here, Sir, as I apprehend is this. There are some here who are really not well affected to the present Government, nor to the measures now pursued in Defence of our civil liberties, and these ill affected Persons endeavour to embarrass the establishing of Civil Gov- ernment in this County: and through their suggestions (in part at least) many persons here, perhaps near one half of the People of this County
1Tisbury Records, 215.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
imagine that it is best for us considering our situation to be still & in no way to shew ourselves to be on the Side of the Assertors of our civil liberties lest we hereby provoke the Invaders of our Coasts to ruin us. And it is (as I think I have sufficient Reason to Believe) thro' such an apprehension as this that so many of those who have been lately appointed civil officers here are unwilling to be sworn.
I mean, Sir, that many here were till the honourable General As- sembly of the Colony discovered their late Resolution with Respect to the Defence of this County. But how far people here are hereby em- boldened to appear in Defence of their Rights and liberties I cannot yet tell. And as for ought I know some or all of those of whom I have above mentioned are unwilling to be sworn may have their Fears so far removed as to manifest a Desire to have the oath administered to them and I am at a loss what we who are empowered to administer the oath ought to do in that case I am very desirous of the Direction of the honourable Council herein.
As to a Sheriff for this County about the want of which officer I am peculiarly concerned, I hope it will not appear assuming in me if I mention Major Peter Norton as a suitable or perhaps all things considered the most suitable Person here to be Sheriff of this County and also to be Colonel of the Regiment of the Militia here: the latter of which offices he, as I perceive, prefers. And if he is not made Sheriff, I humbly pro- pose that he be made a Justice of the Peace, at least, if not a Justice of the Pleas also for this County. A great part of this letter may perhaps appear a vain repetition of what I wrote above a month ago to the honble Col. Otis as Prest of the honourable Council. But having reason to fear, Sir, that my letter hath miscarried, I have tho't it proper for me to write as above. This, Honourable Sir, with great Respect and Deference to the Honourable Council, and to your Honour in particular from
Honourable Sir
Chilmark, Jany 18th, 1776
Honble Prest of the Council.1
Your Honours most obedient and humble Servant JOSEPH MAYHEW.
But there were other difficulties which beset the patriots on the Vineyard, besides the weak-kneed within the gates. Outside interference gave the grumblers opportunity to add to the burdens of the leaders of the "Rebel" party, and for a while it caused much unjust comment. We shall have occa- sion to observe the actions of these tories in the course of the struggle.
RE-ENLISTMENT OF THE VINEYARD COMPANIES.
On January 1, the term of service of the seacoast-defence company having expired, a new enlistment was called for, and the following men mustered in under the command of Cap- tain Benjamin Smith: -
1Mass. Archives, CXCIV, 208.
340
The Vineyard in the Revolution, 1774-1778
[Mass. Archives (Revolutionary Rolls), XXXVI, 238, 239.]
PAY ROLL OF CAPTAIN BENJAMIN SMITH'S COMPANY STATIONED AT MARTHA'S VINEYARD FROM THE TIME OF THEIR GOING UPON DUTY OR THEIR MARCHING FROM THEIR HOMES TO THEIR RESPECTIVE STATIONS, TO THE LAST DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1776
Benjamin Smith
Captain
Corneleus Ripley
Private
Malatiah Davis
Lieutenant
Jonathan Cottle
James Shaw
66
Benjamin Vinson
William Norton
Sergeant
William Walley 66
Joseph Smith
Noah Norton
Harlock Smith
Thomas Johnson
Seth Cleveland
Corporal
David Davis
Gamaliel Marchant
Abraham Chase
Jonathan Pease, Jr.
Jonathan Smith
Corneleus Marchant
Drummer
Obed Norton
Henry Coffin
Fifer
Thomas Cunningham
Henry Butler
Private
Edward Persell
Jethro Covel
Hugh Stuart
Francis Meader
Thomas Neal
Joseph Covel
66
Samuel Nickison
66
Ichabod Cleveland
Peleg Crossman
Joseph Lobdell 66
Zephaniah Butler
Ebenezer Shaw
60
William Covel
66
John Rogers
Edward Burgess
Joseph Covel, Jr. 66
Valentine Skiff
Joseph Holley 66
Benjamin Burgess
Jonathan Hammett 66
Seth Crossman 66
Joseph Francis
Peter Camp
Obadiah Skiff
66
John Holley, Jr.
Thomas Coffin, Jr.
60
Cornelius Norton
64
Admaral Potter
John Smith, Jr.
66
Silas Daggett
66
David Smith
Robert Norton
Timothy Smith
Edward Draper
66
Benjamin Burgess
Thomas Norris, Jr. 66
Theophilus Mayhew
Henry Dunham
Richard Bunker 60
Barzillai Luce, Jr. 66
Pelatiah Russell Jr. 66
William Smith
John Marchant Jr. 66
Henry Young
Samuel Norris 66
Anthony Crossman
Thomas Nickison
William Norton, Jr.
Joseph Butler
60
Uriah Dunham
Corneleus Dunham
Enoch Coffin, Jr.
Barzillai Luce
66
This company was mostly composed of Edgartown men, but there were in it a number of "transients," probably sea- faring men. This company was stationed on the east end of the island.
34I
History of Martha's Vineyard
Almost simultaneously Captain Nathan Smith was given a commission to raise a second company for service here, and from the names of the soldiers it appears to have been re- cruited in Tisbury and Chilmark almost exclusively. It was probably posted on West Chop and along the north shore. The following is the roster of officers and men: --
[Mass. Archives (Revolutionary Rolls), XXXVI, 262.]
A ROLL OF CAPTAIN NATHAN SMITH'S COMPANY STATIONED ON THE ISLAND OF MARTHA'S VINEYARD OR THE DEFENCE OF THE SEA COAST OF THE SAME, MADE UP FROM THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF JANUARY TO THE LAST OF FEBRUARY, 1776.
Nathan Smith
Captain
Shubael Luce
Private
Jeremiah Manter
Lieutenant
Elverton Crowell
Fortunatus Bassett
2nd Lieut.
Augstus Allen
David Merry
Sergeant 66
Jeremiah Luce
Jesse Luce
John Dunham
Samuel Bassett
Lemuel Luce 66
David Luce
Corporal
John Lumbert
Joseph Mayhew
David Dunham
Jeruel West
James Luce 66
George Newcomb
Drummer
Samuel Lumbert, Jr.
66
Lothrop Chase
Fifer
Nathan Clifford 66
James Look
Private
Thomas Luce
66
Elijah Look
Hovey Luce
Arvin Luce
Zachariah Smith
66
John Luce
66
Adonijah Luce
66
Varnel Clifford
66
Lot Rogers
Eliphalet Rogers
Aaron Luce
66
Jonathan Look
Presbury Luce
66
Malachi Luce
66
Nathan Weeks
66
William Harden
66
Jonathan Merry
66
Thomas Chase
Peleg Hillman
David Norton
Benjamin Bassett
66
Abner West
Nathan Bassett
66
David Clark
Joseph Skiff
66
Solomon Daggett
David Hillman
66
Nathan Daggett
Jonathan Hillman
66
Roland Luce
Abner Hillman
66
Thomas Manchester
Silas Cottle
66
Sylvanus Luce
66
Thomas Cox
66
Thomas Wheldon
Lot Hillman 66
Jabez Downs
66
Shubael Luce, Jr. 66
Moses Luce
John Bassett
George Hillman
66
Andrew Newcomb
Freeman Norton»
James Winslow
John Mayhew
Silas Daggett
Daniel Hillman
Peter Cottle
Zaccheus Chase
66
Barzillai Crowell
Benjamin Luce
66
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The Vineyard in the Revolution, 1774-1778
This company continued in service without the change of an officer or private until June I following.1 These two companies under Captains Benjamin and Nathan Smith were placed under the command of Major Barachiah Bassett, who, in an election for that office, received 59 votes. The com- panies voted for their officers at that period.
MARTHA'S VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET ACCUSED OF DISLOYALTY.
On Dec. 9, 1775, both houses of the General Court had appointed a committee to consider some serious charges made by Governor Jonathan Trumbull of Connecticut against the inhabitants of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. The sub- stance of the allegations was that supplies in excess of the re- quirements of the two islands had been shipped to them, "and there is a great reason to suspect that the inhabitants of the said island of Nantucket have abused the indulgence of this Court by supplying our enemies with such provisions &c as were admitted to be Transported to them for their Internal consumption only." In their zeal to reach the offending ele- ment, included in the general charge of disloyal trading with the king's forces, the committee passed a resolve that the com- mittee for correspondence of Falmouth should suspend the granting of permits in the future to any vessels loading for the two islands, "until further order of this Court," and fur- ther directed the selectmen of Sherburne (Nantucket), and each town on the Vineyard "to make strict enquiry into the Importation of Provisions into their respective Towns since the 28th of September last, and of all provisions now in said Towns and to make returns thereof on oath, as soon as may be." Inhabitants of this and other colonies were requested to withhold further supplies, fuel, and other necessaries from the two islands, "until farther recommendation of this Court." This was totally without excuse as far as this island was con- cerned, but the court acted upon the information of an earnest, if mistaken, patriot, the famous war governor of Connecticut, and did an injustice to the people of the Vineyard. It has been seen that armed vessels of war would come into the harbor and demand trivial things for the captain, - fresh vegetables, water, eggs, and the like, - sometimes under threat, some- times with the cash tendered in a courteous manner. These
1Mass. Archives, XXXVI, 297.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
isolated instances doubtless gave rise to false reports of barter and trade with the enemy in great quantities. But the select- men of the three towns made investigation and report, and stated the facts about the whole matter in such a convincing way that the General Court in the next month passed a resolve rescinding the order, as far as this island was concerned. The following is the text of the revocation, which is printed in full as a complete vindication of the good faith of the people of our island : ---
In Council, January 25, 1776.
Whereas upon enquiry it doth not appear that many of the Inhabi- tants of Marthas Vineyard ever had a disposition to supply the enemy with provisions, and it doth not appear by the Resolve of the ninth of December last that they were suspected of corruptly doing the same, and since measures have been taken which in all probability will prevent the Enemy from being supplied from that Island, and the Inhabitants thereof must suffer while under the aformentioned restraint, therefore
Resolved that the order of this Court of the Ninth of December last so far as it respects Marthas Vineyard only be and is hereby annulled.1
This little flurry having been satisfactorily settled the leaders gave their attention to more important things, and on March 8, 1776, the Tisbury people met and chose Shubael Cottle, Ransford Smith, and Ezra Athearn to be a committee to join with a similar body from other towns, if any such should be chosen, to consider whether they should petition the General Court, "to see if they will grant us a farther sup- ply of men, arms and amminition for the Defence of the Is- land against any Invasion."2 Chilmark followed suit on the IIth inst., choosing Joseph Mayhew, Uriah Tilton and Na- thaniel Bassett;3 while Edgartown completed the arrange- ment on the 19th, by naming Ebenezer Smith, Peter Norton, and Elijah Butler to meet with the others.4 Meanwhile the volunteer and regular soldiery of the island was busy defending the seacoast, and making sallies from their camps against passing vessels of the enemy. One such occurred on the 7th of March, under the auspices of Captain Benjamin Smith of the company which had been in service since the middle of the previous October.
1Force, American Archives, 4th series. On March 9 following, Col. Beriah Nor- ton complained that this Resolve had not been published, "and as we have suffered By it alredy," he wrote to the Council, "I most humbly Beg your honor to have it published as soon as Possable. Several persons having Been obliged to unlode their vessels alredy that was Bound here on that acc't." (Mass. Arch. CXCIV, 275.)
2Tisbury Records, 215.
3Chilmark Records, 159.
4Edgartown Records, I, 308.
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The Vineyard in the Revolution, 1774-1778
PETITION FOR MORE TROOPS.
The committees chosen by the three towns to consult about further defence of the island met two days after Edgar- town had completed the number from that town, and after discussion drew up the following petition to the General Court looking to this end: -
To the Honourable the Council and House of Representatives of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay in great and general Court assembled: -
The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Several Towns in the County of Dukes County in said Colony, by their Committees whose names are hereto subscribed, humbly sheweth: That the Island of Marthas Vine- yard and the other islands whereof the County aforesaid consisteth, do lie greatly exposed to the enemy with whom the United Colonies of North America are now engaged in open hostilities, and the said Islands are situated so nigh to the neighbouring continent especially to the Counties of Bristol, Plymouth and Barnstable, and do also lie by the way wherein both American vessels and those of the enemy have frequent occasion to pass: That it is (as your Petitioners humbly conceive) of great Impor- tance, not only to the inhabitants of these Islands & to all persons who are owners of Land and other property therein: but also to the Inhabi- tants of the neighbouring continent, and even to the American colonies, now unitedly engaged in vigorous exertions for the Defence of their Per- sons, Liberties and Properties: that (if it be possible) said Islanders be kept from falling in to the hands of the common enemy of said colonies, For (as your Petitioners apprehend) if the enemy should be so possessed of those Islands and the Harbours there, as to have the Persons and Prop- erties of all the Inhabitants thereof at their Command and Disposal and have it in their power to make use thereof as they shall please: They will by the Men of War, and other armed vessels which they will keep in the harbours there & from thence cruising out into the neighbouring seas and along the coasts of this and some of the neighbouring Colonies, so obstruct the navigation of these Colonies as greatly to weaken and distress them. And will also be able to greatly annoy & distress them. And will also be able to greatly annoy and distress the Inhabitants of the neighbouring continent by burning their houses and pillaging their stock and other valuable Properly. And will have it in their Power to land an Army on the Southern Shore of this Colony, which may penetrate (no man knows how far) into the Countrey making great Distress in their March before they can be subdued.
And your Petitioners conceive the Defence of these Islands is of so great Importance as they have declared: They apprehend that they cannot (without such a miraculous Interposition of Divine Providence as is not to be expected) be so far defended by the Inhabitants thereof, against such a force as is likely soon to attack them, as to be kept out of the hands of the enemy.
But with the assistance of such a number of men well furnished with Cannon, small arms, Powder and other necessaries, as we hope may be obtained from your honours, together with the Protection which these
345
-
History of Martha's Vineyard
Islands will receive from the armed vessels, which, we presume, will be employed for the protection of navigation of these Colonies, we trust that the Islands for whose defence we petition will (thro' the Favour of Heaven) be preserved from the enemy: and also that by means of the Defence and Preservation thereof, the Sea Coasts of this and neighbouring Colo- nies and their navigation will in no small degree be protected: and that our enemies by the obstructing of their navigation will be nearly as much weakened as they would be strengthened by being possessed of these Is- lands, and by having the command of the adjacent sound and seas.
The Prayer of your Petitioners therefore is: That your Honours would be pleased to order six hundred men from the continent well fur- nished with Arms, Powders and other necessaries, or such number of men as your Honours shall in your wisdom judge most fit and proper to be stationed in the County of Dukes County for the Defence thereof, 525 of said men to be stationed on the Island of Marthas Vineyard & the other seventy five thereof at the Islands called Elizabeth Islands. And that your Honours would be pleased to order to be sent to Marthas Vineyard for the Defence of the several Harbours there seven cannon and to Tar- paulin Cove, the only harbour of Elizabeth Islands, two cannon. And that your Honours would (In this time of Danger as far as it shall be in your Power) afford such Protection and means of Defence to the County aforesaid as to your Honours shall appear to be necessary: and likely (by Favour of Divine Providence) to be effectual for its preservation & safety: and requisite for the Defence of the United American Colonies now struggling for their just Rights & Liberties, and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray &c
In the name and by order or the Inhabitants of Dukes County: -
Tisbury March 2Ist, 1776
JOSEPH MAYHEW
Committee
URIAH TILTON
for
NATHANIEL BASSETT
Chilmark
EBEN'R SMITH Committee
PETER NORTON for
V ELIJAH BUTLER
Edgartown
SHUBAEL COTTLE
Committee
RANSFORD SMITH
for
EZRA ATHEARN
Tisbury 1
Major Bassett, in command of the forces stationed at the Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands, was ordered, under date of May 6, to fortify the two places with four nine-pound can- non, recently taken from a vessel stranded at or near Truro, and to mount them "in such manner for the defence of these islands, as the s'd Major shall judge proper."2 He had them removed, and all were placed in position on the Elizabeth
1Mass. Archives, CCIX, 334.
2Ibid., CCIX, 209.
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The Vineyard in the Revolution, 1774-1778
Islands.1 While the military forces were thus busied, the civil element was doing its part in providing laws and authority for the maintenance of the new government. At the General Court held in Boston during May and June this year, the Vineyard was fully represented. From Edgartown went Thomas Cooke, Tisbury sent Shubael Cottle, and Chilmark was fortunate in having that sturdy old patriot Joseph May- hew, the chairman of the county committee of correspondence and safety. Important acts were done by this Court for the Vineyard, which will be detailed in their chronological order.
SEACOAST-DEFENCE ESTABLISHMENT IN 1776.
Major Bassett, shortly after his appointment as com- manding officer of the two companies of the seacoast-defence establishment, proceeded to perfect the organization and bring these raw levies into military discipline. The first step taken was the issue of the following orders from headquarters: -
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