USA > Massachusetts > Dukes County > Marthas Vineyard > The history of Martha's Vineyard, Dukes County, Massachusetts, Volume I > Part 35
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1Mass. Archives, CLXXXI, 405.
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The Vineyard Abandoned to Neutrality
the Vineyard proper. Chilmark woke up now and tried fur- ther disconcerted action, where before all had worked together. Thirty-five of the inhabitants signed the following statement of facts and opinions: -
Chilmark, January 27, 1777.
To the Honourable, the Council and House of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts Bay in General Court Assembled:
The Petition of a number of Inhabitants af the Town of Chilmark in the Island of Marthas Vineyard and in the County of Dukes County Humbly Sheweth: That the said Island of Marthas Vineyard (especially the Western Part thereof where your petitioners reside & where there is a Road for shipping) is by its situation at least as much exposed to the Enemy now possessing Rhode Island as the Islands called Elizabeth Islands in the same Town. For the Protection of which last mentioned Islands much greater (tho' we do not think too great) Provision is made than for the protection of Marthas Vineyard: when the last named Island is of much greater value in itself of vastly greater importance to the Public than the others. There being on Elizabeth Islands but seventeen families and about one hundred souls; when there are on Marthas Vineyard at least five hundred families and about 2780 souls, exclusive of Indians living by themselves, and this last named Island is also much better ac- comodated than Elizabeth Islands with Harbors and Roads for shipping by means of which Harbours of Marthas Vineyard, and a few soldiers there stationed, with the Pilots and other Inhabitants of said Island a very large part of the many rich Prizes taken from the enemy during the present war have (after they have waited some time in said Harbours for a fair wind & for an opportunity to proceed to the Port to which they were bound, without Danger of being intercepted by the Enemy) safely arrived either at Dartmouth or Providence or at some other Place where they might be discharged of their Cargo. All which advantages accruing to this and other American states from the Harbors of Marthas Vineyard while that Island remains in the Possession of Friends to the Common Cause of these States will not only be lost to this and the other states of the nieghboring continent, if said Island or its Harbours should be pos- sessed by the Enemy, but the advantage the Enemy will hereby gain will perhaps be no less pernicious than the possession of that Island & its Harbors hath hitherto been advantageous thereto.
On which account your Petitioners (with great deference and sub- mission to your Honours superior wisdom & judgement) presume to de- clare that they apprehend it to be of great importance not only to the Inhabitants of Marthas Vineyard but also to this and other American States that it be kept from falling into the Hands of the enemy. But this without further Protection from your Honours we see no way to pre- vent For we apprehend this Island to be in great Danger of such an attack from the Enemy as the Inhabitants thereof will not be able to with- stand. For the number of men on this Island able to bear arms hath of late been greatly diminished & is still diminishing by their shipping themselves on board of continental & other cruizers against the enemy; and also not a little weakened by our Disagreement of opinion with Respect
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to the most proper course we can take for our safety. For while your Petitioners with many other Inhabitants of this Island are fully satisfied that the present war is on the American side just & necessary, and are ready to exert themselves to the utmost in every suitable way in support of the American cause, There are yet (we are sorry to find ground to say it) some here who have manifested at least a Doubt of our being in the Right, in taking up arms and fighting against the Forces of the King of Great Britain, and they with others have openly expressed a Belief that Britain will conquer & subdue America, and have labored to infuse such a belief into others; and whatever effect this hath had, it is a certain mat- ter of Fact that there is a considerable number of men here who appear to be very Doubtful which side will finally overcome, and obtain what they are contending and fighting for, and who therefore chuse to be as stil and inactive as possible in the present contest and are accordingly averse to doing anything towards the Defending of this Island by arms.
To which Principle we impute it That when ten Freeholders of this Town by a writing under their hands, lately requested the Selectmen to call a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town to consider and determine what it was proper for them to do for their safety in this Time of Danger. This Request was not complied with, By which means we found our- selves obliged to petition your Honours in the way we do, as Individ- uals, suscribing our names hereto. In short we wish that your Honours might have a just and full conception of the Danger this Island is in by Means of its exposed situation (while the Enemy is so powerful & no further than about twelve leagues therefrom) when it is so weak & de- fenceless a state as it now is, & also what Imporatance it is that it be kept from falling into the hands of the Enemy.
A true representation hereof we have here given But not too full and clear a representation as to convey to your Honours such an idea of the state of the Island with respect to the present American troubles, as your Honours would have if you had been some time resident here. And with regard to the state of this Island which we have represented the Prayer of your Petitioners is That no such measure may be adopted to keep the stock on said Island from falling into the Hands of the Enemy as that of removing it to some other place. For if nothing better than this can be done with the stock belonging to Marthas Vineyard, to what a state of wretchedness must the owners thereof be reduced! For if that stock be removed where will they find pasture or Hay for it? And if for want thereof they are obliged to sell it, where will they find Buyers who will give them anything near the value thereof? And in this way the People of this Island would be likely to suffer almost a total loss of their Stock.
They would suffer also for a time at least (and who knows for how long a time?) the loss of their Houses and lands, which they must depart. For without stock they will not be able to till it. And if this Island be forsaken by its inhabitants, it will (without such a Protection as would be now sufficient for their Defence) in all Probability be taken possession of by the Enemy; and how detrimental this would be to this & the neigh- bouring states; we have already in some measure shewn. Your petition- ers also pray That seeing this Island is so exposed & in so weak & de- fenceless a state as hath been shewn, no men maybe taken from hence to serve as soldiers elsewhere. For as said Islands when all the men now
360
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The Vineyard Abandoned to Neutrality
therein continue there is so weak & defenceless how improper a thing must it be if it can be avoided, Still further to weaken it by taking men from thence where they are so much needed? And besides how greatly must it distress a Man who has a wife & several small children, or aged feeble Parents to take care of to be compeled to hazard his life in War at a great distance from them and leave them in a place exposed as this is to the outrageous hostilities of the Enemy, when by continuing with them he might afford them some help & Protection. What we have offered we pray your Honours to take into your consideration and Intreat that besides suffering the men here to continue in this place your Honours would be pleased to send a number of men to this Island for its Protection as your Honours in your great wisdom shall judge proper and that your Honours would afford for the Protection of the Elizabeth Islands at least an equal number of men to that which was last stationed there and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray.
Samuel Hillman,
William Tilton,
Joseph Mayhew, Jr. Mark Mayhew,
Benjamin Hatch, Thomas Hillman,
Abner Mayhew,
Samuel Mayhew, Jr.
Samuel Norton,
Silas Bassett,
Jethro Mayhew,
Fort. Bassett,
Joseph Bassett,
Benjamin Hillman,
Benja. Bassett,
James Norton, Jr.
David Hillman,
Jonathan Bassett,
Joseph Mayhew,
Josiah Mayhew,
Cornelius Bassett,
Samuel Mayhew,
John Bassett,
Timothy Mayhew,
Simeon Mayhew,
John Hillman,
Nathaniel Nickerson,
James Norton,
John Cottle,
John Cottle, Jr.
Robert Hillman,
Benjamin Hillman, Jr.
Abner Hillman,
John Mayhew,
Richard Hillman.1
This statement discloses a condition of affairs in Chil- mark which has been referred to in previous contemporary documents and letters from there. It is evident that a con- siderable number of Tories remained in Chilmark, even at this date. They exercised a restraining, not to say discourag- ing, influence upon the patriots of that town, and the efforts of Joseph Mayhew to further the cause of American liberty were checked at every turn by them. Added to this class were those well described as manifesting "at least a Doubt of our being in the Right," and lying low, waiting events, "very Doubtful which side will finally overcome." Such men offer but little that is worthy of more comment. This situation made for discontent and indifference on the part of the Massa- chusetts authorities, and at this period they were not in a position to temporize with communities holding these uncertain sentiments, or communities influenced by those who did. After considering the whole situation, the General Court felt
1Mass. Archives, CLXXXII, 88.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
that the island must be abandoned as a military post, but as yet it took no decisive action. Determined to make one more effort to prevent this disastrous prospect, the freeholders of Tisbury prepared and sent the following petition to the Court for further consideration.
To the Honourable the Council and The House of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts Bay in New Englnad,
Humbly sheweth The Inhabitants of the Town of Tisbury in Dukes County, That the Exposed situation of that Island has been well known to your Honours to say it is in the Power of the Enemy is needless. Our Inability to Defend our Selves must be well known.
We therefore Humbly & earnestly Request your Honours to grant us some Assistance under our exposed situation To defend us against a Force that may be Expected to Attack the Place and Secure a Lodgement cannot be expected by so small a number as is now on This Island & They constantly entering into the Continental army and Navy. We there- fore Pray this Petition may be Taken under your wise consideration and Grant us such Relief as you in your wisdom shall Think necessary & we as in Duty Bound shall ever Pray.
Tisbury, IIth March A. D. 1777.
JAMES ATHEARN, SHUBAEL COTTLE,
Comitte for the
NATHAN SMITH, town of Tisbury.1
This had no favorable result. If anything, it merely brought the General Court's attention to the consideration of a subject that had by that time been all but settled in their minds.
ABANDONMENT OF THE ISLAND CONSIDERED.
Three companies had been stationed on the island at the expense of the Colony of Massachusetts, and the accounts for their subsistence are still in existence showing expendi- tures to the amount of £2625-0-0 through September, 1776. This drain was severely felt by the colonial authorities, and in December following the General Court took the first move towards disarmament directing that those soldiers whose terms were expiring be not re-enlisted and that the remainder be continued in service until March, 1777. When this date ar- rived, the General Court found that the burden was too heavy to carry, and passed the following Resolve which condemned the island to the mercies of the enemy.
1Mass. Archives, CLXXXII, 220.
362
The Vineyard Abandoned to Neutrality
In the House of Representatives
March 29, 1777
Whereas the Island of Marthas Vineyard is so situated that it must put this State to great expense to defend it, should our enemies make it an object of their attention, and as the removal of the inhabitants of said Island to the Maine would be attended with many and great inconveniences to them and cost to the State, therefore,
Resolved: that it be and hereby is recommended to the Inhabitants of Marthas Vineyard to send off said Island as many of their cattle as are not absolutely necessary for their present and immediate support, that they may be in a better capacity to retreat from the enemy, if they should be attacked by a force they are not able to oppose.1
This was sent to the Council for concurrence, where it met with some dissent, as but fifteen members concurred in this recommendation. Accordingly, two days later, after con- sultation between the two bodies, another draught of this plan, modified in some particulars, was passed by both branches of the General Court. This new form is as follows: -
In Council March 29, 1777.
Whereas the Island of Marthas Vineyard is so situated that it must put the State to great expense to defend it should our Enemies make that an object of their attention, and as the removal of the Inhabitants of said Island to the main would be attended with many and great Inconveniences to them and cost to the State,
Therefore Resolved: that it be and it is hereby recommended to the Inhabitants of Marthas Vineyard to send off said Island as many of their cattle, sheep and other goods as are' not absolutely necessary to their present support, and it is recommended to the Justices of the Peace. The Field officers and Selectmen of the several Towns on said Island to consult and agree upon such a mode of conduct of the People of said Island to pursue as they may judge most proper an it is recommended to said Inhabitants strictly to pursue the mode that shall be so pointed out for their safety.2
Left at last to themselves and to fate, the Vineyarders saw that the State had placed them where they must work out their own salvation. It was "Sauve qui peut," and their patriotism was put to the test. But they did not further flinch. The remaining men able to bear arms prepared as best they could for defence, and awaited events. Many who could not remain inactive enlisted in regiments on the mainland, but the larger number found employment in privateers, where they could find better opportunities for their capacities as sea-
1Mass. Archives (Records of the General Court).
2Mass. Archives, CCXIII, 42.
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History of Martha's Vineyard
faring men. At this time Cornelius Marchant sailed on a voyage, which shows how daring those men were in the extent of their operations. "On the 22 of January 1777" he wrote, "I entered on board the Ship Marlborough of Providence, of twenty Guns out and twenty four guns home, commanded by George Wad. Babcock of South or North Kingston; after passing the British, which lay in the harbour of New Port and Seconnet river we put for Edgartown harbour to obtain a Com- plement of Men and Officers; from whence in a few days she departed and proceeded on her Cruise. About the last of April 1777 we arrived at the Islands of Deloss on the Coast of Africa, where we destroyed a large Store house belonging to the British, took a Schooner laden with Brass Kettels; Also a little lower down the Coast captured two Ships one laden with Goods the other with a Cargo of Slaves, which were sent to Martinico where they safely arrived. In the same Cruise captured a large Brig laden with Ivory and Dye Wood sent her to the United States, where within 30 Leagues of Halifax we Captured the Ship John of Leithe, a large Transport richly laden with supplies for the British Army at New York; she safely arrived at Boston. We also retook a Brig laden with lumber & fish from Newburry Port bound to Cadiz in New Bedford in safety; we like wise captured which we thought not worth manning. We arrived in the Marlborough and the ship John our Prize in Boston in the month of July of same year 1777, after an Absence of five or six months."1
The force upon the Elizabeth Islands, small as it was, kept up a show of activity, under the command of Elisha Nye. The following letter from him at this date will furnish some insight into the difficulties of a frontier post in those times: -
Tarrpoland Cove Island, March 3Ist 1777
Gentn:
As you have seen fitt to appoint me to the Command of a Company stationed hear I think it my Duty to Inform your Honners that I Rased the Company soon after I Rec'd your orders there for and I took my station. I also think it my Duty to Inform your Honners what military stores I Rec'd from Maj'r Dimuck which are as follows: 20 Rounds in Cartriges a man 45 lb pouder 122 lb Lead in balls 140 flints 2 Cannon 22 Cartriges of Pouder for the Cannon balls. I humbly think it will be the best that there be ordered a further supply of Powder for the Cannon as without them I shant be able to keep the Harbour there having ben severall attempts maid by the Enemy to Ly in the Harbour, which would Cut of all Communication from Dartmouth the Vineyard from the Main
1Mass. Hist. Soc. Proceedings, 1900.
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The Vineyard Abandoned to Neutrality
that Vessels can not pass, but by the help of the Cannon I have been able to keep them out and make no Dout shall be able to keep the Har- bour Clear if not over powered by a number of ships.
Your Honners will observe that 63 at least Cartriges of Powder for Cannon is wanting and I humbly pray that y'r Honners will order in the hand of Benoni Nichoson appon'd Commasury for the Company what is wanting or as Your Honners shall otherways think fitt.
I Remain With Great Respect your faithfull servant
ELISHA NYE.
To the Hon'ble Councell of the State
of the Massachusetts Bay.1
THE ISLAND REDUCED TO A NEUTRAL ZONE.
The General Court met in session May 28, this year, and it is significant that no representative from Dukes County appeared. Whether it was intentional cannot be said with certainty. It would be no more than human nature for the people of the Vineyard to resent their abandonment by the authorities to the tender mercies of the enemy. However, it may have been unavoidable or accidental. During the twelve months following absolute silence appears to have reigned upon the Vineyard. Where the town records in previous years had teemed with frequent entries of the actions and proposals of the freeholders to advance the cause of American freedom, now no one would suspect that a war was going on. Not a reference to it appears in any of the three towns. It was an enforced silence. We know where their hearts were during the great struggle, and doubtless the strong sense of independence so characteristic of islanders rendered their com- mon inaction a daily source of chagrin and regret. To have engaged in active operations as a community against the crown would have invited practical annihilation without an equiva- lent gain, for the loss of their homes and property would not have helped on the patriot cause one iota. In some situations it is necessary for a military purpose that some portions of an
1Mass. Archives, CXCVI, 347. Freeman gives some personal information about Elisha Nye, in connection with the Revolutionary War, which is of interest. " Upon the first appearance of the enemy, Mr. Elisha Nye, who was resident there as an inn- keeper (Tarpaulin Cove), and who suffered from the indignities the British Sloop of War Falkland, Captain Linzey, offered to himself and family, made deposition of the same, which was laid before the Provincial Congress; whereupon Congress directed Capt. John Grannis to provide 30 men and arms and repair without delay to the Elizabeth Islands for their protection. Captain Grannis raised his company here (Falmouth), and they did good service; but the force though increased to 50 was altogether inadequate to the work assigned them." (History of Cape Cod, II, 452.)
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History of Martha's Vineyard
army should be deliberately sacrificed in order to gain the greater benefit for the entire body, but this does not apply to the Vineyard in the struggle of 1775.
The only sign of life shown here in the period named is found in a petition addressed to the General Court early in 1778 by some of the inhabitants of Tisbury, who asked for facilities to get provisions to the island. The full text best explains their desires, and it is printed below: -
To the Honorable the Council & House of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts Bay.
The Petition of us the Subscribers Inhabitance of the Town of Tis- bury in Dukes County. Humbly sheweth that whereas your Petitioners are situated on an Island that Doth not Produce its own Provitions but are obliged to seek it out of the State of Connecticut and the Govener and Commites of that State oblige our Boats to Enter and Clear & give Bond as Tho' they were vessells of one hundred tuns, and as there is no Naval officer in this Island by which menes our Boats are not able to Carey Proper vouchers that they have landed there Cargos at this Place for whant of which they have been accused of going to Newport. For Remedy thereof we Pray your Honours to appoint sum met Person to that office, and we would not Dictate your honers in this case. But we would Pro- pose for that office to your honers Shubael Cottle, Esq as met Person and Living near the water and in the Midest of the Boats that follow that Impl(o)y, or other ways Provide for us as you in your grate wisdom shall think Proper as in Duty Bound shall ever Pray.1
This request was approved February 4, following. One other evidence of existence occurs in the letter written by Beriah Norton from Roxbury, April 16, 1778, in which he notifies the Council that "there is a Quantata of Powder Be- longing to this State Lodged at Marthers Vinyard," he de- sired direction what to do with it, "otherwise it may Be taken By the enemy or lost." The Council on the same day ordered Joseph Mayhew to deliver the ammunition to the commanding officer of the fort at Dartmouth, and thus the last means of defence was removed. Henceforth, the Vineyard was to be out of the calculations of the Commonwealth to which it be- longed.
1Mass. Archives, CCXVII, 45.
366
Grey's Raid
CHAPTER XXIV.
GREY'S RAID.
We now are come to the great event of the Revolution as affecting the Vineyard, the raid of General Sir Charles Grey in the month of September, 1778, supported by a detachment of troops, numbering over four thousand men, convoyed by a dozen ships of the line and a score of transports. It has been told in song and story and tradition by the children of the generation who saw our island at the mercy of this large body of hostile soldiery, and under the hundred guns of the king's navy. The whole history of it has never been written before, with the documentary evidences now available from both sides of the water, and the narrative which follows will present such testimony, given both by the British and the American par- ticipators in this affair, and thus for the first time we can read of it as seen by the actors themselves. Most of the docu- ments cited have never before been published, particularly the accounts of Major Andre, whilst some of the contemporary documents and reports of our people have had limited circula- tion in local newspapers only, or in brief descriptions attempted by writers without the advantage of complete information on all the surrounding circumstances.
It is not a story of military heroism or glory, nor one cal- culated to thrill an audience of Revolutionary sons to the cheering point. And yet it is a part of the history of the great struggle, and as an incident in the annals of the Vineyard is worthy of being set out in such fulness of detail as we can now accord it.
The year 1778 was the darkest for Great Britain since the beginning of the Revolution of the American colonies. Her ancient enemy, France, had acknowledged the independence of the thirteen states of America, and treaties of alliance and commerce passed between Louis XVI and the Continental Congress, greatly to the joy of the struggling patriots on the Delaware, just emerging from the sufferings of Valley Forge, and to the chagrin of the English ministry, who now felt that another war had been practically declared. General Sir Will- iam Howe, who from the first of his career in America at Bunker Hill, had proven a dismal military failure, relinquished
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History of Martha's Vineyard
his command, in response to general criticism in Parliament, and on May 24, at Philadelphia, Sir Henry Clinton assumed control of the fortunes of the British troops. In accordance with orders from the ministry, says Bancroft, "Clinton was ordered to abandon Philadelphia to hold New York and Rhode Island; to lay waste Virginia by means of ships of war, and to attack Providence, Boston and all accessible ports between New York and Nova Scotia, destroying vessels, wharfs, stores and material for shipbuilding." This policy of destruction betrayed the spirit of revenge and cruelty, inspired, doubtless, by the general feeling that the war was a failure, and America lost to the crown through a long continued policy of unutter- able ministerial stupidity.
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