USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Milton > The history of Milton, Mass., 1640 to 1877 > Part 43
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Muster-Roll of Capt Ebenezer Tucker's Company of Militia in Milton, that traveled eight miles from and eight miles to their homes in consequence of the alarm on the 19 of April, 1775, and served in defence of the Colony against the Ministerial troops before the Standing Army was completed : - Capt. Ebenezer Tucker
Joseph Clap
1st Lieut. Ralph Houghton
Nathan Badcock
2d
William Pierce
Benjamin Horton
Ebenezer Horton
Simeon Horton
Sargents
( John Gulliver Ebenezer Swift
Vose Crane
Henry Crane Jr.
Brinsmead Hunt
Corp.
Joseph Shepard
Joshua Glover -drummer
John Crehore
Joseph Houghton Ebenezer Houghton Jr. Andrew Dunison
Joseph Scott
Perin Daniel Enos Sumner
Nathaniel Gulliver
Amariah Blake
Silas Crane Benjamin Henshaw
Ebenezer Tucker Jr. Joshua Vose Elijah Houghton
William Tucker
Joshua Tucker Noah Damon Ziba Blake
George Badcock
Jonathan Merrifield Abner Hunt
Robert Merrifield John Salter Nathan Ford
Benjamin Fenno 4th
Amariah Crane James Read Andrew Canadey William Vose Benjamin Fenno
John Badcock
Edward Read
Benjamin Badcock
Daniel Sumner
Samuel Henshaw
Nathaniel Shepard
431
WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
Andrew Kennedy, who then kept tavern in Scott's Woods, was on his way to the Lexington battle, with three of his sons. His wife, on learning that there had been a battle, was full of anxiety and distress all the next day about her absent ones.
William Sumner, of Brush Hill, left his home for the battle. Other Milton men hurried separately to the scene of conflict.
REGIMENT ENTERTAINED IN MILTON.
Daniel Vose, of Milton, was a man of great energy, quick in thought and action, and ready for every good work.
At this time he was first lieutenant of a company under the command of Lemuel Robinson.
When the news of the Lexington fight reached Milton, on the morning of the 19th, Capt. Robinson hastened to Weymouth to secure from Gen. Lovell marching orders. Lieut. Vose, impatient of delay at so critical a moment, got the company together and marched off ; but on reaching the river they found the bridge destroyed, and were compelled to retrace their march.
Learning afterwards that the planks had been taken from the bridge and piled up on the Cambridge side, and were again put in place, Mr. Vose started on horseback for the point where the troops were collecting, under the impression that, from the suddenness of the call, provisions might be short and the weary soldier be suffering from hunger.
He conferred with the general in command in regard to food, and at once agreed to take a regiment to Milton and keep them over from Saturday till Monday morning.
He hurried home, left orders with Davenport, the baker, to fill his ovens with bread as soon as possible, as he was to enter- tain a regiment of soldiers; then he sent two or three men on horseback to the farmers of Milton, requesting them to kill sheep and bring them in.
In the basement under his large store was an old-fashioned fireplace for eight-foot wood; here he hung up three large kettles, and filled them with chocolate, so that by the time the troops arrived he was provided with an abundance of bread and chocolate. Supplied with tin dippers from his capa- cious store, the soldiers marched in through the basement, received their rations of bread and chocolate, and filed out. He secured quarters for the officers among the families of Milton. The soldiers were quartered in the attic of the store and in other buildings near by. Thus a regiment was provided for in a trying time.
432
HISTORY OF MILTON.
MILTON MILITARY COMPANIES.
To such an extent had our fathers been engaged in military duty by reason of the frequent wars, that every man's next neighbor seemed to be either general, colonel, or captain.
The citizens of the town had been ranged in companies, the military organization having received careful attention, but yet it was not perfected when the critical hour arrived.
Jan 23. 1775. Voted that every man in this town between the ages of 16 and 60 years shall be equipped with arms and ammunition according to law, and shall do military duty in one of the Companies raised, or that may be raised in the town.
At a later date those liable to military duty were divided into three companies.
Voted -that every man in this town, from 16 to 60 shall have liberty to join himself to either of the three companies in this Town as they shall severally choose, and shall submit to the superior officers.
We have been able to secure the muster-rolls of these three companies ; also that of the company of Capt. Josiah Vose, that guarded the sea-shore, April, 1776, in which are enrolled all the able-bodied men then living in Milton.
See also in the chapter on "Milton Hill " the account, in the Badcock family, of Capt. William Badcock and his company of Milton men.
MILTON Decm. 21 1775
Muster Roll of Capt. John Bradleys Company of the Militia of Milton of Col. Lemuel Robinson's Regiment that served seventeen days as a standing Company in the defence of American Liberty before the standing Army was compleated after Concord Fight
Capt John Bradley
1st Lieut Benjamin Vose
2d 66 Wm Davenport
Philip Smitlı
Nathaniel Daniel
Sergt Ama Tucker
David Tucker
Jacob Copeland
66 Isaac Davenport
Wm Sherar James Shaw
Corp. Jere Tucker
Eben. Crane
66 Eli Sumner
Jnº Box Bronsdon
Jazr Ford
Clem Sumner
66 Lem. Canadey
Henry Weld
Drummer John Fadden
Eph. Niles
&
Isaac Tucker
Fifer Lemuel Gulliver
Eben Fenno
Privates Benj. Crane Moses Fairbank
Elijah Keys
433
WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
Privates Lewis Miller
Silas Houton Rufus Houton Ama Sumner John Field John Thompson Joseph Davenport
Privates Thos Crane Jr Benj Sumner Thos Glover John Clark
Geo. Tucker
Jos Tucker Jr.
Timo Crehore
Benja Davenport
Stephen Crane
David Mero
John Reed
Seth Houghton
David Sumner Jr
Nath. Houghton
Lemuel Spurr
Nath Pitcher
Benj Brownsdon
Jos Dall
Elijah Snow
Benja Kennedy
Seth Crane
Jno. Crane
Job Sumner
Thos Dougal
Rufus Babcock
Henry Crane
Joseph Fenno
Henry Vose Jr
Jos Sumner
Wm Crehore
John Ruggles.
Sam. Vose
Whole number 66. They were eleven miles from Milton, and served seventeen days.
Muster Roll of Capt Daniel Voses Company of the Train in Milton of Col. Robinsons Regiment that traveled to Roxbury and served as a Stand- ing Company in the defence of Liberty before the Standing Army was com- pleated after the battle of Concord.
Capt Daniel Vose
Matrosses Elisha Horton Steph Fowler
1* Lieut. Elijah Vose
2ª Thomas Pierce
John Bussey
3ª 66 John Swift
Lem Adams
4th Ezra Badlam
George Minot
Sergt Joseph Badcock
Sam. Kilton
John Mellus
Micah Simmons
66 John Robinson
Rufus Pierce
Sergt. Stephen Badlam.
Elisha Badcock
Corp. 66
Elisha Davenport
Caleb Howard
66 William Cocks
Thos Tileston
66 James Robinson
Charles King Increase Blake
Fifer
Thomas Pierce
66 Amariah Miller
Thos Robinson
Matrosses Robert Pierce
Daniel Stodder
Edward Foster
Saml. Blackman
Joseph Hunt
Pelatiah Hull
Sam Swift
Lemuel Randall
Chas Pierce
John King John Savill
Sam Preston
Joseph Turner
Samuel Tucker
Sam Randell Daniel Wiswall Thomas Vose
Moses How
Whole number 51. Time of service from one to three months. Feb. 10, 1776.
Lemuel How
Joseph Blake
Drummer Aaron Bird Wm Badlam
434
HISTORY OF MILTON.
Muster Roll of Capt. Oliver Vose's Company of the Militia of Milton of Col. Robinsons Regiment that traveled to Roxbury and served as a Standing Company in the defence of Liberty before a Standing Army was compleated after the battle of Concord.
Capt. Oliver Vose
Privates Nath. Rawson James Blake
Lieut. Wm Babcock
Nath Horton
Ensign Phinehas Paine
John Marshal
Sergt. Bill Vose
Andrew Adams
Lemuel Billings
66
Wm Voce
Hezekiah Millan
Corp.
Nath. Keys
Gershom Gulliver
66
Seth Packherd
Silas Hunt
66
Elijah Wadsworth
Joshua Henshaw
Drummer Elijah Horton
Fifer
John Vose
Ithamar Badcock
Privates
Stephen Badcock
John Adams
Nehemiah Clap
Lemuel Gulliver
Stephen Clap
Wm Bartlett
Edward Kelton
Stephen Horton
Elijah Horton Jr.
Saml Hortoll
Nathan Vose
Henry Millar
Benj. Badcock Jr.
Rufus Sumner
Dyer Rawson
Henry Jones
Barthw Pierce
Thomas Lyon
John Salter
Moses Arnold
Josiah Marshal
Whole number 47. Time of service fifteen days. Eight miles from home.
As the towns along the harbor were greatly exposed to in- cursions from the ships of the enemy, on petition of Dorchester, Milton, Braintree, and Weymouth the Council decided, April 12, 1776, "to raise a regiment of 728 men for fortifying the harbor of Boston at the entrance thereof." The Milton com- pany was under the command of Capt. Josiah Vose.
Muster Roll of Capt Josiah Voses Company of the Militia in Milton that guarded the Sea Shores twelve days from 13th of April to the 26th 1776.
Capt Josiah Vose
Privates Elijah Vose
Ebenezer Houghton
Lieut Joseph Jones John Gulliver
Benjamin Crane
Sergt. Benj Vose
Seth Crane
66 Moses Fairbank
Jonathan Vose
66 Isaac Davenport 66 Elijah Keyes
John Ruggles Cornelius Gulliver
Elam Pratt Corp. Joseph Houghton Ebenezr Badeock Enoeh Ludden
Gersham Gulliver
William Horton
66 Jeremiah Tueker Ithamar Badeoek
Enoch Horton
Ebenezer Badcoek
Jonathan Voce
Jona Field
Joshua Tucker
435
WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
Privates Jonathan Field
Andrew Canadey
Privates John Box Brondson Edward Adams
Andrew Dunningham
Samuel Tucker Jr
Phinehas Paine
Saml Calef
Nehemiah Clapp
Ebenezer Tucker Jr
Adam Davenport
Henry Miller
John Peason
Ebenezer Sumner
James Read
Wm Tucker
Henry Weld
Josiah Marshall
Amariah Crane
Elijah Houghton
Chipman Bangs
Isaac Tucker
John Swift
Lemuel Canaday
Benjamin Bronsden
Benj Canaday
John Badcock
Silas Hunt
Jeremiah Crane
John Marshall Jr
Samuel Swift
John Berry
John Bent
Wm Vose
Henry Crane Jr
Nath. Ford
Benj. Fenno
John Crehore
Jedediah Crehore
Wm Walker
Henry Vose Jr.
Joseph Cummings
Thos Dugel
Elijah Pope
Benj Badcock Jr
Joseph Brown
Timothy Crehore
Moses Glover
Ephraim Niles
Jonathan Glover
Jonathan Tante
David Tucker
Lemuel Spur
Uriah Snow
Nathaniel Davenport
Simon Horton
Richard Jordan
Joseph Shepard
Joseph Scott
Nathaniel Shepard
Samuel Chelton
Lemuel Gulliver
Ebenczer Crosby
Samuel Badcock
Benj Henshaw
James Brazer
Joseph Dall
Ebenezer Warren
Jeremiah Ford
Ebenezer Bent
Amariah Tucker
Joshua Bellice
George Tucker
Samuel Billings
Wm Gould
Jabie Sumner Samuel Hunt
Zibie Blake
Stephen Clapp
Joseph Tucker Jr
Silas Houghton
Joseph Calef
Ebenezer Williams
Joseph Sumner
John Bradley
Eli Sumner
Whole number 110; many of this company served in the other Milton companies.
MAJOR VOSE'S RAID.
On the 27th of May, 1775, Major Joseph Vose collected a force of sixty men and proceeded down the harbor of Boston, where they cut and carried off the barley and grain from Nan- tasket and the islands. They entered the light-house at the
Robert Merrifield
David Sumner Jr
Amaria Sumner
436
HISTORY OF MILTON.
entrance of Boston harbor, removed the lamps, and destroyed the building. Ensign William Sumner, of Brush Hill, was in command of one of the boats. Abijah Crane, of Milton, was in the party. Bancroft says : "They brought away a field-piece and a swivel. The boats of a British man-of-war, which lay within a mile, pursued the adventurous party, but they were in whale-boats and escaped by rowing."
DORCHESTER HEIGHTS.
At the fortification of Dorchester Heights, which compelled the British evacuation of Boston, Milton turned out en masse.
As the ground was frozen it became necessary to construct the breastwork in part from fascines. The fascines were cut from Capt. John Homan's (afterwards the Sumner) farm, about a mile from Mattapan, towards Dedham. General Washington, with his wonted foresight, selected this obscure spot to make ready materials for the anticipated emergency. In the fall of 1775 a lieutenant and thirty privates were engaged in cutting and binding the white-birch and swamp brush. These were removed to Little Neck, and about three hundred teams were employed on that eventful night in transporting them to the heights, and in other needful work. The teams of Milton were under the charge of Mr. James Boies, of this town. Scott's Woods farmers were there. Brush Hill farmers vied with them in the faithful labors of that busy night. Not a word was spoken ; the teams, with muffled chains and wheels, worked almost without guidance, seeming to take in the situation. Rev. Dr. J. Thomas Tucker, grandson of Samuel Tucker, of Scott's Woods, in a recent letter says : -
My grandfather was there with his team. I have often heard my father tell how well the oxen did their tasks in the enforced silence, without a word of direction or urging, as if they knew what we needed, and were glad to do it.
Capt. John Bradlee was there with a new company of Milton men.
A Muster Roll of Capt John Bradleys Company of the Militia of Milton in Col. Benjamin Gills Regiment that marched to Dorchester Neck on the 4th of March 1776 to the assistance of the Army when the forts were erected on the hills of Dorchester Neck,
Capt. John Bradley
1st Lieut. Phinehas Payne 66 Moses Fairbank 2₫ John Swift Corp Jeremiah Tucker Sergt. Ebenezer Williams 66 Sergt. William Davenport
Jonathan Vose
437
WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
Corp John Gulliver
Privates John Pearson James Read
66 Elijah Houghton
Drummer Ephraim Niles
Seth Crane
Fifer Lemuel Gulliver
John Ruggles
Privates
Huglı McLane
Jonathan Field
Joseph Houghton
Enoch Ludder
Henry Miller
Amariah Crane
Edward Read
Oliver Houghton
Silas Hunt
Cheapman Bangs
Ebenezer Badcock
John Marshall Jr
John Box Bronsdon
Ithamar Badcock
Lemuel Canadey
George Tucker
Joshua Glover
Jazaniah Ford
Henry Wild
Ebenezer Houghton
Eli Sumner
Gershom Gulliver
Uriah Snow
John Bent
Jeremiah Crane
Nehemiah Clapp
Joseph Dall
Solomon Weld
Samuel Swift
Ziba Blake
Elijah Keys
Rupert Horton
Benjamin Crane
Ebenezer Fenno
Benj. Canadey
Ebenezer Tucker Jr
Wm. Clap
Wm Tucker
Whole number 54. Marched 9 miles. Time of service 5 days.
The fortification of Dorchester Heights was followed by the evacuation of Boston. General Howe's army of eight thousand troops and a train of adherents sailed for Halifax in a hundred and twenty vessels.
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
At a legal town meeting held May 28 1776 Voted that Mr. Ralph Houghton, Doctor Samuel Gardiner, and Capt James Boies be a commit- tee to draw up instructions for the Representatives of this town and to lay the same before the town at this meeting.
Accordingly the said Committee laid the following before the town viz. Whereas George the Third, King of Great Britain, forgetting his dignity, regardless of the compact most solemnly entered into, ratified and confirmed by the inhabitants of this Colony, and entirely departing from the duty of a good King, instead of protecting is endeavoring to destroy the good people of this Colony - Voted that our Representatives be in- formed that if the Continental Congress declare the united Colonies of North America Independent of Great Britain, we will support it with our lives and fortunes and that they are directed to act accordingly in the General Assembly.
Voted that the foregoing report be accepted by the Town.
SUBSEQUENT ORDERS.
As three Continental Regiments have by orders of Gen. Washington marched to the southward -and most of the men in the other two are sick with the small pox, Ordered that Gen. Warren be empowered to issue his
438
HISTORY OF MILTON.
orders immediately that the Militia in the towns of Braintree Milton Dor- chester Brookline & Roxbury be ready at a minutes warning to repair to the heights of Dorchester and Castle Island. - State Archives.
Sep. 22. 1777 Milton with other towns ordered to furnish fire wood for the troops about Boston.
SCATTERING OF MILTON MEN.
After the British left Boston the seat of war was removed from this immediate vicinity. The army that had collected about Boston during the siege of that place was adopted by the Continental Congress as the Continental Army, and General Washington was appointed Commander-in-Chief. From that time the troops of Milton were absorbed in the Continental Army, and scattered in the different regiments till the end of the war.
In 1777 Captain Bradlee, of Milton, in Col. Benj. Gill's regi- ment, marched to the northward department, Manchester, State of Vermont, two hundred and forty miles from home, on four months' service. His company of seventy-four contained many Milton men.
EXTREME POVERTY.
To meet the ever-recurring demands for volunteers and rein- forcements during these years of struggle, and keep her quota full, all the young men of the town and all the able-bodied men under sixty years were in the army. In many cases entire families, the fathers with their sons, were thus engaged. Only the aged and infirm men and the women were left to carry on the farms and to provide for the necessities of families, as well as to meet the calls for the support of a famished army. A truthful description of the extreme poverty that prevailed in Milton, as well as in other towns, during this war would now be thought an extravagant narrative. I have the assurance from living citizens, who learned it from their grandfathers through the testimony of their own fathers, that flour, tea, coffee, sugar, and other articles of food now thought necessary, were luxuries seldom indulged in. The best and most worthy families of Milton lived on such products of their farms as could not readily be turned into money. Potatoes, corn-bread, and milk served as the chief articles of diet day after day. Their apparel was what could be spun, wove, and made up by the busy and industrious hands of the mothers and daughters. But their spirit was not broken nor was their ardor chilled by hardships and sufferings. The mothers and daughters at home inspired the absent fathers and brothers with hope and courage in the darkest times.
=
439
WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
This indomitable spirit wrought out the salvation of our country.
RETURNS IN 1777.
Return of Select men of Milton of number of male inhabitants 16 years old and upwards, as follows : -
White males 16 years old and upwards at home & about . 258
Male inhabitants of the Town of Boston driven from their homes
since the blocade of Boston . 13
Male negroes and molattos
· 17
The names of the above inhabitants of Boston are as follows: Ebenezer Williams, William Walker, Jacob Gill, John Barray, John Barray Jr. Thomas Howard, Spencer Vose, Joshua Bellows, John Hooper, John Hood Joseph Kent, Henry Miller, Ebenezer Topliff.
MILTON, Jan. 27, 1777
EBENEZER TUCKER
JOSEPH CLAPP
Select Men
AMARIAH BLAKE. of Milton.
LEADING MEN OF THE WAR.
Gen. Joseph Vose. - General Vose was born in Milton, Dec. 7, 1739 ; died here, May 22, 1816, on the estate which had been in possession of the family since 1654. He was chosen colonel of the District Militia in November, 1774, and was also major in General Heath's division. He was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of Greaton's (24th) Regiment, Nov. 4, 1775, and accompanied it after the evac- uation of Boston to Canada; commis- sioned colonel, 1st Mass. Regiment, QUO 21st of February, 1777, and joined the main army, under Washington, in New FATA VOCANT Jersey, a few weeks later ; was present at Monmouth, and in Sullivan's campaign, VOSE COAT OF ARMS. Rhode Island, in 1778. Feb. 17, 1781, he was appointed colonel of a regiment of light infantry, with which he partici- pated in the siege of Yorktown and surrender of Cornwallis. At the close of the war he was made brigadier-general by brevet. His after-life was passed on his native farm in Mil- ton, where his descendants now live. A long letter from Lafayette is preserved by his family. He was an original member of the Cincinnati.
Col. Elijah Vose, brother of Joseph, was lieutenant-colonel in the same regiment in the Revolution, and served through the
440
HISTORY OF MILTON.
war, as did also two other brothers, - Moses and Bill, - who held important stations, the latter being a paymaster.
We find in the " Columbian Centinel" the following obituary notice of Col. Elijah Vose, dated March 23, 1822 : -
In Milton, Col. Elijah Vose, aged 78. Col. V., immediately on the alarm of the memorable 19th of April, 1775 (he having previously acquired a knowledge of military tactics), repaired to the post of danger, where he remained till the organization of the American army, when he received a Commission, and engaged as one of the band of heroes, and continued till the objects of his country were attained and American Independence established. He sustained a good reputation in the army from the Com- mander-in-Chief to the private, and passed through a regular gradation of promotion till at the close of the war he sustained the rank of Lieut .- Colonel of the 1st Mass. Regiment of infantry, and fairly ranked among those military patriots who had acted well their part, and deserved much of their country. At the close of this service he returned to his native town (Milton), and devoted his labors exclusively to husbandry, which was his favorite pursuit to the last.
SHAYS' REBELLION.
This period of intense activity was followed by a period of exhaustion.
The excitement was over, and a reaction succeeded. The burden of a heavy debt oppressed individuals, corporations, and the new States. Suspension of commerce and manufacture, scarcity of money, and the depreciated condition of the circulat- ing medium rendered it impossible to meet the demands of creditors. There seems to have been a sufficiency of property, but ready money could not be realized; and a general feeling prevailed that some method should be devised by which debts and taxes could be met without having estates sacrificed and sold under the hammer. The attempt in Massachusetts to sup- port its credit led a portion of her citizens, not without the sympathy of a much larger portion, by armed mobs to close the courts of justice, and thus prevent legal measures for the col- lection of taxes and debts. This movement was led by Daniel Shays, made famous in the doggerel verse of the times : -
" My name is Shays, In former days In Pelham I did dwell, sir; I was obliged to quit that place Because I did rebel, sir."
The insurrection broke out early in 1787. Four thousand troops were detailed, under the command of General Lincoln, to suppress the outbreak.
Social De MIC
441
WAR OF 1812.
miny Dorchester men, mang client m wod timo Tuflowing Millan myus
Stention Dern.
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WAR OF 18/2.
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441
WAR OF 1812.
In the company of Capt. James Robinson, of Col. Ezra Bad- lam's regiment, were many Dorchester men, among whom was Edmund Baker, and the following Milton men : -
Jacob Gill, Lieut.
Nathan Keyes Sergeants,
John Garch, Ziba Crane,
Isaac Thornton,
Shepherd Bent,
Jesse Sumner,
Vose Crane,
Alexander Vose,
Samuel Badcock.
Luther Crane,
Joseph Fenno, and
Samuel Williams,
Samuel Richards.
Moses Belcher,
The insurgents were dispersed. Fourteen of the leaders were tried by court-martial, and condemned to death, all of whom were ultimately pardoned. By the prudence and decision of Governor Bowdoin the lawless were restrained, and the an- archy which threatened was happily prevented.
WAR OF 1812.
Col. Josiah H. Vose, of Milton, son of Gen. Joseph Vose, entered the army as captain in this war, and was engaged in important service at Portsmouth, Sackett's Harbor, and in Canada. He was often in great danger, and many of his men were killed around him. At the close of the war he was pro- moted to the rank of major. His acquaintance with General Scott began at this time, and the friendship lasted through life. Colonel Vose afterwards had important commands at the West and in Florida, and was intimately associated with Gen. Zachary Taylor. At the time of his death he was colonel of the 4th Infantry ; and General Grant, who graduated at West Point in 1843, was appointed second lieutenant in his regiment. His death occurred very suddenly in New Orleans, July 15, 1845.
Milton men were enrolled in companies, and were liable to duty in this war; but few were in actual service.
A Milton company, with the following officers, John Lillie, captain, Daniel Briggs, lieutenant, and Samuel Reed, ensign, was ordered at 3 o'clock, P.M., Sunday, to march to Cohas- set, where the enemy's troops were expected to land. A squad was detailed to make cartridges at the powder-house, and Dr. Glover was delegated to forward ammunition to the com- pany. They marched to Hingham, and there learned that their services were not required. A second company from the west part of the town, under Capt. Frank Davenport, started on the same expedition.
442
,
HISTORY OF MILTON.
In this war there was a company of the principal men of Milton who were too old to be drafted, called "Exempts." Gen. Joseph Vose, then seventy-three years of age, was chosen captain, and Jazaniah Ford first lieutenant. Their duty was to watch the development of events at home, and to be ready for any emergency. The company was disbanded at the close of the war.
Major Joshua Tucker, son of Samuel Tucker, of Scott's Woods, held a commission from Governor Strong as major of Massachusetts Militia. One Saturday, as a British cruiser ap- peared off Boston harbor, with the supposed purpose of land- ing, Major Tucker received orders to be ready at a moment's warning to march to the coast. He accordingly mustered his troops at his tavern in Scott's Woods, where they spent most of the following Sunday, sharpening their swords on the neighbors' grindstones and moulding bullets for their horse-pistols ; the women of the house and neighborhood melting the lead in ladles over the kitchen fires. The enemy, however, sailed away down the coast, and the troopers were dismissed.
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