USA > Massachusetts > Nantucket County > The history of Nantucket County, island, and town : including genealogies of first settlers > Part 28
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Early in April seven small vessels made their appearance, coming from the westward. Five of them anchored off the bar and two entered the harbor and made fast at the wharf. They proved to be manned by Refugees and to have been sent by the Commander in Chief at New York to ascertain the disposition of the people, whether their sympathies were with King George or the Continental Congress. They were under orders not to molest the "peaceable" inhabitants, those who were friendly to the Crown, but to destroy Rebel property wherever it could be found.# Eldad Tupper, a somewhat notorious Royalist was with them. As the Refugees were almost wholly people who had practically been ostracized by the patriots and much of their property confiscated they were by no means reluctant about the carrying out of their orders .* *
New York. The raiders carried away 10,574 sheep, 315 cattle, 52 tons of hay, £1000 in money, 388 stand of arms, with bayonets powder and lead, besides destroying salt works, six vessels and 23 whale boats (Hist. Martha's Vineyard, Vol. 1, pp. 380-381) Sept 14 the fleet sailed for New York.
*Under date of 8th December 1778, Capt Timothy Folger wrote to the Council of the State (State Archives, Vol. 8, p. 167) that the Eng- lish Schooner Hammond, flag of truce, was wrecked on the shoals near Nantucket and those on board were landed on Nantucket. As there was considerable going on of interest and value to the State on the Island he did not deem it wise for the Hammond's crew to remain to spy, and so he bought a small vessel, stocked her with just enough provisions to carry them to New York and sent them away. He hoped what he had done would be approved by the Council.
TP. 92.
ĮMrs. Fanning's diaries.
** On one of these forays of the Refugees it is related that their . sentinels were so posted that it was difficult for the people to procure water. Among those who suffered were Deborah Chase and her par- ents. Deborah's patience finally was exhausted and she determined to procure the water at all hazards. Her father remonstrated in vain, telling her "Thee had better not; thee will get a bayonet in thee." She replied that she "would as lief die one way as another," and seizing two pails she started. In passing a corner a sergeant on guard, pre- sented his bayonet to stop her. Without delay she hurled a pail, full in his face knocking him senseless on the ground bleeding profusely. She passed on filled her pails with water and returned in safety past the still prostrate sentry.
Miss Chase was a young woman who was not to be trifled with. There was at one time try-works located near the head of theNew (See next page)
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Concerning this raid and the events growing out of it, Wil- liam Rotch, in his Memoranda, says: "In the year 1779, seven armed vessels and transports, with soldiers from' Newport, came to us, the latter commanded by George Leonard, an American, as were his troops in general, having joined the English. They plundered us of much property, some from me, but a considerable amount from Thomas Jenkins .* While they were plundering his store I attempted to pass the Guard they had set, being desirous to see Leonard, and intercede with him to desist. But the guard arrested m'y progress with the bayonet. After some time Timothy Folger succeeded in speaking to him, and advised him to go off, for the people would not bear it much longer. He took the liint and retired much enraged.
"We soon had information that Leonard & Co. were preparing another and more formidable expedition to visit us. The Town was convened to consult what measures should be taken in this trying emergency, which resulted in sending Dr. Benjamin Tupper, Samuel Starbuck and myself to New Port and thence, if necessary, to New York to represent our case to the Commanders of the Navy and Army."; We arrived in the Harbor of New Port, where Capt. Dawson commanded the Navy, and Gen. Prescott the Army. But the American Refugees had made interest with the Gen. not to suffer us to land, and we were ordered by Dawson to depart. We
North wharf where the vessels as they brought in black fish left them to be tryed out. The oil when extracted was drawn off into large, shallow pans to cool. At one time after their work the men wanted some bread and sent to the bake house of her parents nearby for a supply. The little girl who usually carried it was too small, so Deborah volunteered to go with it. Among the men was one who had just been married and was wearing his bridal coat. When he saw De- borah coming he announced his intention to kiss her. She recom- mended him not to try but he persisted and seized hold of her. She caught him at a disadvantage and whirling him suddenly landed him in the middle of the pan of cooling oil. On another occasion a man driving past her house in a cart drove unnecessarily close. She ad- monished him to be more careful. In a spirit of bravado he repeated the offence whereupon she rushed out and seizing hold of his cart over- turned it in the street.
At the time of this incursion of the Refugees a man approached one of the sentries with a butcher's cleaver in his hand, entirely innocent of any hostile intention. The sentry on seeing him coming was so scared that he precipitately fled.
. *Mr. Macy says (Note p. 91) "The value of the property according to the account of Sales given by the Refugees was £10,666, 13s, 4d, law- ful money."
+Under date of April 9, 1779, the Town Records for the first time refer either directly or indirectly to the war. A meeting was held on that day at which Nathaniel Coffin 2d was Moderator. It was voted to send Timothy Folger and Stephen Hussey Esq. to the General Court "in order to obtain Permission to make application to the Commander of the British Forces at New York & Rhode Island to see if we can pre- vail on them to put a stop to future Depradations, and to see iff they can obtain a Reparation for the Property already taken away." Nath'el Coffin 2d, Stephen Paddack, Stephen Hussey, Benj. Folger and Samuel Gelston were chosen to prepare the memorial. But events developed so rapidly that on the afternoon of April 12 another Town meeting was called and Wm. Rotch, Benj. Tupper and Samuel Starbuck were chosen to proceed immediately to Newport or elsewhere "to endeavor to avert the Impending stroke threatened us by the British Forces at this time." Frederick Folger, Josiah Barker, Christ'r Starbuck, Samuel Gelston and Micajah Coffin were chosen to draw up a memorial for them to take with them.
The memorial (Mass. Archives, Vol. 185, p. 109) set forth the de- fenceless condition of the Islanders and the recent plundering expedi- tion as well as the need of a speedy recompense and asked leave of the Court for Timothy Folger and Benjamin Hussey to go to New York and Rhode Island and endeavor to get reparation as well as the prevention of further raids. The memorial was read and referred to a Committee who reported to the House April 14 a resolve that the prayer be grant- ed "and the said Timothy Folger & Benjamin Hussey be & they hereby are permitted to go to New Port & New York for the purpose above mentioned." The Council concurred.
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interceded with him to let us stay a little longer, for we found the expedition was progressing rapidly, and unless we could arrest it, it would be in vain to proceed to New York. Dawson by request of Gen. Prescott, under the influence of the Refugees, ordered our immediate departure again. Dr. Tupper now, for the first time, went on board, and in his plain, blunt way, after the usual ceremony of entry, addressed him in this manner: 'You order us to depart. We cannot be frightened, nor, will we depart. We know the extent of your authority. You may make a prize of our vessel, and imprison us; much better for us to be thus treated than to be sent away. We came here for peace, and you ought to encourage everything of this kind' &c.
"His reasons made such an impression upon Captain Dawson that he gave us liberty to stay as long as we pleased. The Refugee boat came several times to us, to get us off. We insisted on going on shore, but they as often refused us. After this conversation with Dawson, the boat came again, and Dr. Tupper insisted that he would go on shore. They still denied him unless he intended to stay with them. As he was not always exact in his expressions, to answer his purpose, he says: "Well, I am going to stay," and almost forcibly got into their boat and went on shore, being satis- fied that if he could once see the Gen. he could, in this respect, destroy the influence of the Refugees.
"He accordingly got liberty for Samuel Starbuck to come on shore and the next day for me to follow. We found it necessary to be in friendship with the Refugees, that, if possible, we might stop the current of their intended predatory visit. I got on shore in the afternoon, and found that I must wait on Gen. Prescott. Knowing his brittle temper,* and it being in the afternoon I almost dreaded to appear in his presence. However, let my treatment be what it would, I wished it over, and accordingly went.
"I was introduced to him by one of his aids. He received me very cordially, gave me his hand, and said: 'Mr. Rotch, will you have some dinner? I can give you good bread, though the Rebels say we have none.' I thanked him, saying I had dined. 'Well, will you take a glass of wine?' I answered, I have no objection if thou canst put up with my plain way. The glass was filled. with his own, and those of all the officers at table, and as a stranger introduced, they all drank to me before I put the glass to my lips. I then observed to the Gen. 'As I mentioned before, if thou couldst put up with my plain way, I was willing to take wine with thee, but as we as a society disuse these ceremonios, I have always found it best to keep to my profession, let me be in what company I may. Therefore I hope my not making a
*Thatcher's Journal (p. 175) explains what is meant by the General's "brittle temper." He was captured by the Americans some time pre- viously and while on his way, under escort to Gen. Washington's camp stopped to dine at a tavern in Lebanon, Conn., kept by a man named Alden. "While at table," says Thatcher, "Mrs Alden brought on a dish of succotash (boiled beans and corn), a dish much valued in America. Prescott, unused to such food, exclaimed indignantly, 'What! do you treat me with the food of hogs " and taking the dish from the table strewed the contents over the floor. Captain Alden, being informed of this, soon entered with a horsewhip, and flogged the General severely. After Prescott was exchanged and restored to his command on Rhode Island, the inhabitants of Nantucket deputed William Rotch, Dr. Tup- per, and Timothy Folger to negotiate some concerns with him in be- half of the Town. They were for some time refused admittance to his presence, but the doctor and Folger finally entered the room. Prescott stormed with great violence, until Folger was compelled to withdraw. After the doctor had announced his business, and Prescott had become calm, the General said, "Was not my treatment to Folger very un- civil?" "Yes," replied the doctor. "Then," said Prescott, "I will tell you the reason; he looked so much like a d-d Connecticut man that horsewhipped me, that I could not endure his presence."
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like return will not be accepted as any mark of disrespect, for f assure you that it is not the case." His answer was 'Oh, no, if a Quaker will but be a Quaker, it is all I want of him. But is no Quaker' (mentioning one of our profession), and I wos sorry for the cause of his remarks."
After parting from Gen. Prescott, they applied to Major Winslow, formerly of Plymouth, and obtained an introduction to Colonel Fanning the principal officer of the expedition. Their reception was discouraging, but they were informed that a Board of Refugees had been established, of which Col. Fanning was Presi- dent, who would give them a hearing when the Board met. The Nantucket delegates accordingly attended the meeting. Col. Fan- ning was much more kindly disposed and inclined to consider favorably the suggestion that the expedition be deferred until the Committee could apply in person to the Commanders of the military and naval forces at New York. Leonard was the only one of the principals present at the conference who demurred, but he finally assented.
The committee then proceeded immediately to New York, where Commodore Sir George Collier was in command of the squadron and Sir Henry Clinton commanded the land forces. Mr. Rotch says: "On representing our case to Sir George, he readily gave us an order forbidding any British Armed Vessel to take any thing out of our harbor. This was a great relief. I then laid before him the state of our captured seamen, that all the exchange of prisoners at that time was partial, that as we made no prisoners we had none to exchange, consequently ours remained in the prison ship until they mostly died. On his understanding the reasonableness of the request, he ordered that all our nien should be released that were not taken in armed vessels (for such we had no right to apply) and that it should not be so in the future as long as he had the command."
The committee also applied through Major Andre, one of his aides, to Sir Henry Clinton for an order directing predatory parties not to m'olest the people of Nantucket, and, although the General declined to issue a formal order to that effect, he gave the com- mittee to understand that the people would not be molested by anyone in his department, and they were not so long as he re- mained in authority. The raid of the Refugees was abandoned.
In the meantime troubles of another nature were breeding for the Town, and, incidentally, for the committee. The Council of Massachusetts received a letter from Gen. Horatis Gates, dated Providence, April 16, 1779,* in which he writes- "This instant I received the Two Letters inclosed; that, without a Signature, is from a person entrusted to procure intelligence of the Enemy's Motions & Designs: as the Town of Sherburne is in your State, I doubt not but your Honble Council will immediately take proper measures to prevent any Separate Treaty being made with the Enemy, by any of the subjects of Massachusetts Bay-such Things are not only pernicious to the General Confederacy of the United States, but Traitorous in the Transactors."
*State Archives, Vol. 222, p. 69.
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The letters referred to by Gen. Gates state that the sloop Speedwell, Francis Chase commander, was overhauled by a Colonial vessel and appeared to be officially sent by the inhabitants of Nantucket to the British authorities at Newport to recover damages for depredations committed by men under their jurisdiction at Nantucket. The vessel carried no cargo and only stone ballast in her hold. As the writer carried no orders to capture any vessel under such circumstances the Speedwell was allowed to proceed after a copy of the Town's order had been made .*
The letter from Gen. Gates was read before the Council and Walter Spooner Esq., was appointed a Committee, with such as the House of Representatives should join, to consider the whole matter and report what might properly be done in the premises. The house added Mr. Kollak and Major Bullard .; The Committee reported on April 22d, and presented it as their opinion "that no privet treaty aught to be carried on with the Enemy, by any of the Inhabitants of the state, and that the Town of Sherborn be notified to appear and give an Account of their misconduct touching this matter to the Gen'll Court on the second wednesday of the next session & that they also lay before s'd Court an attested Copy of the memorial ordered by s'd Town to be presented to the Com- mander in Chief of the British Navy & Army." The Council and House both adopted the recommendation.
The Town was accordingly cited to appear before the General Court to answer such questions relating to the matter as might be propounded. A meeting of the Town was held and Stephen Hussey Esq., was selected to represent the Town at the General Court in the matter.t A memorial was drawn up by a committee appointed for the purpose. The memorial inclosed a copy of the one sent to the English Commanders, which was the occasion of the requisition, and in the Town's behalf, after referring to that part of the summons which stated that "no private Treaty ought to be caryed on with the enemy, by any of the Inhabitants of this State," continues "On which we would observe, that by the Memo- rial Transmitted we believe you will find that this Town had
*The commission was as follows: "To Benj'n Tupper Esq Sam'l Starbuck & Wm Rotch-You being a Committee by the inhabitants of the Town of Sherburne in a Town meeting legally assembled this 12th day of the fourth Mo. 1779, to repair to New York or Newport to pre- fer memorials from this Town to the Commanders in Chief of the British Navy &Army, you are therefore directed to take the sloop Speedwell, with Francis Chase, Rob't Gardner & John Cartwright to Navigate s'd Vessell & make all possible dispatch on the business of your mission & all persons concern'd are desired to forward & assist s'd Committee as far as Lays in their power- by order of s'r Town SILV'S STARBUCK WM STARBUCK
. PETER FOLGER PAUL GARDNER
BENJ'N HUSSEY BENJ'N JENKINS
ALEX'R GARDNER Selectmen +Probably Lemuel Kollock of Wrentham and Jonathan Bullard.
tJune 1, 1779, Stephen Hussey, was in good favor with the Colonial authorities and had ben instrusted with important duties by them. On the occasion of the Refugees' raid a special committee having in cus- tody the jewels and paraphernalia of Union Lodge A. F.& A. M. re- moved them to Quaise where they were concealed until late in the year.
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nothing in view but plainly & Simply to Endeavour to prevent further Ravages and Devastations being again Committed here, an Instance of which we had Just before Severely felt, & being Apprehensive of another Visit suddenly from the same Quarter, on the like business, which might Reduce us to a yet greater degree of distress & poverty, caused us to Proceed in the manner we did, which we thought when rightly known might appear quite Unexceptionable, and that under our then situation it could not be deemed Misconduct in this Town." The memorial is signed by Frederick Folger, Josiah Barker, Micajah Coffin, Benjamin Hussey and Christopher Starbuck.
This representation was presented to the Court on June 11 and was committed to Samuel Niles and Joseph Simpson Esqs. April 16th, and Walter Spooner Esq. was added by the Council.
The intercepted correspondence, so far as it is on file in the State archives, seems to consist of a letter from one Nathaniel Gardiner, "of Kennebeck," to his wife, Sarah Gardiner, at Nan- tucket, "Living in Daniel Folger's House," and one from Samuel Starbuck, who was one of the Committee appointed by the Town, to his son Daniel. Mr. Gardiner's letter seemed to have been written chiefly to inform his wife that he was well and express his hope that she would not be uneasy about him .* Samuel Star- buck's letter informed his son that the Committee had an assurance from Gen. Clinton that further depredations would be prevented so far as he could control them, and that the people of Nantucket would have whatever indulgences he could grant them. Sir George Collier, was so busy that they were obligated to wait quite a while in order to see him. The writer recommended pulling the vessels at the wharves as high on shore as possible and the removal of their running rigging. He also recommended his son to purchase sperm oil if he could get it at £40 hard money. The letters were both dated from New York.
There is also an unsigned declaration from a Mr. Pinkham, in which statements are made, that, in the light of other testimony and of evident facts are clearly largely made up of surmises, as, for instance, that Capt. Timothy Folger went "to New York in the sloop in order to get permission from Gen Clinton to trade at New York," as well as "to get pay for the depredations com- mitted by the Refugees."
A copy of the Memorial prepared by the Committee appointed by the Town, and sent to the English commanders, was also in- cluded in the documentary evidence. That, in itself, refutes many of the assertions made concerning the intentions and desires of the people. It is addressed to "Sir Henry Clinton or the Com- mander-in-Chief of the British Forces in North America"-and continues-
"The Memorial of the Inhabitants of the Town of Sherburn on the Island of Nantucket in town meeting Assembled Sheweth,
*The Gardners of Nantucket spelled their name without the i.
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That the Inhabitants of this Town have been greatly Alarmed by a Number of Armed men & Vessels, under the Authority of Great Britain in approaching this Town, & taking from hence property to a Considerable Amount, belonging to the Inhabitants, and our Apprehensions are greatly increased, by an Expected return of the same or another Armed force, on the same business-Anxious to prevent the Impending Stroke we therefore intreat thy Inter- position in preventing the remains of the Miserable pittance (tho Absorbed in poverty and distress) from being rent from us in this manner-
This town have made choice of Benj'n Tupper Esq'r, Sam'l Starbuck and Wm. Rotch to Represent our Situation to the Com- mander in Chief of the British Army & Navy, who are to be the bearers of this, and to whome we refer for further particulars and are with Respect thy Fr'ds
Signed by order of s'd Town FRED'K FOLGER, JOSIAH BARKER, CHRIST STARBUCK, MICAJAH COFFIN.
Nantucket 12th, 4 mo. 1779."
The desperate situation in which the Islanders found them- selves; the fact that on the 9th of April the Town had held a Town Meeting for the express purpose of petitioning the General Court for leave to apply to the British commanders for protection from the Refugees; the further fact that the most alarming reports followed the date of that meeting and demanded immediate action in order to avoid most disastrous results as well as the careful wording of the Memorial itself, which was so phrased as to pre- clude any suggestion of disloyalty, excepting in so far as com- municating with the enemy was disloyal; those conditions would seem to fair minded people to be mitigating circumstances to be considered by the General Court in rendering its verdict regarding the action taken by this sorely afflicted people. Evidently the General Court was influenced by those conditions .*
*Nantucket was by no means alone in seeking relief through neu- trality.
In this connection Henry Lee, "Lieut. Col., Commandant of the Partisan Legion during the American War" in his "Memoirs of the War in the Southern Department of the United States" mentions an incident which, considering its possibilities has not received the notice its im- portance merits. Bancroft barely alludes to it (Vol. VI, p. 257). Col. Lee says (Vol. 1, p. 85) that when Gen. Prevost invested Charleston, S. C., in May 1779, and summonsed the authorities to surrender there was some correspondence between the people of Charleston and the British commander. "The correspondence closed," says Col. Lee, "with the proposal on our part, of neutrality to the town and state during the war, the peace to fix its ultimate condition. This offer was reject- ed by the British general; and he followed its rejection, by retiring from before the town during the night. What train of reasoning could have produced the rejection of the proposition to surrender the town on condition of neutrality by a general situated as was Prevost, I con- fess myself incapable of discerning. The moment that he found that the works could not be carried he ought to have exerted himself to procure possession by negotiation; and certainly the condition of neu- trality was in itself eligible. It disarmed South Carolina for the war; the effect of which on her infant sister," (Georgia) "already nearly strangled, would have been conclusive; and Congress would soon have found, that her army, unaided by South Carolina, could not be main- (See next page)
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The final action of the General Court was taken at the .June session. The Committee of both Houses to whom the matter was referred, presented its report on June 23d. It was as follows: State of Massachusetts Bay-The Committee of both Houses to whom was referred the answer of the Committee in the behalf of the Island of Nantucket, and the papers accompanying the same, have attended that service & heard Mr. Stephen Hussey on the subject matter thereof, take leave to report the following resolve: A. FULLER, per Order.
Resolved that it appears by Sundry intercepted letters, that several of the inhabitants of said Island, have (not long since) been discovered in a design to carry on a Correspondence, & trade in an unjustifiable manner with the British Troops at New Port & New York to the injury of the Cause of the United States and the Town of Sherburn as a Town, on the Island of Nantucket appear in some measure Guilty of a violation of their fidelity to said States, by sending a Committee to Convey their memorial in an unwarrantable manner, to the Commanders of the British Troops at New Port & New York without the approbation of the General Court, but as there was no treaty proposed by said In- habitants in said Memorial, or any other that yet transpired, And as the Island of Nantucket being under such peculiar Circum- stances-
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