USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Rowley > The tercentenary celebration of the town of Rowley, 1639-1939 > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14
The other troops pushed on through the Dead River region of bogs and swamps, sometimes wading for hours through icy water, encountering storms of snow and sleet, sleeping in their wet clothing, often reduced to less than quarter rations. Some died on the way but the survivors pressing on followed the course of the"; Chaudiere River to the St. Lawrence, which they crossed and joined the troops under Montgomery. On the last night of the year dur- ing a violent snow storm, the combined forces assaulted the city. A futile attempt, the assault failed. Montgomery and many others were killed. Arnold was among the wounded. A large number were captured. All this is history and well known.
The Expedition followed in the main the Indian trail over which Sebastian Rale, a Jesuit missionary to the Abenaki Indians, passed on his journeys from Canada to the mission at Norridge- wock. Rale was killed there by the New England soldiers when the place was destroyed in 1724. Whittier refers to this incident in one of his earlier poems. Meigs, writing under date of October 3rd, 1775, says, "At Norridgewalk are to be seen the vestiges of an Indian fort and chapel, and a priest's grave."
In 1760, John Montresor led a scouting party on snowshoes from Quebec to New England where they arrived almost dead from cold, hunger and fatigue. The next year he made another exploratory trip and wrote a journal, which with a map he drafted, furnished Washington and Arnold their plans for the march to Quebec. Both expeditions traveled much the same route as Rale. The original map is in the British Museum. Other maps and surveys by Montresor, all showing a high degree of skill are in the William L. Clements Library, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
84
1639-Rowley Tercentenary Celebration-1939
Montresor came to America with General Braddock in 1754 and served as chief engineer in Braddock's campaign. He was at the siege of Louisburg in 1758, at the capture of Quebec by Wolfe the next year, and relieved the garrison at Detroit when beseiged by Pontiac. He was also chief engineer in the British army from his appointment in 1776 to the close of the war. He received six wounds while in the service. In spite of his marked ability he arose only to the rank of captain, and as one writer says, "Was treated as outrageously by the British government as was Arnold by the American Congress." Democracies are not alone ungrateful.
The Reverend Jacob Bailey, born 1731, in the Mighill-Bailey house which stood near the corner of Wethersfield Street and Kiln Lane, Rowley, was living at Pownalborough, Maine, on the Ken- nebec River, when Arnold's Expedition passed that place. Bailey was rector of the Episcopal Church there and an ardent Loyalist, so pronounced and out-spoken in his views that in 1776, the town of Pownalborough complained to the General Court regarding his attitude. Among other accusations brought against him were those of refusing to read the Declaration of Independence, in contempt of an Order of the Council for the state requiring him to read the same, and for his persisting in praying in public on every Lord's Day, for the King of Great Britain, as King and Governor of these United States. Bailey made a good defense but in 1779 was forced to leave, and went to Annapolis, Nova Scotia, where a monument in the old cemetery marks his resting place.
He refers in his writings to Arnold's Expedition, and it is plainly to be seen that he was not in sympathy with it although his account is in the main correct. He states that the bateaux were built seven miles above Pownalborough and that materials and workmanship were poor. "The season was now advanced, the nights cold and foggy, storms and piercing winds from the north were frequent." Arnold was not discouraged even when provisions began to fail and the rear division abandoned the enterprise, but proceeded with the remainder through incredible difficulties and dangers. Bailey's account adds, "The men were often constrained to wade in water to their waists and to haul their bateaus up the rapids and cataracts. Often they would break away and be dashed to pieces on the rocks. The weather became much colder and snow fell which added to their troubles. At length these miserable
85
1639-Rowley Tercentenary Celebration-1939
wretches, having exhausted their provisions, oppressed with hunger, cold, nastiness, disease and vermin, their shoes worn out and gar- ments torn to pieces, were constrained to abandon the river (having lost their bateaus), and to ramble through impervious thickets, dis- mal swamps and half-frozen bogs, leaving their dead unburied on the ground, a prey to the savage inhabitants of the wilderness. . . . Had these soldiers been in the cause of justice, no person could re- frain from tears at their unhappy condition," and naively adds, "for men who are deeply engaged in a wicked and unjust cause are more resolute than those who appear in defence of truth and virtue."
The experience of Enos Reynolds, one of Dearborn's company, is of particular interest. Reynolds, who as a lad of eighteen, had fought at Bunker Hill the previous summer, was from the neigh- boring town of Boxford. Dearborn was late in attacking at the assault on Quebec and therefore few of his men were killed or wounded but nearly all were captured, among them Reynolds. He was kept in captivity until the following October suffering from small pox during his confinement. After his release he re-enlisted and served throughout the entire war. He stood guard in the room with Andre the night before the execution of the latter. He often referred to this as a sad duty. Speaking of the Expedition to Quebec, he said, "My clothing was never dry for 33 days of the journey," adding, "The night of my keenest suffering was on an island in a river."
Of numerous journals of the whole or part of the Expedition, those of Arnold, Major Meigs and Captain Dearborn are con- sidered the most truthworthy.
Dearborn says the whole force, or as he calls it detachment, "consisted of eleven hundred men, Two Battalions of Musket-men and three Companies of Rifle-men as Lighte Infantry." Morrison says twelve hundred, other diarists less.
One company of rifle-men was from Virginia under command of Captain Daniel Morgan, the other companies were from Penn- sylvania under command of Captains Matthew Smith and William Hendricks.
86
1639-Rowley Tercentenary Celebration-1939
The musket-men were largely from Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Massachusetts furnished more than any other state.
The battalions consisted of five companies each. The first battalion was commanded by Lieut .- Colonel Roger Enos, Major Return J. Meigs, Captains Williams, Dearborn, Scott, Hanchet and Goodrich. The second battalion was under command of Lieut .- Colonel Christopher Green, Major Timothy Bigelow, Captains Ward, Thayer, Topham, McCobb and Hubbard.
Colonel Benedict Arnold was in command of the entire force.
The rifle-men were the first to leave Cambridge, where the whole army was encamped. They reached Newbury the 15th of September and encamped opposite the site of the bronze tablet later erected on the Upper Green. They were followed on the morning of the 13th by the second battalion of musket-men and later in the day (Dearborn says at 5 P.M., Meigs says in the evening), the first Battalion left and marched as far as Mystic, or Medford as it is now called.
Senter, surgeon of the Expedition, who was with the second battalion, says, "September 15th, Arrived at Newburyport about sunset and quartered our men in the Presbyterian Meeting House." Haskell, a young man from Newburyport in Ward's company, says, "September 14, Thursday . marched as far as Beverly and put up. I got liberty to go to Newburyport; set out; arrived at 1 o'clock at night. September 15th, Friday. This afternoon the party arrived at N. Our company quartered in the Town House."
Melvin, a private in Dearborn's company, first battalion, says, "September 15th. Marched to Ipswich." The 16th they marched to Newburyport and were lodged in a rope-walk.
We follow the account given by Meigs, who commanded the first detachment in the first battalion. "14th (September), con- tinued our march from Mystic through the towns of Malden, Lynn and Salem and encamped in Danvers.
"15th. In the morning continued our march through the towns of Beverly and Wendham and encamped at Rowley.
"16th. In the morning, continued our march, and at 10 o'clock A.M., arrived at Newburyport and encamped."
87
1639-Rowley Tercentenary Celebration-1939
The rear detachment of the first battalion arrived later in the day, thus the 16th saw the whole force in Newbury or Newbury- port.
Two other of the diarists mention the encampment of troops in Rowley. Ephraim Squier, a private in Scott's company, under date of September 15th, says, "This morning early set out from Danvers, went to Beverly, where we eat breakfast, then marched through Wenham, Ipswich, into Rowley, there staid." Abner Stocking, of Captain Oliver Hanchet's company, and among those who were captured in the assault on Quebec, writes in his journal, "September 15th. This morning we marched very early, and en- camped at night within five miles of Newburyport. The inhabi- tants who visited us in our encampment expressed many good wishes for our success in our intended enterprise." Stocking is a little short on his mileage but considering the side-light he gives on the Rowley people he may be forgiven.
To quote from Meigs again, "Sunday, the 17th. the whole army attended Divine Service at the Rev. Mr. Parson's meeting at Newburyport. Dined at Mr. Nathaniel Tracy's. Weather fine." Nathaniel Tracy, at Washington's request, furnished a number of vessels to transport the Expedition and also advanced £700 to fit it out. Arnold was entertained by him and wrote Tracy from Fort Western, thanking him for "the many favors received" at New- buryport.
Dearborn says that on the 18th, "The whole detachment em- barked on 11 vessels at 4 Clock," but Meigs states that he em- barked on the sloop Brittania on the 19th. It is probable they began the embarkation the 18th but some were delayed until the following day.
Stocking in his diary says, "September 19th. This morning we got under weigh with a pleasant breeze, our drums beating, fifes playing and colours flying. Many pretty girls stood on the shore, I suppose weeping for the departure of their sweethearts."
The personnel of the officers of the Expedition was very high for Washington was a good judge of men.
Major Return Jonathan Meigs was at the seige of Boston, was captured at the assault on Quebec, exchanged, and rejoined the American Army. In 1777 he commanded an expedition to
88
1639-Rowley Tercentenary Celebration - 1939
Long Island, captured the British force there, destroyed their forage and burned their transports. For this he was thanked by Congress and presented with a sword. He served under General Anthony Wayne at the storming of Stony Point. At the close of the war he was a Colonel. His peculiar name was due to an incident in the courtship of his mother by Jonathan Meigs. When the lady rejected Jonathan once too often, he left the house in a rage and went for his horse, vowing he'd had enough. At this the lady, a Quakeress, called after him, "Return Jonathan! Return Jonathan!" The words were so pleasing to Meigs that he perpetuated them in the name of their son.
Captain Henry Dearborn served through the War of the Revolution, was a member of Congress from Maine, Secretary of War under Jefferson and senior Major-General in the 1812 war.
Dr. Senter, surgeon of the Expedition, achieved fame in his profession and as a writer.
Captain Simeon Thayer served in the "Old War" and was at one time with Roger's Rangers.
Captain Daniel Morgan fought in many of the battles in the War of the Revolution and with his celebrated rifle corps helped turn the tide for the Americans on many a hard-fought field. He arose to the rank of Major-General and was elected a member of Congress. I thought as I stood beside his grave at Winchester, Virginia, of the notable service he rendered his country.
Lieut .- Colonel Greene distinguished himself by his heroic de- fense of Red Bank.
Captain Thayer retired with the rank of Major.
Major Bigelow commanded the 15th Massachusetts, and was at Saratoga, Valley Forge and West Point.
Captain John Lamb, who commanded the artillery on the Expedition, was bady wounded at the assault on Quebec, losing an eye. He later became Brigadier-General and succeeded Arnold in command at West Point.
Lieutenant Christian Febiger, served from Bunker Hill to Yorktown and left the service as Brigadier-General.
Captain Ward rose to the rank of Colonel and saw service
89
1639-Rowley Tercentenary Celebration-1939
at Long Island and Valley Forge.
Lieut .- Colonel Enos, after his acquittal, was made Brigadier- General.
The Rev. Dr. Spring, chaplain of the Expedition, left the army on his return from Quebec and was for many years pastor of a church in Newburyport.
Aaron Burr, a youth of nineteen, who arose from a sick bed upon hearing of the proposed expedition, accompanied Arnold as aide. He later became one of the most prominent men in the country, was Vice-President and lacked but one vote of being Presi- dent of the United States. Two of the diarists mention Burr, and Arnold in his letters written during the campaign refers to him as Captain Burr and says he was a volunteer.
What shall we say of Arnold? Arnold, who fought so nobly and accomplished so much for the cause of American Independence during the five years he supported it and who then so basely de- serted it?
However, difficult as it is to approach any subject with an unprejudiced mind, Arnold should have justice done to his memory and the signs already point to that end.
One writer has said, "He who deals fairly with a traitor runs the risk of being himself accused of potential treachery."
No one is so bad as to have no redeeming qualities and saints are few.
Arnold was proud, high-spirited and hot-tempered. It is gen- erally admitted that in many instances he was not fairly treated. While in New England in 1777, trying to raise a force to attack the British, Congress advanced five Brigadiers over him, an act that Washington, always a friend to Arnold until the treason of the latter, by no means approved. Writing to Arnold at that time he says, "I confess I was surprised when I did not see your name on the list of Major-Generals." Later, after Congress had given him a commission as such Washington begged that body to send him north to aid in repelling Burgoyne.
90
1639-Rowley Tercentenary Celebration-1939
Creasy, in his "Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World," con- siders the battle of Saratoga, which resulted in Burgoyne's surren- der, as one of them, the only one in fact fought in America. Arnold, after having been removed from any command through the jealousy of Gates, hearing the sound of the guns, mounted his horse and in defiance of orders rode on to the battlefield, where he was received with cheers by the men, and admittedly contributed more to the success of the American arms than any other man. Burgoyne, speaking before the House of Commons, in 1779, gave Arnold and not Gates the credit of winning the battle.
Dearborn, who went to Arnold's assistance at Saratoga, after the latter had been wounded, asked, "Where are you hit?" Arnold, smarting under the injustice of his removal, replied, "In the same leg, I wish it had been my heart." Would that it had been.
Add to these injustices the fact that Peggy Shippen, whom he married in 1779, was of a rich family whose sympathy for the American cause was at best lukewarm, and that Arnold was ever careless about financial affairs, the promise of so much money from the British may have been a strong temptation.
In our just condemnation of Arnold for his attempted betrayal of America at West Point, let us remember how much he contrib- uted to the success of our arms on many a battle-field and how bitter was his remorse in his latter years. Historically, all that remain to remind us of him today in the country for which he so nearly gave his life, are a few obscure historic markers, a monument, on the site of the Hessian redoubt at Saratoga, inscribed, "To the most brilliant soldier in the Continental Army" (unnamed), and an empty niche in the battle monument there in which no statue will ever be placed.
The tragedy of the whole affair! The perfidy and disgrace of Arnold, the ignominious death of the brilliant Andre, the duplicity of Peggy (Shippen) Arnold as shown in her letters to John Ander- son (Andre), are all inexpressibly sad.
The Expedition, as we have seen, was a complete failure. The defection of the fourth division under Enos (one company of which, Scott's, camped at Rowley on their return), and the alliance with the enemy of some of the prisoners captured in the assault, who as the record reads, "Listed in the Kings Service" in order to
91
1639-Rowley Tercentenary Celebration-1939
escape further imprisonment and suffering are disgraceful; on the other hand the courage and fortitude displayed by those who re- mained steadfast to the end or died on the way, was of the highest order.
They preserved the most valuable thing in life, self-respect, and could well say
" 'Tis not in mortals to command success,
But we've done more - we've deserved it." :
It is not what men achieve; it is what they attempt that stamps them as men :
The Greeks at Thermopylae; Harold and the Saxons, "Dying in England's hour of woe, On Senlac's fatal Hill."
The Light Brigade at Balaklava; Pickett's Virginians, who crossed the plain at Gettysburg that July afternoon; all failed but their deeds were glorious and one's heart beats faster at the thought of their sublime courage.
And so in memory of the officers and men of Arnold's Expedi- tion to Quebec, who kept the faith, and who in the flush of young manhood with life all before them served in that Expedition and whose bones are scattered in the wilderness or buried from Quebec to Virginia, especially to those who tarried here for a brief interval, we pause amid the rush of life to dedicate this tablet today.
"Their bones are dust, their good swords rust, Their souls are with the saints we trust."
Can we not learn a lesson from the courage they manifested in the face of the fearful odds against them ?
May the blessing of God rest, not only upon this land they fought to make free, but upon England as well.
Following the address the tablet was unveiled by Miss Marcia Jean Cressey and Miss Ruth Todd Pike. After the singing of "America The Beautiful," Taps were sounded by John Albert Dodge of Ipswich.
92
1639-Rowley Tercentenary Celebration-1939
The dedication exercises for the memorial tablet at Lesslie Road Burying Ground on Friday afternoon, August 25, held in the Line- brook Church due to weather conditions, were largely attended and very appropriately conducted with Deacon Elmer M. Hills, of the Linebrook Church, chairman, who also gave the dedication address. Fortunately the weather improved sufficiently to permit unveiling exercises to be held at the tablet after close of exercises in Linebrook Church, adding much to the completeness of the program.
DEDICATION OF THE MEMORIAL TABLET
in the LESSLIE ROAD BURYING GROUND LINEBROOK PARISH FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 1939 In connection with Rowley Tercentenary Celebration
Announcements: Senator Cornelius F. Haley Chairman, Rowley Tercentenary Committee
Scripture Reading and Invocation: Rev. J. Kenneth Clinton Pastor of the Mother Church in Rowley
Dedication Address: Deacon Elmer M. Hills
Unveiling of Tablet: Master Harrison E. Tenney, Jr. Miss Louise Tenney
Poem, "There Is No Death" . Lord Lytton
Mrs. Stanley B. Hills
Prayer of Dedication: Rev. George W. Shepherd Pastor Pro-Tem of the Mother Church in Ipswich
Greetings from Ipswich: Brainard C. Wallace Chairman, Board of Selectmen Benediction : Rev. J. Kenneth Clinton Pastor of Mother Church in Rowley
Linebrook Parish, incorporated in 1746, included parts of the towns of Ipswich and Rowley, and a small part of the town of Topsfield. The burying ground is located in Rowley-Linebrook, near the site of the first meeting house. It was leased to the Parish in 1753, for 999 years, by Rev. George Leslie, the first pastor.
93
1639-Rowley Tercentenary Celebration-1939
The boy and girl who unveiled the tablet, aged respectively 6 and 7 years, children of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison E. Tenney, and Mrs. Stanley B. Hills (Miss Esther L. Tenney), are lineal descendants of Thomas Tenney, one of the early settlers of the town of Rowley; also of Ebenezer Tenney, one of the organizers of the Linebrook Church. The church was organized in 1749.
Linebrook Parish Committee
Deacon Elmer M. Hills, Chairman
Deacon Orrie M. Hills Albert F. Tenney
Harrison E. Tenney David S. Perley
DEDICATION ADDRESS BY
DEACON ELMER M. HILLS
Mr. Martin Van Buren Perley in his Pen Ramble in Line- brook says that before 1653 this territory was all improved. The earliest settlers were Batchelder, Foster, Howe, Perley, Fowler, Davis, Burpee, Tenney, Pingree, Chapman, Dodge, Jewett, Dresser, and others. At one time Mr. Job Pingree owned 3000 acres of land.
The people of the western part of Ipswich as early as 1714 began to petition the town for "ease of their taxes of the ministers rate," because of the distance they had to travel to attend services in the First Church. Several petitions were addressed to the Town of Ipswich, to the First Church and to the First Parish. Finally in 1739 they were "discharged from all Parish rates for the future," and soon after they began to employ a religious teacher. We may justly say that this year 1939 is the bi-centennial of the beginning of preaching, or the beginning of the ministry here in Linebrook.
They petitioned the First Church again in 1742, and it was voted that "the west end do not become a parish, but keep up preaching there."
Joseph Metcalf, in 1743, gave a deed to West Farm Parish, of 31/2 acres of land within the Town of Rowley, "for the encour- aging, Promoting & Bringing forward a Parish near the Line be- tween Ipswich and Rowley." This land was "adjoining to the
94
1639-Rowley Tercentenary Celebration - 1939
Meeting House - together with the land the above mentioned Meeting House Stands on." It is reasonable to suppose that the Meeting House was erected a year, or more, before the date of the deed. The site of the Meeting House is plainly marked a few rods southeasterly of this burying ground.
Fourteen rods to the westerly, on Ellsworth or Meeting House Road, is Pulpit Rock, where Mr. M. V. B. Perley says Rev. George Whitefield "electrified the multitude with the spirit of his power, as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and a judgement to come." He preached his sermon from this rock in 1770 to a com- pany of more than 2000 people.
Two hundred years ago this immediate vicinity (of the first Meeting House and the 'Burying Ground) was the center of popu- lation. Linebrook Parish, incorporated in 1746, included the west- ern part of Ipswich, the southwesterly part of Rowley, and a small part of Topsfield. As this new Parish, or Precinct, was bounded, or lined by five or six different brooks on nearly all sides, it was voted to call it Linebrook Parish. The warrant for the first Parish Meeting, directed to Abraham Howe, was dated and signed as follows; - "Given under my hand and seal this twelfth day of June in the twentieth year of His Majesty's reign Annoq. Domini 1746. Jonathan Wade. Juste Pacis."
The church was organized in 1749, with 12 or 13 male mem- bers whose names were,
George Lesslie, Pastor
John Abbott
Joseph Metcalf
David Perley
James Davis
Ebenezer Tenney
George Hibbert
Jeremiah Smith
Thomas Potter Foster
Jonathan Burpee John Chaplin
and one other whose name cannot be deciphered. Jonathan Burpee and John Abbott were chosen deacons. A few months later 12 women were admitted as members. Jeremiah Burpee was one of the Ruling Elders.
95
1639-Rowley Tercentenary Celebration-1939
Rev. George Lesslie was our first pastor. He preached here for 30 years. He resigned in 1779, and accepted a call to the church in Washington, N. H., where he was pastor for 20 years. He was nine days making the journey to Washington, a distance of 80 miles. He died in 1800, aged 73. The town voted a headstone for his grave with the following epitaph, "He was a man of brilliant genius and great learning, and eminent for piety and morality." Dr. Free- land D. Leslie of Milton, Mass., reset the stone and seeded the ground in 1904.
This is a brief, fragmentary history of the beginning of things here in Linebrook.
We are gathered here today to dedicate a tablet to the memory of some of the founders of this Linebrook Church. Rev. Benjamin Howe said in one of his sermons in this pulpit, in reference to the Lesslie Road Burying Ground, "There is sacred dust buried there." Were it not for the fact that it is raining this afternoon, we would be standing on holy ground; ground which Mr. M. V. B. Perley said is "The couch of sleeping dead." The twenty-three names in- scribed on the tablet are only a few of those whose earthly tene- ments lie buried there in unmarked graves. There are probably one hundred in all, and many of the graves may never be identified.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.