USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Charlestown > History of Charlestown, New-Hampshire, the old No. 4 > Part 44
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 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73
The following traditional account illustrates so well the courage of Col. Hunt, that I insert it here.
Shem Kentfield, who was one of the men whose counterparts are found in most places, whose business is just what they can find to do, had for about ten years been a resident of Charlestown, where he had often been employed by Col. Walker and Col. Hunt, and occasionally by the Stevenses, Samuel and Solomon, to accompany them on their tours in surveying. He was a daring hunter and expert fisherman, but was most distinguished as a hanger on at the public inns, where if he could get an occasional drink, and food sufficient to supply pres- ent hunger, he was very happy and was content to let the day pass
436
HUNT.
without taking any thought for the morrow. But his habits were not only bad, but in his disposition he was jealous and revengeful, and never ceased to exercise the antipathies which he had once imbibed ; and, being withal suspected of being a tory, he became in the com- munity, not only a butt for their ridicule, but a mark for their most cutting gibes. Under these circumstances the society of Charlestown at length became so distasteful to him that he felt that it was not to be endured longer, so helping himself to one of the best horses of Col. Hunt, against whom he had a peculiar grudge, he, one night, while the villagers were wrapped in sleep, took a silent leave of his old ac- quaintances, and did not stop by any unnecessary delay till he was within the British lines, in Canada.
Here he had leisure to lay his plans for the future and plot his re- venge. Having engaged five others to assist him, they started late in the following autumn for Charlestown, their object being to entrap and seize Col. Hunt, if they could, and take him within the British lines, and if that could not be accomplished, to take revenge by burn- ing Charlestown. They were armed with the best guns and pre- pared with snow shoes and also with a pair of handcuffs, for securing their prisoner, should they be so fortunate as to secure him. On
reaching Weathersfield. Vt., while travelling in the night, they fell in with Dr. Abram Downer, who had been out to see a patient, who was very siek, and at a very late hour was returning home. The Doctor who had practised in Charlestown a number of years, and knew Kent- field well, immediately recognized him and addressed him by name, whereupon thinking their plot would be discovered, they immediately made the Doctor a prisoner, and then consulted what they should do. They did not like to kill him, but what safety was there for them un- less they did ? The Docter saw his danger, and besought them to spare his life, promising in the most solemn manner, that he would not tell any one that he had seen them, nor reveal anything concerning them. They at length put the Doctor under the most fearful oath, by which he invoked the most dreadful imprecations upon himself, should he betray them, and then released him, and they passed on. The Doc- tor was true to his oath, for it made such an impression upon his mind, that he did not dare to be otherwise, and never mentioned the circum- stance of his having met them, till after Shem was dead. They came down on the west side of the river, and sought a place of concealment on Schitchawock, a small but picturesque mountain, lying near the Connecticut, opposite Charlestown, in what was known by the name of
437
IIUNT.
" Tory's Cave," from which place Shem, who was well acquainted with all the region, hoped to get into communication with some well known tories, from whom he was expecting to receive aid in carrying out his most adventurous attempt. But before ascending the mountain, in order to be the more secure against discovery, they took the precaution to invert their snow-shoes, so as to have it appear as if they had come down, instead of having gone up the mountain. But this precaution which they took for the more effectual concealment of their where- abouts, was the very means of preparing the way for their discovery ; for a hunter coming along fortunately fell into their tracks, which he followed on, till at length he came to the spot where their snow-shoes had been changed, when he saw the strange phenomenon of several tracks passing towards the same point, and none passing out from it. His suspicions were excited, and feeling that all was not right, he hastened to the village, to inform Col. Hunt, who on receiving the in- formation, mounted his horse, and taking with him Col. Abel Walker and Major Jotham White, put out under the pilotage of his informant, to discover what such a phenomenon might mean. On reaching the place, they soon discovered that the persons with the snow-shoes, had gone np the mountain, instead of coming down, as they evidently wished to make it appear. " They are spies, said Col. Hunt, who wish to have communication with Tory Parker." They therefore concealed themselves where they had a good view of Parker's premises, and wait- ed for further developments. For some time all was still and they saw nothing. At length Parker came out with a pail in his hand, and proceeded towards his hog pen, which was situated at a short distance from his house. On arriving at the pen, he looked carefully around, as if to assure himself that there was no one near, when taking up a club, he knocked heavily upon the boards, at the same time calling the hogs with a very loud voice. This it appears was a signal ; for no sooner was it made, than Shem Kentfield was observed to leave his place of concealment, and proceed towards the house. Of course Col. Hunt and his aids lost no time in placing themselves in the most con- venient position they could, for his arrest. He was therefore, on his attempt to return to the mountain, immediately summoned to sur- render. Shem saw he was caught, and nothing in the circumstances but the most desperate daring, could save him. Pointing, therefore his musket with an air of bravado, he most positively asserted that he would shoot the first man that approached him. "No Shem you
438
HUNT.
wont," replied Col. Hunt, and with that courage for which he was distinguished, marched straight up to him, and took him prisoner.
Perhaps had Shem been left to suppose that he had only three men to contend with, he would not have been taken so easily. But the shout of Col. Walker, "Come on, boys !" as if he had a battalion at his heels, leading him to suppose that all possibility of escape was cut off, he doubtless conceived that it was the part of wisdom to surrender without resistance .*
He was placed in jail at Charlestown, but after remaining there a few weeks, an order came, to send him to West Point, as it was found that he had enlisted in some company there, from which he had desert- ed. He was there tried and condemned to be hung. Lemuel Royce of Charlestown, was placed over him as guard the last night of his life. Mr. Royce told him the next morning after he had taken his break- fast, that is was his last day on earth. He replied "I thought the Devils intended to kill me."
An incident is told of him which shows that the impression was strong on his mind, that it was his destiny ultimately to be hung. Be- ing out on lake George one time, the boat in which he was, from some cause or other, was upset and Shem and all the crew were in great danger of being drowned. He kept above water as long as he could, but at length feeling that unless he had some assistance, he must sink, it is said that something prompted him to exclaim, "Now gallows assert your claim," which words he had no sooner uttered, than he felt him- self buoyed up, as if some hand had been placed under him, and he was preserved for the doom to which for many years he had been look- ing forward.
It is said that William W. Whitney of Spencer Hollow, Springfield Vt., has now in possession the gun that Kentfield brought from Cana- da, when he came to Charlestown, on his expedition to take Col. Hunt. Judge Closson of Springfield, Vt., who gave me this infor- mation, says it is one of the longest muskets he has ever seen.
It was not till the opening of the Revolution that Mr. Hunt received
* Mr. Charles Allen and other aged people in Charlestown, most postively as- sert that it was on Mount Calavant and not on Schitchawock that Shem conceal- ed himself, and that it was tory Harper instead of tory Parker with whom he sought communication ; and after many inquiries, I am inclined to believe that Mr Allen is correct. He says that he has heard the account from his father and grand father, and says that the above account is correct with the exception of the locality, where it took place. H. H. S.
439
HUNT.
his commission as Colonel. He was then by the New-Hampshire Gov- ernment made Commandant at Charlestown, and keeper of the milita- ry stores accumulated at the post to be distributed to the army under the direction of the Committee of Safety, as it might have need of them. And a most energetic officer, he proved to be in this position ; and in connection with Elijah Grout, his prompt, superintending, distributing commissary, did not fail to be equal to the duties demanded of him on any occasion. It was a stirring time, when Charlestown was made the rendezvous of the soldiers of Stark, as they were hurried forward to the battle of Bennington ; yet such was the activity of Colonel Hunt, and his commissary, that the various bodies of troops on their arrival were immediately supplied with their outfit, and made ready to pass on. Subsequent to the battle of Bennington, when New England was fully aroused, and volunteers from every part of New-Hampshire, continued to flock around the standard of the northern army, we find his name as Lieutenant Colonel in a regiment, whose officers were as follows ; Benjamin Bellows, Colonel ; Samuel Hunt, Lieutenant Col- onel ; Samuel Ashley, Adjutant ; Thomas Stearns, Sergeon's Mate; Jo- tham White, Quartermaster. This regiment was at Saratoga under General Gates, and rendered important service in compelling the sur- render of Burgoyne. Col. Hunt was one of the men in whom the As- sembly of New-Hampshire, and the Committee of Safety felt they could place implicit confidence. It does not appear that they ever en- tertained a suspicion that what he did would not be right. Matters requiring the most energetic action and dispatch were often committed to him, and if he ever failed to bring them round in season, the fact of his failure was left unrecorded. Large sums of money were intrusted to him to be used according to his discretion in purchasing army stores with no other accompanying message, save that we was to account therefor. We have reason to believe that he served his country with no other motive or ambition than to secure his country's good.
After the war Colonel Hunt held the offices which have been already noted ; and proved for the remainder of his life, an excellent citizen. The following account of his death, and of the esteem in which he was held, is given by a contemporary.
"Saturday August 24th, 1799. This morning, between twelve and one, my very respectable and worthy townsman, Colonel Samuel Hunt, left this vain world for a far better. He had been for a considerable time, failing in both body and mind, so as to obstruct his further use- fulness and comfort. He has been a very deserving, and highly re-
440
HUNT.
spected member of society. This town has experienced by his death a great loss, as he has uniformly been a friend of peace and good order, and ever willingly devoted a handsome sum to the support of a preach- er of the gospel. I greatly fear his loss in this last respect will not soon be made up to us. He was for many years a professor of religion, and a constant attendant on the worship of God in the sanctuary, so long as his health permitted. I sincerely wish his sons may follow his good example. His remains were deposited in the grave in the afternoon of the Lord's day attended by a large number of people from this and the neighboring towns." (Dr. S. Crosby's Journal ; in posses- sion of George Olcott, Esq.)
Children of Col. Samuel and Esther (Strong) Hunt. I. Samuel, b. Nov. 1st, 1761, in Charlestown, d. (scalded) Feb. 3d, 1764. II. Asa- hel, b. August 23d, 1763 ; m. Aug. 16th, 1785, Anna Geer of West- moreland, N. H., b. Aug. 19th, 1768. Mr. Hunt kept a tavern at South Charlestown, on the place now owned by Roswell Robertson and was also a farmer. He died, Nov. 20th, 1822. Mrs. Hunt d. Sept. 29th, 1825. Their children, none of whom settled in Charles- town, were 1, Alpheus M .; 2. Lewis ; 3. Helen Esther ; 4. Cynthia Geer ; 5. Sarah ; 6. Margaret ; 7. Sarah-the last two were twins. (See His. Strong family, page 1179.)
HON. SAMUEL HUNT, JR.
III. Samuel, jr., b. July 8th, 1765-never married. Hon. Samuel Hunt, as he is now usually called, possessed natural abilities of a very high order, to which what he accomplished in life, though he attained to some eminence, was hardly proportionate. Deciding on the profess- ion of law, he entered himself as a student in the office of Benjamin West, and in 1790, was admitted to practice. He established an office at first, in Alstead, but soon removed to Keene, as a more eligible lo- cation ; and after continuing about five years in the profession, hegave it up, for what reason is not definitely known ; but it is usually sup- posed, that it was on account of the many details, which are essential to a successful practice of it, but to which he had a great aversion. He is described by the late John Prentiss, as " an eloquent advocate, who early retired from the bar." He was adapted by his talents, to literary pursuits, and his inclination led him also in that direction. He became, therefore, a contributor to the famous Farmer's Museum, which had been established by Joseph Dennie at Walpole. Dennie was afterwards, editor of the Port Folio, at Philadelphia, which may be
1
441
HUNT.
said to have been the first popular magazine established in the coun- try. The Museum was sustained by the Literary Club, which consist- ed of the following persons, all of whom were or had been members of the Bar ; Joseph Dennie who was editor of "The Museum ;" Royal Tyler, of Brattleborough, afterwards Chief Justice of Vermont; Rog- er Vose of Walpole, who also became Chief Justice; Samuel Hunt, whose popular talents, ultimately secured his election to Congress ; and Samuel West of Keene, son of Rev. Samuel West, D. D., of Boston, and nephew of Hon. Benjamin West, of Charlestown-a most brilliant advocate, and eloquent orator. These were all men of fine abilities, keen wit and no inconsiderable culture, whose superiors have not prob- ably been since consociated in the county. The combined talents of the club produced a paper, which became exceedingly popular, and which was taken, and read with interest, by many educated persons, in other States.
Mr. Hunt, soon after giving up the practice of his profession, went abroad, with the double purpose of improving his mind and benefiting his health. He was absent nearly three years, the greater part of which time was spent in France. He spent considerable time at Bor- deaux. From a letter to Dr. Oliver Hastings, written from that place in answer to one communicating the death of his brother, a promising young lawyer, at Windsor, Vt., it appears that he was in very low spirits, and without any plan or settled purpose for the future. To the question, when he expected to return to America, he replies, " Perhaps soon, perhaps never." His brother had been very dear to him, and his death, when he was so far away from him, in connection with some sad circumstances which had transpired previously to his leaving Charlestown, had probably at that time produced an unusual depression of spirits. He however, after an absence of about three years, returned home, and settled down in Charlestown, to the busi- ness of a gentleman farmer. In this he continued, engaging moderate- ly in politics, till 1802, when he had so attracted public attention, that on the occurrence of a vacancy in our representation in Congress, by the resignation of Hon. Joseph Pierce, of Alton, he was appointed to fill his place. His term expiring in the 7th Congress, he was re-elect- ed to the 8th in 1803. At the close of this term, not desiring a re- election, as he had business in view, that would wholly occupy his attention, he was succeeded by the Hon. Caleb Ellis, of Claremont. The business referred to, was the formation of a Colony for the settle- ment of a large tract of land, of which he had come into possession in
442
HUNT.
Ohio. In this project he enlisted some dozen or fifteen persons in Charlestown, by holding out to them the inducement of the acquisition of a fortune, more speedily than it was likely to be obtained in any other way. Hunt made the journey to Ohio on horse-back, accompan- ied by Miss Cynthia Rugg, whom he had engaged to be his house keep- er, while the others sought their land of promise on foot. All arrived in Ohio in safety, and commenced their settlement in French Grant, as the place was called. But the location proved so unhealthy, that nearly all of them were very soon prostrated by sickness, and it is re- lated that at one time, there was not a person in the company, able to wait upon the rest, and that all the attention, and nursing they had, was from one Indian squaw, who did little more than to bring them water from a distant spring, with which to quench their thirst. The fever proved fatal to Mr. Hunt, who died on the 7th of July, 1807, at the age of 42, and was buried at Marietta. The Colony was broken up, and of those who went out to it from Charlestown, only three sur- vived to return.
IV. John, (son of Col. Samuel and Esther (Strong) Hunt) b. in Charlestown, Aug. 6th, 1768-graduated at Harvard College, in 1789 ; studied law with Hon. Benjamin West-settled at Windsor, Vt., and died unmarried, Sept., 14th, 1795; a young man of great promise. V. Roswell, b. Oct. 26th, 1772; m. Mary Willard, of Charlestown, (dau. of Aaron and Mary (Smead) Willard) b. Dec. 12th, 1773. Mr. Hunt who was a farmer, died Feb. 22nd, 1831; Mrs. Hunt, Aug. 28th, 1853. Ch. 1. Martha, b. May 4th, 1792; m. Enos, son of Hon. Sam- uel Stevens. (See Stevens). 2. Samuel, b. July 12th, 1795; m. 1st, in 1824, Sarah Bond, of Hanover, N. H .; m. 2nd, Oct. 3d, 1825, Ma- tilda Lull, of Hartland, Vt. He died at Piermont, N. H., Aug. 15th, 1831. 3. Mary, b. Sept. 5th, 1802; m. Stephen Danforth Hassam. (See Hassam). 4. Ellen, b. May 22nd, 1805; m. 1st, George Avery, died at Manchester, N. H., Sept. 25th, 1870 ; she m. 2nd, James Her- sey. 5. Eliza Ann, b. Jan. 28th, 1810, and died in the following March. 6. John Hunt, b. Jan. 29th, 1813; m. Jan. 3d, 1836, Rebec- ca Parmenter (dau. of John and Eunice (Chickering) Parmenter, of Gil- sum, N. H.,) b. Oct. 29th, 1812. He was a farmer and died at Charles- town, April 24th, 1852. She died March 10th, 1858. Children none of whom settled in C. (1) Martha Stevens. (2) Frederic Hassam. (3) George John. (4) Mary Willard.
HENRY HUNT of English extraction ; m. Esther Hart, and settled in Charlestown. Ch. I. Henry Lewis, b. Oct. 10th, 1813; m. Sept.
1
443
HUNT.
5th, 1842, Martha Sumner Goodrich, (dau. of Charles and Lucy (Buckman) Goodrich) b. Feb. 13th, 1824. Ch. 1. Charles L., b. Sept. 6th, 1843 ; m. Sept. 27th, 1864, Julia Emma Hart (dau. of John and Olive Levina Hart) b. Sept. 28th, 1846. Ch. (1) Lucius Henry, b. July 28th, 1865. (2) Charles Warren, b. Oct. 9th, 1869. (3) Ethel Sumner, b. Dec. 3d, 1870. (4) Louisa Frances, b. July 16th, 1873. (5) Guy Haywood, b. Sept. 29th, 1875. 2. James A., b. March 23d, 1847 ; m. July 6th, 1869, Mary Louisa Holden, b. Aug. 17th, 1849; one child, Bertha, b. May 1st, 1871. 3. Mary E., b. May 30th, 1849 ; m. Alvin C. Bemis. 4. Martha Ellen, d. in infancy. 5. Julia Fran- ces, b. Aug. 4th, 1854. 6. George G., b. March 23d, 1857. II. Mary Jane, b. July 30th, 1820; m. Warren Holbrook, of Hadley, Mass. III. Lucius T., b. May 14th, 1822; m. and had one child, James A., who resides (Nov. 1875) in Springfield Vt., having just returned from service in the army of the United States. Lucius T. Hunt enlisted in Co. H., 10th Vermont Volunteers, in The War of the Rebellion, Aug. 8th, 1862, at which time he was commissioned Captain-commissioned Major, July 2nd, 1864-mustered out of service on account of disabil- ity caused by wound received at Cold Harbor; d. at Springfield, Vt., June 26th, 1868-buried in the village cemetery in Charlestown. IV. James A., b. May 27th, 1827; m. and lives in Cannonsville, N. Y.
JOHN HUNT AND REBECCA. Ch. I. Martha b. Oct. 20th, 1836 ; II. Frederick, b. Feb. 7th, 1838.
The following branch of the Hunt family are descended from Jacob Hunt, who m. Hannah Littlefield. He was at first of Virginia but re- moved to Coleraine, Mass., where his son Thomas Hunt was born, April 10th, 1787. He m. Deborah Nickerson, b. Aug. 31st, 1789. He died at Newport, N. H., Aug. 5th, 1874, and was buried in Charlestown. Ch. I. Thomas J. Hunt, b. in Reading, Vt., June 5th, 1818; m. Apr. 18tlı, 1850, Clara M. Swett, b. at Claremont, N. H., Aug. 13th, 1826, and settled in Charlestown. Ch. 1. Joseph S., b. Nov. 1st, 1853. 2. Grace E. b. Jan 22nd, 1858. 3. Arthur H., b. Jan. 9th, 1862. 4. Edwin S. b. Nov. 12th, 1865. In addition to the above they had three children, who died young. II. Abel Hunt, b. in Read- ing, Vt., Sept. 22nd, 1819; m., March 20th, 1844, Ellen Green- wood, b. in Needham, Mass., Dec. 31st, 1818. Ch. 1. Emma L., b. in Billerica, Mass., May 12th, 1845 ; m. Jan. 1st, 1863, James E. Perry, of Charlestown. 2. Abby J., b. in Billerica, Sept. 17th, 1848; d. in Charlestown, Oct. 11th, 1851. 3. Westley A., b. in Charlestown, Feb.
444
HUNTLEY-JACOBS.
26th, 1850; m. Feb. 26th, 1874, Ida Fifield of Claremont. Other children of Thomas and Deborah Hunt. III. Deborah R., b. Sept. 22nd, 1821. IV. Abner, b. March 24th, 1823; d. aged 30. V. Na- than, b. Feb. 25th, 1825. VI Hannah, b. May 19th, 1827. VII. Phineas, b. March 23d, 1823; d. aged 20.
ELISHA AND BETSY (CARR) HUNTLEY came from Hillsboro to Charlestown. Ch. I. Abigail; II. Achsah ; III. Eunice; IV. Caro- line ; V. Samuel ; VI. Robert; VII. Mary. Removed to Langdon, where Mr. Huntley died.
ELISHA HUNTLEY AND HANNAH GLIDDEN, m. Oct. 27th, 1805. Ch. I. Russell, b. Aug. 1st, 1807. II. Mary b. Apr. 19th, 1810.
PHINEAS HUTCHINS, (son of Phineas and Abigail Hutchins) b. July 6th, 1774; m. March 15th, 1796, Lydia Willard, (dau. of Marcian and Lydia (Farwell) Willard) b. May 18th, 1798. Ch. Louisa, b. May 6th, 1796; d. Oct. 23d, 1797. 2. Florinda, b. Apr. 29th, 1797. 3. Matilda, b. May 27th, 1798.
PEARL S. HUTCHINS, b. May 26th, 1841 ; m. Jan. 15th, 1858, Mary Ann Jones, (dau. of John S. and Rebecca M. (Loveland) Jones) b. Apr. 29th, 1848. Chr. I. Mary Ida, b. March 31st, 1869. II. Charles Stillman, b. Sept. 8th, 1870. III. George Pearl, b. Aug. 9th, 1872. IV. Fred Lewis, b. Dec. 18th, 1874.
GEORGE H. INGERSOL, came to Charlestown from Salem, Mass., in 1816; settled in South Charlestown and continued in town till 1848, when he removed to Newton, Mass. He carried on quite a large busi- ness as a distiller, and gave employment to a considerable number of hands. The name of his wife before marriage was Mary Pratt. He had two daughters, Mary and Eliza. Mary m. Calvin P. Sanger and went with him to New York. Eliza d. when about 13 or 14 years of . age. Mr. Ingersol was successful in accumulating a large property.
SILAS T. JACOBS, (sou of Ezekiel and Susan (Swasey) Jacobs) b. in Sheffield, Vt., Feb. 23d, 1821; m. 1st, Louisa Snow, Sept. 28th, 1844. Ch. I. Lidian E. b. in Topsfield, Mass., Oct. 8th, 1845, m. Sept. 28th, 1867, Leonard H. Scofield, one child Lizzie. Mr. Scofield was drowned at the Upper Landing on the Connecticut River in Charlestown, Aug. 3d, 1870. He was in his 28th year. II. Blackwood. b. Apr. 3d, 1847 ; d. Nov. same year. III. Lyman E., b. 1849 ; d. 1849; IV. Louisa, b. Aug. 13th, 1854, in Milford, Mass .; m. Frank Scofield, of Springfield, Vt. Mr. Jacobs m. 2nd, Mrs. Lucinda C. Root, (dau. of Shubael and Clorinda (Bliss) Waterman), b. Aug. 22nd, 1819. He came from Hav- erhill to Charlestown in 1860.
445
JARDINE-JOHNSON.
JAMES E. JARDINE, b. March 22nd, 1829 ; m. May 13th, 1856, Julia F. Parks, (dau. of Darius and Lydia Farwell (Shurtleff ) Parks,) b. Dec. 15th, 1831. Ch. I. and II. twins, Frank David and Fred Darius, b. June 17th, 1858. III. Juliette, b. Dec. 30th, 1860. IV. James Ed- gar, b. July 10th, 1865. V. Joseph Robert, b. Oct. 6th, 1868. Mr. Jardine came from Pieto, Nova Scotia.
CAPT. JAMES JOHNSON.
JAMES JOHNSON m. Susannah, (dau. of Lieutenant Moses and Su- sanna (Hastings) Willard) b., at Turkey Hills, in Lunenburg, Mass., Feb. 20th, 1729-30.
Mrs. Johnson, in the narrative of her captivity, gives the following account of her husband : " In the year 1730 my great-uncle, Col. Jo- siah Willard, while at Boston was invited to take a walk on Long Wharf to view some transports which had just landed from Ireland. A number of gentlemen present were viewing the exercise of some lads who were placed on shore to exhibit their activity to those who wished to purchase. My uncle spied a boy of some vivacity, of about ten years of age and who was the only one in the crew who spoke English. He bargained for him. I have never been able to learn the price ; but as he was afterwards my husband I am willing to suppose it a consider- able sum. He questioned the boy concerning his parentage and de- scent. All the information he could get was, that young James, a con- siderable time previous, went to sea with his unele, who commanded a ship, and had the appearance of a man of property ; that this uncle was taken sick at sea and died ; immediately after his death they came in sight of this ship of Irish transports and he was put on board. His be- ing the only one of the crew who spoke English, and other circumstan- ces have led his friends to conclude that this removal on board the Irish ship was done to facilitate the sequestration of his uncle's property. He lived with Col. Willard until he was twenty years old, and then bought the other year of his time. In 1748 Gov. Shirley gave him a Lieutenant's commission, under Edward Hartley, Esq."
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.