History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire, Part 102

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1200

USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 102
USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 102

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).

On the 15th of December following, Captain Joseph Waite was chosen a representative to the Provincial Congress, to be held in Exeter in a few days. It was voted that he should have full power, with the other citizens of the colony who might be members of that Assembly, "to resolve themselves into such a house as the Continental Congress shall recommend, for the taking up Government lands in this Colony." In 1776, Captain Waite was appointed lieutenant-colonel of a regiment raised for the purpose of invading Canada. The com- mand of the regiment devolved upon him, the colonel with a small number of soldiers being de- tailed from the main body, and sent in another direction. Lieutenant Joseph Taylor, afterward captain, who had taken an active part in the French and Indian War, was taken prisoner, in the summer of 1775, by the Indians, carried to Montreal, and there sold to the French. For a long time he was closely confined, so that his

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friends could learn nothing of him. After many fruitless attempts, he at last succeeded in effecting his escape. He wandered through the woods, sub- sisting as he could, and after an absence of several months reached his home in safety.

In this year the number of inhabitants in Clare- mont was five hundred and twenty-three. In the year 1776 the number of new settlers fell so far short of the number of removals that in the win- ter of 1777-78, according to tradition, there were only forty families in town, which, being estimated at eight persons in each family,-considerably more than the subsequent and present average,- we find a reduction of two hundred in the popu- lation in the short space of two years. Among those who left about this time was Colonel Ben- jamin Sumner, who took up his residence on Long Island. He was suspected of being on friendly terms with the British. He occasionally made short visits to this town, when on his jour- neys to and from Canada, carefully avoiding any contact with his former townsmen, excepting cer- tain known and well-tried friends. Several at- tempts were made by the Committee of Safety and other ardent Whigs to arrest him when on his flying visits, but without success. One Wil- liam McCoy, a noted Tory, was his confidential friend and adviser. So artful and shrewd was this McCoy in this sort of shy diplomacy, that it was impossible to fasten upon him any act of a treasonable nature, although the effort was often made to do so. Among others who left town about this time were Captain Benjamin Brooks, one Spencer, several by the names of Lent and Nutting, and John Brooks, son of Captain Benja- min Brooks. John Brooks actually joined the British army, and served during the war. His farm and all his property in town was confiscated and sold ; but, after the close of the war and the treaty with Great Britain, his property, or the value of it, was restored to him. No favor was shown to the Tories, or those suspected as such, by the mass of the people. Public indignation was aroused to so great an extent that Tories and suspicious persons were continually in imminent

danger of the loss of liberty, and even life itself, without the formality of legal proceedings. There was in existence a small company of reso- lute men, among whom were Timothy Atkins and two or three of his brothers,-all men of un- usual size and remarkable strength and activ- ity,-who had formed a determination to rid the town entirely of Tories.

These men solemnly promised to give each other immediate information if a Tory was dis- covered to be lurking about, and to pursue him instantly ; and if capture was impossible, to shoot him, if that could be done. In the neighborhood of such men there could be but little repose or security for the enemies of freedom. Summer was the season when the secret agents of the British were scouring the remote parts of the country, picking up, here and there, whatever in- formation they could find respecting the condition and movements of the people, and carefully noting everything which they judged important to the interests of their employers. Scattered along the route, from New York to Canada, were certain places of rendezvous, where any one of them on his mission might be safely concealed and find ready means of communication with his confederates in his neighborhood. About fifty rods below what is known as the Rich Place, on the right-hand side of the road as you go toward Red Water Brook, is a place famous in Revolu- tionary times as a favorite resort for Tories, and has since been known as "Tory Hole." So per- fectly adapted was this spot to the purposes and wants of its occupants that, for a long time, they had assembled there without exciting the least suspicion among the active and vigilant Whigs.

Inaccessible on three sides by a swamp covered with a thick growth of alders, and protected, on its fourth side, by a steep bank about thirty feet high, it was, notwithstanding, easily approached by those who were familiar with the ground. The side of the precipice toward the retreat was nearly circular in form, and was intersected by a deep ravine, which afforded means of access from one direction. Another way began a little below

HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

the Rich Place, and wound along the foot of the bank. The surface of the ground, including the spot, was irregular and slightly elevated. A few yards distant was a cool, bubbling spring of water. It was customary for the Tories in the neighbor- hood to convey thither provisions and whatever else might be needed by the transient visitors to the place. The performance of this important duty led to the discovery of the retreat. One night, in the autumn of 1780, a man, with a huge pack on his shoulders, was seen passing along the road by the Rich Place. His singular movements attracted attention, and he was closely watched. Turning into the woods a short distance from the house of Mr. Rich, he was instantly out of sight.

Information of the fact was quickly communi- cated, and soon many persons were collected at the spot. The grounds were carefully reconnoi- tered, and the secret was discovered. As the night was very dark, the further search was postponed until the next morning. A watch was posted by the path, with instructions to seize or shoot any one who should attempt to pass. Several hours before sunrise a party had assembled and renewed the search. As they approached the rendezvous, two men suddenly started up, and ran toward the ravine; and now the race began. The pursued had several rods the start of the pursuers, beside the advantage of the dense forest and the seanty light. The course of the former was toward Con- necticut River. It required much time and close attention and scrutiny to keep on their track, and the Whig party were often on the point of giving up the search as fruitless. Then some new trace would be discovered, and they would go forward with renewed vigor. At length they had reached Connecticut River, where they found that the fugitives had swam across. Fastening their arnis upon their baeks, they plunged into the stream, and on gaining the opposite side, they found the traeks of the other party. At night they en- camped in the woods at the base of Ascutney Mountain, and in the morning began its ascent from different points. On arriving at the summit they discovered the fugitives asleep. They were

easily captured, and gave their names as Johns and Buel. Having arms with them, they could not, according to the rules of war, be treated as spies, and were therefore held under the more honorable distinction of prisoners of war. They were taken to Charlestown, from thence to Bos- ton, and afterward exchanged. One Kentfield was also pursued from the "Tory Hole," and driven across Connecticut River. He managed to escape from his pursuers at this time; but in a few days after was discovered by Isaac Hubbard, Esq., then but a child, while re-crossing the river into New Hampshire. He was again pursued, captured after a fierce resistance, and taken to Charlestown. He was confined for some time; but as it was impossible to prove him a spy, he was released. Afterward he joined the Conti- nental army, deserted in a few days, was captured and hung.

On April 12, 1776, the Committee of Safety for the Colony of New Hampshire issued the follow- ing mandate, as appears from documents arranged by John Farmer, Esq., agreeably to an order of the Legislature of New Hampshire, in 1837. We copy verbatim from "State Papers of New Hamp- shire," vol. viii .:

"COLONY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

In Committee of Safety, April 12, 1776.

" In order to carry the underwritten Resolve of the Hon'ble Continental Congress into Execution, you are required to desire all Males above Twenty-one years of age (Lunaticks, Idiots and Negroes excepted), to sign the Declaration on this Paper; and when so done, to make Return thereof, together with the Name or Names of all who shall refuse to sign the same, to the General Assembly or Committee of Safety of this Colony.

"M. WEARE, Chairman. IN CONGRESS, March 14, 1776.

"Resolved, That it be recommended to the Several Assemblies, Conventions and Councils, or Commit- tees of Safety of the United Colonies, immediately to cause all Persons to be disarmed, within their respee- tive Colonies, who are notoriously disaffected to the cause of America, or who have not associated and re- fuse to associate, to defend by Arms, the United

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Colonies against the Hostile attempts of the British Fleets and Armies.

(Copy) " Extract from the Minutes. " CHARLES THOMPSON, Secretary.

"In consequence of the above Resolution of the Hon. Continental Congress, and to show our Deter- mination in joining our American Brethren in de- fending the Lives, Liberties and Properties of the inhabitants of the United Colonies.

"We the Subscribers, do hereby Solemnly engage and promise, that we will to the utmost of our Power, at the Risque of our Lives and Fortunes, with Arms oppose the Hostile Proceedings of the British Fleets and Armies against the United American Colonies."

REMARKS ON THE FOREGOING BY THE LATE JOHN FARMER, ESQ.

"The preceding text was the Declaration of Inde- pendence by the People of New Hampshire. It was a Similar act to that of the Patriots who signed the National Declaration on the Fourth of July, 1776. It preceded that event, and seems to have been a sanction or an encouragement to those who contem- plated it. It was a bold and hazardous step in sub- jects thus to resist the authority of one of the most powerful Sovereigns in the world. Had the cause in which these men pledged their Lives and Fortunes failed, it would have subjected every individual who signed it to the pains and penalties of treason-to a cruel and ignominious death.

" It is not to be understood that all who declined signing it were Tories or were disaffected to the American cause; Some of them were Friends, whose principles forbade their signing a pledge to oppose their enemies with Arms; others who were really friends to the cause of opposition to the British, had conscientious scruples, and others doubtless were in- fluenced by their timidity. Among those whose con- scientious scruples prevented them from giving such a pledge, was Eleazer Russell, Esq., of Portsmouth, (?) who, in a letter to President Weare, says, ' It was, and is, merely to secure the morality of my mind that I was reluctant to put my name to it. Solemnly to bind myself to the performance of what nature and necessity rendered impossible, 'I started at the thought of, and though my health is mended, so wrecked are my nerves, that I could not do one hour's military duty to save my life. The article of

shedding blood, in me is not a humor, but a princi- ple-not an evasion, but a fact. It was received in early life, and has "grown with my growth, and strengthened with my strength." Not a partiality for British more than Savage blood ; for, all circumstan- ces considered, I think the latter more innocent than the former.'"

SIGNERS IN CLAREMONT. " CLAREMONT, May 30th, 1776.

"In compliance to the above Declaration, we have Shone the Declaration to All the Inhabitants of this Town, and the Associate are those who have signed to this paper.

" MATTHIAS STONE,

" ASA JONES,

Selectmen.

"The following Names of those who are twenty- one years of age and upward :

" Thomas Goodwin, David Lynd,

Joseph York, Oliver Ashley,

Matthias Stone, Eleazer Clark,

Jacob Rice, Eleazer Clark, Junior,

William Osgood, Joseph Hubbard,

Asa Jones, Amasa Fuller,

John Spencer,

Jerime Spencer,

Lemuel Hubbard, Patrick Fields,

Christopher York,

Gideon Lewis,

David Bates,

Josiah Stevens,

T. Sterm,

Seth Lewis,

Barnabas Ellis,

John Kilborn,

Joel Roys, ?

John Peake,

Samuel Tuttle,

John West,

Stephen Hige, ?

David Rich,

Charles Higbe,

Ebenezer Washburn,

Edward Goodwin,

Bill Barnes,

Ephraim French,

John Adkins,

Joseph Ives,

Amaziah Knights,

Elihu Stevens, Junior,

John Goss, Ezra Jones,

Ichabod Hitchcock,

Ebenezer Dudley,

Daniel Curte, ?

David Adkins,

Josiah Rich,

Timothy Adkins,

Moses Spaford,

Jonathan Parker,

Edward Ainsworth,

Nathaniel Goss,

Abner Matthews,

Joel Matthews,

Elihu Stephens,

Oliver Tuttle,

Jonas Stuard,

Amos Conant,

Beniah Murry,

Samuel Ashley,

Thomas Duston,

John Sprague,

Timothy Duston. .

Adam Alden,

James Alden,

Total, 84.

"N. B .- These are the Names of those who have

William Sims,

Oliver Ellsworth,

Benjamin Towner,

Samuel Lewis,

HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

actually taken up arms and are now in the Continen- tal Army :

"Lieut. Col.Joseph Waite, Benjamin Towner, Jr.,

Lieut. Joseph Taylor,

David Laynes, Jr.,

Ens. Thomas Jones,

Charles Laynes,

S. Abner Matthews, Jr.,

Henry Stephens,

James Gooden,

Jonathan York,

Jonathan Fuller,

Joseph York, Jr.,

Peter Fuller,

The Rev. Augustin Hib-

Reuben Spencer,

bard, Chaplain, &c.

Gersham York,

Total, 16.

Rev. Mr. Hibbard was appointed chaplain on Colonel David Hobart's staff, by vote of the New Hampshire Legislature, April 4, 1777, and subse- quently of General Stark's brigade.

" The Names of those who Refuse to sign the Decla- ration :

" John Thomas,

William Coy.

Capt. Benjamin Brooks,

Enoch Judd,

Barnabas Brooks,

Ebenezer Judd, Jr.,

Capt. Benjamin Sumner,

Lieut. Benjamin Taylor,

Rev. Ranna Cosset,

Timothy Granis,

Cornelius Brook,

Hezekiah Roys,

Samuel Cole, Esq.,

Asa Leat,

Daniel Warner,

Benjamin Leat,

Levi Warner,

Ebenezer Judd,

James Steal,

Benjamin Peterson,

Amos Snow,

Benjamin Brooks, Jr.,

John Hitchcock,

Doct. William Sumner,

David Dodge,

Ebenezer Roys,

Samuel Thomas,

Joseph Norton,

Amos Cole,

Total, 31.

Ebenezer Edson,

"CLAREMONT, May 30th, 1776.

"The Declaration having ben shone to the within named persons, they Refuse to Sign.

" Attest,

" MATTHIAS STONE, " ASA JONES, Selectmen."

When the returns were all in, it was found that there were 8999 names upon the Declaration, and the names of 773 persons who had refused to sign it were mentioned.

The following papers are copied from the original minutes of the Episcopal Church, and are given as published in " The History of the Eastern Diocese : "

"The joint Com'tee of Safety from the Towns of Hanover and Lebanon, having received a Letter from the Com'tee of Safety for Claremont, requesting the assistance of said Com'tees in examining sundry Per- sons in said Claremont who were suspected of being inimical to the Liberties of America, convened with said Com'tee of Claremont and the Com'tee of Safety for the Town of Cornish, at the House of Mr. Joseph York, in said Claremont, on Tuesday the 5th day of December, A. D. 1775. At which time and place were present-

"Captain Oliver Ashley, Captain Joseph Waite, Lieutenant Asa Jones, Lieutenant Joseph Taylor, Ensign Ebenezer Clark, Deacon Jacob Royce, Com'- tee of Claremont :

"Samuel Chase, Esq., Colonel Jonathan Chase, Deacon Hall, Mr. Commins, Captain Spalding, Com'tee of Cornish :

" Deacon Neheh Estabrooks, Major John Griswold, Mr. Silas Waterman, Lieutenant Jedalı Ilibbard, Com'tee of Lebanon :

"Captain Edmond Freeman, Lieutenant David Woodward, Lieutenant John Wright, Com'tee of Hanover.

"On which the Com'tee of said Claremont re- quested that all these Com'tees might (for sundry reasons) form into one general meeting for the exam- ination of sundry Persons whom they had previously cited to appear before this Board for that Purpose, which request being complied with :

" 1st. Chose Deacon Nehemiah Estabrook, Chair- man.

"2d. Chose Lieutenant Jede'ah Hibbard, Clerk.

"Sam'I Cole, Esq., Captain Benjamin Sumner, Rev. Ranna Cossit, Captain Benjamin Brooks, Lieutenant Benjamin Tyler, Asa Leet, Eben'r Judd, Eben'r Judd, Ju'r, Enoch Judd, Ebn'r Royce, Hez. Royce, Jolın Thomas, Sam'l Thomas, Benjamin Brooks, Jr., Barne Brooks, Ebenezer Edson, Joseph Naughton, Daniel Warner, Jr., Benjamin Leet, James Steel, Ephraim Peterson, John Brooks, Azel Brooks, Levi Warner, Zebal Thomas, all of said Claremont. After which the Persons whose names are annexed appeared be- fore said Com'tee in consequence of the aforemen- tioned Citation, who on examination testify and declare, as follows :

"1. The Rev'd Ranna Cossit on examination says, ' I believe the American Colonies in their dispute with Great Britain, which has now come to blood,

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are unjust, but will not take up arms either against the King or Country, as my office and circumstances are such that I am not obliged thereto;' respecting whom the following evidence further appears, viz. : Dr. Thomas Sterns testifies and says that the Rev'd Mr. Cossit says : 'We (meaning the Americans) are in a state of Rebellion and are altogether in the wrong, and that if we should give up our Head man to justice, we should do well, and that the King and Parliament have a right to make laws and lay taxes as they please on America both internal and external.'

"Captain Oliver Ashley testifies the same, and adds that such like language is frequent. Mr. Cossit in presence of this meeting agrees to the foregoing depo- sition respecting him, and adds : ' I mean to be on the side of the administration and I had as lives any person should call me a damned Tory or not, and take it as an affront if people don't call me a Tory ; for I verily believe the British troops will overcome by the greatness of their power and justice of their cause.'

" 2d. Sam'l Cole, Esq., on examination, says: 'It is a rebellion to take up arms or fight against the King or his Troops in the present dispute; yea, 'tis more ; it is Treason to fight against the King, in addition to which, that he is bound by his oath not to fight against the King.' Sam'l Chase, Esq'r, testifies and says, 'That about a fortnight ago, Esq'r Cole was at his house and he offered said Cole a bill of paper money of the Congress in payment of a debt; on which said Cole says, I will not take said bill for it is of no more value than if you or I had made said bill.' Esq'r Cole finally consented to the above, and adds, 'I don't value the Congress money more than the sole of an old shoe.'"

"3d. Captain Benjamin Sumner, on examination, says, 'As to the proceeding and conduct of the American Colonies in their contest with Great Britain, upon the whole I cannot agree with them, but I will not take up arms on either side, and if any of you gentlemen can in private or publick debate convince me of my error no man on earth shall be more ready to hear than myself.'

" 4th. Sam'l Thomas, James Steel, Daniel Warner, Jr., Asa Leet, John Thomas, Benjamin Leet, Ebn'r Royce, Levi Warner, Ebne'r Edson, Azel Brooks and Zebal Thomas, on examination declare their senti- ments the same as those exprest by Capt. Benjamin Sumner.

"5th. Hez Royce, on examination, shews great contempt in equivocating in regard to questions asked him by the Com'tee, but in reply to one query says he likes the King's Proclamation last issued.

"6th. Captain Benjamin Brooks, on examination, says ' I am not settled with regard to the dispute be- tween Great Britain and her Colonies. But accord- ing to what I understand of the dispute, I rather think the Americans are in the wrong, but will not take up arms on either side.'

" 7th. Ephraim Peterson, Barne Brooks and Joseph Naughton on examination concur with Captain Benj. Brooks.

"8th. Leiut. B. Tyler on examination says 'I am of the prevailing sentiment that the American Colonies in their contest with Great Britain are not just, but will not take up arms on either side.'

"9th. Cornelius Brooks and Ebenezer Judd on examination say that they will not take up arms on either side.

" 10th. Benjamin Brooks, Jr., Enoch Judd and Ebenezer, Jr., on examination say that America is unjust in her contest with Great Britain, and we will not take up arms on either side.

"11th. John Brooks, when asked how he feels when he thinks of the quarrel between Great Britain and her Colonies that has caused the blood of our Amer- ican Brethren to be shed as well as Briton's, says 'I feel for the King's troops and against the Colonies.'

" Adjourned till to-morrow morning nine o'clock.

" December 6th, met according to adjournment. Present as yesterday. Voted that it appears to us on examination that Captain Benjamin Sumner, Samuel Cole, Esq., and the Reverend Ranna Cossit have been chief advisors and dictators to those other persons who have been under examination, and it is our opinion that they might with propriety be confined, as having endeavoured to stir up sedition in said Claremont, and also were against the united Colonies ; and their names ought to be returned to the Honor- able Provincial Congress for their determination, which the Clerk is hereby directed to do, which we believe may as well serve the general cause as to confine all these persons examined by us. Motioned to those persons who have been examined that they voluntarily resign their fire-arms and ammunition into the hands of the Com'tee of said Claremont; which they unanimously agreed to comply with, and proposed to bring them in to-morrow morning.

HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

"3dly, at the request of the Com'tee of Claremont, voted that the above mentioned arms and ammuni- tion be deposited in the hands of Mr. Barne Ellis, of said Claremont, and said Ellis is not to let any person have any of s'd arms without order from the Com'tee of said Claremont. Voted to adjourn till to-morrow morning, nine o'elock. Dec'r 7th, met according to adjournment. Present as yesterday.

" 1st. Received the fire-arms and ammunition of those persons who have been examined, and delivered them to the custody of Barne Ellis agreeable to the vote passed yesterday, for each of which the Com'tee of said Claremont gave their receipt to the owners.

" 2dly. Voted That this meeting be dissolved and it was dissolved accordingly. True copy from the minutes.

" Attest : NATH'L S. PRENTICE."

"In Congress at Exeter, Jan'y 3d, 1776 : Voted, That Benjamin Giles, Esq'r, Major John Bellows, Capt. Nath'I Sartel Prentice, Mr. Thomas Sparhawk and Mr. Elijah Grout, be a Committee to Examin and Try Capt. Benjamin Sumner, Sam'l Cole, Esq'r, the Rev'd Ranna Cossit and Eleazer Sanger-persons reputed to be enemies to the Liberties of this Coun- trey, and, on conviction thereof, to infliet such Pen- alties or Punishments as they shall see fit-not to exceed Fine or Imprisonment, saving an appeal to this House or General Court."

EXTRACT FROM THE JOURNAL OF THE CONGRESS.

"Colony of New Hampshire Chesire, ss.

"Pursuant to the fourgoing resolve, I do hereby give notice to the above mentioned Benjamin Sumner, Samuell Cole and Ranna Cossit of Claremont in said county and Eleazer Sanger of Keene in s'd county to appear at Charleston at the House of Abel Warner, Innholder in said Charleston on the second Wednes- day of April next at one of the clock, P. M., to an- swer the allegations brought against them by sundrie Evidences before the Commities of Saftie for the Towns of Claremont, Cornish, Lebanon and Hanover, on the 5th day of Decem'r last as appears by an ex- hibition thereof, to the late Congress at Exeter.

" BENJ'N GILES, Presid't,

" In behalf of the Committ.

"CHARLESTOWN, April 10th, 1776.

" Colony of

New Hampshire, ss.

" Aregreeable to a resolve of the Hon'ble Congress appointing Benj'a Giles, Esq'r, Major John Bellows, Capt. Nath'l Sartell Prentice, Mr. Thomas Sparhawk and Mr. Elijah Grout a Com'tee to examine and try Capt. Benj'a Sunner, Sam'l Cole, Esq'r, Rev'd Ranna Cossett and Eleazer Sanger, persons reputed to be Enemies to the Liberties of this Country, etc.

" We, the subscribers, having notified the aforesaid Sumner, Cole, Cossett and Sanger to meet at time and place above mentioned, for the purpose afores'd, and Mr. Ranna Cossett, Sam'l Cole, Esq'r, and Capt. Benja. Sumner, appearing upon examination, by their own Confession and Evidences in the Case, having maturely considered the same, Judge that the evidence and fact exhibited by the Joint Com'tees of Claremont, Cornish, Lebanon and Hanover unto the afores'd Congress against the afores'd Cossett, Cole and Sumner are well supported.

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History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire, Part 102

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1200

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1200