USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Chesterfield > History of Chesterfield, Cheshire county, N.H., from the incorporation of "township number one," by Massachusetts, in 1736, to the year 1881; together with family Histories and genealogies > Part 9
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Moses Smith, (who also ranked as Lieutenant.)
Daniel Kennison, Ensign. Silas Richardson, Sergeant. John Pratt, Sergeant.
William Richardson, Corporal.
Jonathan Farwell. William Haze. John Davison. Moses Marsh.
PRIVATES. Samuel Davis Converse. James Mansfield. Oliver Hobart (?) [probably Zenas Fairbanks. Hubbard.]
Thomas Metcalf.
John Reed. William Henry.
Nathan Metcalf.
Thomas Daby. William Reed. Joseph Metcalf. Ebenezer Streeter. Asa Gale.
Reuben Hildreth. John Porter. Jesse Hildreth.
Joseph Smith. Silas Thompson.
Nathaniel Bingham.
Andrew Hastings.
John Ellis, Sergeant.
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Amos Partridge. Samuel Walker. Daniel Colburn.
Hollava (?) Merrill.
Elisha Rockwood. Joseph Metcalf, Fr. Abner Allen.
Reuben Graves.
Asa Metcalf.
Of these men, Haze, Marsh, John and William Reed. Mansfield, Porter, Merrill and Allen, may have belonged to other towns; al- though it is quite as likely that they belonged to Chesterfield. The men of this company were absent, at the most, only thirteen days ; and some not more than two or three.
The battle of Bennington, which took place on the 16th of Au- gust of this year, furnished an opportunity for testing the fighting qualities of those men whom the British regarded as being no match for their well drilled regulars. At this late day it is difficult to conceive how intense must have been the excitement in this part of the valley of the Connecticut, when it was known that a large force of British and Indians would, unless soon stopped in its vic- torious career, sweep through the settlements. The remembrance of the atrocities of the savages was still fresh in the minds of many of the settlers, and they were determined to defend with vigor, even unto death, if necessary, their homes and families. As soon as the object of the British became known, preparations were made to meet them. The militia of New Hampshire was divided into two brigades, one commanded by Gen. Stark, the other by Gen. Whip- ple. One of the regiments in Stark's brigade was commanded by Col. Moses Nichols.
The eighth company of this regiment was under the command of Capt. Kimball Carlton, of Chesterfield. The record says that this company "marched from Chesterfield and towns adjacent, July 22, 1777." Westmoreland and Chesterfield seem to have furnished most of the men. The roll of Capt. Carl- ton's company was as follows: [The names of Chesterfield men are indicated by being printed in italics.]
Amos Pierce, Lieutenant.
Jonathan Holton, Lieutenant.
Josiah Hastings, Ensign.
Bezaleel Grandy, Sergeant.
Jonathan Sawyer, Sergeant.
Daniel Farr,
Ephraim Sawyer,
Luther Winslow. Corporal.
Jonathan Cole, Corporal.
Samuel Robbins, Corporal.
Noah Emmons, Corporal.
Benoni Tisdale, Fifer. (Killed
Aug. 16.)
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PRIVATES.
Thomas Metcalf. Joseph Metcalf. John Reed. Ephraim Amidon.
Hosea Snow.
Simeon Daggett.
Amos Partridge. Theodorus Bingham. Benjamin Streeter.
Charles Farr.
William Farr.
Jacob Stone.
Lemuel Stoddard.
William Hazelton.
Ebzy Evans (?)
David Glazier.
Elisha Belding.
John Robbins.
James Peacock.
Daniel Brown.
Simon Cobb.
Nehemiah Brown.
Benjamin Pierce.
Daniel Baldwin.
Jonathan Robbins.
Albert Gilbert,
Solomon Robbins.
John Ranstead.
Eleazer Robbins.
Jacob Farr, fr.
Richard Hazelton.
Jonathan Cobleigh.
Jesse Brown.
Samuel Peacock.
Jonathan Willis.
Joshua Frost.
John Warner.
Daniel Shadwick [or Shadrach.]
William Britton.
Daniel Blanchard.
Josiah Leach, Jr.
Josiah Wheeler.
Jonathan Farr.
Nathaniel Collar.
Daniel Keyes.
Jonathan Hildreth, fr.
Amos Hobart (?) [probably Hub- Aaron Fisk. bard.]
Samuel D. Converse.
It is said that the Westmoreland men assembled at Keep's tavern, in the present "Hill Village" of that town, and thence marched to Chesterfield. A pleasing incident of the hurry and excitement at- tending the assembling of the members of the company, has been preserved through tradition. Eleazer Robbins, of Westmoreland, was so enthusiastic in the good cause, and so eager to go on the "hunt for Hessians," that he got to the place of rendezvous before he discovered that he had left his hat at home !
Capt. Carlton having got his company in readiness, marched from this town, on the 22d of July, for the rendezvous at Charles- town. It was a sad day for many a family, for who could tell how many of those who were going forth to engage in mortal combat
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with a powerful enemy, would ever return to their homes? Capt. Carlton's company was among the first that reported to Gen. Stark, at Charlestown, and the Captain and his men were especially com- plimented by him for their promptness and good appearance. There is official evidence that Aaron Wheeler and Job F. Brooks, both of Westmoreland, each took up to Charlestown a two-horse load of provisions for the use of the troops. Stark, having got to- gether a few hundred men, marched to Manchester, Vt., where he joined his forces with the Vermont troops under command of Col. Seth Warner, or "Mr. Warner," as he was contemptuously called by Gen. Burgoyne.
The following brief extracts from Gen. Burgoyne's instructions to Col. Baum, will give the reader a clearer idea of the intentions of the British commander, and of what would have been the fate of the valley settlements, if his plans had not been speedily frus- trated : "You are to proceed from Batten Kill to Arlington, and to take post there. * You are then to proceed to Man- chester, where you will again take post, so as to secure the passes of the mountains on the road from Manchester to Rockingham ; from thence you will detach the Indians and light troops to the northward toward Otter Creek ; on their return, and also receiving intelligence that no enemy is in force upon the Connecticut river, you will proceed by the road over the mountains to Rockingham, where you will take post.
* Should you find it may be effected, you are to remain there while the Indians and light troops are detached up the river, and you are afterwards to descend the river to Brattleburg [Brattleboro'], and from that place by the quickest march you are to return by the great road to Albany. *
During your whole progress your detachments are to have orders to bring in to you all horses fit to mount the dragoons under your command, or to serve as bat-horses to the troops, together with as many saddles and bridles as can be found. The number of horses requisite, besides those necessary for mounting the regiment of dragoons, ought to be thirteen hundred. If you can bring more for the use of the Army, it will be so much the better. * All possible means are to be used to prevent plundering."
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Col. Baum was also commanded to take possession of wagons and "other convenient carriages," together with draught-oxen and beef-cattle. Milch cows were, very considerately, to be left for the use of the inhabitants. Receipts were also to be given for every- thing that was taken, to all except rebels. It was a cherished be- lief of Burgoyne that most of the settlers on the "Grants" would readily comply with the proclamation which he had previously is- sued, inviting them to remain loyal, or, at least, not to interpose any obstacles to the progress of his army. at the same time pointing out the penalties if they refused to comply.
Baum, however, was not able to occupy either Manchester or Rockingham, but directed his course toward Bennington. Stark, having received additions to his force, left Manchester on Sunday, Aug. S, for Bennington, where he arrived the next day. Col. War- ner's regiment was left at Manchester. On the 13th, Stark learned that a body of Indians was within about 12 miles of Bennington, and sent Col. Gregg with 200 men, to meet them. Information was soon brought that a large force was advancing toward Ben- nington, and, on the 14th, Stark advanced with his brigade and a few Vermont troops, to cover the retreat of Col. Gregg, who was obliged to yield to superior numbers. A few miles from the town, Stark's force met the force under command of Gregg, the enemy being in close pursuit. Baum, on perceiving that Stark was ready to oppose him, halted his army and took an advantageous position, refusing to be drawn into an engagement. Stark's force then fell back about one mile and encamped for the night. Gregg was the lieutenant-colonel of Nichols' regiment, and it is said that a part of his detachment, which had been sent forward, as above stated, was composed of men belonging to Capt. Carlton's company.
On the 15th, it rained all day, so that a general engagement was not attempted ; but, on the next day, having been re-enforced by more Vermont militia, and some from Berkshire county, Mass., Stark made preparations for attacking the enemy, who, in the mean- time, had completed his intrenchments. Col. Nichols was sent with 250 men, including, it is said, Capt. Carlton's company, to the rear of the enemy's left wing. Col. Herrick was also sent with 300 men to the rear of the right wing. When the two detachments met, an attack was to be made upon the rear of the main body of
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Baum's army, while the remainder of the American army made an attack in front. The battle was opened at 3 o'clock in the after- noon, by Col. Nichols' detachment, and raged fiercely till about 5 o'clock. Said Gen. Stark, "It was like one continued clap of thun- der."
Want of space forbids a detailed account of this battle, on the result of which so much depended. In two hours the enemy's breast-works had been carried by storm, two brass cannons and some prisoners captured. Then came Col. Breymann, with a con- siderable force, to the assistance of the British, who rallied and made a furious attack upon Stark's little army. The Americans were slowly falling back, when Col. Seth Warner's regiment came to the rescue, and the battle raged anew. Both sides fought brave- ly till sunset, when the enemy gave way, and was pursued by Stark till darkness set in. Upwards of 700 prisoners, and a considerable supply of war materials, fell into the hands of the Americans. About 200 dead Hessians, Tories and Indians were found on the battle-field. The loss of the Americans, in killed and wounded, was comparatively small, and appears not to have much exceeded one-hundred. . Only two of Capt. Carlton's men are known to have been killed-Benoni Tisdale and John Ranstead, both of West- moreland. Several arc said to have been wounded, but their names cannot now be ascertained. A detachment of men from Captain Carlton's and one other company, which had been sent to Green- bush, N. Y., to secure some cattle, fell into an ambuscade of To- ries, who fired a volley that killed Tisdale and Ranstead. It is said that Ranstead received sixteen bullets, and that Tisdale was shot through the lungs.
Tradition says that a number of men from Chesterfield were en- gaged in this battle, who went as independent volunteers. One of these was John Pierce, who, having had a hand in the capture of some Hessians, or Hessian spoils, received the appellation of "The Hessian." Oliver Brown and Thomas Farr went to drive cattle for the American army. It is said that the British got the cattle, whereupon the two young men went into the ranks and served as soldiers. The roar of the cannon was distinctly heard in this, and neighboring, towns on that eventful day, and filled the minds of the hearers with dread and anxiety. The wife of William Farr was at
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work in the flax-field, not far from where the Universalist meeting- house now stands, in the western part of the town, when she heard the cannonading. The wife of Aaron Fisk, who lived on the hill west of the lake, also heard the roar of the cannon, and, in a state of great mental agitation, walked the house as long as it continued. This circumstance produced such an impression upon the mind of her oldest child, that it was never forgotten.
The most of the men in Capt. Carlton's company, served two months and two days, or till about the 24th of September following the date of their marching from Chesterfield, and received pay at the rate of 4 pounds and 10 shillings per month. It is much to be regretted that the names of all those who went to the battle of Ben- nington as independent volunteers, cannot now be learned. If they ever sent any claims for compensation to the Legislature, such claims have not been found, and consequently no list of their names.
In the New Hampshire regiment commanded by Col. Alexander Scammel, and which was at Ticonderoga till that place was evacu- ated, July 6, 1777, were Ebenczer Fletcher and Amos Colburn. both of Chesterfield. The former was first-lieutenant in the third company, the latter second-lieutenant in the sixth company. Gus- tavus Bingham enlisted June 10, 1777, and John Grandy the 15th of the same month. Both were discharged Jan. 10, 1778, but for what cause is unknown. Bingham received a wound in the head, sometime during the war ; but in what action is not known. The town paid bounties, this year, to the amount of 100 pounds and 8 shillings.
In 1778, Chesterfield paid bounties to the amount of 66 pounds, "13 shillings and 9 pence ; but the names of the men to whom these bounties were paid, have not been found.
In 1779, bounties were paid by the town to the amount of many pounds. The names of some, if not all. of the men who went from the town this year, are known. In the spring a regiment of New Hampshire men, under command of Col. Hercules Mooney, was ordered to Rhode Island. The fourth company of this regi- ment was commanded by Capt. Ephraim Stone, of Westmoreland. In it were, at least three, Chesterfield men, viz., Jonathan Cressey, Martin Hildreth and John Putnam. Each received a bounty of 30 pounds, and was allowed, for travel to Providence, II pounds.
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The distance was called 110 miles. July 12, William Nichols, of Chesterfield, enlisted for one year. July 18, Phineas Hemenway, Thomas Wooley, David Pierce and Simon Pierce enlisted for the term of one year. The five men last mentioned were enlisted "to fill up the Continental Army." They received a bounty of 60 pounds each
In the summer of 17So. Francis Crane, William Lce, Reuben Still. David Still and Nathan Dodge enlisted for the town of Chesterfield, and served a few months ; but in what regiment, is not known. Two additional regiments were raised in New Hamp- . shire, this year, for the defence of West Point. In the sixth com- pany of one of these regiments (Col. Moses Nichol's) were the following Chesterfield men : John Pratt, Ebenezer Safford, Daniel Baldwin, Noah Emmons and Aaron Cresscy. Pratt ap- pears to have been promoted to lieutenant. In October, the British and Indians burned Royalton, Vt , and committed other depreda- tions in the vicinity of that place. The alarm having been con- veyed to other towns, in this State and Vermont, men immediately volunteered to go in pursuit of the enemy. It seems that Captain Josiah Hartwell, with a few men from this town, was among those who volunteered on that occasion. The names of Capt. Hartwell's men have not been found ; but the pay-roll amounted to 37 pounds, 14 shillings and 4 pence.
If any men enlisted from Chesterfield during the remaining years of the war, their names are unknown ; for no rolls have been dis- covered containing the names of men that could be identified as being citizens of Chesterfield. Owing to the disturbed state of the town during the last three years of the war, it is probable that very few, if any, men enlisted. Bounties were, in most cases, paid to the soldiers furnished by New Hampshire, by the towns from which they enlisted. Afterwards, the towns were re-imbursed for these bounties by the State.
At a town-meeting held Jan. 11, 1781, a settlement was made with Nathan Thomas and others, for lead furnished for the use of the town, on the occasion of a certain "alarm," in October, 1776. The cause of the "alarm" has not been ascertained. The following is a statement of the amount of lead furnished, together with the names of those who furnished it :
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Nathan Thomas, 6 lbs., 6 oz. Noah Emmons, 1 1b., 12 oz. Abel Emmons, 3 lbs. Jonathan Farr, 2nd, 9 lbs., 8 oz. Capt. Simon Davis, 9 lbs.
It was voted to allow 6 Continental dollars per pound ;for the lead !
In August, 1794, Chesterfield voted "to make up the soldiers' wages equal to forty shillings per month, including the pay which Congress has given them, exclusive of the clothing."
Owing to the imperfect manner in which the army records were kept during the struggle for independence, the names of the Ches- terfield men who were wounded or lost their lives, from any cause, while in the service of their country, have not been ascertained, except a few that have been obtained from other sources. Accord- ing to the town-records, Nathan Bishop died in the army in 1777. It is said that David Stoddard, Sen., went into the army, and never returned. Elisha Bingham was discharged from the service, and died while on his way home. Others there doubtless were who lost their lives in the cause of liberty, and whose deeds, though they themselves slumber in nameless graves, will be held in remem- brance by a grateful posterity for centuries to come.
"The bugle's wild and warlike blast Shall muster them no more; An army now might thunder past, And they not heed its roar. The starry flag, 'neath which they fought, In many a bloody day, From their old graves shall rouse them not, For they have pass'd away."
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CHAPTER V.
From 1783 to 1815.
Rapid Coming-in of Settlers-First Election for State and County Officers- The Town Votes "to Sing, Sunday Afternoons, without Reading"-The Town Votes in Favor of the Issuing of Paper Money by the State-Gen Sullivan Visits the Town-Adoption of the Federal Constitution-First Presidential Election-Constitution of the State Revised-Attempts to Divide the Town-War Between the United States and Great Britain- The Federals Pass Resolutions Disapproving the Acts of the Republican Administration-The People of New Hampshire Alarmed by the Ap- proach of the British-Names of the Men Furnished by Chesterfield- End of the War.
During the war of the Revolution many families came from Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, and settled in Ches- terfield. After the war ended, settlers continued to come into the town in large numbers, so that the population numbered, in 1786, 1535 persons, or 661 more than in the first year of the war ( 1775) .. In 1790, the number of inhabitants was 1905 ; and in the year ISoo it had become 2161. Among the new-comers were men of almost every trade and profession-physicians, preachers, teachers, farmers. traders, hatters, weavers of linen and woolen cloths, cloth-dressers, shoemakers, blacksmiths, carpenters, coopers and millers. Addi- tional saw and grist-mills were erected ; blacksmith shops, fulling mills and stores came suddenly into existence, in quarters of the town where there had previously been none. In short, the town had entered upon a career of prosperity that was destined to last many years.
The annual town-meeting for the year 1784, was held on the 3d day of March. Benjamin Haskell, Peter Stone and Amos Hubbard were elected selectmen. As the new constitution was to take effect the next June, state and county officers were voted for at this meet- ing, according to the provisions of the same. This was the first
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general election ever held in the State, for State and County officers. The following is the record of the votes for "President of the State," and for state senators :
For President, George Atkinson had 26 votes.
John Sullivan 3 66 Sam'l Livermore 2
For Senators, Col. Hale
Simeon Olcott, Esq., 23
24
Thomas Sparhawk, 66
I 66 Benj. Bellows, Esq., 4
66 Thos. Applin, Esq., 5 66
At that time, the senatorial districts coincided with the counties, and Cheshire county was allowed to elect two senators. The small- ness of the number of votes cast at this election. in this town, seems somewhat remarkable, when we consider that the town must have had a population numbering not much less than 1200, and perhaps more. For a number of years after the new constitution was adopt- ed, there appears to have been very little interest in the elections for State officers, among the inhabitants of Chesterfield.
The annual town-meeting for 1785, took place on March 2nd. At this meeting Jacob Amidon was chosen town-clerk,-a position that he held for fifteen years in succession. Paul Eager, Jacob Am- idon and Reuben Graves were elected selectmen ; and Ebenezer Harvey, representative. For President of the State, George Atkin- son received 16 votes ; John Langdon, 8 ; Esquire Livermore, 4.
Another meeting was held May 10, the same year. The fifth article in the warrant for this meeting was, "To see if the town will vote relative to singing in the meeting-house on Sundays, with- out reading." It was voted to sing in the afternoon without reading.
As has already been mentioned, the town, on two different occa- sions in the year 1781, refused to furnish its quota of men for the Continental army. It seems that "fines" were afterwards imposed upon the town for this neglect, as appears from the following article in the warrant for a town-meeting to be held Nov. 7, (1785) : "To see what the town will do in regard to the fines laid on the town for not sending their complement of men into the Continental Army." Esquire Cressey, Capt. Cobleigh and Deacon Thompson
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were constituted a committee to consider the matter, and draw up a petition to be sent to the General Court, relating thereto.
The history of the town from 1785 to the breaking out of the second war with Great Britain, in 1812, contains but little of es- pecial interest, and will be very briefly treated. It is true that this period was one of prosperity, but it was free from political excite- ment, and the inhabitants were quietly engaged in their ordinary occupations.
In September, 1786, the Legislature of New Hampshire, in ac- cordance with the demand of a large party in the State, formed the plan of issuing paper bills to the amount of 50,000 pounds, to be loaned at four per cent., on land security. This plan was submit- ted to the people. At a town-meeting held the 16th of November, the same year, the town voted in favor of the project. The meas- ure was not adopted, however, by the people of the State, as it failed to receive a majority of votes.
It appears from a petition sent to the General Court by Eleazer Jackson, Michael Cressy and Benj. Haskell, selectmen of Chester- field for the year 1787, that Gen. John Sullivan, President of the State, visited Chesterfield in November, 1786. This petition bears the date of June 21, 1787, and states that "on the eighth day of November last William Loudon, a tranchant person and not an In- habitant in this or, as we Can Learn, any other town or place in this State, or any of the United States of America, being a native of Scotland, and one that served the United States in the Late War, was greviously wounded in attempting to fire a cannon on the ar- rival of his Excellency Gen'l Sullivan in this town," &c. The petitioners desired that the State would defray the expenses incur- red in caring for the wounded man.
June 21, 1788, the Federal Constitution was adopted by New Hampshire. Dr. Solomon Harvey was the delegate from Chester- field to the convention that adopted this constitution. Dr. Harvey was one of the forty-seven delegates who voted against adoption. Fifty-seven voted for adoption.
On the 15th day of December, 1788, was held the first town- meeting for the purpose of voting for representatives in the Con- gress of the United States, and for electors of President and Vice-
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President. Three representatives and five electors were to be voted for. The following is the record of the votes cast for representa- tives :
Samuel Livermore had 7 votes.
Simeon Olcott 13
Benjamin West 2
John Pickering
9
Paine Wingate ·
8
Lemuel Holmes
3
Enoch Hale
I
Beza Woodward
2
66
John Sullivan
2
66
Benjamin Bellows
I
The votes for electors were as follows :
Moses Chase had II votes.
John Sullivan
66
IO
Gen. Fulsom
9
John Pickering
II 66
Amos Shephard 66
II
Benjamin Bellows
I
Esquire Bell
I
Peter Green
I
The smallness of the number of votes cast is again somewhat surprising, considering that the town now had more than 1500 in- habitants. It was found necessary to hold another election for rep- resentatives in Congress. Accordingly, another town-meeting was held to vote for three out of the five following persons: Benjamin West, Samuel Livermore, Payne Wingate, Abiel Foster, John Sul- livan and Nicholas Gilman. Of these, Benj. West, Abiel Foster and Nicholas Gilman had each II votes. This meeting was held Feb. 2, 1789. At an adjourned town-meeting held Nov. 16, the same year, it was voted "to raise 33 pounds to be paid in flax at 5 pence per pound, or [in] money, to settle an extent issued by the Treasurer on the selectmen."
A convention for revising the constitution of the State, assembled at Concord, Sept. 7, 1791. Eleazer Jackson was the delegate to this convention from Chesterfield. The amendments proposed by
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