USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Lebanon > History of Lebanon, N.H., 1761-1887 > Part 10
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Out of the ten companies composing Colonel Stickney's regi- ment, only five drew pay from Bennington and Stillwater. Out of the ten companies composing Colonel Nichols' regiment, only three are distinguished as having been at Bennington. From all this the historian cannot resist the conclusion that Captain Hendee's company was not at Bennington.
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SOLDIERS IN THE REVOLUTION.
MAJOR WHITCOMB'S BATTALION.
Major Whitcomb had command of a battalion of Rangers from 1776 to the close of the war. It was their duty to guard the upper Connecticut. In the roll of officers of the battalion as organized in 1780, is the name of Samuel Payne, as captain of a company. From the records we learn that three men enlisted under Captain Payne "in the Public Service at Cohos." Who they were the record does not state.
There were also eight men under Captain Bush a month and a half. Lieutenant Huntington was out for the same period. In 1781 eleven men "engaged in the public service for six months. "
There were also others engaged for longer or shorter periods, called out at the various alarms in the closing years of the war; sixty men one day in the alarm at Barnard, August, 1780; twelve men scouting on the frontier three weeks; March, 1781, six men for one month under Captain Nelson to scout upon the frontiers.
To these the following names must be added: Nehemiah Esta- brook 2d, who hastened to the front immediately after the battle of Lexington, and continued in the service to the close of the war. He was one of the body guard of Washington. He was undoubtedly one of the two reported by the selectmen as gone into the army. The other was probably Lieut. Thomas Blake.
What is said of Nehemiah Estabrook is traditional. The his- torian fails to find records to support it. His name is given in one of the lists of soldiers, but under different circumstances.
The following persons were engaged in the service of their country, who came to Lebanon after the close of the war:
Diarca Allen Phinehas Allen
Jesse Cook David Millington Nathaniel Storrs
Gideon Baker Zuar Eldredge Nathan Durkee
Enoch Redington
Edward Slapp, son of Maj. John Slapp, on the evacuation of Ticonderoga, was in the rear guard of the army and obliged to endure much fatigue and many hardships under the pursuit of
7
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HISTORY OF LEBANON.
the enemy, under which his health gave way and he was sent to the hospital at Albany, N. Y. In October, 1777, he obtained a furlough to return home. Ensign Charles Hill happened to be at Albany, and in a most friendly way offered to assist him in reaching home. Growing weaker on the journey, he was obliged to stop at Shaftsbury, about forty miles from Albany, where he died at the house of Ichabod Cross.
Nathaniel Bugbee contracted disease in the army and was a long time sick at Lebanon.
Ensign Thomas Blake was born in Dorchester, Mass., in 1752, son of Samuel and Patience Blake. He descended from William Blake, who came to Dorchester in 1630. In 1775 he purchased large tracts of land in Lebanon, and the sawmill by Hubbard bridge, known as the Davidson mills. He was a joiner and was at work on the college buildings when news came of the battle of Lexington. He immediately left and started, in company with some students and others, for Cambridge, and on the way was chosen leader. He immediately enlisted and was probably at the battle of Bunker Hill. He was first, ensign in Captain House's company, then lieutenant, and in General Sullivan's expedition he was appointed paymaster and continued such to the close of the war. He kept a journal which has been printed in Kidder's "History of the First New Hampshire Regiment." The first date is Lebanon. After the close of the war he trav- eled through the state, settling military accounts. He then went to Boston and established himself as a manufacturer of soap and candles, firm of Blake & Jackson. He died in Boston, February 18, 1840. He had the reputation of a most faithful and trustworthy officer.
The following is a transcript from the original in the Pension Bureau, Washington, D. C .:
We the subscribers Being a Draft from the Militia of the Regt. under the command of Col Jonth Chase Do Acnolage we have Recd of him four pounds ten shillings each as one months advanced pay, agrable to a Vote of the Councel and assembly of the state New Hampshire
Zalmon Aspenwall Joel Tilden Asa Colburn
Lebanon
Isaiah Bliss Joseph Wood Junr Lem1 Fuller
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SOLDIERS IN THE REVOLUTION.
Jabez Baldwin
Eleazer Mather Porter Jeremiah Griswold Jacob Colburn
Azariah Bliss Junr Walter Peck Benj. Harris.
Ensign Charles Hill John Colburn
Matthew Peck
, William Downer Ths. Ellis Barbarick
Jonathan Wright Ensign Thomas Blake
John Gray
Edward Slapp
John Griswold
Josiah Magoon
Abel Wright
Ebenezer Bliss
Charles Saxton
Isaiah Potter chaplain
Nathaniel Porter
Lieut. Zalmon Aspenwall
Ensign Samuel Estabrooks
Ensign Nathan Aldrich
Capt Samuel Payne
Daniel Bliss
Jedediah Hibbard Sergt Major
Jacob Colburn Sluman Lathrop
Robert Colburn
Solomon Millington
John Slapp Jr
Timothy Owen
Nathaniel Wheatley
Barnabas Perkins
Silas Waterman
Elisha Gecknor
Elkanah Sprague
Joseph Wood
Stephen Colburn
Sergt. Nathaniel Hall
Nathaniel Storrs
Sergt. Nehemiah Estabrook
Corp. Lemuel Hough
Nathaniel Porter Jr
Corp. Zacheus Downer
James Hartshorn
Jabez Baldwin
Simon Porter Slapp
Nathaniel Bugbee
Moses Hibbard
Phineas Wright
John Fox Asariah Bliss
William Dana Adjutant
Jeremiah Meachan
Corp James Jones Levi Hyde
Walter Peck Eba Peck
Hezekiah Waters
Eleaser Robinson
Huckins Storrs
Martin Deney
James Hartshorn
Elias Lyman
Nathan Durkee
The lists given on the preceding pages, probably incomplete, show nevertheless that the town did its part in the great strug- gle for independence. The lists have cost the historian months of perplexing labor, at great disadvantages, because of the attitude of the town towards New Hampshire in the Vermont controversy.
Luther Wheatley
James Fuller
Daniel Hough
Benj. Fuller
Jos. Gilden Jr
Noah Payne private Jonathan Conant
Abel Lyman Lieut.
----
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HISTORY OF LEBANON.
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
This body of men was a necessity of the times in which it originated. In the sudden breaking up of the royal authority before there was any organization to bind them together, and to be a channel for legitimate authority, this organization was de- vised. It seems to have had both legislative and executive pow- ers. That of the state was only active when the assembly was not in session, as they had at the time no distinct executive body. The committees of the towns were appointed annually and were clothed with ample powers. To secure uniformity in their action, committees of neighboring towns consulted together and made rules for their government. The following are instances of their manner of proceeding :
At a meeting of the Commitees of Safety for the towns of Plainfield, Lebanon, Hanover Canaan & Grantham at the house of Mr Azariah Bliss in said Lebanon Aug 2d A. D. 1775 Chose John Wheatley Esq. chairman, Bezaleel Woodward Esq. clerk.
Voted that we will use our utmost Endeavorers as Committees of our respective Towns for the preservation of the Peace and suppression of Disorders among the people as Recommended by Congress
Voted that the laws of our Country ought and shall be our Rule of Proceedure in judging of the Qualities of Offences & punishing the same, only with such Variations as the Different Channel of Admin- istration Requires
Voted that each Committee keep records of their Proceedure
Voted that this meeting be dissolved.
Attest Beza Woodward Clk.
At a meeting of the Committee of Safety for the town of Lebanon at the house of Mr. Azariah Bliss in said Lebanon on Wednesday the 2nd day of Aug. 1775 said Committee Chose Deacon Nehemiah Estabrook Chairman and John Wheatley Esq. Clerk
Voted that in Common Cases the Clerk of said Committee shall issue out proper precepts in behalf of said Committee for Conventing of Disturbers of the peace before said Committee
At a meeting of the Committee of Safety for the town of Lebanon Aug. 7th 1775 Tyxhall Cleaveland of Hanover and Zalmon Aspenwall of said Lebanon appeared before said Committee to answer to a Com- plaint Exhibited to s'd Comtee by Saml Paine a Grand Juror of s'd Lebanon against said Cleaveland and said Aspenwall for breach of peace & Disorderly conduct. When said Committee proceeded to an Examination of the Case which by the Confession of the parties above named, as well as by Evidence said complaint was judged to be sup-
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SOLDIERS IN THE REVOLUTION.
ported, when upon the Submission of the parties and promises of Regu- lar Conduct in the future said Comtee Dismissed said Delinquents.
Also Hobart Estabrook & John Barbarick appeared before said Comtee & were Examined Concerning their Labouring on the 20th day of July last being the day set apart by the Grand american Congress for pub- lick fasting & prayer throughout the Continent-when the above named persons Confessed their fault, and being Duly admonished to a better Conduct in future (which they Engaged) were accordingly Dismissed by said Comtee
Lebanon, Nov 25 1775
Jos Tilden of said Lebanon Husbandman appears before the Comtee of Safety for said Lebanon & complains and says that he the said Tilden on the 23d day of this instant Was met on the Highway between the towns of piermont & orford By Capt. Bela Turner of said Lebanon and Was by him the said Capt Turner stopt and By Him Robbed of legal property.
Lebanon Nov 27 1775
Joseph Tilden
At a meeting of the Comtee of Safety for said Lebanon the above complaint of Jos. Tilden aforesaid against Capt Bela Turner for Rob- bery was Considered & Evidences heard in form of both parties when said Comtee took the matter of the aforesaid Complaint into Considera- tion & said Comtee unanimously agreed that said Complaint is not Sup- ported; and that him the said Jos. Tilden, the Complainant ought in Justice to make a proper Retraction to Capt Turner in a publick man- ner and pay all incidental charges.
'Test John Wheatley Clk.
Colony of New Hampr) Grafton County ss (
At a meeting of the Committee of safety for the town of Hanover in said County at the House of John Paine in-holder in said Hanover, March 23d 1776.
Present-Lt David Woodward Chairman Capt. Aaron Storrs Bezal Woodward Esq Clk
Bezaleel Phelps of Norwich in the Colony of New York, yeoman, was bro't before this Committee by virtue of a warrant issued by Bezaleel Woodward and Aaron Storrs, two of the Committee, predicated on his having in his custody and detaining a certain Note of this Colony bear- ing the face of a six shilling Bill which is supposed to have been fraud- ently altered and increased as to the value or sum therein express'd by s'd Phelps, as by said warrant may more fully appear.
Respondent pleads not guilty
After a full hearing of evidences in said case said Phelps confessed that he had burnt said bill being conscious that it was altered, and
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HISTORY OF LEBANON.
that in case he may be excused from penalty in detaining said bill when he knew that it was counterfeit, he will disclose to this Committee the author of that and sundry other bills, and discover where some of said bills are-whereupon s'd proposal is agreed to, only that he pay costs hitherto made in the affair, till they can be regularly recovered of some other person. Costs taxed at forty shillings.
Said Phelps then desired Lemuel Paine of s'd Hanover to produce a certain forty shilling Bill which he received on the evening of the 15 inst. of Andrew Wheatley of Lebanon, which s'd Paine on request accordingly did, which bill is adjudged by this Committee to have been altered from a three shilling bill, and which s'd Lemuel on his oath declared he recd of said Wheatley as aforesaid
Committee adjourned to tomorrow morning, 9 o'clock March 24th: Met according to adjournment.
Present-Lt David Woodward, Chairman - Committee of
lt Aaron Storrs Bez'a Woodward Esq Clk
Hanover
John Wheatley Esq. - Committee of Lebanon
Major John Slapp
Major John Griswold Mr Azariah Bliss
1st Charles Hill of Lebanon in-holder is bro't before these Committees. for putting off and passing counterfeit money at which time Solomon Cushman of Norwich produced a forty shilling Bill of the Colony of New Hampshire No 3260 emitted July 25th 1775 and payable Dec 20th 1779 which is adjudged by these Committees to have been altered, which bill said Cushman on his oath declares he re'd of said Charles Hill in payment for a silk Handkerchief, and s'd Hill is not able to inform us of whom he rec'd it. Whereupon it is considered and ordered that s'd Hill pay to s'd Cushman the value of s'd bill viz. forty shillings and costs.
Judgment satisfied
Beza. Woodward, Clerk.
The Committee then resumed the examination relative to the bill laid before this committee yesterday by Lemuel Paine, relative to which Charles Hill (being sworn) testified that being at this house on the evening of the 15th Inst. he saw Joseph Skinner (of Capt Greens com- pany in Col Bedels Regt.) put a bill into the hand of Andrew Wheatley of Lebanon that he might get it changed
Bezaleel Phelps before named (being sworn) testifies That he he saw Andrew Wheatley give a forty shilling bill to Lemuel Paine to be changed, and afterwards as s'd Phelps was going to Dr Eager with s'd Skinner, s'd Skinner told this deponent that it was his bill with which Wheatley paid the reckoning at said Paine's and added "And I made it myself, and I have altered a good many bills from three shillings to
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SOLDIERS IN THE REVOLUTION.
forty shillings, and I have Known many more altered both here and at Cambridge, and a person may make his fortune by it in a little time." He also said all the money he spent at Cambridge he altered and further said to s'd Phelps that if he told anybody of it he would kill him. Said Phelps farther testifies that that he saw said Skinner cut certain peices from a certain book or pamphlet to use in altering bills, and s'd Skinner told him he had cut pieces from it before to use for that purpose, and that he would not take a thousand pounds for the book. Phelps described the book and informed particularly where he had left it (which being produced exhibited strong ground to apprehend from its appearance that it has been abundantly used for that purpose) Said Phelps further testifies when s'd Skinner had some paste to use in altering bills, Mrs Winton coming into the room asked what it was for? Dr. Eager replied to paste books-when he was sometimes in the room whilst Skinner was altering bills with the paste, both before and after Mrs Winton asked the question ; said Phelps further testifies that he saw said Skinner alter a bill to a forty shilling last Sunday and this deponent observing Dr. Eager to be present part of the time, asked Skinner whether the Doctor knew of his altering bills, to which Skinner replied "Damn him, yes." Said Phelps further testifies [The remainder is wanting]-Prov. Papers, Vol. VIII, pp. 115, 116.
The Charles Hill mentioned above should not be mistaken for the Charles Hill who was one of the earliest settlers and was prominent in both town and church affairs. At this time he was dead. It was his son, Charles Hill, Jr.
Colony of New Hampshire. Grafton ss Lebanon March 25th 1776. At a meeting of the Committee of Safety for the town of Lebanon to hear and Consider of a Complaint Ehibited by Tyxhall Cleaveland of Hanover in said County, Trader against Robert Colburn of said Leba- non, yeoman, for that he the said Colburn being in company of Elijah King of Charlestown Doct. George Eager and Joel Foster of said Han- over on the 10th inst. (it being Lord's day) was aiding and assisting in Cutting and Causing to fall a Large tree on a certain frame (of a build- ing) in said Hanover, belonging to said Cleaveland which frame was entirely moved by the falling of said tree.
Present at said meeting
John Wheatley Esq. Maj. John Griswold Maj. John Slapp Mr. Azariah Bliss
Maj. John Slapp Chairman. John Wheatley Clerk.
Said Colburn being brought by Virtue of a warrant from said Comtee before them, was Carefully Examined touching the aforesaid Complaint, when s'd Colburn Confessed that he was in Compy with the persons mentioned in said Complaint .. Upon which Declaration of the Respond-
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HISTORY OF LEBANON.
ant the Comtee proceeded to a Consideration of the point in Question & are of the opinion that him the said Robert Colburn is guilty of aiding and assisting in the fact Exhibited in the said Complaint & that the said Colburn ought in Justice to pay or secure to the satisfaction of said Cleaveland as a Compensation in Part, for the Damage done to said frame the sum of three pounds of Lawful money & as said Transgres- sion was committed on the Sabbath or Lord's day, which in the opinion of the Comtee Greatly Aggravated the offence that him the said Colburn be and is amerced the sum of five shillings for breaking the Sabbath and that he be held by Bond with one Sufficient surety for satisfying said judgment & paying Costs.
Lebanon, Dec 16 1776.
At a meeting of the Committee of Safety of said Lebanon Held at the house of Dea. Nehemiah Estabrook in said Lebanon
Present Nehemiah Estabrook Chairman Azariah Bliss John Slapp John Griswold John Wheatley
Then appeared before said Comtee Abel Wright of said Lebanon & made Oath that he Rec'd a certain Bill Emitted by the State of Connec- ticut, said bill Containing 10/6. of James Hebbard of said Lebanon ; said Hebbard also made oath that he Rec'd said bill of Saml Meacham of Relhan [Enfield] & said Meacham made oath that Jonathan Paddleford of said Relhan Delivered said bill to Phebe the wife of said Meacham.
The Committee Having Examined said bill are of the opinion that said bill is Counterfeit & that said Hebbard settle with the said Wright, & that said Meacham pay the contents of said bill to him the said Hebbard and that him the said Paddleford pay to said Meacham ten shillings and six pence & also the Costs necessarily arising in the Pros- ecution of the above premises
Bill of Tax on the within written premises To James Hebbard for trouble and attendance
2/6
3/8
To Saml Meacham for travel and attendance Costs of Committee
12/6
Total
£0. 18-8
Lebanon March 27-1778
At a Convention of the Comtee of Safety for said Lebanon appeared Nath1 Hall, Complaint & Wm Downer Jr Defendt. Then was Read in the Hearing of said Downer a Complaint Exhibited by said Hall against said Downer for Cursing & Swearing and threatening the Life of said Hall. Abel Lyman and Andrew Hall were produced by said Nath1 Hall as Evidences to Support said Complaint
DR. CYRUS H. FAY.
P
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SOLDIERS IN THE REVOLUTION.
The following is the original complaint, recently discovered among the Hall papers :
To the Comtee of Safety for the Town of Lebanon in the County of Grafton on the N. Hampshire Grants
Gentn
Nathaniel Hall of s'd Lebanon complains and says that Wm Downer Junr of s'd Lebanon did on the 26th Day of this instant March in the Presence of Mr Abel Wright Lieut Abel Lyman and Mr Andrew Hall profanely Curse and swear and also threaten that on the morrow he would bring his gun and if s'd Natl Hall did tap trees on the North side of his Lot which Mr Wm Downer pretends to claim as part of his lot hat by God he would shute s'd Hall, and Gentn you are hereby desired to take immediate cogniciance hereof to prevent further evil
I am Gentn Your most obedient & very humble servant
Nath1 Hall.
The Commitee having heard the evidence are of the Opinion that said Complaint is well supported by s'd Evidences and that said Downer is guilty in manner and form as set forth in s'd Complaint. Wherefore the Comtee judge that him the said Wm Downer be amerced in the sum of twenty shillings. L. M. as a fine to be paid into the treasury of the said town of Lebanon for three breaches of the peace (viz) Cursing, Swearing, and high-handed Threatening & that him the said Downer pay the Cost of this Court & stand bound with one sufficient Surety for the satisfying of the afore said Judgment
Signed by order of said Comtee
John Wheatley Clk.
Bill of Costs-four Comtee mens attendance half a day at 3/ each £0-12-0
Plaintifs attendance & evidences and other incidental Charges 0-16-0 1-0-0 Fine
£2-8-0
Lebanon June 22d 1779
At a meeting of the Comtee of Safety of said Lebanon at the house of Mr Silas Waterman in s'd Lebanon.
Present John Wheatley, Lieut. Elihu Hyde, Capt. Edmund Freeman & Mr Silas Waterman. John Wheatley Chairman P. T.
There appeared William Downer of said Lebanon, brought by special Warrant before said Committee to Answer to a Complaint Exhibited by Elkanah Sprague (one of the Tything men in s'd Lebanon) against said Downer for sundry breaches of the peace viz Cursing, threatening & strikeing; & also James Huntington for strikeing.
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HISTORY OF LEBANON.
The Comtee then proceeded on the premises & Having Read said Com- plaint in the hearing of the above named Delinquents & they being asked the Question, whether they acknowledged the facts Exhibited in said Complaint, the said Wm Downer Denyed the authority of said Court; and him the said Huntington acknowledged the fact as men- tioned in said Complaint
Wherefore said Court proceeded to Examine the Evidences being Duly cited and sworn, and after hearing and Deliberating upon the Case find that him the said Wm Downer is fully Convicted by legal Evidence of a breach of the peace viz Strikeing the said James Hunting- ton; & him the said James Huntington by Confession &c of striking him the said Wm Downer. Wherefore said Comtee award that s'd De- linquents pay a fine of one dollar each and their proportion of Costs.
Lebanon March 6th 1780
At a meeting of the Committee of Safety of said Lebanon. Present Dea. Nehemiah Estabrook Chairman John Wheatley and Elihu Hyde members appeared Abigail Landee of said Lebanon to answer to a com- plaint Exhibited to said Comtee (viz) Kicking and striking, which are open breaches of the peace of the Good people of this Town. Wherefore said Committee Do award that she the said Abigail pay a fine of ten Dollars and the Costs of Trial, & to stand committed till this judgment is satisfied.
Attest John Wheatley Clk.
The Committee of Safety having served its purpose during the Revolution and other disturbances, passed away. Probably no court ever administered more even-handed justice, so far as its action pertained to this town, than did this committee.
The following is a list of the persons who composed the com- mittee at various times :
July 17, 1775 .- Nehemiah Estabrooks, Maj. John Griswold, John Wheatley, Esq., Maj. John Slapp, Silas Waterman, Jedediah Hebbard, Azariah Bliss.
1777 .- Deacon Estabrooks, John Wheatley, Major Griswold, Azariah Bliss, Jesse Cook.
1778 .- Deacon Estabrooks, John Wheatley, Major Slapp, Azariah Bliss, Lemuel Hough.
1779 .- Deacon Estabrook, John Wheatley, Elihu Hyde, Silas Water- man, Edmund Freeman.
1780 .- Deacon Estabrook, Elihu Hyde, Elisha Lothrop.
1781 .- Elihu Hyde, Deacon Estabrook, Major Lothrop. With this year the office ended.
In addition to the difficulties occasioned by the sundering of the relations of the people to the mother country, in civil mat-
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SOLDIERS IN THE REVOLUTION.
ters another came up. They were free, as they held, from all obligations to England, but did not know how to dispose of them- selves. They held that they had the right to form civil and political relations with any organization then existing, or create a new one. For various reasons they were dissatisfied with New Hampshire, and sympathized with the people of Vermont, and entered into civil relations with them. The history of this pro- ceeding is now to be given.
-
The Vermont Controversy.
This controversy makes a singular chapter in the history of New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. Nothing like it is to be found in the history of any other part of the country. Until a recent period the acts of this controversy-it might, indeed, be called a drama-were little known and less understood. Doctor Belknap, writing of these times no later than 1784, being him- self an observer of them, says in respect to them: "It is not easy to develop the intrigues of the several parties or to clear their transactions from the obscurity which surrounds them. He who looks for consistencies in the proceedings of conventions and assemblies which were involved in this controversy will be disappointed." Nevertheless, all human transactions have their principles and motives, and it is possible for the patient and persevering student to discover them and so arrive at an under- standing of them. In this case it must be confessed that the task is a difficult one because of the number of the parties to the controversy, and because of the number and varying force of the motives and principles which governed the actors. There is not so much of obscurity as of complexity in these stirring events. . The web is a tangled one, but the threads are whole, and with patience may be traced through to their ends. Inconsistencies are apparent only, and will in the end be found to be the nat- ural results of well-known principles of human nature.
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