USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Lebanon > History of Lebanon, N.H., 1761-1887 > Part 8
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John Fenton
Portsmo 26th April 1775
Provincial Papers, Vol. 7, p. 480.
This advice, no doubt, was well meant, but had but little effect in keeping men at home, for this whole region was full of patriot- ism and well represented in the army.
In April, 1776, the committee of safety for the province sent to all the towns what is known as the Association Test. The selectmen of the towns were required to present it to all the male inhabitants of the town for their signature. The names of those who signed it and those who refused, were returned to the com- mittee. The test was as follows:
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 For- tunes, with Arms oppose the Hostile Proceedings of the British Fleets and Armies against the United American Colonies.
This was practically the Declaration of Independence on the part of the people of New Hampshire. It was, in one view of it, treason to the king on the part of his subjects. Had the peo- ple failed to make good their pledge every signer would have been held as a traitor.
The following was attached to the list of names :
Lebanon July 4th 1776
These may Certifie that the within Resolve &c has been Presented to all the Inhabitants of Said Lebanon In manner and form as requested, who have freely and Chearfully affixed their several Names thereto. There being not one Dissentient therefrom in said Lebanon.
Test Nehh Estabrook Jno Wheatley John Slapp
Selectmen
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HISTORY OF LEBANON.
There is a very remarkable coincidence of dates in the history of the town. The charter was granted July 4, 1761. This most important paper bears date July 4, 1776. When on that day Dea. Estabrook, Major Slapp and 'Squire Wheatley affixed their names to this return, their brethren in the Continental Con- gress were doing a like act for the people of the thirteen colo- nies. Thus the sturdy declaration of independence in a little back settlement catches some of the beams of glory shining for- ever from the grander act.
There is one other thing worthy of notice in this list of names. In many of the returns from the towns of the state many of the signers were obliged to "make their mark." Not one name thus appears among the signers from Lebanon, indicating the edu- cation of the people in that early day.
In the spring and early summer of 1776 our army, weakened by diseases, smallpox and putrid fever, was forced to retreat from Canada before the reinforced armies of the British, to Crown Point. The news of this retreat raised great alarm in this region. There were no defences between these towns and their foes in Canada. The people feared and expected that they might be attacked, and their fields, beginning to smile with plenty, and their homes would be ravaged by an unpitying foe. Meetings of committees were hastily summoned by swift messen- gers. July 5, 1776, representatives from Lebanon, Hanover, Lyme, N. H., and Hartford, Norwich and Thetford, Vt., met at Hanover. Dea. Nehemiah Estabrook was chosen moderator of the convention. The purpose of their meeting was to plan some defences against the expected foes. They voted to raise fifty men to go to Royalton, build fortifications and scout to- wards Onion River, and thus defend one avenue of approach to their settlements.
Of this company David Woodward of Hanover was appointed captain, Joshua Hazzan of Hartford first lieutenant, and Abel Lyman of Lebanon, second lieutenant. They also appointed a committee of three to direct the fortification of Royalton, one of whom was Maj. John Slapp of Lebanon, an old soldier of the French and Indian wars.
To secure the other avenue of approach from Canada, the Connecticut River, they resolved to fortify and guard Newbury, Vt. For this purpose they voted to raise 250 men to be divided
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INTRODUCTION.
into four companies. Samuel Paine of Lebanon was appointed one of the captains. They were to serve three months. The convention after having pledged the pay of the soldiers was "dismist."
It was easy enough for these people, trembling for their safety, to vote to raise men for their defence. The men themselves would be readily found, but it was not easy to furnish them with arms, ammunition and military stores. In these days of rapid transportation we are likely to forget the difficulty of moving men or material in those early days. Now thousands of stands of arms can be made by machinery in a day. Then everything was made by hand, and a single gun was the work of time. Gunpowder was scarce and the people had not yet learned to make it, depending upon importations.
The following letter, written on the succeeding day of the convention by one whose name has become familiar to us, gives a vivid picture of the alarm of the people and the difficulties with which they had to contend :
Province of New Hampshire, Lebanon, 6th July, 1776.
To the Honorable Assembly of the Province of New Hampshire : May it Please your Honours.
The Necessitous and alarming circumstances the Inhabitants are under in these important Frontier Towns since the army have retreated to Crown Point out of Canada, leaving a Large Extent of our frontiers open to the Ravages of the Savage Indians, being almost Destitute of arms and ammunition & many of our Inhabitants Leaving their houses and fields for a prey to our Enemys ;- We humbly trust your Honours will compassionate and afford us such Relief as you in your wisdom shall judge Necessary from time to time; Especially at this present time. We would inform your Honours that the Committees of several adjacent Towns met together & agreed to Raise three hundred men to build Garrisons and scout for our Defence as you will see by a coppy of the proceedings of s'd Committee, which I send you here enclosed. But as we are destitute of arms, ammunition & money, we are fearfull it will in a great measure prove abortive; and this only alternative left us; Either such as can to make escape into the Lower Towns, or fall a sacrifice to our enemies. We therefore pray your Honours would afford us imediate Relief in the premises, as it is of the utmost impor- tance to us all; and we shall as in duty bound ever Pray.
In behalf of the Committee,
Nehemiah Estabrook
State Papers Vol VIUI, p. 298.
-
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HISTORY OF LEBANON.
These men deserve the noblest praise. In their dangers they do not begin by calling for assistance, but first do all they can and then ask help.
In answer to this request the Committee of Safety gave orders for raising and paying soldiers for this duty of guarding the frontiers. Men were enlisted from Lebanon and the surround- ing towns. After a time, no enemy being discovered, these people recovered from their alarm and resumed their ordinary employments. Among those who contributed to this return of quiet was Captain Payne of Lebanon, of one of the companies stationed at Newbury. He went to Ticonderoga and had an interview with General Gates, then in command of the North- ern Army. From Ticonderoga he went to Crown Point, from thence down the lake to Onion River, and then to Cohos on the Connecticut, finding no signs of the enemy.
At the session of the governor and council of Connecticut, July 2, 1776, "Maj. Griswold and Capt. Marsh, who were a committee for 12 towns in the Coos Country, were present and urged the governor and council for powder, and stated their apprehensions of an attack from Canada. The governor and council allowed them to purchase of Elderkin & Wales, 800. pounds at 5s 4d per pound, for cash or good security on short payment. Also to receive at the furnace at Middletown 1000 pounds of lead at 6d per pound." Minutes of governor and council, page 363 of "Revolutionary War in Connecticut." .
Major Griswold was Maj. John Griswold of Lebanon, and Captain Marsh was Capt. Joseph Marsh of Hartford, Vt.
The inhabitants of this region were from Connecticut, and in their need naturally turned to their mother state for aid, which was always granted. "No state supplied more men, money and means of every kind, according to her ability than did Connec- ticut; or did more to hasten on the glorious issue of the Revo- lutionary War. Her troops were found in nearly every action in all the states." She was the great resource for supplies for all the states.
At the annual meeting March 11, 1771, they voted £5.3 to the Royalton company, and to eight soldiers from this town ten shillings each.
During this and the preceding year the smallpox had been
MAJ. JOHN GRISWOLD.
77
INTRODUCTION.
very prevalent, greatly weakening the army and preventing the success of its operations. We find that this year a pesthouse was established in town for the purpose of innoculation for that disease. This house was under the charge of Doctor Williams. The town voted, "that such of the people of the town as are Disposed to be innoculated shall have the preheminence before the people of other towns & in case there is sufficient room in the pest-house for others besides, that Doct. Williams has the Lib- erty to take in such a number as may be conveniently admitted without crowding said house." They further make stringent provisions concerning visits to the pesthouse.
Early in May, 1777, Maj. Jonathan Child of Lyme came to Lebanon and mustered in the following persons for service in the army: John Colburn, Jonathan Wright, Luther Wheatley, Nathaniel Bugbee, Edward Slapp, Jonathan Conant, Phinehas Wright. Each of these soldiers received a bounty of twenty- four pounds, raised by subscription in the town. They were members of Captain House's company, who was of Hanover.
July 10, Col. Elisha Payne wrote to Major-General Folsom at Exeter for 200 stands of arms and other material to be deliv- ered to Capt. Aaron Storrs for the use of his regiment.
In the latter part of July the people in this region were again greatly alarmed. Ticonderoga had been evacuated and our Northern Army was in retreat before the forces of General Bur- goyne. He sent strong detachments into Vermont to gather cattle and horses. A scouting party had captured a British scouting party and taken them to Charlestown. Upon these prisoners were found papers indicating that three detachments of British soldiers and Tories were to be sent to the Connecticut Valley, one to Charlestown, one to Royalton, and the other to Newbury, Vt. Warnings came from every direction. Bezaleel Woodward of Hanover writes at midnight, July 19: "As you regard the safety of this Frontier, for God's sake pray come for- ward without delay. Assembly at Exeter are earnestly re- quested to send forward arms and ammunition for people in this Country, as well as men. Capt Storrs returned home this day."
Maj. Francis Smith of Colonel Chase's regiment writes from Lebanon, July 20, 1777, imploring immediate assistance, in arms and ammunition. Lieut. Jonathan Freeman of Hanover was
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HISTORY OF LEBANON.
sent as a messenger to Exeter to hasten assistance. A large number of Tories had gathered in Strafford, Vt., and it was found that these had deserted to the enemy greatly increasing the fear of immediate attack through the whole region. Straf- ford was abandoned by the loyal inhabitants, they taking what- ever they could to Thetford, and some crossing the river to Lyme. July 24, 1777, was observed as a day of fasting, humilia- tion and prayer, "on account of the distress of the war and the near approach of the enemy after Ticonderoga was given up."
Soldiers were hurried forward from all directions and opposed the progress of the enemy, who were finally met and defeated in the battle of Bennington, August 16, 1777, when the people were relieved of their fears and filled with great joy.
It seems that some of the inhabitants of the town, when drafted for the public service, failed to do their duty. Maj. John Slapp, Joseph Wood and Lemuel Hough were appointed a committee to examine into the matter, and if such persons had no reasonable excuse they were instructed to exact a fine from them, not exceeding ten pounds. "Said fines to be improved for the benefit or encouragement of such inhabitants of said Lebanon as have gone, or hereafter shall go into the publick service." Who these delinquents were cannot now be ascer- tained, even if it were worth while to inquire. While the an- cient records give evidence that there were many Tories in the state, I do not find that any inhabitants of Lebanon bore that name. From another vote of the town it appears that fines imposed were remitted.
Beyond this there is no allusion in the town records to the war during the years 1778-'79. One reason is that the people were very much disturbed in their relations to New Hampshire, inclining to cast in their lot with the people of Vermont, who were struggling for recognition as a state. A special chapter will be devoted to this subject.
Early in 1780 the people were disturbed by alarms on the frontiers. All the histories are silent on these matters. There were no organized forces in the region, the war being transferred to the south. The only explanation of these frequent alarms and hasty raising of scouts and minute men is that the region was infested by bands of Tories and Indians under the command
79
INTRODUCTION.
occasionally of British officers who made raids upon exposed frontiers.
January 26, 1780, the town recommended to the commissioned officers of the militia to select six men for a scouting party, in conjunction with other towns, in order to "make Discovery of the approach of the Enemy if any there be & to give timely Notice thereof to the Inhabitants."
Voted to recommend to said officers to Equip fifty-six men, to be ready at a minute's warning, to march against the Enemy; in case of an in- vasion, and also that they use their Endeavor to have the whole of their company put in the best posture of Defence that may be, in case of a Gen! attack. · Voted that the six men for scouting be Engaged till the first day of April next, unless sooner Discharged, and also that Each man receive 40s per month for the time being, as money passed in 1774. & also that the Town provide Each man with a blanket and a pair of Snow Shoes for their use for the time being, & then to be returned to the town. Voted that in case Lieut. Ticknor should fail of Going with s'd scout that s'd six men make Choice of such meet person as they shall chuse, to take Command of them in his Room. Voted that the authorities of this town stop the Transporting of all kinds of pro- vision that may be attempted to be Carried away from or throo s'd town till the Danger of the Enemy be over, Excepting such as are pur- chased for the use of the Continent-
Voted that the authorities of the Town & all others the Inhabitants Be Directed to Examine all strangers supposed to be Spies & if need be Detain them, as the Exigency of the Case may Require.
Feb 4 1780, voted to raise four men in addition to the six men already Raised for a scouting party & that the Select men Do their Endeavour to furnish them with blankets and snow shoes on the same conditions as the other six. Voted that s'd Scouting party be paid at the Rate of 40s per month, for the time being, as money passed in 1774 by the first day of April next.
The vote above respecting the transporting of provisions was passed because it was suspected, with good reason, that Tories were furnishing these to the enemy.
The following letter seems to throw some light upon one of the causes of the constant state of alarm on the western frontiers of the state :
Exeter April 28, 1780
GENTLEMEN-The Indians drove from the Seneca County, having ar- rived in Canada, the winter past and the probability of their being inspired with sentiments of Revenge, have greatly alarmed the inhabi-
80
HISTORY OF LEBANON.
tants of our Western frontiers, together with the likelihood of their being joined with a great number of Refugees from this and the neigh- bouring states. The Canada Indians & perhaps some of the British Troops, hath so intimidated them, that unless they are strengthened with more Troops to guard them than can possibly be afforded by this State, it is feared that the settlements on Connecticut River will brake up and perhaps fifty miles of Country the most fertile in this State left Desolate. Wherefore I am directed by the General Assembly to desire you to make application to Congress for such aid as they shall judge adequate to assist in Guarding our extensive frontiers, the situation of which you can give full information
P. S. Continued reports from Canada of the designs of the enemy against our frontier towns hath much added to the fears excited by the reasons above mentioned
Honr Messrs Peabody & Folsom at Congress.
The reference above is to the expedition of General Sullivan up the River Susquehanna into the territory of the Senecas in 1779. The forces for this expedition were New Hampshire troops, who proved both brave and hardy. "Their provisions falling short before the object of the expedition was completed, the troops generously agreed to subsist on such as could be found in the Indian country."
The state sent a few soldiers to assist those raised by the towns in guarding the exposed towns and repelling any attacks. The main stations were at Newbury, Vt., and Haverhill, from whence scouting parties penetrated in all directions.
Scouting in the winter when there were no roads and marches must be made on snowshoes, and camps formed wherever they chanced to be, was no holiday work, if the winter resembled that of 1880-'81. Such simple, unadorned records as these are very suggestive of the hardships of the fathers. They certainly paid a good price for the beautiful fields and homes they have left to their descendants.
June 26 1780. Voted to raise £10-0 (accounting wheat at 6/ per bushel) upon the present List forthwith to be paid to Capt. Paine as a bounty for Raising five men for scouting to the Northward For six months unless sooner discharged
That all this alarm and these preparations had some founda- tion was abundantly proved by subsequent events. For on August 9, 1780, the Indians appeared at Barnard, Vt., and took
RICHARD BURLEIGH KIMBALL.
ـيعالـ
81
INTRODUCTION.
three men captive. On October 16 they attacked Royalton, Vt., taking prisoners, burning the houses and killing some of the people. The alarm spread in every direction, arousing the in- habitants and calling out the soldiers. These were organized under Capt. John House of Hanover, who speedily turned the enemy back towards Canada.
At a meeting specially warned on account of this invasion of the savage foe the town
Voted that they will assist the militia Officers in Raifing 12 men for one month. Voted to pay Each man, Serving as afore Sd, ten bufhels of wheat, or money Equivalent. by the 20th Day of Jany next also that the Sergt & Corpl be paid according to their Rank. Voted that Each man's pay shall Commence at the time of their Engaging in the service afore S'd. Voted that the Select men provide for the support of sd Twelve men for one month at the Expense of the Town & also that they supply them with Ammunition, in Cafe they are not supplied from the publick Stores.
The following circular letter was issued to other towns by the authorities of Lebanon :
Lebanon New Hampshire Grants, 23d October 1780
Whereas the present Day calls for every Exertion touching the pub- lick Cause, that our Lives and properties may be safe & secure from Invasions of our natural and unnatural Enemies & that we have reason to believe, we have many of the most abandoned Wretches, that are lost to all the feelings of humanity among us, who do intend the Destruction of this flourishing Country if not prevented .- We, whose names are here inscribed, do request that no time be lost in taking up all suspected Persons that are Enemical to the Liberties of Country-That every Town would exert themselves for that purpose-That the Towns on this Frontier would form into some Plan for the Design and purpose of purging out this Detestable Leven. We desire the Committee & Select- men & the Principal Inhabitants of the Neighboring Towns would attend at Mr. Bliss's, Inholder in Lebanon on Monday the 30th of October 1780 for this purpose
Nehemiah Estabrook Elisha Lathup Elihu Hyde -
Committee of Safety
Simeon Peck Theo-Huntington NathI Stores
Selectmen
A coppy of a Letter sent to adjacent Towns
6
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HISTORY OF LEBANON.
November 9, 1780, the following votes were passed :
To keep Guard on the publick Roads as Long as it shall be tho't Necefsary. To Requeft the Military Officers to Clafs such men in s'd Town as are under their Command, as are fit for duty to attend upon Guarding as afores'd, & in Cafe of Delinquency, after due notice, Shall be Liable to a fine of one bushel of Wheat or the Equivalent in money- that Elihu Hyde Simeon Peck, Nath1 Storrs & Theoph Huntington be a Comtee to Adjust the accts of provifion Expended in the Late Alarm [at Royalton] & also the Wages & Provifions of The 12 men that are Gone out upon the month's Service. That the Select men be Directed to purchafe one barrel of powder & Lead & Flints in proportion thereto & to render an acct. thereof to the Town. Voted a Tax of £82-0-6 to Defray the Expense the Town has been at in the Late Alarm, also the wages & the victualling of the 12 men Raifed by this Town for one monthf Service on the Frontiers. That Mr Huckens Storrs be appointed to Remove the Provifions from Strafford [Vt.] to Royalton, provided by this Town for the afores'd men, in Cafe that they Remove Thereto from Strafford afore s'd
Nov. 23 1780. Voted a tax of £114-19-7 To Defray the Expense of the Town of Lebn in the Late alarm. To Stephen Blifs £2 .- 18-9 for Sundries D-D by him to the soldiers Belonging to the several Regts Commanded by Mefsrs Col. Chafe, Col Bellows & Col. Ellis. Voted that this Town is willing to pay their Proportion with other Towns within the Limits of the afore s'd Regts of the 13 Galls of Rum D .- D out of Col. Chafe's store In sd Lebanon By Capt. Paine & By Col. Chafe's order To the soldiers afore's'd on their pafsage thro Lebanon in the Late alarm.
Few things gave the authorities of the state in these times more trouble than the supply of rum. The war rendered it both scarce and high in price, yet it was deemed a necessity, and many were the devices adopted to secure it.
What the town clerk meant by the D-D in his record above I do not know, unless it is an abbreviation for Delivered.
March 2d 1781 the town voted to Raise Six men for a Scouting party till the first Day of April next unlefs Sooner Discharged, to Give Each man that shall Engage in s'd service at the Rate of Eight bushels of Wheat per month-to provide for the s'd six men 11/4 1b of flour 1 Lb of pork & one Jill of Rum per Day. Voted a Tax of £25-1-8 to pay & Support s'd six men, to be paid by the first Day of April next.
May 7 1781 The town voted a Tax of £43-3-3 to Defray the Ex- pense of the Late alarm to Newbury.
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INTRODUCTION.
This alarm was occasioned by the following circumstances : There were residing at Newbury, Vt., and Haverhill, N. H., several prominent men whom the British were especially desirous of capturing. Among these were Col. Thomas Johnson and Gen. Jacob Bailey. The latter acted as quartermaster to the troops stationed at Newbury and vicinity. Heavy rewards were offered for his capture. Prowling about that region were many Tories who, concealing their characters under a mask of loyalty to the country, sought information to give to the British of any move- ments on the part of the colonies. Many plans were formed for the capture of these persons, but they were defeated by their cau- tion. Finally Colonel Johnson, who was building a gristmill at Peacham, Vt., found, March 8, 1781, the house surrounded with foes. Many of them he afterwards recognized as neighbors and supposed friends. He was captured and taken into Canada, where he was kindly treated in hope that he would communicate valuable information, or be won over to the British side in the contest. He was finally released, on parole, with the hope that in some way he might be made useful to his captors. A deter- mined but unsuccessful attempt was afterwards made to capture General Bailey.
Awhile after, a report was started in some way that a force was collecting at St. John's, Canada, for an invasion of the towns along the Connecticut River. This occasioned a new alarm to the state authorities and the towns. Preparations were hastily made to receive an enemy that never came.
During these times our armies were in great need of provi- sions. Congress called upon the states to furnish them. Cattle were driven out of the state to supply our forces in other states. Besides this, requisitions were made on the towns for provisions, each one to contribute an amount fixed by the value of his estate, to form a general fund. The following is the provision bill of Lebanon, which in some way has escaped destruction. It is endorsed as follows :
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