USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Plymouth > History of Plymouth, New Hampshire; vol. I. Narrative--vol. II. Genealogies, Volume I > Part 11
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be more a narrative of service on the frontiers than a record of enlistments for the continental service.
In the autumn of 1777 the organization of a regiment, to be raised in northern New Hampshire and Vermont, was ordered by the continental congress, and Colonel Bedel was appointed to the command. His commission, dated Nov. 10, 1777, was signed by Henry Laurens, president of congress. In early references to this regiment it is stated that it was raised for the invasion of Canada, and later it is called a regiment for the defence of the frontiers. A material revision of the military plans of the gov- ernment would account for a corresponding change in the orders issued to this regiment. It is not within the province of this chapter to discuss how far the relations of Colonel Bedel with the Dresden party influenced the destiny and movements of his com- mand. The rolls for April and May, 1777, are not at hand, but it is reasonably safe to presume that the regiment was in the service until March 31, 1779. It was stationed at Haver- hill and Newbury, and was actively employed in guarding the frontier, in the construction of military roads, in scouting, and in the exercise of a general police inspection from Haverhill to Canada.
There were several Plymouth men in this regiment. David Webster was the lieutenant-colonel, and was in active service from June, 1778, to March 31, 1779. William Tarlton, at this date a resident of Piermont, was one of the captains of the regiment, and in his company were William Greenough, fifer, Stephen Keyes, Josiah Brown, and Samuel Morse. These men enlisted in February and were discharged March 31, 1778.
In Capt. Nehemiah Lovewell's company, from February 9 to March 31, 1778, were Daniel Clough Webster, David Nevins, Jr., and Nehemiah Snow. In July, 1778, four men from Plymouth enlisted into Captain Tarlton's company and served eight months. They were Nehemiah Snow, David Richardson, Benjamin Wells, and Nathaniel Webster.
Nahum Powers, who had been a resident of Plymouth, serving
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on the quota of the town in 1775 and 1776, removed to Haver- hill in 1777. He enlisted at Haverhill and served one year in Captain Barron's company of this regiment. Moor Russell, then a resident of Haverhill, served one year in the same company.
In February, 1778, the legislature voted to enlist a number of men, not exceeding seven hundred, to serve in the three conti- mental regiments, and a special recruiting officer was appointed in each geographical regiment. Lieut .- Col. David Webster was designated to this duty in Colonel Hobart's regiment, and among the men raised by Colonel Webster were two Plymouth men, who enlisted for the term of two years. Richard Griffin enlisted in March and Stephen Keyes in April. They were assigned to Colonel Scammell's regiment.
During the year 1778 three Plymouth soldiers died in the ser- vice. David Nevins, Sr., a prisoner of war, died in February. Abel Webster, Jr., and Richard Griffin died in July.
The home record of the town, expressed in the minutes of the town meetings which are preserved, is a full and unqualified ex- pression of sacrifice and devotion and of loyalty to the State government.
At a meeting convened in the meeting-house Feb. 2, 1778, the town voted to consent in full to the articles of perpetual union of the United States.
Voted that the representative for the time being of this district be and hereby is impowered to use his influence for a free and full representation of this State for the sole purpose of forming a Plan of Government for this State
Voted that the selectmen supply, as soon as may be, such families of the Continental soldiers as belong to this town agreeable to the resolve of the General Court of this State
At the annual meeting, March 10, 1778, Stephen Webster, Jacob Merrill, Elisha Bean, Abel Webster, David Webster, John Willoughby, and Samuel Emerson were chosen a committee of safety. In the warrant for this meeting were two articles, as follows: -
:
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Art. 15 To see if the town will take under consideration the expedi- ency of being united with the Inhabitants on the Grants both sides of Connecticut river in order to act with them either in uniting with New Hampshire or forming a distinct state as hereafter may be judged most expedient and choose one or more persons as committee men to meet with the committees from the several towns on the Grants east of the river to hold a conference with those west of the river with respect to being united
Art. 16. To see if this Town will recall our present representative in General Assembly from further acting in behalf of this Town in said Assembly till he may be otherwise Instructed by this Town.
In these articles the town was invited to enlist in the Vermont controversy. The action of the town was decisive, and in har- mony with the consistent adherence to the Exeter government.
Voted to dismiss the fifteenth article in the warrant.
Voted to dismiss the sixteenth article in the warrant.
At the election of a council and house of representatives for the political year ending in December, 1779, Francis Worcester was elected a third time to represent the Plymouth class of towns. The other five classes of towns in Grafton County were not repre- sented. The Dresden party, however, failed in. preventing an election of a councillor. Col. Charles Johnston of Haverhill was elected, and served in that branch of the legislature during the year.
1779. This year there was a call for men to recruit the three continental regiments in the field. The quota of the eleventh regiment was fourteen, of which Plymouth was required to fur- nish three. They were Nehemiah Phillips, Winthrop Fox, and Nicholas.Hall. At the same time David Nevins, Jr., enlisted at Plymouth, and by an agreement served on the quota of Alexandria. Fox was assigned to Colonel Reid's regiment, Phillips, Hall, and Nevins to Colonel Scammell's regiment.
At a town meeting assembled May 17, 1779, the town voted to advance the continental and State bounty to three men who would enlist to fill the quota of the town, and chose Joseph Senter, David
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Hobart, and David Webster to procure the men. At an adjourned meeting the committee reported that they had enlisted Nehemiah Phillips and Nicholas Hall. Subsequently Winthrop Fox of Campton enlisted on the quota of Plymouth and received the promised bounty.
In August the town voted to release from taxes all the soldiers serving three-year enlistments, and also the widows of soldiers deceased. At the same meeting Joseph Senter was chosen a dele- gate to the Concord convention, which had been called " to regulate prices."
Col. David Hobart resigned June 22, 1779. The house of representatives voted " to receive the resignation of David Hobart, Esq: Colº of the Eleventh Regiment of Militia of this State and that he receive the thanks of the Gen1. Assembly for his good ser- vices in that Station." It is well known that his resignation was caused by his preparations for removal from the State. The letter, like the man, is without ostentation, and is printed in full in another chapter. Lieut .- Col. David Webster succeeded to the command of the regiment, and performed the duties in an able and acceptable manner. It has been repeatedly stated that at the resignation of Colonel Hobart he was commissioned a colonel of the regiment. Colonel Webster was a lieutenant-colonel, com- manding in the absence of a superior officer until Dec. 25, 1784, when he was commissioned colonel of the fourteenth regi- ment of militia, the number having been changed in a general reorganization.
Early in July there was a draft. Only one man was wanted at this time, and the lot fell on Peter Keyes, who served from July to October, 1779, in a squad commanded by Lieut. Jonah Chapman of Campton. They were scouts on the frontiers and maintained headquarters at Stratford.
Henry Snow, a continental soldier who had been transferred to Major Gibbs' Guards, died Oct. 25, 1779.
In midsummer of this year the State raised a regiment of three hundred men, commanded by Col. Hercules Mooney, for
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the defence of Rhode Island. The legislature appointed the field and line officers June 23, 1779, and among these was Lieut. Josiah Brown of Plymouth. For this service Colonel Webster enlisted five men in the towns of his regiment. The only Plymouth man was Peter Stearns, who enlisted July 15. In completing the organization, the legislature being in recess, the committee of safety, August 14, appointed Dr. Peter Emerson of Plymouth surgeon. At this time Dr. Emerson was removing from this town, and an agent was employed to find him and notify him of his preferment. The regiment marched to Rhode Island and was discharged in January, 1780.
At the election of a legislature in the autumn of 1779, for the political year ending in December, 1780, Francis Worcester was elected councillor from Grafton County and Lieut .- Col. Joseph Senter, who had recently removed to this town, a representative from the Plymouth class of towns. At this time Samuel Liver- more was chosen to represent Rumney, Holderness, Campton, and Thornton.
In the removal of Hon. John Hurd from the State, the State administration lost an able and judicious supporter, and the offices of chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas, county treasurer, and register of deeds became vacant, and the legislature, April 3, 1779, revised the entire list of county officials. Elisha Payne of Lebanon was promoted to chief justice, Bezaleel Woodward of Hanover and Samuel Emerson of Plymouth were reappointed associate justices. Enoch Page of Wentworth was appointed associate justice, in place of Elisha Payne, promoted. At the same time Col. David Webster was appointed sheriff, in place of Capt. Jotham Cummings, both of Plymouth. Moses Dow of Ply- mouth was reappointed register of probate, and immediately re- moved to Haverhill. The coroners were John House of Hanover and Alexander Craig of Rumney. Samuel Emerson was ap- pointed a justice of the peace and quorum, and Francis Worcester a justice of the peace for the county, and Samuel Emerson was one of the commissioners named to qualify the officers appointed.
1
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1780. At the beginning of the year there were twelve men from Plymouth in the continental regiments. James Barnes, Joseph Smith, John Phillips, Joseph Hobart, Benjamin Phillips, Nicholas Hall, and David Nevins, Jr., were in Captain Mc- Gregore's, formerly Captain Stone's, company of Colonel Scam- mell's regiment, and in other companies of the same regiment were Stephen Keyes and Nehemiah Phillips. Edward Evans was in Colonel Cilley's regiment and Winthrop Fox in Colonel Reid's. The remaining man was Paul Wells, who enlisted for three years in 1777. Upon one roll he is returned a deserter, and in 1779 he was arrested in New Hampshire, and the fact was duly reported to the State committee of safety : -
September 25 1779. Whereas it is represented to the Committee by Col. Webster of Plymouth that Lieut. Ray of Meredith has apprehended Paul Wells of Plymouth as a deserter in order to bring him to Exeter to put him to jail ; the committee having examined sundry papers with respect to said Wells whereby it appears that he is unable to join the army and do duty there, the committee are of opinion that the said Paul Wells remain at home until further order of the committee or General Court and that the said Wells is discharged from his obligation to appear before this Committee next Tuesday.
From the information available it is made certain that in the movements of his regiment he was left at some point on account of sickness, and that without any attempt at concealment, and probably without leave, he came to his home in Plymouth, and under the immediate observation of Colonel Webster, who would have sent him to the army if such proceeding was proper. When he was arrested by an outsider Colonel Webster appeared at Exeter as his friend and advocate, securing a favorable decision of the committee of safety. Paul Wells was a good citizen and not a man to evade a duty in peace or desert his comrades in war. At the expiration of his term of service Stephen Keyes was dis- charged May 30, 1780, and Benjamin Phillips died in the army Oct. 12, 1780. In the autumn of this year Colonel Cilley retired from the service, and the continentals were reorganized in two regiments, commanded by Colonels Reid and Scammell.
.
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June 16, 1780, the legislature ordered that six hundred men be immediately raised to recruit the three continental regiments. By the terms of the act these men were to serve until the first day of January, 1781, and were styled " Six Months Recruits." Col. David Webster was ordered to raise twelve men in the towns of his regiment. The quota of Plymouth was two, and Peter Keyes and Samuel Dustin enlisted or were drafted to satisfy the demand. A few days later there was a call for nine hundred and forty-five men to serve three months. These recruits were organized in two regiments, commanded by Cols. Thomas Bartlett of Nottingham and Moses Nichols of Amherst. They served in Washington's army at West Point and were discharged in October. The quota of Colonel Webster's regiment was one lieutenant and nineteen men.
In the military plans and orders of the year the frontiers were not neglected. Maj. Benjamin Whitcomb, who had been a lieu- tenant, captain, and major under Colonel Bedel, was given an independent command in 1779, and was stationed on the Con- necticut River. In April the legislature ordered that sixty men be raised for the defence of the frontiers. The committee of safety directed Colonel Chase to raise one captain and twenty-four men, · Colonel Webster one lieutenant and eighteen men, Colonel Morey one ensign and seventeen men. This company was to serve six months. The officers were Capt. Samuel Paine of Lebanon, Lieut. Gale Cole of Cornish, and Ensign David Bradley. Only twenty- nine men, exclusive of officers, were raised.
In June the legislature gave orders for raising two companies of sixty men each, to join the corps of rangers commanded by Major Whitcomb. At the same time it was ordered that Ephraim Stone of Westmoreland be the captain of one company, Jonathan Robbins of Plymouth lieutenant, and Ebenezer Odell of Amherst ensign. Mr. Robbins declined, and the company went into the service with a captain and ensign. Of the other company Samuel Runnals of Durham was captain, Jacob Elliot of Chester lieu- tenant, and Nathan Barlow of Stratford ensign. For this service VOL. I .- 9
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the quota of Colonel Webster's regiment was four, of whom Daniel C. Webster was of Plymouth.
The burning of Royalton, Vt., in October, 1780, was a lament- able event. It was the sad realization of a reasonable fear that pervaded the frontiers throughout the war. With added years the events of the incursion have become distorted and the facts enlarged to our vision by the uncertain lens of tradition. The marauders were Indians accompanied, not commanded, by one lieutenant, one Frenchman, and one Tory. It was not an organized military body. The object of their seareh was some defenceless settlement, and they fell upon Royalton, burning over twenty houses and nearly as many barns, and slaughtered cattle, sheep, and swine. They murdered two men and carried away about twenty-five cap- tives. The attack was sudden and unexpected, and the inhabitants, unwarned of danger, failed to combine for resistance. It is stated that the object of this invasion was the burning of Newbury or Hanover, and other writers tell us the expedition was fitted out for the capture of General Bayley or Major Whiteomb. The major at this time was the commander of several companies of rangers, well armed and all masters of border warfare. If they inquired where Major Whitcomb was stationed they had another object in view. To them the conditions in Royalton were ideal, and there in flame and carnage they declared the true object and aim of the ineursion.
The news of the incursion and carnage, borne on the wings of alarm, was swiftly communicated from town to town, and many companies of militia in this State were marching to the relief of their brethren in Vermont. The rolls of the companies in service at this time are not preserved, but the records of many towns testify to a remarkable and spontaneous muster of men. Never before at any one time were so many men under arms in New Hampshire. Very few of the companies reached the scene of carnage. They were turned back by messengers who gave assur- ance that the enemy had eseaped by retreat. A company from Plymouth marched for Haverhill and Royalton. In what manner
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the intelligence was brought to Plymouth, the names of the men in the Plymouth company, and the story of the march may be transcribed in some sleeping chronicle not now available.
At the election of a legislature for the political year ending in December, 1781, Francis Worcester was elected to the council from Grafton County. Four of the six districts or classes of the county elected representatives. They were Enoch Noyes of Cocker- mouth, representing the Plymouth class, Moses Baker of Campton the Campton class, Moses Dow of Haverhill the Haverhill class, Jeremiah Eames of Northumberland the Lancaster class. The Hanover class and the Orford class were not represented.
1781. Although a treaty of peace was not promulgated and the army disbanded until 1783, the war was practically ended with the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, Oct. 19, 1781. The remainder of the story of Plymouth in the Revolution relates mainly to the defence of the frontiers and bounties raised for the continental soldiers and timely provision for the support of their families.
The call, Jan. 12, 1781, for 1534 men for the continental army, including those in the service, was subsequently modified, and, omitting reference to the companies raised for the defence of the seacoast and Conway, there were two calls for men during the year. In April the regiment of Col. David Webster and the four regiments on the Connecticut River were required to raise two companies for service in Coos, and in July the remaining regi- ments were required to raise 650 men to re-enforce the army whenever called for by General Washington.
In January of this year Col. Jonathan Chase of Cornish pre- ferred a petition (State Papers, Vol. XI, p. 435) describing the defenceless state of the frontiers and praying for relief and assist- ance. In answer to this petition the general court instructed Colonel Chase and Colonel Morey, whose regiments contained several disaffected towns, to raise a company of men for their own protection, to be paid by the State as soon as those and other disaffected towns pay their State tax, " After which," continues
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the vote, " the State will do every thing in its power for their protection." In a continued prosecution of this policy, in the vote to raise two companies for the frontiers, it was provided that the men should be paid by the towns, and the sums so paid should be deducted from the State tax.
Plymouth remained loyal to the State government, and the censure expressed in this vote was an incident of location within a county to a considerable extent enlisted in the Dresden conven- tions and the many phases of the Vermont controversy. The first of the two companies was raised in July, and remained in service on the frontiers four months. It was commanded by Lieut. Peter Stearns of Plymouth. The roll of the company is not preserved, but from the return of Colonel Webster the men from Plymouth were Jonathan Robbins, Jr., and John Brown. It was in refer- ence to this company that Meshech Ware, the unwearied chairman of the committee of safety, wrote to Col. Charles Johnston of Haverhill : -
State of ) In Comtee of Safety. New Hampshire \ Exeter Augst 10 1781
Sir The comtee have received information that Colo David Webster has sent on to your care the men he was directed to raise in his Regi- ment for the defence of the frontiers - if this be the case, you are hereby requested to send them forward immediately to the Upper Coos there to be placed under the direction of Joseph Whipple Esq. who will on their arrival see that provision is made for their support - which measure appears to be necessary as some depredations have lately been committed by the Enemy in that quarter.
Colº Charles Johnston.
M. WEARE, Presdt-
This may Certify that agreeable to orders Rec'd. from the Authority of the State to Raise one Lieutenant & twelve Privates for the defence of the Frontiers the present year, I have Raised one Lieutenant, namely Peter Stearns of Plymouth & nine Privates namely Jonathan Robbins Jr and John Brown for Plymouth ; John Clifford Jr. & Jason Cross for Rumney ; John Fellows and Daniel Heath for New Chester ; William Petty for Alexandria ; Winthrop Bagley for Campton ; and Jared Willey for Thornton. - there remains three privates deficient, viz: New Hol-
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derness Capt. Shepard's Quota, two and Cockermouth, Capt. Kendall's Quota one, who did not comply with my orders.
The officer and men were raised & ready to march the fifteenth day of June last.
Plymouth 14th Nov. 1781
DAVID WEBSTER, Colº
The company was dismissed in November.
HAVERHILL Nov. 3, 1781
To Lieut. Stearns commanding a party of the New Hampshire Militia.
Sir - you will on the 12 day of this Instant dismiss your men, make up your Roll and Apply to the State of New Hampshire for your pay. - I give you my thanks for your Services.
CHARLES JOHNSTON Lt. Colº,
The other company, raised for the same service and commanded by Capt. Jacob Smith of Sandwich, did not contain any men from this town.
Many of the veterans in the continental service who had enlisted for three years re-enlisted at the expiration of the term of service, and some of them were assigned to the quota of another town. The committee of safety adjusted over one hundred con- tested cases arising from these and other dual claims of the towns. It was decided that Winthrop Fox, claimed by Campton, and Nicholas Hall, claimed by Plaistow, should remain on the quota of Plymouth. Joseph Smith, who had been serving on the quota of this town, was claimed by Boscawen, Plaistow, and Wentworth. The town could not withstand the combination, and this soldier was awarded to Plaistow. David Nevins, Jr., a resident of Ply- mouth, was hired by Alexandria. Both towns claimed him, but he was counted on the quota of Alexandria. Starling Heath, sub- sequently a resident of this town, was claimed by Atkinson and New Chester. He was awarded to New Chester. After these adjustments of the quota there were seven Plymouth men in the continental service. They were James Barnes, Joseph Hobart, John Phillips, Nehemiah Phillips, Edward Evans, Winthrop Fox, and Nicholas Hall.
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The veterans of the New Hampshire regiments, worn by ser- vice and decimated by death, were consolidated into one battalion, commanded by Lieut .- Col. Henry Dearborn. It is stated in Kidder's History of the First Regiment that Edward Evans was discharged in December, 1781. He was maimed by a gunshot wound in the ankle, and came to his home in Plymouth a short time before the final discharge of his comrades in June, 1783. He was pensioned by the State, and subsequently by the United States. James Barnes died in the service, probably in 1783, and only a few weeks before the dismissal of the army. The town records make known, " James Barnes died in the army," but no date is annexed. He was living in 1782. David Nevins, Jr., then a sergeant, was discharged in June, 1783, and died near Albany while returning to his home in Plymouth.
The call issued in June, 1782, for two companies to serve at Coos, was the last demand for men in which Plymouth was in- volved. The quota of Colonel Webster's regiment was four. One of these companies was commanded by Capt. Ebenezer Webster of Salisbury, to which was joined several men serving under Sergt. James Ladd, who was promoted to lieutenant. The other company, commanded by Capt. Jonathan Smith of Surry, was not filled, but served with fifteen men until dismissed Nov. 5, 1782. On the rolls of these companies the residence is stated. The only man from Plymouth was David Johnson, and the only remaining man from Colonel Webster's regiment was Zebulon Gilman of Cocker- mouth. Amos Blood on the roll is credited to Haverhill, but probably was a resident of this town.
At the annual meeting in March, 1781, a committee of safety was not chosen. Several good reasons for a failure to elect could be suggested, but none of them are supported by the records of the town. In June following an expressive petition was filed with the selectmen : -
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