USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Claremont > History of the town of Claremont, New Hampshire, for a period of one hundred and thirty years from 1764 to 1894 > Part 19
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Information of the fact was quickly communicated, and soon many persons were collected at the spot. The grounds were care- fully reconnoitered, and the secret was discovered. As the night was very dark, further search was postponed until the next morn- ing. A watch was posted by the path, with instructions to seize or shoot any one who should attempt to pass. Before sunrise a party assembled and renewed the search. As they approached the rendezvous, two men suddenly started up, and ran toward a ravine ; and now the race began. The pursued had several rods the start
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of the pursuers, beside the advantage of the dense forest and the scanty light. The course of the former was toward Connecticut river. It required close attention and scrutiny to keep on their track, and the Whig party were often on the point of giving up the search as fruitless. Then some new trace would be discovered, and they would go forward with renewed vigor. At length they reached Connecticut river, where they found that the fugitives had swam across. Fastening their arms upon their backs, they plunged into the stream, and on gaining the opposite side, they found the tracks of the other party. At night they encamped in the woods at the base of Ascutney mountain, and in the morning began its ascent from different points. On arriving at the summit they found the fugitives asleep. They were easily captured, and gave their names as Johns and Buel. Having arms with them, they could not, according to the rules of war, be treated as spies, and were therefore held as prisoners of war. They were taken to Charlestown, from thence to Boston, and afterward exchanged. One Kentfield was also pursued from "Tory Hole," and driven across Connecticut river. He managed to escape from his pursuers at this time; but in a few days after was discovered by Isaac Hubbard, then but a child, while re-crossing the river into New Hampshire. He was again pursued, captured after a fierce resistance, and taken to Charlestown, where he was confined for some time; but as it was impossible to prove him a spy, he was released. Afterward he joined the Continental army, deserted in a few days, was captured, and hung.
On April 12, 1776, the Committee of Safety for the Colony of New Hampshire issued the following mandate, as appears from documents arranged by John Farmer agreeably to an order of the legislature of New Hampshire, in . 1837, as copied verbatim from " State Papers of New Hampshire," Vol. VIII. :
COLONY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
In Committee of Safety, April 12, 1776.
In order to carry the underwritten Resolve of the Hon'ble Continental Con- gress into Execution, you are required to desire all Males above Twenty-one
STONE WATERING TROUGH.
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years of age (Lunaticks, Idiots and Negroes excepted), to sign the Declaration on this Paper; and when so done, to make Return thereof, together with the Name or Names of all who shall refuse to sign the same, to the General As- sembly or Committee of Safety of this Colony.
M. WEARE, Chairman.
IN CONGRESS, March 14, 1776.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the Several Assemblies, Conventions and Councils, or Committees of Safety of the United Colonies, immediately to cause all Persons to be disarmed, within their respective colonies, who are noto- riously disaffected to the cause of America, or who have not associated and refuse to associate, to defend by arms, the United Colonies against the Hostile attempts of the British Fleets and Armies.
(Copy)
Extract from the Minutes.
CHARLES THOMPSON, Secretary.
In consequence of the above Resolution of the Hon. Continental Congress, and to show our Determination in joining our American Brethren in defending the Lives, Liberties and Properties of the inhabitants of the United Colonies,
We the Subscribers, do hereby Solemnly engage and promise, that we will to the utmost of our Power, at the Risque of our Lives and Fortunes, with Arms oppose the Hostile Proceedings of the British Fleets and Armies against the United American Colonies.
REMARKS ON THE FOREGOING BY THE LATE JOHN FARMER.
The preceding text was the Declaration of Independence by the People of New Hampshire. It was a Similar act to that of the Patriots who signed the National Declaration on the Fourth of July, 1776. It preceded that event, and seems to have been a sanction or an encouragement to those who contemplated it. It was a bold and hazardous step in subjects thus to resist the authority of one of the most powerful Sovereigns in the world. Had the cause in which these men pledged their Lives and Fortunes failed, it would have subjected every individual who signed it to the pains and penalties of treason -to a cruel and ignomin- ious death.
It is not to be understood that all who declined signing it were Tories or were disaffected to the American cause; Some of them were Friends, whose principles forbade their signing a pledge to oppose their enemies with Arms; others who were really friends to the cause of opposition to the British, had conscientious scruples, and others doubtless were influenced by their timidity. Among those whose conscientious scruples prevented them from giving such a pledge, was Eleazer Russell, Esq., of Portsmouth, (?) who, in a letter to President Weare, says " It was, and is, merely to secure the morality of my mind that I was reluctant to put my name to it. Solemnly to bind myself to the perform-
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ance of what nature and necessity rendered impossible, I started at the thought of, and though my health is mended, so wrecked are my nerves, that I could not do one hour's military duty to save my life. The article of shedding blood, in me is not a humor, but a principle - not an evasion, but a fact. It was re- ceived in early life, and has 'grown with my growth, and stregthened with my strength.' Not a partiality for British more than Savage blood; for, all circumstances considered, I think the latter more innocent than the former."
SIGNERS IN CLAREMONT.
CLAREMONT, May 30th, 1776.
In compliance to the above Declaration, we have Shone the Declaration to All the Inhabitants of this Town, and the Associates are those who have signed to this paper.
MATTHIAS STONE, ASA JONES, Selectmen.
The following Names of those who are twenty-one years of age and upward :
Thomas Goodwin,
David Lynd,
Joseph York,
Oliver Ashley,
Matthias Stone,
Eleazer Clark,
Jacob Rice,
Eleazer Clark, Junior,
William Osgood,
Joseph Hubbard,
Asa Jones,
Amasa Fuller,
John Spencer,
Jerime Spencer,
Lemuel Hubbard,
Patrick Fields,
Christopher York,
Gideon Lewis,
David Bates,
Josiah Stevens,
T. Sterne,
Seth Lewis,
Barnabas Ellis,
John Kilborn,
Joel Roys, ?
John Peake,
Samuel Tuttle,
John West,
Stephen Hige, ?
David Rich,
Charles Higbe,
Ebenezer Washburn,
Edward Goodwin,
Bill Barnes,
Ephraim French, Joseph Ives,
Amaziah Knights,
Elihu Stevens, Junior,
John Goss,
Ichabod Hitchcock,
Ezra Jones,
Ebenezer Dudley,
William Sims,
Daniel Curte, ?
David Adkins,
Timothy Adkins,
Josiah Rich,
John Adkins,
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Oliver Ellsworth,
Jonathan Parker, Edward Ainsworth,
Moses Spaford, Benjamin Towner, Samuel Lewis,
Nathaniel Goss, Joel Matthews, Oliver Tuttle,
Abner Matthews,
Amos Conant,
Elihu Stephens, Jonas Stuard, Beniah Murry,
Samuel Ashley,
Thomas Duston,
John Sprague,
Timothy Duston.
Adam Alden, James Alden,
Total, 84.
N. B. - These are the Names of those who have actually taken up arms and are now in the Continental Army :
Lieut. Col. Joseph Waite,
Benjamin Towner, Jr.,
Lieut. Joseph Taylor,
David Laynes, Jr.,
Ens. Thomas Jones, S. Abner Matthews, Jr.,
Henry Stephens,
James Gooden,
Jonathan York,
Jonathan Fuller,
Joseph York, Jr.,
Peter Fuller,
The Rev. Augustin Hibbard, Chaplain, &c.
Total, 16.
Rev. Mr. Hibbard was appointed chaplain on Colonel David Hobart's staff, by a vote of the New Hampshire legislature, April 4, 1777, and subsequently of General Stark's brigade.
The Names of those who Refuse to sign the Declaration :
John Thomas, Capt. Benjamin Brooks,
Ebenezer Edson, William Coy,
Barnabas Brooks, Enoch Judd,
Capt. Benjamin Sumner, Rev. Ranna Cosset,
Lieut. Benjamin Taylor,
Cornelius Brook, Samuel Cole, Esq.,
Hezekiah Roys,
Daniel Warner, Levi Warner,
Asa Leat, Benjamin Leat, Ebenezer Judd,
James Steal, Amos Snow, John Hitchcock,
Benjamin Peterson,
Benjamin Brooks, Jr.,
Reuben Spencer, Gersham York,
Charles Laynes,
Ebenezer Judd, Jr.,
Timothy Granis,
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HISTORY OF CLAREMONT.
David Dodge, Samuel Thomas, Amos Cole,
Doct. William Sumner,
Ebenezer Roys,
Joseph Norton.
Total, 31.
CLAREMONT, May 30, 1776.
The Declaration having ben shone to the within named persons, they Refuse to Sign.
Attest,
MATTHIAS STONE, ASA JONES, Selectmen.
When the returns were all in, it was found that there were 8,999 names upon the declaration, and the names of 773 persons who had refused to sign it were mentioned.
The following papers are copied from the original minutes of the Episcopal church, and are given as published in "The History of the Eastern Diocese ":
The joint Com'tee of Safety from the Towns of Hanover and Lebanon, having received a Letter from the Com'tee of Safety for Claremont, requesting the assistance of said Com'tees in examining sundry Persons in said Claremont who were suspected of being inimical to the Liberties of America, convened with said Com'tee of Claremont and the Com'tee of Safety for the Town of Cornish, at the House of Mr. Joseph York, in said Claremont, on Tuesday the 5th day of December, A. D. 1775. At which time and place were present -
Captain Oliver Ashley, Captain Joseph Waite, Lieutenant Asa Jones, Lieu- tenant Joseph Taylor, Ensign Ebenezer Clark, Deacon Jacob Royce, Com'tee of Claremont :
Samuel Chase, Esq., Colonel Jonathan Chase, Deacon Hall, Mr. Commins, Captain Spalding, Com'tee of Cornish :
Deacon Neheh Estabrooks, Major John Griswold, Mr. Silas Waterman, Lieu- tenant Jedah Hibbard, Com'tee of Lebanon :
Captain Edmond Freeman, Lieutenant David Woodward, Lieutenant John Wright, Com'tee of Hanover.
On which the Com'tee of said Claremont requested that all these Com'tees might (for sundry reasons) form into one general meeting for the examination of sundry Persons whom they had previously cited to appear before this Board for that Purpose, which request being complied with :
1st. Chose Deacon Nehemiah Estabrook, Chairman.
2d. Chose Lieutenant Jede'ah Hibbard, Clerk.
Sam'l Cole, Esq., Captain Benjamin Sumner, Rev. Ranna Cossit, Captain
GEORGE N. FARWELL'S RESIDENCE.
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Benjamin Brooks, Lieutenant Benjamin Tyler, Asa Leet, Eben'r Judd, Eben'r Judd, Ju'r, Enoch Judd, Eben'r Royce, Hez. Royce, John Thomas, Sam'l Thomas, Benjamin Brooks, Jr., Barne Brooks, Ebenezer Edson, Joseph Naughton, Daniel Warner, Jr., Benjamin Leet, James Steel, Ephraim Peterson, John Brooks, Azel Brooks, Levi Warner, Zebal Thomas, all of said Claremont. After which the Persons whose names are annexed appeared before said Com'tee in conse- quence of the aforementioned Citation, who on examination testify and declare, as follows :
1. The Rev'd Ranna Cossit on examination says, "I believe the American Colonies in their dispute with Great Britain, which has now come to blood, are unjust, but will not take up arms either against the King or Country, as my office and circumstances are such that I am not obliged thereto ;" respecting whom the following evidence further appears, viz .: Dr. Thomas Sterns testifies and says that the Rev'd Mr. Cossit says : "We (meaning the Americans) are in a state of Rebellion and are altogether in the wrong, and that if we should give up our Head man to justice, we should do well, and that the King and Par- liament have a right to make laws and lay taxes as they please on America, both internal and external."
Captain Oliver Ashley testifies the same, and adds that such language is frequent. Mr. Cossit in presence of this meeting agrees to the foregoing depo- sition respecting him, and adds : " I mean to be on the side of the administration and I had as lives any person should call me a damned Tory or not, and take it as an affront if people don't call me a Tory ; for I verily believe the British troops will overcome by the greatness of their power and justice of their cause."
2d. Sam'l Cole, Esq., on examination, says : " It is a rebellion to take up arms or fight against the King or his Troops in the present dispute ; yea, 'tis more; it is treason to fight against the King, in addition to which, that he is bound by his oath not to fight against the King." Sam'l Chase, Esq'r, testifies and says, " That about a fortnight ago, Esq'r Cole was at his house and he offered said Cole a bill of paper money of the Congress in payment of a debt; on which said Cole says, I will not take said bill for it is of no more value than if you or I had made said bill." Esq'r Cole finally consented to the above, and adds, "I don't value the Congress money more than the sole of an old shoe."
3d. Captain Benjamin Sumner, on examination, says, " As to the proceed- ing and conduct of the American Colonies in their contest with Great Britain, upon the whole I cannot agree with them, but I will not take up arms on either side, and if any of you gentlemen can in private or publick debate convince me of my error no man on earth shall be more ready to hear than myself."
4th. Sam'l Thomas, James Steel, Daniel Warner, Jr., Asa Leet, John Thomas, Benjamin Leet, Ebn'r Royce, Levi Warner, Ebne'r Edson, Azel Brooks and Zebal Thomas, on examination declare their sentiments the same as those exprest by Capt. Benjamin Sumner.
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HISTORY OF CLAREMONT.
5th. Hez Royce, on examination, shews great contempt in equivocating in re- gard to questions asked him by the Com'tee, but in reply to one query says he likes the King's Proclamation last issued.
6th. Captain Benjamin Brooks, on examination, says " I am not settled with regard to the dispute between Great Britain and her Colonies. But according to what I understand of the dispute, I rather think the Americans are in the wrong, but will not take up arms on either side."
7th. Ephraim Peterson, Barne Brooks and Joseph Naughton on examina- tion concur with Captain Benj. Brooks.
8th. Lieut. B. Tyler on examination says "I am of the prevailing sentiment that the American Colonies in their contest with Great Britain are not just, but will not take up arms on either side.'
9th. Cornelius Brooks and Ebenezer Judd on examination say that they will not take up arms on either side.
10th. Benjamin Brooks, Jr., Enoch Judd and Ebenezer, Jr., on examination say that America is unjust in her contest with Great Britain, and we will not take up arms on either side.
11th. John Brooks, when asked how he feels when he thinks of the quarrel between Great Britain and her Colonies that has caused the blood of our Ameri- can Brethren to be shed as well as Briton's, says "I feel for the King's troops and against the Colonies."
Adjourned till to-morrow morning nine o'clock.
December 6th, met according to adjournment. Present as yesterday. Voted that it appears to us on examination that Captain Benjamin Sumner, Samuel Cole, Esq., and the Rev. Ranna Cossit have been chief advisors and dictators to those other persons who have been under examination, and it is our opinion that they might with propriety be confined, as having endeavoured to stir up sedition in said Claremont, and also were against the united Colonies; and their names ought to be returned to the Honorable Provincial Congress for their determination, which the Clerk is hereby directed to do, which we believe may as well serve the general cause as to confine all these persons examined by us. Motioned to those persons who have been examined that they voluntarily resign their fire-arms and ammunition into the hands of the Com'tee of said Clare- mont; which they unanimously agreed to comply with, and proposed to bring them in to-morrow morning.
3dly, at the request of the Com'tee of Claremont, voted that the above men- tioned arms and ammunition be deposited in the hands of Mr. Barne Ellis, of said Claremont, and said Ellis is not to let any person have any of s'd arms without order from the Com'tee of said Claremont. Voted to adjourn till to- morrow morning, nine o'clock. Dec'r 7th, met according to adjournment. Pres- ent as yesterday.
1st. Received the firearms and ammunition of those persons who have been examined, and delivered them to the custody of Barne Ellis agreeable to
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HISTORY OF CLAREMONT.
the vote passed yesterday, for each of which the Com'tee of said Claremont gave their receipt to the owners.
2dly. Voted That this meeting be dissolved and it was dissolved accord- ingly. True copy from the minutes.
Attest :
NATH'L S. PRENTICE.
In Congress at Exeter, Jan'y 3d, 1776 : Voted, That Benjamin Giles, Esq'r, Major John Bellows, Capt. Nath'l Sartel Prentice, Mr. Thomas Sparhawk and Mr. Elijah Grout, be a Committee to Examin and Try Capt. Benjamin Sumner, Sam'l Cole, Esq'r, the Rev'd Ranna Cossit and Eleazer Sanger - persons re- puted to be enemies to the Liberties of this Countrey, and, on conviction thereof, to inflict such Penalties or Punishments as they shall see fit - not to exceed Fine or Imprisonment, saving an appeal to this House or General Court."
EXTRACT FROM THE JOURNAL OF THE CONGRESS.
Colony of New Hampshire, Cheshire, ss.
Pursuant to the fourgoing resolve, I do hereby give notice to the above mentioned Benjamin Sumner, Samuell Cole and Ranna Cossit of Claremont in said county and Eleazer Sanger of Keene in s'd county to appear at Charleston at the House of Abel Warner, Innholder in said Charleston on the second Wednes- day of April next at one of the clock, P. M., to answer the allegations brought against them by sundrie Evidences before the Commities of Saftie for the Towns of Claremont, Cornish, Lebanon and Hanover, on the 5th day of De- cem'r last as appears by an exhibition thereof, to the late Congress at Exeter.
BENJ'N GILES, Presid't, In behalf of the Committ.
Charleston, March 28, 1776.
CHARLESTOWN, April 10th, 1776.
Colony of New Hampshire, ss.
Agreeable to a resolve of the Hon'ble Congress appointing Benj'a Giles, Esq'r, Major John Bellows, Capt. Nath'l Sartell Prentice, Mr. Thomas Spar- hawk and Mr. Elijah Grout a Com'tee to examine and try Capt. Benj'a Sumner, Sam'l Cole, Esq'r, Rev'd Ranna Cossett and Eleazer Sanger, persons reputed to be Enemies to the Liberties of this Country, etc.
We, the subscribers, having notified the aforesaid Sumner, Cole, Cossett and Sanger to meet at time and place above mentioned, for the purpose afores'd, and Mr, Ranna Cossett, Sam'l Cole, Esq'r, and Capt. Benja. Sumner, appearing upon examination, by their own Confession and Evidences in the Case, having maturely considered the same, Judge that the evidence and fact exhibited by the Joint Com'tees of Claremont, Cornish, Lebanon and Hanover unto the afores'd Congress against the afores'd Cossett, Cole and Sumner are well sup- ported.
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HISTORY OF CLAREMONT.
We, the Subscribers, are of Opinion that the s'd Mr. Ranna Cossett and Sam'l Cole, Esq'r, be, from and after the 12th day of this, instant, April, con- fined within the Limits of the Township of Claremont, in s'd Colony, during the present Contest between Great Britain and the Colonies, unless they or either of them shall be released by certifying their good Behaviour in future to the Com'ee of Claremont, or the Subscribers, or upon Application, if they see Cause, to the Hon'ble Council and Assembly of this Colony.
Also, that Capt. Benj'a. Sumner be subjected in the same manner and within the same Limits as Cossett and Cole above mentioned, or give sufficient bonds, to the acceptance of the Com'tee of Claremont, for the time being, obligididing and binding him to his good behaviour, and that neither of the above named persons be seen conversent together upon any occasion whatever, except meet- ing together at Publick Worship.
Furthermore, if any of the above named persons shall not strictly and up- rightly keep the above Determination, and, being fairly convicted thereof before the Com'tee of Safety of Claremont, that they be and are hereby directed to committ the offender to the Common Goal, there to abide untill released by Order of this Com'ee or the General Assembly of this Colony, and that their fire arms be still retained in Custody of the Com'ee of Claremont, afores'd;
Provided, Nevertheless, that if the afores'd Mr. Ranna Cossett shall be call'd by any of the people of his perswasion specially to officiate in his minis- terial office in preaching, baptizing and visiting the sick, this order is not in- tended to prohibit him therefrom.
A Coppy Exami'nd.
Attest.
NATH'L S. PRENTICE, Clerk.
ARRESTS ON CHARGE OF TORYISM.
Elihu Stevens came to Claremont in 1775. He was an active and ardent Whig, and being a justice of the peace, an office of considerable dignity in those days, was frequently called to sit at the trial of persons arrested on suspicion of being Tories. So bitter were his feelings toward that class of persons, that according to his judgment it did not require the most conclusive proof to convict a person charged with being a traitor to his country. It often happened, therefore, that of the many trials and convictions before him, nearly all were discharged at the higher courts.
Complaints were often made against the purest patriots in town. A complaint having been once entered, it was thought that no other course could be taken than to arraign and try
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HISTORY OF CLAREMONT.
the party accused. Among others thus complained against was Ichabod Hitchcock, an early settler in town. He was a thor- ough working Whig, and although engaged in no actual ser- vice himself, yet he had on certain occasions paid at different times no less than three persons for service in the war. At that time he was the only master carpenter and builder in town, and his services in this line being very much in demand, he chose to send others in his stead. Some evil-minded person or prac- tical joker circulated the report that Hitchcock had turned Tory. The report having reached the ears of Mr. Stevens, he immedi- ately determined to arrest him. Accordingly, he started out very early one morning in company with his son, both being well armed, in pursuit of Hitchcock. A few rods beyond Hitchcock's house lived a man who was also suspected and had been complained against. It was the intention to arrest both at the same time and march them to the village, where they were to be tried. On arriving at the house of Mr. Hitchcock they found him at breakfast, and ar- rested him in the name of the Continental Congress. The son was stationed as guard before the only outside door, and the pris- oner was safely confined. The father went to secure the other person. Mr. Hitchcock, having finished his breakfast, asked the guard if he had eaten anything that morning, who answered that he had not, and he was politely invited to come in and partake of the good cheer of his prisoner, which invitation he readily accepted, laid aside his gun and sat down at the table ; whereupon Mr. Hitchcock seized the gun and coolly observed to his astonished guest that he might eat all he wanted, and nobody should molest him, as he had been taken prisoner while in the discharge of his duty to his country as well as himself.
Soon the father returned with the other person, and seeing Mr. Hitchcock pacing to and fro before the door in true mili- tary style, immediately ordered him to lay down his arms. Mr. Hitchcock, being something of a wag, assuming an air of inno- cent ignorance, suddenly replied, " Oh, yes, I made him surren- der his arms some time ago, and I've got him safe. I'm satis-
.
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fied he is a Tory and wish that he may be taken from my house as soon as possible." It required considerable explanation before he could be convinced that he was the person actually under arrest; but after having received satisfactory evidence, as he termed it, that such was the fact, he at once yielded and accompanied his captors to the village. The ceremonies of a trial resulted in the discharge of the prisoners, who had, as it appeared, availed themselves of every opportunity to aid in the struggles for the country.
FALSE ALARM.
A few days after the trial of Mr. Hitchcock the people were alarmed by loud reports, in rapid succession, apparently of fire- arms. Messengers were at once dispatched in the direction of the sounds, with orders to ascertain the cause and return as quickly as possible. Meeting with two or three of their towns- men, the messengers inquired of them if they had heard the noise, and if they knew the cause. They replied they had heard it, that it proceeded from British scouts, and that a large body of the enemy were encamped at Cavendish, Vt., and before noon would be in Claremont. The messengers turned their horses and hastened back with the news. Among some of the families great consternation and confusion prevailed. Speedily they gath- ered up their movables and hastened away to the fort at Num- ber Four - now Charlestown. But the majority of the people determined to await the result. It was subsequently ascertained that the noise which had occasioned the alarm was caused by some one dashing one upright board against another lying flat on the ground.
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