USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Cornish > History of the town of Cornish, New Hampshire, with genealogical record, 1763-1910, Vol. I > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32
Events at this time seemed approaching a fearful and bloody crisis. Men of cooler and more considerate minds now came to the front, anxious to avoid, if possible, the bloodshed that seemed inevitable. Governor Chittenden of Vermont wrote to General Washington, defending the right of his state to independence, but disdaining the right of New York or New Hampshire over any of her territory, and humbly asked his interposition in behalf of Vermont.
General Washington replied (January 1, 1782) so wisely and pacifically as to put a better and brighter aspect upon the affairs in dispute. General Washington plainly told Governor Chitten- den that Congress would admit Vermont into the Federal union upon the condition that she must relinquish all claims to lands east of the Connecticut River and that said river be her eastern boundary, and that she must also relinquish to New York all lands lying twenty or more miles east from the Hudson River, and their eastern limit be the western boundary of Vermont. Upon the acceptance of these terms, Congress would doubtless receive Vermont into the union as an independent state, and thus guarantee her limits.
53
THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS.
The Vermont Assembly met at Bennington February 11, 1782. The letter of General Washington was laid before it. Its effect was immediate, and favorable to a settlement of the difficulty upon the terms it suggested, and a disposition to settle the matters in dispute pervaded the entire assembly. A resolution was soon passed, in substance, that Congress had determined and guaranteed the boundaries of New York and New Hampshire, and by so doing had determined the boundaries of Vermont. Accordingly on February 23, 1782, an act was passed estab- lishing the west bank of the Connecticut River as the east line of the state, and that the State of Vermont relinquish all claim or jurisdiction over all territory east of said line. This act dis- solved the union and excluded the members of the assembly from all towns east of the river. It is said that they withdrew from the assembly with some spirit of bitterness and chagrin. The inhabitants of these towns also shared in the disappointment, and it took several years for the animosity engendered by this long and bitter controversy to subside.
Probably no town east of the Connecticut River carried greater influence, or was more deeply interested in the strife than was Cornish. For these, and other reasons, the "New Hampshire Grants" have received the generous mention here bestowed.
It was a matter of regret that, following the political trans- actions just recorded, a small yet influential minority of Cornish, under the leadership of Judge Samuel Chase and others, would not yield to the will of the majority. Possessing a strong aversion to the government of New Hampshire, he, with others, seemed to possess the forlorn hope of independence, or of a union with any other government than New Hampshire. They called town meetings and elected their full boards of officers and undertook the management of town affairs. These doings, however, were met by the firm yet peaceful spirit of protest from the majority and after a few years this spirit of opposition slowly and reluc- tantly died away, and gave place to a better order of things.
CHAPTER V.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
"The land is holy where they fought, And holy where they fell,
For by their blood that land was bought, The land they loved so well. Then glory to that valiant band, The honored saviors of the land." -MacLellan.
NEW HAMPSHIRE was first organized into a separate province in January, 1680. The first General Assembly met on the 16th of March following, and at once enacted laws organizing the mil- itia of the state, for the exigencies of the times seemed to demand the safeguard of an effective militia.
The conflicting claims of France and England were liable at any time to devastate New England. So the colonists were not only interested witnesses of the strife, but they vigorously par- ticipated to sustain the claims of England whose colonies they were.
The Indians, too, were a constant menace to the settlers, being liable to make murderous raids upon them at any time. They joined hands with the French, and the French and Indian War was precipitated, 1754-63. During this latter year, after the war had closed and all the clouds of war had disappeared, the militia of the state was found to consist of but nine regiments of infantry and one of cavalry. The colonists now enjoyed a few years of immunity from military strife and had the privilege of returning to their homes, cultivating their farms and enjoying the comforts of domestic life. During this period, however, the colonists con- tinued to increase and strengthen their military forces. In 1773 there were twelve regiments in the state. Little did they dream that their mother country, the home of their birth, and of the graves of their ancestors, would be the power against which their military force would be employed!
55
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
At first the most amicable feelings existed between the colonies and their mother country. These friendly relations, however, were soon disturbed by various causes: Tyrannical gov- ernors were sometimes appointed over the colonies, from whose decision there was no appeal. Criminals from England were transported to America. "Navigation Laws" compelled the colonists to do their trading with England. The arbitrary collection of duties by custom house officers appointed by Par- liament-these were some of the first causes that finally led to the separation of the colonies from England.
In 1764, the famous, or infamous, Stamp Act was introduced into Parliament. This was regarded by the colonists as an assumption of power on the part of England to oppress her subjects in America. Petitions, remonstrances, and protests from the people were presented to the king and his Parliament to prevent if possible the proposed enactment. But, in the words of Patrick Henry a little later: "Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded, and we have been spurned with contempt from the foot of the throne."'
The Stamp Act passed both houses of Parliament on March 22, 1765, by a majority of five to one in the House of Commons, while every member of the House of Lords voted in favor of it, and the royal assent was likewise given.
This action seemed to destroy all love and confidence here- tofore existing between England and her American colonies and a storm of opposition arose on every hand. This was wide- spread and apparently universal. In many places it assumed very demonstrative forms, so much as to interfere with the royal authority, which, until now, had existed. British troops were therefore sent to Boston and other points to assist the royalists in maintaining the authority due the officers of the Crown. This, instead of quieting the opposition, inflamed the colonists all the more. Parliament seeing they had made a mis- take in the passage of the Stamp Act, formally repealed it March 18, 1766, but while doing this they would not relinquish their right to tax the colonies. Repealing of the act, therefore, had but little effect in quelling the opposition which had been so thoroughly aroused.
While the popular clamor of the people was apparently unani-
56
HISTORY OF CORNISH.
mous in opposition to the policy pursued by England, there were those who still remained loyal to the Crown and to their kindred and ancestors in England, and regretted to see the breach widen- ing that separated them from their kindred. They were not in sympathy with the prevailing spirit of the times, but rather with their mother country. These were by some called "Royalists," and by others "Tories." As a matter of course as well as a mat- ter of history, these tories were an offense to all those aggrieved at the course pursued by Parliament, and were considered ene- mies to the common cause. This element, though not large, had its representatives all over the country, and even in many of the towns of New Hampshire; but neither record nor tradition shows that any of the citizens of Cornish entertained those sentiments. The spirit and attitude that England manifested towards the colonists was anything but conciliatory but, rather, was well calculated to beget increased bitterness, and the people in all parts of the country were becoming seriously in earnest. Civil officers found it very difficult to maintain their authority, and many of them threw up their commissions under the king.
The courts of justice were suspended, and the laws relating to civil affairs were but partially executed.
By the militia law then in force, the execution of which was in the hands of the "Committee of Safety" and the Provincial Congress, every male citizen from sixteen to sixty years of age was required to provide himself with a musket and bayonet, knapsack, cartridge box, one pound of powder, twenty bullets and twelve flints. Every town was required to keep constantly on hand one barrel of powder, two hundred pounds of lead and three hundred flints for every sixty men enrolled. Even the old men, and those unable to do full military duty, were required to keep on hand the same supply of arms and ammunition as the active militia-men.
During the few years of peace prior to 1765, no thought of another war had entered the minds of the colonists until now the people were rudely awakened to the fact that there was less than half the required amount of military stores in the country, and also that the veterans of the Indian wars were fast passing away, and their young men were learning nothing of military arts.
Attention was called to these facts by the committees of safety and other prominent men. Accordingly, existing military
57
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
organizations were strengthened, and voluntary associations were formed for the purpose of learning military taeties. Drills and trainings became frequent. Companies of minute men were organized and instructed to move at a minute's warning, and the manufacture of arms, equipments and ammunition was stim- ulated. Subsequent events proved the wisdom of these pre- cautionary measures. "Committees of Safety" were appointed in all the towns. They had the oversight and management of all affairs relating to movements of any militia; and exercised a general watch-care against any threatened danger. The com- mittee of each town were to apprize the committee of their neigh- boring towns, should necessity require, and thus they would be enabled to act together when any crisis should come. Expresses were kept in readiness to speed the intelligence to the country around and, in some cases, preparations were made to flash the news by signal lights.
The culmination of such a series of events seemed imminent at any time, but the "dogs of war" were not let loose until 1775. On June 29, 1767, Parliament imposed a tax on lead, glass, paper, tea and several other commodities. This added fresh fuel to the flames. Newspapers became more outspoken than before in their denunciation of Parliament and the king.
It soon became evident that the Crown was fast losing all patience with her colonies, and that it was about time she should show some intimations of chastisement. With a view of fright- ening the colonies into submission, General Gage, commander of the British forces in America, was ordered to take a regiment of soldiers from Halifax to Boston and quarter them on the citizens. This order being known, its effect was to intensify the bitterness already existing. It was sternly denounced by Samuel Adams and many others, and the press reëchoed the sentiment. Never- theless, on September 28, 1767, the troops came fully equipped, with colors flying and paraded on Boston Common.
Collisions between the troops and citizens were liable to occur at any time, and on March 5, 1770, occurred the so-called "Boston Massacre," in which five citizens were killed and six wounded, by British soldiers. This event caused such an upris- ing of the people that the troops were sent away.
During nearly three years following this event, historians record but few striking events that were calculated to precipitate the
58
HISTORY OF CORNISH.
Revolution. It seems a little marvelous that at such high tide in the passions of men as was exhibited in 1770, that so few historic developments occurred during this time. There can be no doubt, however, that affairs were ripening for the great events to follow. Were they not years of gestation? Liberty had been conceived, but was not yet born. Perhaps this comparative quietude was needed for the full growth and development of the new principle of Liberty which has since actually revolutionized the world.
On December 16, 1773, occurred the famous "Boston Tea Party" when 340 chests of tea were broken open and their con- tents thrown overboard into Boston Harbor.
The news of this transaction was received in England on Jan- uary 27, 1774. This threw her into a flame of wrath. Thereupon the charter of Massachusetts was declared annulled, and the people, rebels. She also passed the famous "Boston Port Bill," closing the port to all trade, said act to take effect June 18, 1774.
On September 5, 1774, the Continental Congress met at Phila- delphia. All the states were represented except Georgia. It was at this session that Patrick Henry in a burst of oratory uttered those immortal words that fired every heart by their patriotic elo- quence, saying in part that there was "no peace, but the war has actually begun."
The British troops stationed in or near Boston were becoming more bold and began acting on the offensive. This being reported, continued to further arouse the people to a determination to resist the further assumption of power by England. This spirit extended to towns far remote, and men from those towns hur- riedly left their homes for the threatened theater of strife. It was now evident the "clash of resounding arms" was near at hand.
The battle of Lexington soon followed, April 19, 1775. News of the battle spread like wild-fire throughout all the colonies. "It was the shot that was heard around the world."
After this, there was no need of conscripting or even urging men to the opening conflict. No bounties were needed to induce men to enlist, but they voluntarily rushed forward to the "ranks of war" induced only by a love for liberty and home.
Nearly every town in the Province of New Hampshire sent volunteers, so that by the 23d of April, 1775, 2,000 New Hampshire men were on the ground at Cambridge and Medford, Mass.,
59
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
while the whole force of men from Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island numbered nearly 20,000. They were entirely ununiformed, and many of them without equipments.
Boston, with the British army, was now entirely enclosed on the land side. The patriots began throwing up entrenchments all along the lines, and the city was in a state of siege.
At this time there was no staff organization from New Hamp- shire on the ground, and no rations, ammunitions or supplies of any kind provided by the authority of New Hampshire. The New Hampshire men were advised to enlist for the time being in the service of Massachusetts in order to draw rations and quarters. An arrangement to that effect was made by a com- mittee of the New Hampshire Provincial Congress with one from that of Massachusetts-the men to be accounted on New Hampshire's quota, and supplies were issued to some New Hamp- shire troops by the commissaries of Massachusetts. Even the commissions of colonel to Stark and Reed were issued April 26, by the Massachusetts Committee of Safety. These were accepted, to continue until New Hampshire acted. (MeClintock's "History of New Hampshire," p. 332.)
Most of the men who had gathered in such haste were farmers, impatient to strike a blow for their country, or to be at home to plant their crops and attend to their affairs. Seeing no prospect of immediate action at the front, large numbers of them returned to their homes, many with the consent of their officers, others without asking consent. There was no power to hold them because they had not yet signed enlisting papers in any regular service; and in some cases they were advised by their commanders to go home and prepare for a war of indefinite length. (Keene History, p. 177.) These facts account for the limited number of names of soldiers on the Revolutionary rolls of the year 1775. That a considerable number of men from upper Cheshire County (now Sullivan County) went to Massachusetts at that time to render military assistance has been accounted a matter of fact, but only a portion of their names appear on the rolls. Perhaps, however, family tradition in some instances has preserved the names of some of them.
On the pay-roll of Capt. John Marcy's Company, Col. James Reed's Regiment, August 1, 1775, is the name of William Richardson and other Cornish men.
60
HISTORY OF CORNISH.
Joseph Taylor (then of Cornish) is found enrolled in Capt. Henry Elkins' Company, Col. Enoch Poor's Regiment, on July 7, 1775, August 1, 1775, and also on October 10, 1775.
On the 17th of June, 1775, the battle of Bunker Hill was fought. The whole number of Americans in that memorable battle did not exceed 1,700 men. Of these 1,230 men were from New Hamp- shire, and were largely from Cheshire County. The troops were under the command of Colonels Stark and Reed, both New Hampshire men.
Of this battle it is said that "it was the bloodiest fight that could be called a battle, in proportion to the numbers engaged, that has ever been fought on American soil." The loss to the British army was not less than eleven hundred, killed and wounded, or more than one third of the English army engaged. The loss on the American side was about four hundred and fifty men, or about thirty per cent. of those engaged.
The roar of cannon at the battle of Bunker Hill is said to have been heard by inhabitants of several towns along the Connecticut River. Citizens of Cornish declared they heard it, and, whether true or not, it has generally been so believed.
Among the events of 1775, it is of interest to record that John Wentworth, the last governor appointed by the Crown for New Hampshire, after several ineffectual attempts to convene the Legislature during the summer of 1775, finally in September, abdicated and went away in a British frigate for Nova Scotia. To the last he urged upon the Legislature, but without avail, a restoration of harmony with Great Britain. This ended the last vestige of British rule in New Hampshire. The early hesi- tating measures of resistance and defence on the part of the colo- nies, now assume the gravity and dignity of war. The British government no longer oppressed a dependent, but engaged in grim war with a nation.
On May 17, 1775, the Provincial Congress or Assembly met at Exeter, New Hampshire. Samuel Chase, Esq., attended it from Cornish. It was there recommended that "the selectmen of the several towns, parishes, and other places in the Colony, take an exact number of the Inhabitants of their respective Districts in classes, with the number of fire-arms and pounds of powder on hand, and the number of fire-arms needed, and that an account
29676
61
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
of the whole made under oath, be returned to the Committee of Safety for this Colony."
Agreeable to the foregoing recommendation the census of Cornish for the year 1775 was taken, which was as follows:
Males under 16 years of age 83
Males from 16 to 50 not in the army
77
Males above 50 years of age. 9
Females (all)
136
0
Negroes & slaves for life
4
Persons in army
All 309
Fire-arms in Cornish fit for use 53
Number of fire-arms wanted to complete one for every person capable of using them . . 33
No powder in town but private property and that is 20 lbs.
Cornish Oct. ye 30th 1775.
Personally appeared Samuel Chase Esqr. and made solemn oath that he had acted faithfully and impartially in taking the above numbers according to the best of his discretion before me.
DANIEL PUTNAM-Town Clerk.
The records of Cornish, before 1776, are silent about every- thing that relates to the Revolutionary War. While a record of a deep interest in the war would afford gratification to later generations, yet the fact of such omission reflects nothing upon the loyalty of the entire town. It seems that, at this time, the good people of Cornish were all engaged in the erection of a house of worship that enlisted their interests, means, and energies to their utmost. To them, religious rights and privi- leges were second to no other, as manifestly shown in this.
After the British rule in New Hampshire was ended, the towns became aware of the fact that there was no general gov- ernment. No courts were held in Cheshire County from 1774 to 1778, but each town instituted governments of its own and enacted laws for the management of its own affairs. Warrants for town-meetings were headed, simply "Cheshire
1
62
HISTORY OF CORNISH.
S. S." and were called by the town clerk upon the order of the selectmen. A similar state of affairs existed among all the colonies. It is not to be wondered if strange local laws were sometimes enacted.
The Provincial Congress on the 5th of January, 1776, adopted a temporary constitution. By the terms of this instrument a distinct and coordinate branch of the Legislature was created which was then called the Council. In later times this body has been styled the senate. During the Revolutionary War, and the period of this temporary constitution, there was no governor. The council and the house performed these functions during sessions, and the committee of safety during the recesses of the Legislature. For the year 1776, the councillors were elected by the house of representatives, and in subsequent years by the people.
Early in March, 1776, General Washington seized Dorchester Heights and thus compelled the British to evacuate Boston, and on the 18th he started for New York with five of his best regiments, including General Stark with all his New Hampshire men as one, and on the 27th General Sullivan followed with the remainder of his brigade, but the latter was soon afterwards sent with his New Hampshire regiments from New York to reinforce the army of the North which was now slowly retreating from Quebec under General Gates. The smallpox had broken out in the Northern army and General Thomas had fallen a victim to it, so General Sullivan succeeded to the command. The Northern army slowly retreating before a powerful British army under Burgoyne, from the north, naturally caused great alarm throughout New England, particularly as bands of Indians at this time were hovering on our frontiers, threatening to repeat their former atrocities.
Because of this, the government raised two additional regiments to reinforce the Northern army. These were commanded by Colonels Wyman and Wingate.
In the enrollment of Colonel Wyman's Regiment, August 20, 1776, are found the names of Peter Labere, J. Nathaniel Holden and Joel Rice, all of Cornish. (P. 324, Vol. 1, Rev. Rolls.)
On the 12th of April, 1776, the committee of safety for the state, sent to the selectmen of each town the "Association Test," which in form was as follows:
63
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
"TO THE SELECTMEN OF -
"Colony of New Hampshire "In Committee of Safety, "April 12, 1776.
"In order to carry the underwritten Resolve of the Hon'ble Con- gress into Execution, You are requested to desire all males above Twenty-One Years of Age, (Lunatics, Idiots, and Negroes ex- cepted) to sign to the Declaration on this paper; and when so done to make return hereof, together with the Name or Names of all who shall refuse to sign the same, to the General Assembly, or Committee of Safety of this Colony.
"M. WEARE, Chairman.
"In Congress March 14th 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 notoriously disaffected to the cause of America, or who have not associated, and refuse to asso- ciate to defend by Arms the United Colonies against the Hostile attempts of the British Fleets and Armies.
"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 Proceeding of the British Fleets and Armies against the United American Colonies."
Copies of the above Association Test were sent to all of the colonies including the towns of New Hampshire. Returns from nearly a hundred of these towns have been preserved. No re- turn from Cornish has been preserved, and if the paper was cir- culated and signed by the men of Cornish, it has been lost. The province of New Hampshire then numbered about 80,000 inhabit-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.