USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Gilsum > History of the town of Gilsum, New Hampshire, from 1752 to 1879 > Part 6
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FREDERICK TUBBS is on roll of Lieut. Col. Henry Dearborn's battalion, Scammel's command, as enlisted "for the war" June 26, 1777. He was evidently discharged, as he is on roll of recruits for Col. Hale's regiment as enlisted for one year, July 20, and mustered at Keene July 29, 1779, by Timothy Ellis. He was discharged June 26, 1780. Nothing is known of this man; may have been a brother of Ananias.
SAMUEL WHITE was Corporal in Capt. Jacob Hinds's company, Col. James Reed's regiment, at Bunker Hill, and was paid to Aug. 1, 1775, £5-0-3. His loss at Bunker Hill was one blanket, 12 s., one shirt, 6 s., one trousers, 5 s., one stockings, 6 s., shoes, 4 s .; probably lost a gun also, as his whole loss is placed at £3-4. He is on roll of Capt. Joseph Dearborn's company, Wyman's regiment, which was sent to Canada June, 1776, and on pay-roll of same at Mount Independence Nov 5, 1776. He was in Capt. Jonathan Brockway's company, Col. Enocli Hale's regiment, which marched on the 6th of July, 1777, for Ticonderoga. "On the 8th they marched from Washington
39
GILSUM IN THE REVOLUTION.
to Cavendish, forty miles, then ordered to return. Ordered to march again on the 13th, and met the army at Otter Creek on its retreat." He is on the roll of Capt. Ezekiel Worthen's company, Peabody's regiment, as engaged Ap. 5, 1778, and discharged Jan. 4, 1779. He was one of the men raised from the 6th regiment of militia for the Continen- tal service, and mustered by Major Timothy Ellis July 20, 1779, for twelve months; was paid bounty, £60, and £6 for traveling fees to Springfield; was discharged June 26, 1780; was during this year in Lieut. Col. Henry Dearborn's battalion, Scammel's command. Nothing further is known of him. Probably a substitute.
The rest is but traditional. The Kilburn family relate that Capt. Ebenczer Kilburn went to the battle of Bennington, taking with him his hired man, (name forgotten,) and Brooks Hudson, then a youth of seventeen, living with him. Being suddenly ordered to start with his company, he notified them to meet at his house. Finding that many of them were destitute of the neces- sary provision, he hurried home, emptied a sack of two bushels of flour into kneading-troughs, set his two large brick ovens to heating, and kindled fires in all the fire-places. His wife prepared the bread in small loaves, filling the ovens and setting the rest around the fire-places. In two hours it was all ready on long tables set out in the door-yard for the men. Mrs. Kilburn had baked the day before enough for the family a week, whichi was added to the supply. The men hurriedly ate what they needed, and taking the rest in their knapsacks marched away. Such is the tradition. It is doubtless substantially correct, except in two points. From the records it seems most likely that the occasion was the relief of Ticonderoga, July 4, 1776, as stated on page 36, and that it occurred while Mr. Kilburn was Lieutenant, before he became Captain. In fact there is no evidence that lic served as Captain, except in the militia after the war. [Biog.]
Another tradition is that Peter Hayward went to the battle of Bunker Hill, wearing a leather apron, and taking his dog with him ; that, on charging bayonets after their ammunition failed, he was in the front rank with his dog, and that a brother of old Capt. David Fuller was shot by lis side. I have not been able to verify the tradition. Joshua Fuller of Surry, brother of David, was killed at Bennington, and very likely this fact is mixed up with the tradition.
Ebenezer Hurd was waiter for Benedict Arnold, and got his horse for him when he fled. He was also in the battle of White Plains, and was hit three times, but not wounded. One ball went through his cartridge-box, and another through his coat and shirt.
Levi Blood, known as " Gen." Blood, told many stories of liis service. At one time when on guard, he was directly exposed to the fire of the enemy. He, however, remained bolt upright at his post without seeking any protection, as lie might have done. His general happened to sec him, and directed him to get behind a rock for shelter. He did so, and holding up his hat on his bayonet let them shoot at that.
There were doubtless others as worthy of record as these, but it is difficult, if not impossible, to make a complete list. Some further items will be found in the Biography and Genealogy.
Eleven years after the close of the war of the Revolution, on account of serious troubles with the Western Indians, and the turbulent insurrections in Pennsylvania, Congress passed an act requiring each State to furnish a certain number of men, who were to be held in readiness to march at any time. New Hampshire voted four regiments of minute men, and the several towns were called on to furnish their proportion. June 24, 1794, Gilsum " Voted to Give the Men that turned out as Minet Men 40/ Pr Month Including what Congress has Granted if Cold into Actual Service." The wages given by Congress was only $4 a month. None of these men were called into action, and their names are not known.
Probably no town can show a better record for bravery and self-denial, in proportion to its population, than Gilsum.
" Honor the brave and bold ! Long shall the tale be told, ---
Yea, when our babes are old "
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GILSUM.
CHAPTER VIII.
WAR OF 1812-15.
" Eternal vigilance is the price of Liberty."
FIRST and foremost in the Revolution, New Hampshire has always been ready to bear her part in every national struggle, and Gilsum has never been reluctant, when called on for the defense of the State or Nation.
No demand for soldiers from Gilsum was made till September, 1814, when Gov. Gilman ordered " the whole of the militia " to " hold themselves in readiness to mareh at a moment's warning." A detachment from twenty-three Regiments was ordered to " mareh to Portsmouth immediately." Gilsum was ealled on to furnish seven men. The Captain of Gilsum Company was Benjamin Ware. Solomon Maek was Sergeant, and Obadiah Ware, Drummer. The Captain called his Company together, and proposed a draft. Fourteen men at once volunteered. The seven who went were -
Roswell Borden, enlisted for 3 months Sept. 20, 1814.
Iddo Kilburn, enlisted for 3 months Sept. 20, 1814.
John Raymond, enlisted for 3 months Sept. 20, 1814.
David Bill, enlisted for 60 days Sept. 25, 1814.
Jonas Brown, enlisted for 60 days Sept. 25, 1814,
David Dort, Serg't, enlisted for 60 days Sept. 25, 1814.
Ira Ellis, enlisted for 60 days Sept. 25, 1814.
The other seven were held as minute men. Their names cannot be ascertained. Capt. David Bill, now in his 84th ycar, is the only one of the seven, who is still living.
These troops marched to Portsmouthi where they remained a short time as a coast guard, but were not engaged in battle.
Willard Carpenter of Surry, Jehiel Day of Keene, Jonathan Hall Jr. of Westmoreland, and Calvin Wilson of Stoddard enlisted under the samc call. There are doubtless others whose names appear in the Genealogy, who served in this war, but these are all at present identified.
The only Town Record referring to the last War with England is March 14, 1815.
Voted to give those Soldiers who went from Gilsum to Portsmouth on military duty two dollars per month in addition to their other wages.
The wages paid by the Government was eight dollars a month. The State afterwards refunded all gratuities given by the towns.
In 1871, Congress granted a pension of $96 per annum to all who were sixty days in servicc. In 1878, this was made to include all who were out thirty days.
NOTE. - So far as known, there were no Gilsum men in the Mexican War, though it is probable some mentioned in the Genealogy were in service at that time.
41
MILITIA.
CHAPTER IX.
MILITIA.
" Yankee Doodle came to town Riding on a pony, Stuck a feather in his hat And called it Macaroni."
IN the town records we have very little about military affairs. After the war of the Revolu- tion, this State like others kept up a military system requiring all able-bodied men to appear " armed and equipped," twice a year in their own town, and once in regimental Muster, wherever summoned in the bounds of the Regiment. These gatherings were known as " May Training," " Fall Training," and " Muster." They were always occasions of great hilarity and more or less drunkenness. Less than fifty years have passed, since every man drew a gill of rum for the occasion. And still later, cvery new officer chosen was expected to " treat the company," and was insulted as " hoggish " if he declined to do so. The natural result was that not unfrequently there were figlits and other disgraceful disorders, and sometimes dangerous accidents. It was largely these " training-day " disorders that stimulated the early temperance movement. One aged man, now living here, says that it was the fatal accident at the bridge (Chap. 26) that made him resolve to let liquor alone from that time. The first town action in reference to the militia is the vote in 1809, to raise $31 " to provide military stores " and to give each soldier that attends on muster day two shillings. Nothing more is found till 1827, when it was " voted to allow the troopers two shillings on muster day instead of a dinner and drink." This was probably through the influence of those who had become interested in the temperance cause. "The troopers " were a Cavalry Company organized out of Gilsum, Keene, Sullivan, and Surry. Those who joined it from Gilsum, as near as can now be told, were the following : -
Hartford Butler, Capt. Joseph Clark, John Hammond, Orlando Mack, Solomon Mack, Lieut. James M. Mark, Samuel Mark, William Mark, John Roundy, Dudley Smith, Almon Taylor, Alvin White, Danford White, and Joseph Whitney.
In 1835, the town voted to give bonds to procure U. S. arms for the use of the militia " at their lawful trainings." These arms were furnished by the State to such towns as would give sufficient bonds for their safe-keeping. Before this, each man furnished his own musket and other accouterments. Having procured the " arms," it became important to have an armory. An effort was made for several successive years to get an appropriation from the town for that purpose, but the articles were summarily dismissed. A subscription to build an Armory was circulated in 1837, and about sixty dollars subscribed. It was probably built the same year, and was located on a very narrow level place east of the road about half way from the Stone Bridge towards the Bond grave-yard. The land was owned by Stephen Day. After the militia disbanded and the arms were returned to the State, the building was taken down and sold by the owner of the land to Abram C. Wyman, who made it into a woodshed at the upper end of the village, where it now stands.
This town, though always ready to do its part in time of war, has not, at least in later days, been fired with any great military enthusiasm in time of peace. Some zealous military men have frequently endeavored to awaken the town to a sense of the importance of helping the militia, but with very poor success. The last record is in 1845, when an article to raise money to pay volunteers to make a company of forty-five, was dismissed without action.
3
42
GILSUM.
Gilsum company was at one time, according to an established custom, entitled to carry the colors of the Regiment. In some way, Westmoreland company had possession of the colors on the muster ground, and refused to give them up. Gilsum company under command of their Captain " charged upon them at double quick " and recovered their rightful honors. The Captain was Robert Lane Hurd, probably the most of a military genius the Regiment could furnish. He was very popular with his men, who kept him in command for many years. He drilled them very thoroughly, and kept their enthusiasm constantly awake. He trained them to execute the most difficult maneuvers, and won the applause of bystanders whenever he paraded his men. At one time he marched upon the muster field, with his company apparently unformed or in strange disorder, so that all wondered what fool was in command, when by a skilful maneuver in which he had drilled them, he suddenly by one order brought them almost instantly into proper . position as they took their place upon the field, surprising the spectators at his exhibition of skill. According to usage he would have been promoted to the field, being the senior Captain in the Regiment, but the jealousy of other towns prevented. Gilsum people were for many years very indignant under the slight.
In 1806, a "muster " at Keene was appointed for October 9. Men started very early in the morning as usual, but a fearful snow-storm came on with violent wind. From what is now Distriet No. 7, Solomon and Dudley Smith and Solomon Mack started and got as far as Iddo Kilburn's where they were forced to stop. Many suffered severely. The company were unable to get home till the next night, on account of the deep snow, and the many trees blown across the road. Antipas Maynard, at that time drummer in Sullivan company, nearly perished before he reached home.
In 1834, when E. K. Webster was Colonel of the Regiment, the annual muster was held in Gilsum. The broad flat on the hill east of the village is still often called " The Parade." Other towns were accustomed to despise Gilsum, and the men were indignant at being summoned here to muster. Many still remember the hootings with which Walpole and Westmoreland companies made " night hideous," and the fires which they built of the neighboring fences and trees. Large quantities of flannel from Upton and Fletcher's, which had been put up as a protection to the peddlers' stands were taken and destroyed in the fires. The amount of drunkenness and rowdyism that prevailed cannot be recorded.
In 1850, the law requiring military duty was repealed, provision, however, being made for volunteer companies to organize and receive pay for training, if they chose. Under this law, the Third Company of Light Infantry was organized by the name of " Cheshire Invincibles," with Amasa May for Captain, Ezra Webster, Lieutenant, and Daniel Smith, Ensign. Most of those enrolled as liable to military duty joined the company. Their military enthusiasm, however, lasted only one year, when the company disbanded.
Joseph M. Chapin was Orderly Sergeant of the old company and made the following record in the Orderly Book : -
April 1850. The Officers having gone to reside without the limits of the Company it is not expected that we shall have any Military parade for the season.
In October he made record as follows : -
The members of the Fifth Company mostly volunteered in the fall, under the Law of this season for enlist- ments with some old Soldiers, training several times and mustering [for] drill according to the late Law, with the arms that the former Company used.
In March 1851, Solomon Mack, Jr., reecived a commission as Captain of the Fifth company, which office he held as long as the company had a nominal existence. It seems to have been a
Daniel etmithe
The Heltotype Printing Co.211 Tremont St Boston.
-
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WAR OF THE REBELLION.
sinecure, kept up for form's sake, as there is no record of any assembling of the company from that time. The last annual return was made May 19, 1857, as follows.
One Captain, One Sergeant, One hundred nine Privates, One hundred eleven, Aggregate. Public Property One infantry Regulations, One Orderly Book, One Roll Book, one Militia Law.
The following list of Captains is not complete for the earlier days, but is as nearly correct as I have been able to make it.
Ebenezer Kilburn. Ebenezer Bill, Jr.
Timothy Dort.
William S. Mansfield.
Zadok Hurd. Berzeleel Lord Mack.
Willard Bill.
David Converse.
Jehiel Holdridge. Justus Chapin, Jr.
Eliphalet K. Webster.
Calvin May, Jr.
Robert Lane Hurd. Jonas Brown.
Calvin Mack.
Daniel W. Bill.
David Fuller.
David Bill.
Benjamin Hosmer.
Daniel Smith.
Joseph Taylor.
John Taylor.
John Horton.
George H. Gassett.
Solomon Mack.
True Webster, Jr.
George W. F. Temple.
Solomon Mack, Jr.
Benjamin Ware.
Gilsum furnished the following Field Officers in the 20th Regiment, and perhaps more. Only the highest office each man held is mentioned.
Ebenezer Bill, Major. Benjamin Hosmer, Major. George H. Gassett, Colonel. Aaron H. Livermore, Adjt. Eliphalet K. Webster, Col. Daniel W. Bill, Brig. Gen. Daniel Smith, Lieut. Colonel. Joseph M. Chapin, Adjt.
CHAPTER X.
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
" The land is holy where they fought And holy where they fell."
As seen by the last chapter, when the great rebellion came, New Hampshire had no organized militia, save a few companies in the large towns. But the first note of conflict called volun- teers to the ranks from every quarter. Gilsum was not behind in furnishing her quota. The town records, however, give only a very meagre account of her part in the war.
In August 1862, the town voted to pay $100 to each volunteer. The next month, this was increased to $150. In September 1863, it was voted to pay each drafted man or his substitute $300. The following December, the Selectmen were instructed to fill the town's quota by giving such bounty as may be necessary in addition. In June 1864, the Selectmen were instructed to procure eight men and pay the bounties. At the annual meeting in 1875, an effort was made by some who had hired substitutes or paid commutation money, to have the same refunded by the town, but the article was dismissed by the decisive vote of 106 to 2. This is the substance of all that could be learned from our town books, save that the Treasurer's account shows certain sums paid for bounties, - no names being given.
In 1870, the Legislature voted to re-imburse the towns who paid bounties, by giving them $100 for each soldier put in for three years, not including those who went in 1861. Gilsum received $5400. The following summary and list of names are from papers furnished by F. A. Howard, who was Selectman at the time of the re-imbursement. Other particulars are taken mainly from the Reports of the Adjutant-General for 1865-6, in which is given a minute history of each N. H. Regiment. Those desiring a fuller account can consult the same in the Town Clerk's office.
44
GILSUM.
Under the first call in 1861, there were four volunteers, as follows.
Thomas W. Bignall, 1st Reg't, Co. G. This regiment was under Col. Mason W. Tappan, "and passed every- where by the sobriquet of the ' New Ilampshire Wild Cats.'" Mr. Bignall re-enlisted for three years in the 2d Reg't, Co. C, - was promoted to Corporal, and after having been in about fifteen battles, was killed at Gettysburg, Penn., July 2, 1863.
Joseph Collins, Ist Reg't, Co. G.
Sherman HI. Howard, Ist Reg't, Co. C. In December 1861, he re-enlisted in 6th Reg't, Co. K, - was wounded at the second Bull Run battle, and died five days after, Sept. 3, 1862.
Ilorace 1I. Nash, Ist Reg't, Co. C, re-enlisted in September, 1862, and served till close of war in 14th Reg't, Co. C.
Under the second call in 1861, besides the two mentioned above, Gilsum furnished volunteers for three years as follows.
·
John A. Blake, 2d Reg't, Co. A, - was "wounded severely " at Gettysburg, Penn., July 2, 1863, and " dis- charged for disability, June 7, 1864."
Sterry W. Bridge, 2d Reg't, Co. I, - served three years.
James Leonard Davis, 6th Reg't, Co. G, - discharged Sept. 10, 1862, - re-enlisted December, 1863, in 9th Reg't, Co. I, - was taken prisoner at Poplar Grove, Va., Sept. 30, 1864. After being paroled, and reaching Annapolis, Md., he died from the starvation and cruel treatment received in the rebel prison.
John W. Everdon, 2d Reg't, Co. D. After twenty-one montlis' service, he was " discharged for disability, July 19, 1863."
Aaron R. Gleason enlisted as Hospital Attendant in 2d Reg't, Co. F, - was transferred to Invalid Corps, and afterwards to Volunteer Rifle Co. In 1864, he was appointed Assistant Surgeon in Campbell Hospital, Washing- ton, D. C., - received also an appointment as Assistant Surgeon in the 14th Reg't, but declined, - was connected with the U. S. service four years.
Gleneira J. Guillow served three years in 2d Reg't, Co. C.
Isaac W. Hammond enlisted in 2d Reg't, - was appointed Commissary Sergeant in 5th Reg't, and served in that capacity three years in the " Army of the Potomac."
Charles Henry Harris, 5th Reg't, Co. F, - was killed at Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. Franklin Nash, 2d Reg't, Co. A, - "discharged for disability, Feb. 9, 1863."
Stillman D. Nash, 6th Reg't, Co. F, -" discharged for disability, Aug. 26, 1863."
Calvin H. Wilcox, 2d Reg't, Co. G, -" discharged for disability, Oct. 12, 1862."
The following volunteers for 1862 each received $100 bounty from the town, $5 from George W. Foster, and $10 from F. A. Howard.
George C. H. Deets, 2d Reg't, Co. E, -" discharged for disability, March 2, 1863."
Asa E. Howe, 4th Reg't, Co. D, -killed in the attack on Fort Giliner, Sept. 29, 1864.
John Howard, 9th Reg't, Co. I, -" died of disease, Feb. 20, 1864," - said to be buried in the Hospital Cem- etery, David's Island, N. Y.
Merrill J. Howard, 9th Reg't, Co. I.
Edward G. McCoy, 9th Reg't, Co. I, - served till close of war.
Ansel A. Morse, 14th Reg't, Co. C, - served till close of war.
Horace H. Nash, mentioned above.
Orsamus Nash, 9th Reg't, Co. I, -"died of disease at DeCamp Ilospital, N. Y., Sept. 6, 1864," -said to be buried in Hospital Cemetery, David's Island, N. Y.
Edwin E. Roundy, 14th Reg't, Co. B, - served till close of war.
Franklin W. Roundy, same Co., and same service.
Henry E. Wilcox, 14th Reg't, Co. C, - "died of disease at Gilsum, Jan. 24, 1865."
In September 1863, six men were drafted, as follows. These and all following received $300 eaeli from the town.
Temple Baker, - got a substitute.
George W. Bancroft, - got a substitute.
Lowell White, - got a substitute.
Jotham Bates, - paid $300, commutation fee.
Calvin W. Spooner, 5th Reg't, Co. A, - served till close of war.
Albert H. Waldron, 5th Reg't, Co. F, - wounded at Chickahominy, June 16, 1864, and served till close of war.
The calls of October 1863, and February 1864, were filled by hired substitutes, except James Leonard Davis mentioned above.
Under the call of March 1864, Lucius Davis volunteered in 1st N. H. Cavalry, Troop B, and served till close of war; and five men were drafted as follows.
Глаас П. Каттонов
45
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
Harvey L. Bates, - got a substitute.
Joel Cowee, - got a substitute.
Josiah Guillow, - got a substitute. George H. McCoy, - got a substitute.
Charles E. Crouch, 9th Reg't, Co. I, -transferred to 6th Reg't, Co. I, and served till close of war.
In July 1864, the town furnished seven substitutes, and the following citizens, seven more : -
Jesse B. Isham, John J. Isham, Samuel L. Kingsbury, George A. Learoyd, Hans II. Mark, Leonard White, and William A. Wilder.
In December 1864, the town furnished three, and the following citizens, one each : -
Daniel W. Bill, Aarou D. Hammond, George N. Hayward, and Daniel Smith.
The Adjutant General's Report, under date of April 30, 1865, credits Gilsum with a surplus of ten men over licr quota under all the calls. The number enrolled as liable to military duty was 79, and it was estimated that Gilsum had 40 men then in service, in Army and Navy. A large number more of Gilsum men served in the war from other towns, and from other States. Many of these arc mentioned in the following Biographies and Genealogies, though the list is necessarily incomplete. The summary of the preceding record is as follows.
Whole number of men furnished for three months, 4.
for three years, 67.
Gilsum men included in the above, 29.
Eleven men were drafted, of whom three went into the service. Eleven citizens not drafted furnished substitutes, the town paying them $300 each, - the price of substitutes being from $500 to $1100 apiece. Two other citizens, as mentioned above, paid bounties, one $55, and the other $110. In 1864, most of the citizens liable to draft paid $20 apieee, as a fund towards furnishing substitutes. Those who procured substitutes, as named above, were obliged to pay from one to three hundred dollars each, in addition to the bounties from all other sources.
SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY.
Though not privileged to bear arms in the field, the women of the land contributed their full share to the success of the Union armies. What they did in Gilsum is only a specimen, on a small scale, of what they accomplished all over the North.
In October 1861, Mrs. Eliza E. Howard and Miss Emily G. Hayward, assisted by a few others, prepared and forwarded a box for the Sanitary Commission. Through their influence a society was soon formed, called " The Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society of Gilsum." Through the untiring zeal of a few who would never allow the good work to cease, this Society maintained weekly meetings, with only slight interruptions, till the close of the war. From sixteen, at first, the membership soon increased to forty-six. Mrs. Howard was chosen Treasurer, and Emily G. Hayward, Secretary, which office she held to the last.
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