USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Rindge > History of the town of Rindge, New Hampshire, from the date of the Rowley Canada or Massachusetts charter, to the present time, 1736-1874, with a genealogical register of the Rindge families > Part 11
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A letter written July 17, ten days after the engagement, by one of the officers present in the action, which appeared in the Pennsylvania Evening Post of August 19, 1777, says that a detachment of at least two thousand of the British army was sent to harass the rear of the American forces ; that at Hubbardston "Our little army formed and gave them battle, which continued about twenty-five minutes very severe, when our party were overpowered with numbers and
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gave way." No one is here charged with unbecoming conduct. The omission is no oversight, for the letter states that "Col. Hale is missing."
An able article, prepared by Hon. Winslow C. Watson, recently appeared in The Historical Record, and is a most satisfactory vindication of the conduct of Col. Hale. To this paper, the editor of the Record, Benson J. Lossing, LL.D., referring to former conclusions expressed in "The Field Book of the Revolution," has volunteered the following generous and emphatic endorsement: "Subse- quent investigations have confirmed the opinion then formed of the conduct of Col. Hale. Mr. Watson's views are undoubtedly correct. He has served the cause of truth in this vindication of the character of a brave but unfortu- nate officer." Mr. Watson effectively contends : "The silence of a long array of writers, some of whom were contemporaneous with these events, and most of whom are distinguished for profound and careful investigation, must be accepted as strong negative testimony in the exoneration of Col. Hale. Had an act tainted with cowardice so marked, if not treachery, been perpetrated by an officer occupying a position of such prominence, it could not have escaped their attention, and would have demanded, as it must have received, their deepest denunciation. Marshall, whose 'Life of Washington ' embraces an elabo- rate and minute narrative of all the events of the Revo- lution, and who enjoyed access to every authority, both documentary and oral, that elucidated his subject; An- drews, a British writer, who lived at the period ; Steadman, an officer in the British army, who wrote a carefully arranged history of the war in which he served in several campaigns; Botta, who scrutinized every point with a conscientiousness that seemed to detect every detail, and
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impressed the spirit of accuracy on every page ; - these authors, each and all of them, are silent in reference to any misconduct of Col. Hale, and utter no reproaches upon his conduct. In Botta there could have been no ignorance of the name of Hale, for he distinctly mentions his capture .... When the views of Col. Hale's friends were submitted to Mr. Irving after the appearance of the first edition of his 'Washington,' he deemed them so . forcible that in the generous and conscientious spirit which controlled all his acts he caused the stereotyped plates of his work, in which he had adopted the language of Allen, to be broken up, and again referred to the subject of Hale's conduct in a very modified tone."
As soon as Col. Hale was apprized of these charges, he firmly invited the most rigid examination of his conduct, and made an instant appeal to General Washington for an exchange and an opportunity of vindicating his char- acter before a court martial, affirming, in the language of presumptive innocence, his ability to successfully defend himself against any charges that could be made against him. His early death arrested all proceedings in answer to his appeal. It should not be forgotten that, dying within the enemy's lines, he never had an opportunity of vindicating his conduct before his countrymen or a military tribunal, or to refute an exparte charge concerning which his lips were sealed. The animus of the attack upon Col. Hale is not clearly discerned through the accumulating mist of a century ; but no evidence appears except his own con- jecture in his appeal to Washington, that it originated in the jealousy of his inferior officers. It is certain that the accusation, whatever may have been its source, has never been sustained by the production, or even promise, of evidence, and in the light of to-day appears wholly without
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foundation. The inferences and the unanimous voice of tradition are admissible witnesses in the defence of Col. Hale, and in the absence of other testimony will be gener- ally accepted as conclusive. That Col. Hale was a man of unusual ability is universally conceded; that he served his country with distinction and honor cannot be denied.
The following letter of Col. Hale to his wife refers to his desire to be exchanged, but contains no specific reference to this passage in his experience : -
LONG ISLAND, New Utrecht, May 1, 1780.
My Dear,
I recd your favor of the third of March the Twelfth of April. By which you informed me of the Death of my Mother, & further of the Bearth of a young son. I am exceedingly much Rejoyst to learn you were so comfortable at that time & wish you much joy with your young son. I have the Pleshure to inform you that I am well at this time & hope you and my family enjoy the same blessing. We have had the slightest expectations of a general exchange of Prisoners of war the Winter past. But our expectations are all Blasted for what reason we are unabel to tell. About three weeks ago I had a very flattering expectation of going home on Parole for a short time, but I was not able to get it accomplisht. It seems the General is determined not to let any officers go out on Parole at present. How soon I shall be exchanged is unknown to me. You are as good a Judge of the matter as myself. I still Remain at my old quarters. The people are very clever &c. I am not unthoughtful of the Grate burden you labor under with a large family of Rude children, and with so much care of my other Domestick affairs as you must occasionally inspect. I hope sooner or later to get home to make your cituation more agreeable than it is at present. But how soon that will be God only knows, but I shall endeavor to await his time with as much patience as possible. You informed me that my
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tenants were agoing to leave my farms this spring, I suppose on account of the very heavy taxes. I am unable to advise you in the matter. I hope my Brother or some other friend will not be wanting to lend you that assistance in these affairs, as I think I should not to them, were our circumstances Reverst. As I have nothing more of moment shall conclude for this time wishing you and my children, with all friends, the Best of Heaven's Blessings and Subscribe my self your Husband,
NATHAN HALE.
Mrs. Abigail Hale.
Appended to this letter is a note in the handwriting of Hon. Abel Wilder, of Winchendon, whose son, Abel Wilder, Jr., married Eunice, daughter of Moses Hale, a second cousin of Col. Hale, as follows : -
Dear Ma'm,
I received this Letter Inclosed in one to me Last Wednesday at Worcester. I Paid 30 Dollars for Postage. You may send me Ten if you have an opportunity.
ABEL WILDER.
Winchendon, Decr 15, 1780.
The postage, of course, was paid in Continental currency. The fact that the letter had been written about eight months, and Col. Hale had been dead nearly three months before it was received, is suggestive of the lives that were led in those days.
Daniel Russell, who was wounded at the battle of Still- water, was a son of Joel Russell. He was mustered into the Continental service March 20, 1777, at seventeen years of age. In the following petition an account of his wounds and suffering is given in his own words :-
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STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
To the Great and Honorable Council & House of Represent- atives of said state convened at Exeter.
The Petition of Daniel Russell humbly sheweth, whereas your poor Petitioner has in time past been able to undergo hardships and fatigues, Inlisted into the Continental army March 5, 1777, and was shot through the side of the Back while Fighting with the Enemy near Stillwater, Sept. 19, 1777, which disabled him from fiting. from thence he was carried to Albany, and about the 20th of October Received a furlough and was Eleven Days in gitting to Rindge in great pain by Reason of said wound, he Immediately put himself under the care of Doctor John Young of Peterborough, where he staid till March the 5th 1778. Then went under the care of Doctor Jonas Prescott of Rindge, where he staid till October following. then when he recovered his health so he was able to Ride to Boston and the fifth of November took a furlough of the Honorable Major-General Gates, and returned to Rindge and was in a prospect of Recovering his health. but his said wound not being internally healed, as the Bone was Fractured, it bealed again and was necessitated to have it laid open again. He soon put himself under the Care of Doctor Howe of Jaffrey, where he staid till the first of August, 1779, which cost him thirty pounds Besides bord and other Necessary Charges. and not being able to Return to his Regiment or any Corps of invalids went under the care of Doctor Young of Peterborough again and staid till the 13th of October which Cost him forty pounds to the Doctor. When he recovered his health so he was able to go to Boston and was found not fit for any kind of Duty, and Rec'd a furlough for two months and at the end of two months Rec'd a furlough the same as a discharge till the time of his enlistment was expired and returned to Peterbor- ough under the Care of Doctor Young, and is utterly unable to Earn his own Support and is reduced to low and miserable
21
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Condition of Life and must throw himself upon the Charity of the people, unless some Releaf can be granted. He humbly beseeches therefore your honors to take his Case under your wise and humane consideration, and grant him such Releaf as you in your Wisdom shall think needful, and he as in Duty bound shall ever pray.
DANIEL RUSSELL.
June 2, 1780.
Russell received from the State forty-two pounds and thirteen shillings "for extra charges," and half pay for several years. The town also voted him substantial assistance "on account of his extraordinary expenses."
Previous to the alarms in the early part of the summer, Col. Enoch Hale appears to have been apprehensive that at no distant day there would be a demand for fire-arms, and seasonably wrote the committee of safety at Exeter in regard to a supply :-
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
RINDGE, May ye 14th, 1777.
To the Honorable Committee of Safety seting at Exeter in said State.
Gentlemen,
The many appearances of the danger of our being guarded by our enemies on all quarters, gives me great concern, when I consider that notwithstanding the respected orders received from the Hon. General Folsom for keeping my Regiment well equipt and ready to march at a minutes warning and so many of them destitute of Fire Arms and not in their power to provide them- selves with arms. From these considerations I thought it to be my duty to apply to your Honrs. for a part of the State Arms to be stored in some safe place in our Regiment, to be delivered out if so many of the Militia should be called for as could not
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otherwise be provided for, if any there be that are not otherwise to be delivered out. And whether a part of them might not be as safe to be carried further into the Country, I must submit to your Honors' wisdom trusting that may direct you.
Mr. Gould and Mr. Davis, the bearers, will be abel to bring me word, who are sent by our Town for Powder and will apply to your Honors, if it cannot be provided at the Powder Mill.
I am Gentlemen, your most obedt. Humble Servant
ENOCH HALE.
After the abandonment of the fortress of Ticonderoga, and the return of many of the minute-men, Col. Hale wrote the following letter while on his return from Charlestown, which incidentally represents that a hopeful public senti- ment prevailed : -
KEENE July ye 14th 1777.
HONORABLE MESHECH WEARE ESQ.
Worthy Sir.
I take this oppertunity to inform the Honorable Committee of Safety, that I have not been fully able to obey their orders with regard to the prisoners at Charlestown, although I used the utmost of my endeavors. The great surprise the people had at Charlestown respecting the news from Ticonderoga, made it impossible for me, at that time, to procure a suitable Person for a jaol keeper and the jaol wholly deficient and not fit to hold any person without a gard and the gard being dismist ; under these circumstances I ventured to take bonds in two sureties in five hundred Pounds each for their abiding the limits of the Jaol, Excepting Abner Sanger which being very Poor and of a lo mark could not Possibly obtain surety, in which case by advice, Col. Hunt of Charlestown took him under his care on his own farm - Sangers promising obedience. In all which I pray for your Honors most favorable approbation.
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Gentlemen, I would just mention that Simon Baxter and Butler slipt the gard the evening of the eleventh instant, being the day the Justices arrived there before there was an opportunity to settle matters agreeable to your orders. With submission I would further ad with respect to our affairs at the Westward, I have been informed of a requisition to your honors for a number of Troops more to be raised. if so I beg leave to mention that the militia in my Regiment and others above have been much fatigued by the alarms, and with grate Bravery turned out to the amount of one half that was able for duty within two months, and at the same time the militia in the Massachusetts state in Towns adjoining to us Rested quiet in their field, which our men are unwilling to believe is equal, although they remain firm in the cause and dont think the loss of a little spot of ground is to determine the fate of America.
I am Gentlemen, your Hons. most obedient Humble sev't
ENOCH HALE.
CHAPTER VII.
REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. - 1778 -1781.
Auspicious Omens. - Depreciation of Currency. - New Recruits. - Cas- ualties. - Expedition to Rhode Island. - Col. Enoch Hale's Regi- ment. - Taxation. - Powder. - Selectmen and Committee of Safety for 1778 and 1779. - Enlistments. - Record of Soldiers. - Capt. Othniel Thomas. - Tobe Cutler. - Bounties paid by the Town. - Other Soldiers from Rindge. - Selectmen for 1781. - Scale of Depre- ciation. - Beef and Rum Tax. - Money Tax Paid to the State. - Contention between New Hampshire and Vermont.
1778. With another year came assurances of amended fortunes. During the past few months a disheartened and retreating army, receiving timely reinforcement, had fought several successful battles which had completely annihilated a proud and invading army. The patriots had taught the disciplined and well-equipped soldiery of Europe that they were their equals, both in the open field and in the stratagems of war. They had awakened a renewed confidence in themselves which imparted the strength of cohesion and of discipline to the patriot army. The seat of war was removed to the South, and the calls for troops were less frequent and imperative. The sudden and tantalizing alarms which had characterized the past season, giving the minute-men but little freedom from actual service or solicitude when at home, for many months
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were not repeated. In addition to all these flattering omens, which encouraged hope to triumph over despond- ency, the most enlivening hopes were associated with the alliance with France, and her proffers of assistance in the prosecution of the war. A firmer faith in the success of their cause was everywhere manifested, until many were persuaded to believe that the war was substantially at an end. And yet amid these cheering omens another vial was being opened whose bitterness soon drenched the land ; only an oasis had been reached, and not the fruitful soil beyond the desert sands; the clouds were not break- ing, but only shifting into new shapes, to again inundate the land with darker days and greater trials.
The currency depreciated in value so rapidly that financial ruin appeared inevitable. During the year 1778 the equivalent of a unit of money decreased from one- third to less than one-sixth of its nominal value. One assessment of taxes followed another in rapid succession, until the constable, who was also collector of taxes, had scarcely left the door of the impoverished citizen before he returned again with renewed demands for money to carry on the war. Creditors, beholding each dollar of their dues fade in value from month to month, were impor- tunate and peremptory in their demands for immediate payment.
The close of the previous year left the New Hampshire regiments at Valley Forge. Of the twelve men who had previously joined the Continental service, Haskell, Whiting, Bacon, Hutchinson, Godding, Demary, Dockman, and Will- iam Russell remained with the regiment. Daniel McCarr died Jan. 1, 1778, aged 38 years. Leland and Handsome died as previously stated, and Daniel Russell was absent on account of wounds.
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In March, Jonathan Lake, David Brooks, Snow Boyn- ton, and William Kendall joined the same regiment for two years. During the campaign of 1778 these men were in the New Hampshire Brigade, participating in the battle of Monmouth, and passed the succeeding winter at Reading. July 26, Abijah Haskell died, aged twenty-five years. At the time of his enlistment, Jonathan Lake was seventeen years of age. He was born March 18, 1761, and enlisted March 20, 1778. By two subsequent enlistments he remained in the army until the close of the war. In other instances youths of fifteen or sixteen years of age were found in the service.
In the summer of this year, a combined attack, by land and water, upon the British army at Newport, in Rhode Island, was projected. An army raised from the militia of New England was sent to reinforce Gen. Sullivan, and to cooperate with the French fleet. For this service Col. Enoch Hale raised a regiment in this vicinity and took command in person. The fleet failing to attack the enemy as had been expected, the militia was dismissed after 'a service of nearly nine weeks.
Staff Roll of Col. Enoch Hale's regiment of volunteers, which regiment marched from the State of New Hampshire, and joined the Continental Army in Rhode Island, August, 1778. Two days are added to the time in service for travel home after discharge at Rhode Island.
£
s. d.
Enoch Hale, Colonel,
36 1 8
Joseph Parker, Major, . 25 6 8
Isaac Howe, Adjutant, 20 14 8
John Mellen, Quartermaster, . 15 15 4
Jonas Prescott, Surgeon, 28 0 8
Simeon Gould, Sergeant Major,
10 15 8
Dr. Prescott had recently settled in Rindge. Subse- quently he removed to Templeton, Mass., where he died,
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after a successful practice of many years. In this regiment were thirty-three men from Rindge, including officers :-
Lieut. Samuel Tarbell, in Capt. Cunningham's Company.
Ensign Ezekiel Rand, “
Ensign John Stanley,
'Twitchell's 66
Jonathan Sawtell, Sergeant.
Solomon Rand.
Nathaniel Thomas, Corporal.
William Russell.
Lemuel Page, Fifer.
Hezekiah Sawtell.
John Simonds.
John Demary.
John Gray.
Joseph, Platts.
Ezekiel Learned.
Samuel Stanley.
Samuel Russell.
William Carlton.
Samuel Page.
Ebenezer Platts.
David Robbins.
Thaddeus Fitch.
Samuel Walker.
Joseph Stanley.
Benjamin Carlton.
Henry Lake.
Reuben Page.
Amos Towne.
Timothy Wood.
John Emery.
Jeremiah Norcross.
Ephraim Holden.
The privates received £10 10s., at the rate of £5 per month.
Another regiment in this expedition, commanded by Lieut .- Col. Stephen Peabody, which remained in the ser- vice until the following December, included three soldiers, Abel Platts, Jr., and two others, from this town.
While these events were transpiring in the field, the citizens of the town were often called together to raise money with which to pay the militia while in the service, and larger sums for the Continental soldiers. Six distinct tax-lists were made and collected during the year, which must have placed the tax-gatherers on the most intimate terms with the inhabitants of the town. Lieut. Ebenezer Davis and Oliver Gould were paid £5 "for bringing up Powder from Exeter for the use of the town," and soon after an article appeared in the warrant "To see if the Town will Dispose of the Powder and how it shall be
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Disposed of and what price shall be taken for the same." Their unfailing confidence in one of their citizens is seen in the vote " That Enoch Hale Esq. Dispose of the Powder as he pleases and when he pleases."
The selectmen for the year were Enoch Hale, Esq., Deacon Francis Towne, and Edward Jewett; and the committee of safety, inspection, and correspondence con- sisted of Daniel Lake, Esq., Capt. Daniel Rand, Lieut. Page Norcross, Capt. Solomon Cutler, and Lieut. Othniel Thomas. The names and titles are given as they appear upon the records, in which the rank of an individual is noted with much precision. Whenever one advanced from the plane of a private to that of an ensign, his name sub- sequently appeared with a proper acknowledgment of his military honors. Sometimes a nice distinction was made. Capt. Francis Towne was also a deacon, and had rendered good service in both capacities. Military and ecclesiastical honors were at issue; the latter prevailed, and the deacon triumphed in rank over a captain. Edward Jewett, also a deacon, in the omission of the title in connection with his name, modestly makes known that he was the town clerk, who made the record.
1779. The selectmen for this year were Edward Jewett, Capt. Daniel Rand, and Mr. James Philbrick. The committee of safety, inspection, and correspondence were Mr. Nathaniel Russell, Lieut. Othniel Thomas, Ensign Benjamin Davis, Mr. John Buswell, and Lieut. Page Nor- cross.
A requisition from the State authorities for about five hundred men to fill up the three Continental battalions proclaims a sad loss during the past year. The quota of this town was four, and prompt action was taken to raise the men. Forty shillings per month was voted to
22
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each man who would enlist into the service, and, to com- pensate for the depreciation of the currency, this amount was to be paid in beef at twenty shillings per hundred weight, or in rye at four shillings per bushel. This action was soon followed by a vote "to leave it in the breast of the committee to hire the men as cheap as they can."
Abel Jewett, Peter Webster, David Robinson, and Jon- athan Sawtell, Jr., enlisted for one year, and were assigned to the second Continental regiment. They, and the soldiers from this town who had previously joined the same regi- ment, were in the army under Gen. Sullivan, which made the famous expedition into the Indian country, and passed the succeeding winter in Connecticut.
In July, Abel Kimball and Simeon Bruce enlisted into Col. Mooney's regiment for six months, and were ordered to Rhode Island, where they remained until the expiration of the term of enlistment. In December, Jonathan Saw- tell, Jr., hired a substitute and was honorably discharged. He enlisted again, however, into the same regiment, after he had remained at home about a year.
1780. The record of death continues. Again the open ranks of the Continental battalions are the oracles of their valor. The town is required to furnish four additional men. Jonathan Lake, Bartholomew Dwinnel, Thomas Demary, and Ebenezer Platts enlisted in July, and were assigned to the second regiment. The men raised in the State at this time were styled "new levies," and were enlisted for six months. Lake had been recently discharged from the same regiment on account of the expiration of his previous enlistment of two years. The New Hampshire troops remained several months with the Northern Army at West Point. While there they were joined by Col. Nichols' regiment of militia, which contained
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seven men from Rindge: Ensign Daniel Adams, Barnabas Cary, John Buswell, James Philbrick, Amos Ingalls, Joshua Hale, and Samuel Walker, who were in the service nearly four months. In the autumn of this year the other regi- ments marched into New Jersey, and went into winter quarters near the Hudson River. Two other men entered the service. Benjamin Beals and Caleb Page were sent to the "frontiers at Coos," and were in Capt. Stone's company, in Major Whitcomb's battalion.
In the autumn of this year the town of Royalton, in Vermont, was burned by the Tories and Indians. The militia in the western part of New Hampshire were called out, but few reached the place before the hasty retreat of the enemy was announced, and the minute-men were ordered home. An entire company of sixty-one men from this town responded to the alarm, but were absent only four days.
Edward Jewett, Lieut. Jacob Gould, and Lieut. Othniel Thomas were the selectmen for this year. The committee of safety and correspondence were : Deacon Francis Towne, Capt. Daniel Rand, Mr. Jonathan Sawtell, Mr. Samuel Page, and Mr. James Philbrick. While actively engaged in prosecuting the contest with England, in March of this year, the town declared war against another enemy by offering a bounty of three hundred pounds currency, equiv- lent to about eight pounds specie, for every old wolf killed in the town, and one-half as much for every " wolf's whelp " thus destroyed, to be paid by the selectmen "on the persons presenting the head [the wolf's head, of course] and having the ears cut as prescribed by the laws of this State." This hostile measure proving effectual, the warriors soon after submitted the proposition "To see if the town will raise a Bounty on Crows, Black Birds, Jay Birds, Squirrels or
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