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 8

Author: Stearns, Ezra Scollay, 1838-1915
Publication date: 1875
Publisher: Boston, Press of G. H. Ellis
Number of Pages: 856


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 8


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 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60


105


REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY.


Enoch Hale also represented this town in that convention. But little is known of the proceedings.


The annual town-meeting, which was held March 16, 1775, was the last one warned "in His Majesty's name." This and all former meetings were called in the following manner : -


PROVINCE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.


CHESHIRE, SS.


To MR. JONATHAN SHERWIN, Constable for the Town of Rindge in said County, Greeting :


In His Majesty's name you are hereby required to notify and warn all the freeholders and other inhabitants of said Rindge qualified by law to vote in town meetings, to assemble and meet at the meeting house, &c.


Soon after the word "State " was employed instead of " Province," and the phrase, "in His Majesty's name, " was invariably omitted, and years of war, with its consequential sorrows, were bravely endured, that these words, with their association of tyranny and oppression, might never be supplied. It was several years before the meetings were called by posting the warrant instead of a personal notice. In this warrant was an article: "To see if the town will vote any encouragement to any number of minute-men that will agree to stand ready on any sudden emergency, and for how many; and what the encouragement shall be, and how they shall be provided for whilst gone on the country's service ; and to choose a committee to manage the same if they shall think proper." The measures here proposed were referred to a committee consisting of Enoch Hale, Jonathan Sherwin, Solomon Cutler, Jonathan Sawtell, and Solomon Rand, who were invested with discretionary power. This


106


HISTORY OF RINDGE.


was preparation for the worst; the notes of alarm are here sounded, and thus our fathers approach the long and bitter struggle.


For this year the board of selectmen consisted of five members, two more than have been chosen for any other year in the town's history. They were Enoch Hale, Israel Adams, Jr., Nathan Hale, Nathaniel Russell, and Solomon Cutler. A committee of safety, inspection, and corres- pondence was continued, by annual elections, during the war. Until March, 1776, the persons chosen to carry into effect the recommendations of the Keene convention continued to perform the multifarious duties of this impor- tant trust.


The spring of 1775 was unusually forward; the sunny days of mid April, extremely warm and pleasant for the season, had invited the husbandmen to the labors of the field. But in the midst of these peaceful avocations, and attending this external appearance of security and com- posure, there was a most potent undercurrent of suspense and anxiety. And now, at a season of the year most suggestive of tranquillity and gladness, all doubts were suddenly removed, and all anticipations of an honorable peace dispelled. The harsh notes of war and carnage were resounded over the dying hopes of a peaceful settlement of their grievances. The ominous intelligence first heralded by Paul Revere and William Dawes to towns near Boston, was swiftly borne on the wings of alarm to Southern New Hampshire. The messenger arrived in Rindge late in the afternoon on the day of the engagement at Lexington and Concord. Through the following night the hurried words of alarm were repeated from door to door. It was certain the enemy had commenced an incursion inward, but no


107


REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY.


intelligence of actual hostilities had been received. The story of the slaughter of their brethren at Lexington and Concord was not employed to call these men to arms. In the stillness of night the simple words, "The enemy are marching," was all the incentive that was required to assemble on the Common a company of fifty-four men. And there, under the shadow of the meeting-house, in which, from Sabbath to Sabbath, they had devoutly raised their prayers, with the voice of Rev. Seth Dean, for freedom from oppression, where on other days they had often assembled to perfect measures of preparation, and give expression to their desires for freedom, through peace if possible, through war if inevitable, they, with musket in hand, gave evidence of faith by works in a manner that must have gratified the most sturdy theologian. With a hasty farewell, and many thoughts of home and family, in the gray of approach- ing morning they hastened to the relief of their brethren, and some of them to the scenes of their youth and the threatened homes of their kindred. Their march was as rapid as their preparation had been hasty, and on the twenty-first they were gathered among the assembling forces at Cambridge.


The rapidity with which the alarm was spread over the country on the nineteenth of April has excited sur- prise. It was not accidental, nor one of those hazard enterprises that sometimes apparently happen in a for- tuitous manner. For weeks the committees of safety and correspondence had been preparing for just such an emer- gency ; in many instances it had been arranged who should ride, and to whom deliver the message. At twilight many a vigilant patriot had carefully stabled and fed his fleetest horse, half in expectation that a summons to ride might come before the rising of another sun.


108


HISTORY OF RINDGE.


The names of these men, fifty-four in number, are preserved in the following : -


Pay Roll of the men that went to Cambridge in Capt. Nathan Hale's Company, at the time of the Lexington Fight, April ye 19, 1775.


s. d. L o 6 6


Nathan Hale, Captain,


Francis Towne, Lieutenant,


I IO O


Daniel Rand, Ensign,


I IO O


James Crumbie, Clerk,


I IO


£ s. d.


£ s. d.


Page Norcross, Sergeant, I 10 0


Samuel Page, .


I IO O


Samuel Stanley, 66


I IO


John Demary, Jr.,


o 6 6


James Streeter, I IO O Joseph Stanley,


I IO O


Abel Stone, Corporal, . I IO O


Aaron Easty,


I IO O


Benjamin Davis, " 6 6


William Carlton,


I IO O


Salmon Stone,


66


James Cutter,


I IO 0


Ezekiel Rand, Drummer, O


6 6 Simon Davis,


O 6 6


Daniel Lake, Jr.,


0 6 6 John Emory,


I IO O


Leme Page, Fifer,


0 6 6 Enos Lake,


O 6 6


John Hanaford,


I IO O


Jeremiah Russell, IO O


Daniel Russell,


O 6 6


David Robbins,


I IO O


Nathaniel Ingalls,


I IO O


Nathaniel Thomas,


I IO 0


Nehemiah Towne,


I IO O


Oliver Bacon,


I IO O


Jonathan Putnam,


I IO O


Abraham Wetherbee, I IO 0


Samuel Russell,


I IO O


Benjamin Carlton,


I IO 0


Jeremiah Norcross, I IO 0


Nathaniel Russell,


I IO O


Joel Russell, O 6 6 Jonathan Lovejoy,


O 6 6


John Buswell,


I IO O


Joseph Wilson, I IO 0


Simeon Ingalls,


O 66 Solomon Rand,


I IO O


Samuel Parker,


O 6 6 Daniel Lake,


66 O


Joseph Platts, . I IO O


Edward Jewett,


I 17 4


Asa Brocklebank,


I IO O


Elisha Perkins,


I IO 0


Samuel Tarbell, O 6 6 Ezekiel Larned,


I IO O


Reuben Page,


O 6 6


Isaac Wood,


I IO O


Abel Platts, Jr.,


I IO O George Carlton,


H IO O


-


This company marched to Cambridge. Seventeen re- turned after four days' service, and thirty-seven remained


109


REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY.


seventeen days ; and it is probable that several of the latter did not return to their homes before joining another com- pany from Rindge, which arrived in the vicinity of Boston about that time. In this company of fifty-four men were twelve who afterwards held commissions in the regiments raised in this State. This pay-roll is found upon the town records, and the payment was made by the town.


Immediately following the alarm at Lexington, several hundred troops from New Hampshire joined the army then assembled near Boston, and among them was a company mainly composed of men from this town. They were enlisted April 23d, and the number from Capt. Hale's company of minute-men who volunteered to continue in the service was considerably increased by fresh arrivals from home. These troops were not organized into regiments for several weeks. On the twentieth of May the Provincial Congress, in session at Exeter, proposed to raise two thou- sand men to be enlisted to serve until the last day of December of that year; the men already in the field were to be included in this number. These companies, and others which promptly responded to the call, were organ- ized into three regiments under command of Colonels John Stark, Enoch Poor, and James Reed. The regiments of Colonels Stark and Reed were mainly composed of the troops which had previously volunteered, and were filled by others which arrived soon after. The remaining regi- ment, under Col. Poor, did not leave the State until about the twentieth of June. Capt. Nathan Hale was appointed Major of Col. Reed's regiment, in which was a company, under command of Capt. Philip Thomas, con- taining fifty-two men, thirty-nine of whom were residents of this town. The names of those who were from other towns are in italics.


110


HISTORY OF RINDGE.


Pay Roll of Capt. Philip Thomas' Company in Col. James Reed's Regiment to August 1, 1775. Time of Entry, April 23, 1775.


(Paid to each private £7-2-10.)


Philip Thomas, Rindge, Captain. John Harper, Lieutenant.


Ezekiel Rand, Rindge, 2d “


Benjn Davis, Sergeant.


Godfrey Richardson.


Ezekiel Learned,


Jacob Hobbs.


Simon Davis,


John Thomson.


Jacob Peirce,


Thomas Hutchinson.


John Demary, Corporal.


Hezekiah Wetherbee.


Simeon Ingalls,


Caleb Winn.


Jeremiah Russell, “


James Coffering.


Benjn Lovering,


Benjamin Beals.


Daniel Lake, Drummer.


Peter Webster.


Leme Page, Fifer.


Dudley Griffin.


Thomas Emory.


Benjamin Dole.


Daniel Russell.


Isaac Leland.


Obadiah Marsh.


Richard Alexander.


Ezekiel Demary.


Nehemian Porter.


Enos Lake.


Hugh Gragg.


Reuben Page.


David Hale.


Samuel Parker.


David Davis.


Timothy Rogers.


Henry Davis.


Ebenezer Ingalls.


Jonathan Lovejoy.


Joseph Wright.


George Carlton.


Stephen Adams.


Isaac Adams.


Joel Russell.


Benjamin Burley.


Thomas Henderson.


Simeon Whitcomb.


Benjamin Parker.


Alexander Douglass.


John Dole.


Capt. Thomas' company was stationed for a season at Medford, and on the twelfth of June the regiment to which the company had been assigned received orders from Gen. Ward to march to Charlestown Neck and guard the ferry at that place, and two days later Col. Reed issued his regimental orders from his new position. From a regi- mental return made on the same day - three days previous


111


REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY.


to the battle of Bunker Hill, -it is seen that Major Hale is reported sick, but appears to have been with the regiment. The return of Capt. Thomas' company reports forty-six effective officers and men; deserters, one; on command, two; not joined, one; sick, one; total, fifty-one. The following letter written by Col. Reed, and addressed to the Committee of Safety, affords a little additional informa- tion : -


I repaired to Medford, and there I met with Capt. Hinds, Whitcumbe, Town, Hutchins, Man, Marcy, and Thomas. Whit- cumbe and Thomas I took out of Coll. Stark's Regiment for the 2 Companys that was assigned me-then I was informed by Coll. Stark that Medford was so full of soldiers that it was Necessary for some to take some other Quarters-then I aplayed myself to General Ward, and there Received orders in these words :


HEAD QUARTERS, June the 12th 1775.


General Orders - That Coll. Reed quarter his Regiment in the houses near Charlestown Neck and keep all necessary Guards between his Barracks and the Ferry and on Bunker Hill.


Signed J. WARD, Sectary.


Then Sirs on the 13 I marched my Regiment from Medford to Charlestown neck and with the assistance of Mr. Turfts, one of the selectmen of Charlestown, I got my men into good Barracks and then rased my gard, consisting of I Capt. 2 Luts. 4 sergeants, 4 corporals and 40 privates. ... I am, Gentelmen, your obliged servant,


J. REED.


On the seventeenth of June, the New Hampshire troops were stationed behind their hastily constructed breastworks,


112


HISTORY OF RINDGE.


between the eminence of Breed's Hill and the Mystic River. Against their line the most furious assault was made by the best disciplined troops in the British army. Their position was stoutly maintained until the further defence of the redoubt had been abandoned. All voices in history affirm their valor, and that they were the last to leave the field. The company of Capt. Philip Thomas suffered the most severely of any in the regiment. Jona- than Lovejoy, Isaac Adams, and George Carlton were killed at their posts ; and against their names, on the original rolls of this company, are written the expressive words, " Killed June 17." In the same engagement, John Thomson was severely wounded ; two years later he petitioned for relief in the following terms : -


COLONY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.


TO THE HONBLE COUNCIL AND ASSEMBLY SETING AT EXETER IN SAID COLONY :


The Petition of John Thomson of Rindge, in the County of Cheshire, in said Colony, Humbly sheweth: that your petitioner Enlisted into the Country's service in the month of April, 1775, in Capt. Philip Thomas company in Col. Reeds Regiment, and on the seventeenth of June was wounded in battle at Charles- town. (Your) petitioner was afterwards carried into the Country and Provided for with Sergeon, attendance, &c., at his own expense, which expense Together with the loss of my firelock Clothing, &c., amounts to Near as much as I Earnt that year ; and was then left a Cripple, and shall Ever be unable to do Business and support myself and family as before.


Your Petitioner Humbly Prays for such a Compensation as your Honors in your great wisdom shall see meet: and your petitioner shall as in duty bound Ever Pray &c.


JOHN THOMSON.


September 7, 1777.


--


-


1


113


REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY.


The following are the articles lost, and the amount paid to the several men. in behalf of the colony, by Timothy Walker. Jr., the same person who formerly supplied the pulpit in this town : -


£ s. d.


£ s. d. 6


Lieut. John Harper,


12


Benja Dole,


Ens. Ezekiel Rand,


3 16 4


Reuben Page, .


I I 2


Benjamin Davis, .


I I 5


Timothy Rogers,


15


Benja Lovering,


4


6


Richard Alexander,


3


8


Daniel Lake,


Caleb Winn,


3 3 8


Leme Page,


6


8


David Davis,


I2


Ezekiel Larned,


2 14


Henry Davis, .


4


Jacob Peirce.


I 3 4


Nehemiah Porter,


6


Simon Davis, .


I


4


Peter Webster,


I 12 8


John Demerry.


7


Benja Parker,


2


Simeon Ingolls,


2 14 6


Thomas Henderson,


19 2


Jeremiah Russell,


6 8


John Thompson, .


2


Obadiah Marsh,


6


David Hale,


5


6


Benja Beals,


12


Isaac Adams,


7


Joel Russell,


5


4


George Carlton,


7


Dudley Griffin,


I


8


Jonathan Lovejoy,


6


Thomas Emery,


I


4


James Coffering, .


I 4 8


Hugh Gregg,


I7


59 16 4


Ezekiel Demerry.


2


4


The articles lost, for which the above sums were allowed, will be seen in -


A List of Losses sustained in the Batal and Retreat on bunker hill, the 17th of June, 1775, of Capt. Thomas' Company in the Newe Hampshire Reserves.


Lieut. [John Harper] one hat.


Ens'n [Ezekiel Rand] coat, two shirts one gun, iron strike sword, pr. hose.


Sarg't Benjamin Davis a blanket, surtout one byanot.


" Ezekiel Larned one gone [gun] one byanot & belt, one powder horn.


Simon Davis one coat.


Jacob Peirce a coat, a shag great coat & pack.


114


HISTORY OF RINDGE.


Corporal John Demary one blanket, one byanot, one haversack.


Simeon Inglas one Cartridge Box, one gun & byanot, one powder horn, one blanket.


Benjamin Lovering, Cadous Box & silke handkerchief. Drums & Fifers - Daniel Lake [Jr.] one pair of suse [shoes] one blanket.


Leme Page one shagge great coat.


Richard Alexender caduse Box and a coate.


Thomas Hutchinson a pare of trowsors.


David Davis a fine shirt, & a pare of yarn hose.


Jonathan Lovejoy a surtout, four shirts, one coat, two waistcoats, one gun, three pare of hose, one pouch, neckcloth, one pr. of trousers, one cat .- Box, byanot.


Nehimiah Porter a Byanot.


Thomas Henderson 2 shirts, 2 pr. hose, coat & wastcoat & a pare of Lether breeches.


James Cochran [Coffering ? ] blanket, pr. Briches a pr. of hose a Rasor, havsack.


Dudley Griffen a coat & shirt.


Benjamin Beales, a shirt, two pr. of hose.


Ezekiel Demary one pr. of hose.


Reuben Paige a great cote and one shirt, I pr of hose, I powder horn, one cartridge box, one wastcoat.


Obadiah Marsh one shirt, one pr. of hose, one Havisack.


Joell Russell I coat, I pr. Leather-briches, I pr. hose, two shirts, one hat, one powder horn, havesack.


Jacob Hobbs one blanket.


Timothy Rogers one shirt.


Godfray Richison one pare of suses.


Henry Davis one pare of trousers.


Hugh Gregg one shag great coat, I shirt, I powder horn, Bulet- pouch.


Benjamin Dole lost Comp'ys bread (?)


Peter Webster a felt hat and coat and I pair of Leather-briches, one shirt, one havsak and one Belet pouch.


115


REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY.


John Thompson one pair suses, one wast-coat, I shirt, 2 pr. of trousers, one neck-cloth, one Havesack, I pr. of hose, I gone & Powder horn.


George Carlton, Isaac Adams, and Jonathan Lovejoy, we the apprisors of this Company comput their loss of guns and other artikals to amount of £18, besid the loss of their lives or in captivity.


PHILIP THOMAS, Captain.


The former list represents the amount allowed to each man, on account of losses sustained; the latter contains a schedule of articles claimed to have been lost, not all of which were allowed. A list of many of the articles which were disallowed has been compiled from the military papers at the State House. Containing few new facts of importance, it is omitted. The greater part of the items enumerated, especially articles of clothing, perhaps were not lost in battle as stated, but consumed in the burning of Charlestown, where, since the thirteenth of June, had been the regimental barracks.


After the Battle of Bunker Hill this company partici- pated, with its regiment, in the investment of Boston until the close of the year, or until the expiration of the term of enlistment. Many of them soon after enlisted into regi- ments subsequently organized, and the record of other years will continue the history of their service.


That the town was not unmindful of the soldiers in the field will be seen from the following receipts :-


RINDGE, August 29, 1776.


MR. JONATHAN SHERWIN, former Constable.


Please to pay Benjamin Moor seventeen shillings and eight pence, it being for what the Committee of Supply allowed him for


116


HISTORY OF RINDGE.


going to Cambridge [1775] to carry Clothes to the Soldiers and the same shall be allowed.


EDWARD JEWETT, ABEL STONE, S


Selectmen of Rindge.


£0-17-8.


RINDGE, October 18, 1775.


MR. JONATHAN SHERWIN, former Constable.


Please to pay Edward Jewett six shillings, L. M. it being for expenses in part for his going to Cambridge, with Lieut. Solomon Cutler, to provide provisions for the men that went to the muster and we will allow the same to you out of the Town Rate in your Hands.


ENOCH HALE, NATHANIEL RUSSELL, ISRAEL ADAMS, JR., SOLOMON CUTLER,


-- 1 Selectmen of Rindge.


£0-6-0. -


The fourth Provincial Congress or Assembly divided the State into seventeen geographical regiments, and a colonel was appointed over each, whose duty it was to see that his proportion of the soldiers required was raised. Many of these officers took command, in person, of regiments raised in their districts, and remained in the field for a longer or shorter period of time. The towns of Rindge, New Ipswich, Jaffrey, Peterborough, Temple, Fitzwilliam, Dublin, Marlborough, Stoddard, Packersfield (Nelson), Washington, and Sliptown (Sharon) constituted the fourteenth regiment, of which Enoch Hale was appointed colonel Nov. 2, 1775. In addition to faithful service in the town, in the assembly, and as sheriff and councillor, Col. Hale performed the duties of this appoint- ment during the war, which included the labor of


117


REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY.


paymaster and mustering officer for all the companies raised in the towns comprising the regiment. The term appearing in the company rolls "raised out of Col. Enoch Hale's regiment " refers to the fact that the men were recruited within the towns comprising this regiment.


At the close of the year no State government had been put into operation, and all proceedings in the courts were suspended. A healthy public sentiment and vigilance, tempered with great prudence on the part of the several committees of safety, were the sole protection of the people. The summer of this year had been extremely hot and dry, and the slender harvests occasioned much anxiety and alarm for the future. This condition of affairs, the absence of many of the heads of families in the army, and the extreme solicitude experienced by all concerning the issues of the war, cast a deepening gloom over the trials and anxieties of the closing year.


1776. The year 1776 was an eventful one, in which the patriotism and bold faith of the colonists shone forth conspicuously. The war, commencing as a war of defence, now changed to one for independence, and all temporary measures were succeeded by matured preparations for a prolonged and earnest effort to deliver themselves from British tyranny.


The convention at Exeter, of which Enoch Hale was a member, adopted a new form of government for the Province of New Hampshire, reorganized the militia, and took the most efficient measures to prosecute the war to a successful issue. The male population, between sixteen and sixty-five years of age, except Indians, negroes, and a few civil officers, was divided into two classes, -the TRAINING BAND, and ALARM LIST or minute men.


By this act each officer and private soldier of the former


16


-


118


HISTORY OF RINDGE.


class, composed of men between sixteen and fifty, was required to provide himself with "a good fire arm, good ramrod, a worm, priming wire and brush, and a bayonet fitted to his gun, a scabbard and belt therefor, and a cutting sword or a tomahawk or hatchet, a pouch containing a cartridge box that will hold fifteen rounds of cartridges at least, a hundred buck shot, a jack knife and tow for wadding, six flints, onc pound of powder, forty leaden bullets fitted to his gun, a knapsack and blanket, a canteen or wooden bottle sufficient to hold one quart."


One or more companies of men possessing all these credentials were organized in every town, and the companies were required to muster eight times each year.


The alarm list comprised all males between sixteen and sixty-five years of age not included in the training band or in the exceptions already noticed. These comprehensive measures, and the efficient manner in which they were carried out, prepared the towns to furnish men on short notice, and the promptness in which the New Hampshire regiments reinforced the army at several critical stages of the war, are matters of history. The companies of the training band and minute men organized in this town were under the command of efficient officers. Their names and the date of their commissions appear in the following list. The dates are the earliest that can be given with a certainty of accuracy, yet a few of the officers may have been commis- sioned previous to the date given : --


Solomon Cutler, Lieut. "75. Capt. '77. James Crumbie, Lieut. "76. Daniel Rand, Ens. '75. Lieut. "76. Capt. '78.


Francis Towne, Ebenezer Chaplin, Ens. '76. Abel Stones, Ens. "77.


Lieut. "76. Capt. "76.


Page Norcross, Lieut. "77.


119


REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY.


Salmon Stone, Ens. '77. Capt. 77.


Ebenezer Davis,


Lieut. '78.


Benjamin Davis,


Ens. "78.


Jacob Gould,


Lieut. "78.


Ezekiel Rand,


Ens. '78.


Asa Sherwin,


Capt. '78.


Othniel Thomas,


Lieut. '77.


Capt. '82.


Isaac Wood,


Ens. '79.


Daniel Adams,


Ens. '80.


Ebenezer Fitch,


Lieut. '80.


Benjamin Foster,


Lieut. '79.


Nathaniel Thomas, Lieut. '79


John Stanley,


Lieut. '77


Samuel Tarbell,


Lieut. '79.


John Eills,


Ens. '82.


Col. Nathan Hale, Col. Enoch Hale, and Capt. Philip Thomas, whose service in the field was conspicuous, are not known to have been in command of the local organ- izations. No officer was named without mention of his rank in the military service. The titles became a part of the person's name, and are faithfully preserved in the records, and correspond with the date of the commission as far as the latter has been ascertained. From the fre- quency in which military men were selected for committees and town officers, it should not be presumed that they were thus chosen on account of their rank in the military service. The fact is, their best and most prominent men were selected for their military leaders, and no less care was exercised in the choice of their civil officers. For this reason the captains, lieutenants and ensigns were frequently the selectmen, constables, and tithingmen; and the quali- ties and ability which fitted them for one line of service were recognized in their election to the other.


At the annual meeting, on the twenty-first day of March, Jonathan Sherwin, Edward Jewett, Abel Stone, Francis Towne, and Daniel Rand were chosen "a committee of


120


HISTORY OF RINDGE.


inspection and correspondence." The three first were also selectmen for the year. Two of this committee having proved their efficient service in raising men and joining the forces in the field, and a third being absent a portion of the time in another line of duty, "a new committee of inspection, safety, and correspondence " was chosen in September, consisting of Lieut. Ebenezer Chaplin, Mr. Nathaniel Russell, Mr. Page Norcross, Licut. James Crum- bie, and Mr. Jonathan Sawtell.


In August, a convention of the committees of safety in Cheshire County was held at Walpole, "to act upon such methods as shall be thought necessary for the general good, and for our mutual defence and safety." In this conven- tion Edward Jewett, Esq., represented the town of Rindge, and subsequently received one pound and six shillings for his attendance. Soon after a similar convention, called by the committee of Plainfield, assembled at Hanover, and adjourned to meet again at Lebanon. Previous to adjournment, this convention issued a pamphlet severely criticising the temporary constitution and plan of repre- sentation adopted by the Provincial Congress at Exeter. Whether Mr. Jewett approved of the pamphlet is not known. The town evidently took exceptions to the sen- timents it contained. A town meeting was called, at which their delegate was requested not to further attend the sessions of the convention; but the town generously voted to allow him four pounds, five shillings, and sixpence for two journeys to Hanover and Lebanon, and thirteen shillings for what he paid towards procuring the printing of the pamphlet.




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.