USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > Rochester > History of the town of Rochester, New Hampshire, from 1722 to 1890, Vol. I > Part 6
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The 22d of June had been appointed as a day of fasting and prayer, and was duly observed in Rochester. The Rev. Joseph Haven, then preaching as a candidate, thus alluded to their gloomy prospects : -
" The times and seasons call for mourning. Our rights and privileges are invaded, and that by those we looked upon as our protectors. They have turned a deaf ear to all our petitions and remonstrances. The compassions of our King and Ministry are closed against us, and Britain has become a cruel monster, not forgetting her child, but seeking its ruin. We have once and again heard of the blood of our friends being spilled in the day of battle. Some have lately left us to go to the fatal field, there nobly to risk their lives for the defense of their country and reli- gion. We wish them prosperity, and that they may do valiantly for their people. But who knows how many may ever return ? Bravely have they gone forth and with honor may they return, but the hearts of their friends here are no doubt full of grief. It is a solemn day. My aged fathers, who among you can remember such a day? Let us unite to call upon the Lord. Let us not hold our peace till he hear and answer. Let us pray for our brethren who jeopard their lives contin- ually for us in the field. And let us pray for a reconciliation with the parent State on terms constitutional and honorable to both, and that there may be a final period put to the war that is now begun between Great Britain and her Colonies." -- War was not the only calamity. The fruit of the land was cut off by drought .- "We are threatened with grievous famine. The fire devours our pastures and rages in the wilderness. Some of our habitations have been already destroyed and many more are exposed."
These extracts show with what feelings our people entered into that unequal struggle, which after hours of victory and hours of defeat, days of thanksgiving and days of fasting, years of painful suspense yet of unfaltering determination, ended in the recognition of the United States as a free and independent nation.
Portsmouth, the capital of the colony, was liable to be attacked by British armed vessels at any moment. Alarms had already been several times sent to adjoining towns; and, indeed, the first act of armed hostilitity in the Revolution had occurred at Portsmouth. As early as December, 1774, a British ship of war being daily expected from Boston with troops to take possession of Fort William and Mary, John Sullivan and John Langdon put themselves at the head of a band of volunteers from Portsmouth and the neighboring towns, and before the British could arrive, captured the fort, made
5
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ROCHESTER.
prisoners of the garrison, and seized a hundred barrels of gun- powder which furnished the Colonists with ammunition for the battle of Bunker Hill. It is more than probable that Rochester was represented in this daring exploit, for she charged the State seven- teen pounds for bounties "on the Sea-coast alarm at Kittery." Another and similar transaction in which she bore a part occurred on May 26. The British vessel above referred to had arrived with troops and taken possession of the fort. For a number of months they interrupted navigation, and seized several vessels coming into the harbor. In retaliation, a body of armed Colonists went to a bat- tery on Jerry's Point, took away eight large cannon, and brought them to Portsmouth. In Rochester's account with the State, she charged sixteen pounds for bounties paid volunteers " to Jerry's Point after cannon." For powder and ball for these raids five pounds and twelve shillings were charged. Votes of thanks were passed by the convention at Exeter, to all those who had been engaged in seizing the powder at the fort and the cannon at the battery. But it was recommended, - perhaps to restrain the too great freedom of such acts,-that no movement of parties or bodies of men should be under- Rochester
taken without direction of the Committee of Safety. adopted this recommendation at the next town meeting. No more such unlicensed expeditions occurred. After war had actually settled upon the land, steps were taken for the better defense of Portsmouth, and among other measures, the Committee of Safety ordered the selectmen of Rochester to deliver to Col. Evans a four-pound cannon for the defense of Piscataqua Harbor. This was, doubtless, the old iron gun, so famous in the Indian wars.
The necessity of having the colony prepared against any sudden attack by the enemy could not be overlooked. The Continental Congress had already given directions for raising companies of min- ute-men, - so called because they were to be ready to march at a minute's warning. Out of the twelve regiments of militia in New Hampshire, four regiments of minute-men were to be organized. Men were most urgently appealed to to engage in this service. " It was an important crisis," "all was at stake," and, for encourage- ment, it was promised that the companies should be relieved every four months, so that the duty might be divided as equally as possible among the whole body of militia. Upon the 18th of October, in- structions were issued to officers of militia, selectmen of towns, and
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REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD.
town committees of safety, to use their utmost endeavors to raise their quotas of minute-men. Five days later came the startling report that a British fleet was about to attack Portsmouth. Wash- ington, suspecting such a design, dispatched Gen. Sullivan to take command of the militia and defend the harbor. The call for men was promptly responded to by Rochester. The following is the roll of a company of Rochester men who marched to Portsmouth under com- mand of Capt. David Place, and served from four to six weeks on Seavey's Island.
David Place, Captain.
Ebenezer Tebbets, Ist Lieutenant.
John Ham, 2d Lieutenant.
James Wentworth, Corporal.
George Place, Ensign.
Jonathan French, Corporal.
Paul Libbey, Sergeant.
Benjamin Taylor, Corporal.
Reuben Heard, Sergeant.
Joshua Courson, Sergeant.
Ichabod Rawlings, Drummer. Samuel Place, Fifer.
PRIVATES.
Daniel Cook.
Joseph Berry.
Joseph Richards.
Samuel Goodwin.
Moses Hammet.
Dudley Pike.
George Heard.
Daniel Watson.
Solomon Clark.
John Rogers.
Haniel Clark.
Joseph Thompson.
Amos Place.
John Nute.
Isaac Wentworth.
Amos Spencer.
Robert McCreelis.
John Place.
John Bickford.
Thomas Chamberlain.
Benjamin Furber.
James Rogers.
John Stanton.
John Rawlings.
Mesheck Heard.
David Wingate.
Timothy Ricker.
Samuel Robertson.
Joseph Plummer.
James Berry.
Ebenezer Courson.
Jonathan Tebbets.
Moses Furber.
Moses Drown.
John Laighton.
John McDuffee.
Amos Hayes.
Edward Rawlings. John Bickford.
James Coleman.
Jonathan Richards.
John Marden, Sergeant. John Woodman, Corporal.
When the expected fleet failed to arrive, the excitement subsided, and attention was turned to the siege of Boston, where Capt. Place's minute-men found their next service. Six months of barrack life around Boston had dampened the ardor of many of the Continental soldiers. Their terms of enlistment were fast expiring, and new en- listments were obtained with difficulty. The first effervescence of patriotism was over. The troops whose time was out were rapidly marching home, and some Connecticut regiments hastened off before their time expired. Washington was surrounded with difficulties, and the camp was in danger of being left empty. In this exigency, Gen. Sullivan dispatched by express to the New Hampshire Commit- tee of Safety a letter calling for militia. The committee met and
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ROCHESTER.
ordered out sixteen companies. The first on the list was Capt. Place's. On the next day the roll of his company was examined, allowed, and ordered to be paid. This service was from the third of December till the fifteenth of January. The names of the men have not been found. The record among the army rolls is simply this :
" Return of companies of New Hampshire militia in the Continental Army, December, 1775.
ROCHESTER.
Capt. David Place - Lt. Thomas Hodgdon - 2d Lt. Aaron Hanson - Ensign James Goodwin - 4 Sergeants - 4 Corporals - 2 drummers and fifers - 81 privates."
Lieut. Timothy Roberts and several other Rochester men engaged in the same service under Capt. John Waldron, of Dover. Neither of these companies was in any action. This closes the first year of the war.
Although the revolutionary spirit had been increasing in the Col- onies for years, yet the prayer of good men still continued to be in the words of Mr. Haven, " for reconciliation with the parent State upon terms constitutional and honorable to both parties." On the fourth of July, 1776, this hope was abandoned, and thenceforth the war was for independence. The first danger to which the new cause was exposed arose from the influence of the Tories, a numerous and powerful party, from whom more was to be feared than from open, armed enemies. Congress, therefore, recommended that measures be taken " immediately to disarm all persons who were notoriously disaffected to the American cause, or should refuse to associate to defend by ARMS, the Colonies against the British." The New Hamp- shire Committee of Safety sent at once to the several towns printed forms prepared as follows : -
" To the Selectmen of Rochester :
COLONY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
In Committee of Safety, April 12, 1776.
In order to carry the underwritten resolve of the Honorable Continental Con- gress into execution, you are requested to desire all males above twenty-one years of age (lunatics, idiots, and negroes excepted), 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.
IN CONGRESS, March 14, 1776."
M. WEARE, Chairman.
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REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD.
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 disaf- fected to the cause of America, or who have not associated and refuse to associate to defend by ARMs the United Colonies against the hostile attempts of the British fleets and armies.
(Copy)
Extract from the minutes.
CHARLES THOMPSON, Sect'y."
" In consequence of the resolution of the Honorable Continental Congress, and to show our determination in joining with 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 risk of our lives and fortunes, with arms, oppose the hostile pro- ceedings of the British fleets and armies, against the United American Colonies.
Ebenezer Tebbetts,
Daniel Wingate,
John Beargin, Timothy Roberts,
Samuel Furber,
William Evans,
Benjamin Furber,
William Chamberlin,
Samuel Plummer,
Barnabas Palmer,
Richard Furber,
Lemuel Bickford,
William Trickey,
Jacob Hanson,
Jabez Dame,
Daniel Hayes,
Ephraim Wentworth,
James Foster, Benjamin Fost,
William Allen,
Richard Walker,
Eleazar Coleman,
John Plummer,
Benjamin Rollins,
Dodovah Garland,
William McDuffee,
Thomas Plummer,
Bradstreet French,
John Ham,
Daniel Watkins,
David French,
Ebenezer Ricker,
Richard Wentworth,
Thomas Ham,
Stephen Berry,
Avery Hall,
Henry Tebbets,
Abner Dame,
Wentworth Hayes,
Thomas Peevey,
John Cook, Daniel Rogers,
Mark Hartford,
James Chesley,
John Woodman,
John Brewster,
Daniel Garland,
William Wingate,
Daniel Kimball,
Enoch Hoitt,
Hunking Colebroth,
Moses Hammett,
Benjamin Fost, Jr.,
James Rogers,
Joseph Dame,
James Rogers, Tertius,
Joseph Haren,
Samuel Chamberlin,
Isaac Wentworth,
James French,
James Downs,
Josiah Main,
John Ham, Jr., Joseph Knight,
Nathaniel Watson,
Thomas Roberts,
James Chamberlin,
Samuel Twombley,
Samuel Alley,
William Knight,
James Wentworth,
Stephen Jenkins,
Ebenezer Chesley,
Simon French,
Josiah Folsom,
Solomon Perkins, Jr., Joseplı Plummer,
William Hodgdon,
Ebenezer Wentworth,
Jonathan Pinkham,
Solomon Drown,
James Jackson,
Jonathan Richards, John Richards,
William McNeal,
James Deering, Ichabod Rollins, Moses Hayes, William Jennis, Jr., John Knowles,
Thomas Furber, Jonathan Morrison, Joseph Page, Aaron Jennis,
Benjamin Hoitt,
Moses Brown,
Elijah Varney,
Caleb Jackson,
Henry Allard,
Ebenezer Place, Jr.,
Ephraim Ham,
Nicholas Wentworth, -
George Place, Jonathan Ham,
Robert Walker,
Beard Plummer,
Elihue Wentworth, Joseph Jones,
Isaac Libbey,
James How,
John Trickey, John Trickey, Jr.,
Ichabod Hayes,
Paul Libbey,
David Jennis,
Samuel Nute
Aaron Ham, Richard Place,
Alexander Hodgdon,
Thomas Brown, Moses Downs, Zebulon Davis,
Joshua Pearl,
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ROCHESTER.
Samuel Drown, Joseph Hayes, Samuel Seavey, Diamond Pearl, Turner Whitehouse, Thomas Davis,
John Heard, Zebulon Dame,
Josiah Wentworth,
Jotham Nutter, John Randall, John Richards, Jr., Abraham Morrison, Daniel Page,
Edward Lock, Charles Knight, David Leighton, Samuel Jones, Moses Horn, Ithamar Seavey,
Moses Hayes, Jr., Nathaniel Watson, Jr., Jonathan Twombley, Job Clements,
Cornelius Jenkins, Caleb Wakeman,
Samuel Robinson,
Joseph Walker, Jr.,
Paul Jennis,
Richard Furber, Jr.,
Benjamin Twombley, Reuben Wentworth, Peter Horn,
Joseph Drown,
Reuben Heard, Jr.,
Ebenezer Horn,
Joseph Jiles,
Reuben Heard,
Thomas Drew,
Ebenezer Place, Alexander Hodgdon, Jr.,
Moses Roberts, Gershom Downs,
William Jennis,
James Knowles,
John Hammett, Jonathan Bickford,
Benjamin Copps,
Solomon Perkins,
Samuel Twombly, Jr.,
Abraham Cook,
Samuel Merrow,
Edward Tebbets,
Edmond Tebbets,
George Willand,
James Rogers, Jr.,
Joshua Cossen,
Samuel Merrow, Jr.,
Benjamin Hayes,
Samuel Wingate, Jr.,
James Horn,
Joseph Walker,
Thomas Brown, Jr.
The following persons refused to sign the annexed association : -
James Allen,
Jona Ellis,
Nathaniel Garland,
Ichabod Cossen,
Edward Varney,
Abraham Pearl,
Thomas Trickey,
Benjamin Dame,
Samuel Downing,
Samuel Wingate,
John Witherell,
Joshua Knight,
Joseph Heard, Morris Ellis,
Tristrem Heard,
Solomon Clark,
Benjamin Bickford,
William Ellis,
Jonathan Hodgdon,
Benjamin Heard,
The undernamed persons are of the Society of Friends, and do not choose to sign : --
Elijah Tebbets,
Jonathan Dame,
Moses Varney, Jr.,
John Tebbets,
Benjamin Meeder,
Ebenezer Varney,
Joseph Tebbets,
Jonathan Meeder, Thomas Cloutman,
David Tebbets, Elijah Tebbets, Jr.,
Isaac Twombley,
Mordecai Varney,
Ezekiel Tebbets,
Nathaniel Meeder,
Moses Varney,
Muzzey Gould,
Joseph Meeder.
Moses Austin,
Robert Tebbets,
John Cloutman,
David Varney,
ROCHESTER, 15th October, 1776.
By order of the Committee.
a true coppy. Attest EBEN'R TEBBETS, CI'k.
Ebenezer Garland, James McDuffee,
Joshua Downing,
John Jenness, Richard Nutter,
John Nute,
Moses Jennis,
John Place,
Joseph Tucker,
Joseph Thompson.
Lemuel Richardson,
William Ham,
Stephen Wentworth,
Daniel Jenness.
A true list of all the whigs and tories in the town of Rochester in 1776."
Thus, one hundred and ninety-eight persons in Rochester signed this agreement, twenty-two belonging to the Society of Friends
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REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD.
" did not choose to sign," and twenty-two others refused to sign. This placed every man as a friend or an enemy to his country, and informed the Committee of Safety what individuals to watch or disarm.
In re-organizing the army for 1776, three regiments were called for from New Hampshire. These were regular Continental troops, and must not be confounded with the militia companies, which were called into the field in times of emergency.
Captain David Place raised and took command of a company in the Second Continental Regiment, under Col. James Reed. The date of his entry is the first of January. On the opposite page is given a fac-simile of a pay-roll dated on the twenty-eighth of April following, which shows that fourteen of his company had then de- serted, seven were absent on sick-list, and sixty-seven were present on duty. Only a small proportion of the men were from this town, and it is impossible to select their names with any approach to accuracy. Others, doubtless, enlisted in other companies.
During the preceding fall and winter, Arnold had led an expedi- tion against Canada through the wilderness of Maine. Montgomery had advanced by way of the Lakes, and after capturing Montreal, had pushed on and united his army with the force under Arnold. A daring but unsuccessful assault had been made upon the city of Quebec, in which Montgomery was killed and Arnold badly wounded. The remnant of the army blockaded the city during the winter behind ramparts of snow. In the spring, it became necessary to withdraw these forces, and, as the British were much superior in numbers, the retreat was beset with danger. All the regiments which could be spared were sent to re-enforce the American army. Boston having been evacuated by the British, Capt. Place had gone with his regiment under Washington, from Cambridge to New York. Thence they were ordered up the Hudson and down the Lakes with the other New Hampshire regiments under command of Gen. Sullivan. These troops met the army retreating from Quebec, at the mouth of the Sorel, above Montreal. From that point the retreat was very rapid. So close was the pursuit of the enemy that the men could scarcely find time to cook their victuals, and the American force was so small that it became necessary to call out the militia. Many Rochester men hastened to the service, chiefly in the companies of Capt. Joseph Badger, Jr., and Capt. John Drew, of
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ROCHESTER.
Col. Wingate's regiment. Daniel MeNeal of Rochester, who had served as a private at the commencement of the war, was a lieuten- ant in the latter company. The pursuit ceased at St. Johns, yet the army continued its retreat to Ticonderoga. This fort being strongly fortified, and large re-enforcements of militia having arrived, the enemy were unable to capture it. Here the troops remained during the summer. Dysentery, small-pox, and putrid fever broke out among them, and nearly one third of the New Hampshire men in the service died this year by sickness. Rochester lost fourteen.
The day when the survivors returned to their homes was one of mingled joy and sadness. On the Sabbath, December eighth, at the close of the sermon, they were publicly welcomed by Mr. Haven in these words : -
" I shall now use the freedom to speak a few words to those who have been far from their friends, - far from the place of their nativity. You have been engaged in the cause of your Country - a just cause, and one that I hope God will defend. You have undergone much hardship and fatigue, but God has carried you through, and you have returned to the habitations of your friends. You rejoice ; we rejoice with you. I now welcome you home. I trust I may speak for all this Congre - gation - I am certain I may do it in the name of every well-wisher to his country and friend to mankind. I congratulate you on your return. My heart rejoices ; but even now a sudden gloom comes over my mind. I can but drop a tear for the thought of the others who went forth with you. Will they return ? No ; for the King of Terrors has bound them. No less than fourteen of your once fellow soldiers and fellow townsmen are in the cold hands of death. Their eyes are closed and their bodies you have left in a distant land. Oh ye dear relatives of the dead, I am filled with sympathetic grief for you. The return of these your friends brings the dead fresh to your minds. Though you rejoice to see them, you can but rejoice with tears. Your friends are done with the cares of this world. They will no more be called into the field to oppose the soldiers of cruel tyrants. They have died for their country ; they could do no more. We trust God is rewarding them for the love they have shown to their country, and their sacred rights."
After warning those who had been preserved not to be guilty of the sin of unthankfulness, he turned to those who had friends still remaining in the army, and endeavored to give them encouragement. He did not fail to enforce the duty of prayer for all those who were still engaged in the defense of their rights and privileges that they might be prospered and returned in safety to their friends.
Let us now inquire who these were that were still absent in the service of their country. Besides the regulars of Reed's Continental regiment now with Washington at Trenton, there were two compa- nies of Militia commanded by Rochester officers and largely com- posed of Rochester men, Capt. William McDuffee's Company, and Capt. John Brewster's Company. The former of these in Col.
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REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD.
Tashe's regiment was called out by order dated September sixteenth. They were mustered in, and marched to re-enforce the army in New York. They served about three months, during the whole of which time they were stationed at Peekskill to guard the passage of the Hudson. The Company numbered fifty-four men. Although the places of residence are not given, yet the names of twenty-four are found upon the town records of this period, and probably a still larger number belonged to Rochester. From the traditional accounts of their poaching raids upon the roosts and sties of the neighboring farmers, it is fair to judge that they saw more of the bright side of soldiering than the troops generally. It is even said that one Roch- ester boy gained a pension for a wound accidentally received in climbing a fence, as he was one night returning to camp with a good fat turkey under his arm.
Capt. John Brewster's Company of Col. Pierse Long's regiment was stationed at Newcastle, from August 7, 1776, to January 7, 1777.
The following Rochester men were in this Company : -
James Howe, M. D., Surgeon's Mate. John Brewster, Captain.
John Bergin, Ensign.
Stephen Berry, Sergeant.
Enoch Burnham, Sergeant. Benjamin Hoyt, Corporal. James Coleman, Corporal. Anthony N. Rollings, Drummer.
PRIVATES.
Samuel Richards,
Isaac Libby,
Amos Place,
Amos Spencer,
Moses Rollings,
Amos Hayes,
John Richards,
Charles Ricker, Abraham Morrison.
This company marched from Newcastle, to join the Northern Army in January, 1777, and were stationed at Fort Independence near Ticonderoga. In preparing for the coming campaign, -the glorious campaign which ended in the surrender of Burgoyne's proud army, - Ticonderoga was the rendezvous of the New Hamp- shire troops. Besides Capt. Brewster's company, there were many other Rochester soldiers gathered here. Among these were the recruits lately enlisted to fill up the regular Continental regiments. In the second regiment commanded by Col. Nathan Hale, were the following :-
CAPT. BENJAMIN TITCOMB'S COMPANY.
George Downing,
19 years of age.
Samuel Forst, 21 years of age.
Jonathan Downing,
30
66
Samuel Ryon, 25
Joseph Pearl, 17
Thomas Shaw, 24 «
John Garlin,
18
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ROCHESTER.
Benjamin Nute of Rochester was afterwards a lieutenant in this company, and Joshua Merrow was ensign and still later promoted to lieutenant.
CAPT. F. M. BELL'S COMPANY.
Daniel Cook,
20 years of age. 46 66
William Palmer, 19 years of age.
Daniel Watson, 23
Timothy Ricker, 19
Eben. Chestley, 23
Edward Rollings, 21
Enoch Wingate, 24
George Heard, 19
Joshua Place, 16
Paul Pearl, 28 66
ThomasChamberlain, 19
Simeon Pearl, 17
Daniel Wingate, 22
Daniel Horn, 27
66
Daniel Rogers, jr., 30
66
COMPANY UNKNOWN.
Henry Durgin.
Jonathan Doe.
Amos Place.
Samuel Alley.
Daniel Alley.
Before leaving home, the volunteers were thus addressed by Rev. Mr. Haven :-
"I cannot close without a few words to my young friends who have enlisted and expect soon to go forth in the defense of their country. Brethren, I applaud you that you have engaged in such a noble cause. Be strong and of good courage, and may the Lord God go with you, and may he never fail nor forsake you. I hope you have more noble views than those of gain or worldly honor. I hope you feel a sympathetic grief for your bleeding country, and an ardent zeal of freeing her from the hands of tyrants, who sport with our miseries, and glory in their more than savage barbarity. Be strong and of good courage, for we have enemies, even among us, that would be glad to see you fearful and shrinking back. Remember that you are under the care of God, and that, though the arrows of death may fly thick, yet they cannot hurt you without a commission from Him. . Seek the best company and prize such highly when you find it. Bad company avoid when you can, as you would the plague. The wickedness of it is contagious. Watch over your morals, watch over your conversation. If there is anything good in what I say, pray remember it. It may be the last time I shall have an opportu- nity to give you counsel; for I may not live till the time is expired which you expect to be absent from home; or if I do, you may not live to return. Be bold, then, in the cause in which you are engaged. Our all is now at stake; our friends, relations, possessions, and country, all call for vigorous exertion. Therefore, I charge you, by all that is dear to you, that you act like men and like Christians."
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