USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Wilton > History of the town of Wilton, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, with a genealogical register > 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
The relations of the colonies in 1774-75 with Great Britain awakened the anxiety and interest of no part of the country more intensely than of New Hampshire. Nor was Wilton backward in patriotic zeal, whether it related to material aid of men and means,
-
CCEEE
-
HELIOTYPE PRINTING CO.
WILTON MILL.
BOSTON MASS
81
TOWN RECORDS.
or to that moral support and devotion to the cause which are equally necessary to carry any great enterprise to success and vic- lory.
The following extraets from the records of the town of Wilton show in detail the action of the town in Revolutionary matters. In a warrant dated July 9, 1774, the second article is as follows :
To see if the town will choose one or more persons to send to Exeter in said Province to represent this town in the choice of Delegates to a Gen- oral Congress to be held at Philadelphia the first day of September next : agreeable to the desire of the late representatives of this Province, which will be exhibited at the meeting.
Article 3. To see if the town will raise by subscription. or otherwise. two pounds two shillings L. M. [awful money]. being their proportion of the expense of sending Delegates to the proposed General Congress.
Article 4. To see if the town will choose a committee to send to New Ipswich to consult with the committees from adjacent Towns on a plan of non-importation and non-consumption of goods and articles from old England.
The sum mentioned in the third article of the warrant was raised by subscription, and at a town meeting held July 15, 1774. it was Voted. to send one man to Exeter to represent this town in the choice of delegates for a general Con- gress. proposed to be held in Philadelphia the first day of September next. Chose Jacob Abbot. Dele- gate.
Noted, to send a committee to New Ipswich to consult with committees from adjacent towns. &c. Chose Jonathan Martin. Joseph Holt and Abiel Abbot, said committee.
Voted, to raise £17. lawful money. to provide the town's stock of ammmmition.
Whereas, there has been a covenant of non-importation and non-consumption agreed upon by committees from sundry of the neighboring towns to be signed by the inhabitants of each town: Therefore. to see if the town will accept of said covenant. and choose a committee to encourage the signing thereof. and also to transact the affairs of said covenant according to the tenor thereof, or act or do any other matter or thing relative thereto that the town shall think proper. Foted, to accept of the covenant.
Chose Joseph loh. Abner Stiles, Jonathan Martin. Abiel Abbot, to be a committee to see said covenant signed.
1771. Sept. S.
82
HISTORY OF WILTON.
THE COVENANT.
We, the subscribers, inhabitants of the town of Wilton. having taken into our serious consideration the precarious state of the liberties of North America, and more especially the present distressed condition of our sister colony of the Massachusetts Bay, embarrassed as it is by several Acts of the British Parliament. tending to the entire subversion of their uatu- ral and charter rights. among which is the act for blocking up the harbor of Boston : and being fully sensible of our indispensable duty to lay hold on every means in our power to preserve and recover the injured Constitu- tion of our country, and conscions, at the same time, of no alternative be- tween the horrors of slavery or the carnage and desolation of civil war. but a suspension of all commercial intercourse with the Island of Great Britain : do. in the presence of God, solemnly and in good faith. covenant and engage with each other :-
FIRST: That. from henceforth. we will suspend all commercial inter- course with the said Island of Great Britain. until the Parliament shall cease to enact laws imposing taxes on the colonies without their consent. and until the pretended right of taxing is dropped, and Boston Port opened. and their and our constitutional rights and privileges are restored.
SECOND: That there may be less temptation to others to continue in the said now dangerous connueree, and in order to promote industry. economy, arts and manufactures among ourselves, which are of the last importance to the welfare and well-being of a comumnity. we do. in like manner. solemuly covenant : That we will not buy, purchase or consume. or suffer any person by. for, or under ns, to purchase : nor will we use in our families, in any manner whatever. any goods. wares or merchandize. which shall arrive in America from Great Britain. aforesaid. from and after the last day of August. 1774 (except only such articles as shall be judged absolutely necessary by a majority of the siguers hereof), and, as much as in ns les, to prevent our being interrupted and defeated in this only peaceable measure. entered into for the recovery and preservation of our rights and the rights of our brethren in our sister Colonies, we agree to break off all trade and commerce with all persons who, preferring their private interests to the salvation of their now almost perishing country. shall still continue to import goods from Great Britain, or shall purchase of those who import after the said last day of August. until the aforesaid pretended right of taxing the Colonies shall be given up or dropped (ex- cept so much as Christian duties require).
THIRD: As a refusal to come into this. or similar agreement, which promises deliverance of our country from the calamities it now feels, and which. like a torrent, are rushing upon it with increasing violence, must. in our opinion, evidence a disposition inimical to, or criminally negligent of. the common safety : it is agreed that all such ought to be considered. and shall by us be esteemed. as encouragers of contumacions importers.
FOURTH: We hereby further engage that we will use all reasonable methods to encourage and promote the production of manufactures
83
PATRIOTISM OF WILTON.
among ourselves, that this covenant and engagement may be as little det- rimental to ourselves and our fellow-countrymen as possible.
LASTLY : We allow ourselves liberty to comply with the result of the General Congress at Philadelphia. Also, we agree to make such alter- ations in this Covenant as shall be thought suitable by the majority of signers. after notice given in a public manner. by a committee chosen for that purpose ; which notice shall be eight days before the meeting.
"From December, 1774, to April following," says I. W. Ham- mond in the Revolutionary War Rolls of New Hampshire, Intro- duction, pages 31, 32, " the people were counselling among them- selves, cahnly deliberating upon the exigencies of the times, and energetically preparing for the crisis which they felt must come.
" The sentiment which pervaded the community is plainly shown by the address of the convention of delegates, which convened at Exeter, January 25, 1775, in which they counselled the people to maintain peace, harmony and union among themselves, to practise economy, to promote manufactures, avoid lawsuits, improve them- selves in such military arts as would best fit them for real action in an engagement, and to imitate their forefathers by appealing to the Divine Being to espouse their righteous cause, secure their liberties, and fix them ' on a firm and lasting basis.'
" Companies were formed and drilled, and when. on the 19th day of April, 1775, the crisis came. the men of New Hampshire dropped their implements of industry, seized whatever they could of imple- ments of warfare, and by companies, by tens, by fives and by twos hurried to the front. The same spirit pervaded the women, many of whom spent the nights of the 19th and 20th in making clothes, baking bread, and moulding bullets for their husbands and sons, bidding them good-bye at daylight with a God-speed on their tremu- lous lips, and, while the men went forth to repel the invading army, the women tilled the soil, spun the yarn, and wove the cloth that clothed the family. The number of men that went from this state [New Hampshire] to Cambridge at that time is unknown ; many were not organized into companies, some returned after being absent from one to two weeks, and many for eight months. forming the nucleus for the regiments of Stark and Reed, which did admir- able service at Bunker Hill."
We now return to the minutes of the town.
1775. Jan. 17. Allowed Jacob Abbot Ss. for his services at Exeter. Chose Jacob Abbot Deputy to send to Exeter on the
84
HISTORY OF WILTON.
MINUTES OF THE TOWN .- CONTINUED.
1775. Jan. 17. 25th of this instant, January. for the choice of dele- gates to represent the Province in another Continent- al Congress.
In the warrant for a town meeting to be held Feb. 27. 1775, is the following article :
To see if the town will Petition the General Court of the Province For a Redress of Grievance Respecting the addition of the Officers' Pay in the Continental army this Present Year, and Chose a Committee for that Pur- pose, and do any and every other thing thereon as the Town Shall think Proper.
At the town meeting it was
Voted. to Petition the General Court of the Colony that they Petition the General Congress Respecting the additional Pay of some of the Officers in the C'onti- mental Army.
The following petition. being drafted. was read twice :
To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives for the Colo- ny of New Hampshire at Exeter in General Court to be Assembled on the first Wednesday of March next, the Petition of the Town of Wilton Ilum- bly Sheweth. That. whereas the Continental Congress thought proper in their Wisdom to Grant an additional Sum as wages to some of the officers in the Continental army, which we understand ha- not had the Good Effect which we suppose was intended. but has given General Dissatis- faction among the Private Soldiers, and, among other Reasons, has been made use of for the Discouragement of Soldiers' Listing in the Continent- al army, and we doubt not the Readiness of the Honourable Continental Congress to recede from their Former Vote, or to Prevent its taking Place another year. if they were once made Sensible of the Bad Consequents by Said Additional Pay : we. therefore. your Humble Petitioners Beg leave to Recommend it as worthy Your Consideration. whether it may not be Convenient for the General Court of this Colony to Request and joyn a Committee of the General Court of the Neighboring Colony. or Colonies. in Petitioning the Continental Congress on that Subject. or to Propose Some Method whereby the Prejudices against said Officers may be re- moved. Sensible of our Unacquaintedness with Politicks. we presume not to Prescribe to Your Honours, but. to avoid Prolixity. which we imagine would be very Disagreable to yon. we Submit it to Your wise Considera- tion, and as in Duty bound will ever Pray.
A true copy. Jacob Abbot. Town Clerk.
The above was voted, and it was also voted that the selectmen sign the aforesaid petition in behalf of the town.
85
TOWN RECORDS.
1775. April 4.
Allowed Jacob Abbot for his services and expenses in representing this town in the Provincial Congress £1 08. 4d.
Voted, to raise as minute men 25 private -. two colli- missioned officers, two sergents. twenty nine in all.
Voted. 6 dollars a month to each officer and soldier. alt- er they are called to an expedition. till they have proper time to return after they are dismissed.
Voted. to choose two delegates for a County Congress. Chose Jonathan Martin and Philip Putnam. said del- ogates.
Voted, the following instructions to be given said dele- gates :
1st That they encourage the raising of minute men in said county.
2 That they promote the petitioning his Excellency. John Wentworth. Esq. our present Governor. not to appoint any Justices in this County without the desire, or approbation, of the major part of the peo- ple in the town where said person resides.
Also. to petition his Excellency for a new clerk of the Probate Court in said County.
Ith To promote the settlement of affairs in said County. such as the suppressing of riots or mobs, and en- quiring after the bonds of some officers in the County.
5th To promote every thing necessary that shall be for the benefit and advantage of the county.
WARRANT FOR A TOWN MEETING.
Province of 1 New Hampshire. )
Hillsborough. sx:
To Amos Fuller. Constable for the town of Wilton. Greeting.
By ns the subscribers, you are hereby required forthwith to warn all the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Wilton. aforesaid. in your district, qualified by law to vote in town meeting. that they meet at the meeting house in said town on Wednesday, the tenth day of May next. at Your o'clock in the afternoon, to act on the following articles. viz. :
Ist To choose a moderator to preside in said meeting.
24 Whereas it appears, at this time. that our public affairs are in so distressing a situation that we are not in a capacity to proceed in a legal manner: to see if the town will vote that the votes and resolves of this. and all other. meeting's in this town for the term of one year shall be held binding for the term of one year to the inhabitants of this town. although warned by posting at some public house for the form of ten days before said meeting.
3rd To see if the town will choose one or more persons to represent this town in a provincial Congress to be held at Exeter on the seventeenth day of May next. agreeable to the direction received, which shall then be ex- hibited.
86
HISTORY OF WILTON.
Hereof fail not. and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to us the subscribers, at the time and place above mentioned. Given under our hands and seal this twenty-fourth day of April. A. D. 1775. Philip Putnam ? Seleetmen Abiel Abbot ) of Wilton.
A like warrant was also issued to Richard Whiting. and the town met agreeably to notice.
1775. May 10. Chose Richard Taylor Moderator.
The second article passed in the affirmative. viz. : That the votes and resolves of this and all other town meetings shall be held binding. as expressed in the second article of foregoing warrant.
Voted. to send two persons to represent this town in a Provincial Congress, to be held at Exeter the 17th day of this present June. the first session. and one to rep- resent this town for six months in said Congress.
Chose Jacob Abbot to represent this town in said Con- gress for six months.
Chose JJonathan Martin to attend said Congress the first session.
On the 19th of April, 1775, came the first dread shock of arms at Lexington and Concord. It is not known, nor is it probable, that any Wilton men were engaged in those conflicts. But the whole country was roused, as later. in the war of the Rebellion, by the attack on Fort Sumter. From that first blood patriotic ardor blazed with intenser heat, and military preparations were carried on with new zeal and devotion. The patriots were not daunted by any apprehensions of the formidable war into which they had plunged, but devoted themselves on the altar of their country with- out misgiving or doubt. The issue proved, after an eight years' terrible experience, that their faith and self-sacrifice were not in vain.
We continue the war record of the town.
1775. May 22. Mr. Jonathan Martin and Lt. Richard Taylor were chosen delegates to a county Congress.
Ang. 17. Chose Mr. Jonathan Martin to represent the town in a Provincial Congress to be holden at Exeter on the 22d of this month.
Oct. 3.
Chose Jacob Abbot. Capt. Abiel Abbot. Jonathan Bur- ton. Rev. Jonathan Livermore and Lt. Philip Put- nam a committee to give Mr. Martin his instruction. Allowed £7 124. 93d. to several individuals for pork for the soldiers.
87
TOWN RECORDS.
1775. Oct. 23. Allowed Is. 5gd. for tobacco for soldiers. Allowed £1 16s. 23d. for pork for soldiers.
Allowed £25 for transporting 40 Hhds, of salt from Marblehead.
Allowed Joseph Holt £1 4s. for procuring transporta- tion of 2 Hhds. of Molasses from Marblehead to An- dover, and storage at Andover.
Allowed £1 174. 4d. for transporting 2 Hhds. Molasses from Andover.
Voted, to raise £51 of lawful money to pay the first cost of town stock.
ENUMERATION OF INHABITANTS.
In obedience to the Provincial Congress in New Hampshire. we, the subscribers, have numbered the souls of the inhabitants of the town of Wilton, which is as follows :
Males under 16 years of age 162
Males from 16 to 50 years not in the army 102
All males above 50 years of age 17
Persons gone in the army
26
All females
314
Negroes and slaves for life
623
And further we have complied with the Congress' requisition concern- ing of the fire arms fit for use, and those wanting, and we find seventy two fit for use, and forty seven guns wanting .- and forty pounds of pow- der in said town.
Abiel Abbot 2 Selectmen . Philip Putnam ) of Wilton.
Wilton, Oct. 24, 1775.
Sworn to date.
ACCOUNT OF PROVISIONS.
To the Honorable the Provincial Congress Setting at Exeter: Gentle- men. we your Humble Petitioners Beg leave to Present to your Honnors an Account of Provissions Proenerd and Sent to Cambrige for the Sup- port of the Continentel Armey.
Which Account we Pray may be allowed in Money, or by an order on the Province Treasurer. The Account is £9 11s. 20. Lawful Money. and. in allowing the above Accont. you will Oblige your Humble Petitioners.
Abiel Abbot ) Selectmen Philip Putnam \ of Wilton.
Wilton Octor ye 24th 1775.
P. S. For further Pertieulers Inquire of our Deligate.
88
HISTORY OF WILTON.
EXTRACTS FROM THE TOWN RECORDS .- CONTINUED.
1:75. Nov. 21. l'oled, to allow Jonathan Martin for his services to Am- horst on the County affair- four times. and his ex- penses 184. 20.
Allowed Richard Taylor for his services on County af- fairs at Amherst with Mr. Martin Ss. 53d.
Der. 13. Jacob Abbot was chosen to represent the town of Wil- ton. Lyndeborough. Mile Slip and Duxbury School Farm in the Provincial Congress to be holden at Ex- eter on the 21st day of Dec. instant.
Voted and allowed Mr. Joseph Holt. Jonathan Martin. Abiel Abbot. Nathan Ballard. John Burton. Jr .. and Abner Stiles. 3s. each for their service in raising re- eruits to take Winter Ilill lines.
At the battle of Bunker Hill. June 17. 1775. New Hampshire troops constituted a substantial part of the forces engaged on the patriot side. There were two full regiments. Col. Stark's and Col. Reed's, from this state. and. also. one whole company in Col. Pres- cott's regiment.
Small as was the number of inhabitants in the town at that time. only about 600, Wilton contributed at least thirty-three men in four different companies of Col. Reed's regiment to the troops that fought on that eventful day.
This is the roll of honor :
Q. M. Isaac Frye.
Nathaniel Grvele.
Ist Lt. James Brown.
Archelans Kenny.
20 11. Sammel Pettengill. John Greele.
Sergt. William A. Hawkins.
Isaac Brown.
Sergt. Francis Putnam.
Israel Howe.
Corp. John Burton.
Henry Lovejoy.
Corp. Ebenezer Kingsbury.
Jonathan Gray.
Asa Lewis. Nathaniel Hazeltine.
Jonas Perry.
Jonathan Greele.
-Nurss Sawyer. Henry Stevens.
Daniel Brown.
Asa ('ram. Hart Balch.
Stephen Blanchard. Jr ..
Stephen Blanchard.
Nathan Abbor.
Timothy Darling.
William Bales.
Ebenezer Carlton.
Simeon Hoh.
Jeremiah Holt.
Daniel Kenny.
Theodore Stevens.
A later account raises the number of Wilton men who fought at Bunker Hill to thirty-eight.
GB Rockwood
89
RESOLVE OF CONGRESS.
Of these men Jonathan Gray and Asa Cram were mortally wounded.
Isaac Frye was quartermaster in Col. James Reed's regiment. James Brown* was lieutenant, and William A. Hawkins and Fran- cis Putnam were sergeants in Capt. William Walker's company : and John Buxton was corporal in Capt. Benjamin Mann's company ; all belonging to Reed's regiment.
In case of losses. during battle. of arms, equipments or clothing, compensation was made by the State, either to the men, or. in case of their death. to their families.
MILITARY ORDER.
C'amp. October 18th 1775. William Hawkins, who distinguished himself in the Battle at Bunker Hill on the 17th of June last, to supply the place of am Ensign in Capt. Hind's company in lieu of Aldrich. promoted.
James Reed. Col. Israel Gilman. Lt. Col.
ORDER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PROVINCE OF NEW HAMP- SHIRE.
In order to carry the underwritten Resolve of the Honorable Continent- al Congress into Execution. you are requested to desire all Males above Twenty one years of age ( Lunaticks. Idiots, and Negroes excepted) to sign to the Declaration on this Paper : and when so done to make return theres of. together with the Name, or Names, of all who refuse. or shall refuse. to sign the same. to the General Assembly or Committee of Safety of this Colony.
April 12. 1776.
M. Weare. Chairman.
RESOLVE OF CONGRESS.
In Congress. March 14. 1776.
Resolred. that it be recommended to the several Assemblys and Coun- cils or Committees of Safety of the United Colonies immediately to cause all persons to be disarmed within their respective Colonies, who are noto- riously disaffected to the cause of America, or who refuse to associate 10 defend by Arms the United Colonies against the Hostile attempts of the British Fleets and Armies.
Extract from the Minutes.
Charles Thompson, Seey.
*1 have retained Lt. James Brown's name as belonging to Wilton for these reasons : .Inst before the Revolution the name of James Brown is often found on the Wilton rec- ords, as he is repeatedly elected moderator and selectman, and in April, 1223, a road was laid out to his premises. In a note succeeding the pay-roll of Capt. Walker's company Mr. Hammond says, " Capt. Walker and Lieuts. Brown and Robey were of Dunstable. " But it will be seen that, on the same pay-roll, Lient. Brown is credited with sixty miles' travel, as are the other men from Wilton .- [S. Putnam.
90
HISTORY OF WILTON.
ACTION OF THE TOWN OF WILTON ON THE ABOVE RESOLVE OF CON- GRESS.
In consequence of the above Resolution of the Honorable Continental Congress, and to shew our determination in joining our American Breth- ren in Defending the Lives, Liberties and Properties of the Inhabitants of the United Colonies .. We. the subscribers, do hereby soleumly engage and promise that we will. to the utmost of our power. at the risque of our lives and fortunes, with arms oppose the Hostile Proceedings of the Bril- ish Fleets and Armies against the United American Colonie -.
This was signed by 128 persons.
RETURN OF THE SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN.
In obedience to the within Resolve of the Committee of Safety for the Colony of New Hampshire. we. the subscribers, have desired all Males above twenty one years of age. that are inhabitants of the town of Wilton, to sign to the above Declaration, and but iwo have refused or neglected to sign. viz .. Capt. Ephraim Butterfield and Archelaus Putnam, whose names we hereby return to the General Court or Committee of Safety for the aforesaid Colony in obedience to written Directions.
Richard Taylor ) Selectmen Jacob Adams ) of Wiltou.
Wilton. June ye 30. 1776.
It should be said, however, that Archelaus Putnam was subse- quently found serving in the patriot army.
On the 19th of May, 1775, the Provincial Congress of New Hamp- shire appointed a Committee of Safety, consisting of the following persons : Hon. Matthew Thornton, Josiah Bartlett, Esq., Capt. William Whipple, Nathaniel Folsom, Esq., and Ebenezer Thomp- son, Esq. To them others were afterwards added.
The following extracts are taken from the records of the above- named committee, as given in the Collections of the New Hamp- shire Historical Society, Vol. 7 :
1776. Oct. 224 Settled with Mr. Abiel Abbot for Mustering and Pay- ing two Companies. Capt. Read's and Capt. Put- na's. in Col. Baldwin's Regiment for New York. The Bal .. £8 0s. Sd .. due to the State, and for which he produced a Rect. from the Reer Gen'l. Nath'l Gil- man. Esq.
1777. Jany. 28th
Gave Maj. Abjel Abbot orders to Muster the following Companies. Viz. : Capt. William Scott's of Peterbor- ough, & Capt. William Scott's of Camden, and Capt. Saml. Blodgett's.
Ordered the Receiver Gen'l to Let John Went worth, Jr .. have out of the Treasury £4000 in Treasurer's Notes.
91
RECORDS OF COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
1777; Jany. 28th
and Seventy-five Pounds in other Bills, which he is to deliver to the following Muster Masters: To Maj. Jonath Child, one thousand Pounds in Notes & Twen- ty-five Pounds in Bills: To Thomas Sparhawk, Fit- teen hundred Pounds in Notes and Twenty Pounds in Bills: To Abiel Abbot. Thirty Pounds in Bills and Fifteen Hundred Pounds in Notes. to Enable them to pay Bounties and Mileage to Soldiers, according to Instructions.
1777. Febly 26th
Gave orders to Maj. Abiel Abbot of Wilton to Muster what men Lient. Whittemore shall Enlist for Capt. Carr's Company.
Isaac Frye appointed a Captain in Colo Seanmel's Regt .. instead of Capt. Scott, who declines.
March 4th
Gave Capt. Isaac Frye orders to raise a Company in Colo Seammel's Regt.
Ordered the Reer Gen'l to let Capt. Isaac Frye have ont of the Treasury $300 to pay Continental Bonn- ties to men he Enlists, For which he is to account.
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.