USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Sutton > The history of Sutton, New Hampshire : consisting of the historical collections of Erastus Wadleigh, Esq., and A. H. Worthen, part 1 > Part 30
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FRANCIS COMO.
This man entered the service for New London, April 23, 1781, and probably served till the regi- ment was discharged in November, 1783. At any rate his name is on the roll of the regiment at the close of the year 1782. He was a French Cana- dian by birth, was taken prisoner during the French War when a boy, and carried to Beverly, Mass., when the Colonial soldiers returned at the close of the war. He came to Perrystown with the settlers from that neighborhood. Como is described as a small, black-eyed man, agreeable, well disposed,
473
REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS.
and industrious. His wife was a very large-sized woman, capable and worthy. Her name was Judith Davis. They had seven children, Hannah, the eld- est, born in 1773. His sons, John and Benjamin, removed to Canada. They were respectable men. For his services in the Revolutionary War, Mr. Como received in his old age a pension, but as he lived to be very old, and his sons being gone, in the very last of his years the town, by his desire, assumed the guardianship of his farm, and became responsible for his support. He was for a con- siderable time boarded in the family of John Kezar, and Mrs. Kezar was known to be very kind to him, and made him comfortable. He became nearly blind in his old age, but was still cheerful. After night-fall, when there was a fire in the fire-place he could see it, and it always pleased him so much that it was quite a treat to talk with him, and hear him sing his French songs.
SILAS RUSSELL.
This man entered the service in April, 1780, and probably served through till the close of the war. Like the other two Sutton men, his name is on the roll at the close of 1782. He is credited to Perrystown. In his case is nothing exceptional, as in the other two, his record before, during, and after the war being just what we should expect from the clear-headed, efficient, self-respecting, and law-abiding man he evidently was. It is said of him that he was a man of good property, good habits, and an excellent neighbor; and here, perhaps,
474
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
is as good a place as any other to say that his son Seth, who resided in Sutton, in character and quali- ties much resembled his father. Silas Russell came to Perrystown in 1776 from Hampstead. Reference to both proprietary and town records shows that he fulfilled his share of public duties, and received his share of public trusts.
ANANIAH BOHONNAN.
This man was the ancestor of the Sutton Bohon- mans, and died in Sutton where he had been a resi- dent for a few years. He served in the First New Hampshire Regiment for Salisbury, entered the service, March 13, 1781, and his name is on the roll for the year ending Dec. 31, 1782.
PAY OF OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE IST REG'T.
The following shows the pay of officers and men of the First New Hampshire Regiment, which was not changed during the war:
Lient. Col. Commandant
per month
$75
Major
50
Captain
66
40
Lient.
263
Ensign
66
20
Surgeon
65
Surgeon's Mate
66
45
Drum Major
66
9
Sergeant
66
10
Corporal
7층
Fifer
7층
Drummer
66
73
Private
66
63
9
Fife Major
475
REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS.
This regiment was in service eight years and eight months, and on its rolls are borne the names of some twelve hundred men. These were, of course, constantly changing by expiration of term of service, and by new enlistments. There appears to have been only about five hundred at any one time. The last survivor was Dr. William Hale, of Hollis. He died in 1852, aged 92.
To the "History of the First New Hampshire Regiment in the War of the Revolution," by Fred- eric Kidder, we are indebted for the foregoing facts regarding the same.
It has often been asserted that many of the offi- cers and soldiers of the Revolution were paid in depreciated currency, and so never received what they were entitled to. A close examination of the records of Paymaster Blake shows that so far as the First N. H. Regiment was concerned this statement is incorrect. It is true, that from Jan., 1777, to July, 1781, the value of the paper currency went down till it reached nearly nothing, and during the years named most of the payments must have been made in this currency; but in 1781 the legislature passed an act equalizing the depreciation for each month. The roll with the allowances is still extant, with the sums due each man to make the pay he received equal to good money,-and after this period they were paid in hard money or in government certificates. There is no doubt, however, that many of these latter were foolishly disposed of at a large discount, and a large part of the community suf- fered in this way, as well as the soldiers.
In estimating the recompense of the Revolution-
476
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
ary soldiers, we must not forget the gratuities paid by the states, and the pensions granted by the act of 1818 to Revolutionary soldiers.
The First New Hampshire Regiment was the very last to lay down their arms, being discharged, probably, Jan. 1, 1784.
REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS.
Only three of these served for Sutton ; most of the others came here to reside after their term of service expired, having served for other towns before coming. It is possible this list does not include all such, but it is believed to be correct as far as it goes.
Samuel Ambrose
Silas Russell
Benjamin Colby
Thomas Wadleigh
Ananiah Bohonnan
Ephraim Hildreth
Francis Como
John Palmer
Daniel Messer
Joseph Chadwick
Philip Nelson
Anthony Clark
Daniel Emery
Jonathan Colby
Jacob Mastin
Plummer Wheeler (sen.)
David Peaslee
Aquilla Wilkins
Nathaniel Cheney
Jonathan Nelson
Benjamin Critchett
Solomon Austin
Simeon Stevens
John Putney
Philemon Hastings Thomas Walker
Abraham Peaslee, 1st
David Peasley, 2d
George Walker
Nathaniel Morgan
James Brocklebank
Benjamin Mastin (sen.) Bond Little
Jonathan Nelson
Dudley Kendrick (probably)
Cornelius Bean
477
REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS.
WAR OF 1812. MEN FURNISHED BY SUTTON.
Moses Woodward
Jacob Harvey, died in service
Caleb Kimball
Daniel Woodward
John Kimball
Isaac Littlehale
Daniel Emnery
Ephraim Fisk
James Morgan
Benaiah Woodward
James Buswell
James Wheeler
Hazen Putney
Plummer Wheeler, Jr.
Thomas Cheney
Samuel Wheeler
John Peaslee
Amos Jones, died in service
Timothy Chellis
John French (son of Oliver)
James Philbrook
Daniel Muzzey
Moses Davis
John Colby (son of Benj'n)
Samuel Roby
Daniel Cheney
Thomas Davis
James Minot (officer)
Gideon Wells
Benjamin Wells
Joshua Flanders
John Philbrook
Thomas Walker 2d
Frederic Wilkins
Levi Fowler
James Harvey, died in service.
John Mac Williams
Capt. Thomas Currier, of New London, raised the company of Sutton men, of which James Minot was captain while they were in service.
ITEMS CONCERNING BOTH WARS.
In 1812 this town offered a bounty of two dol- lars per month, and if called into actual service, of ten dollars per month, from the time of being called into service, additional to what they received of the state and government. To be paid on demand after their return.
Rum and beef for the army. In 1781 towns were required by an act of the legislature to furnish their quota of beef and rum for the army. Pursu-
478
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
ant to this requirement we find on Sutton records that Samuel Bean and Matthew Harvey were chosen to buy beef for the army. Who furnished the rum is not stated. Some of the ancient beef accounts are yet in existence.
Previous to the beginning of 1782, active hos- tilities between the contending armies had virtually ceased ; yet the Continental Congress considered it prudent that the ranks of the regular army should be kept filled, and calls continued to be made for that purpose. At that time the pay for a captain was $20 per month, and for privates $7.50 per month.
In 1782, in obedience to the law requiring such action on the part of towns, voted to help Mrs. Rus- sell and Mrs. Critchett during the absence of their husbands in the army-Samuel Bean chosen com- mittee for Mrs. Critchett, and Joseph Johnson for Mrs. Russell.
1813. Muster Rations. Voted, that each non-commissioned officer and soldier bearing arms living in town at the next General Muster be furnished with one pound good boiled beef, one pound fine Bread, one gill West India Rum. } pound Powder. Asa Nel- son, Jr., agreed to furnish the same for $36.50.
French War .- The following are believed to have served in that war : Cornelius Bean. Thomas Walker. Aquilla Wilkins. Bond Little. Francis Como (died about 1817).
THE MILITIA.
-
During the continuance of Indian wars every man was more or less a soldier. But though the cessation of hostilities consequent on the reduction of Canada in 1760 afforded opportunity to cultivate the arts of peace, it by no means followed that all the swords and spears were beaten into pruning- hooks and plowshares. There are no records to show the military organization of the province from 1760 to the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, but the law required all able-bodied men between sixteen and sixty to be enrolled in the train-bands, and a town containing thirty-two such men could have a train-band or military organiza- tion of its own.
At the commencement of the war, the provincial congress, hastily summoned to meet at Exeter, May 17, 1775, continued the existing laws, and provided for the raising and equipping of men:
The declaration of independence having passed July 4, 1776, another congress or convention was summoned to meet at Exeter, which, among other business done, passed a new militia law, providing for two classes of soldiers, a train-band and an alarm list, the former to consist of all able-bodied men between sixteen and fifty years of age. The alarm list took in all up to the age of sixty-five,
480
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
and these were to be called out once in six months by the captains of the train-bands for inspection of arms and accoutrements, but not to be called out of town by any officer below the rank of colonel. This law, with several alterations and amendments, which were chiefly regarding the age of enrollment, continued in force till the close of the war. June 24, 1786, it was repealed and a new one passed, not differing materially from the old one.
But the new state constitution, adopted Sept. 5, 1792, contained important provisions for regulating the militia, and the legislature at its next session, Dec. 27, 1792, passed an act arranging it into com- panies, regiments, brigades, and divisions. Each regiment was composed of two battalions, the regi- ment being commanded by a lieutenant-colonel and the battalions by majors.
The 21st regiment was thus constituted: First battalion-Boscawen, Salisbury, Andover, New London, Kearsarge Gore (Wilmot). Second bat- talion-Hopkinton, Warner, Sutton, Fishersfield (Newbury), Bradford.
The 1st cavalry of the 21st regiment was in existence prior to the reorganization of the militia by the act of 1792 by some five years. In this re- organization it was contemplated that there should be one company of cavalry connected with every regiment. The uniform consisted of red coats, with bell buttons, white pants, black leather caps ornamented with an eagle on a white shield, with chains and tassels, and a red and black plume.
An artillery company, at a later period, 1809, was connected with the 21st regiment, but this was not
481
THỂ MILITIA:
till after Sutton no longer formed a constituent part of the regiment.
Much inconvenience was occasioned by reason of the 21st regiment being so extensive, and in 1797, and as early as 1795, a petition was presented to the legislature for a division of the same. The fol- lowing is the Sutton petition :
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives in Gen- eral Court to be convened at Concord the first Wednesday of June next.
Humbly showeth that your petitioners, inhabitants of Sutton, labor under many and great disadvantages on account of the Mili- tary Company in the town of Sutton being constituted and belong- ing to the twenty-first regiment of the State of New Hampshire, and by reason of said Regiment being so extensive, and by law are obliged to meet a number of times every year and once in Battalion or Regiment, which makes fatiguing journeys and hardships for Soldiers, and great expense for officers to march to and from the centre of said Battalion or Regiment, and much time is spent and lost by reason of the Parade being at such a distance.
Therefore your Petitioners humbly pray your Honors to take this their hard case into your wise consideration, and grant them relief by making a division in said Regiment in the following manner. First, that the companies of the towns of Warner, Brad- ford, and Kearsarge Gore make the First Battalion. Second, that the companies of the towns of Sutton. Fishersfield, and New London make the Second Battalion. So that the above said companies may constitute and make one Regiment.
Or relieve your Petitioners some other way, as your Honors in your wisdom shall think best. And we as in duty bound will ever pray. [Signed by 87 names, viz. ] Benjamin Critchett, Nat. Cheney, jr., Henry Dearborn, John Adams, Samuel Kendrick, Joseph Adams, William Lowell, Jona. Colburn, David Colburn, Nat. Cheney, John Philbrook, Moses Nelson, Thomas Peaslee, John King, George King, Moses Davis, Joseph Clough, Samuel Peaslee, Amos Pressey, Samuel Bean, Silas Russell, Jesse Fellows, Levi Russell, Joseph Bean, Ezekiel Flanders, John Emerson, Philip Nelson, Isaac Peas- lee, Jesse Peaslee, John Pressey, Isaac Wells, Simon Kezar, jun.,
31
482
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
Willard Emerson, George Walker, Joshna Philbrick, Ezekiel Davis, Dudley Kendrick, David Davis, Caleb Kimball, Benjamin Will- iams, Philip Sargent, Joseph Greeley, John Peasley, Joseph Chad- wick, William Pressey, Ezra Littlehale, Peter Peaslee, Reuben Gile, Ephraim Hildreth, Abraham Peasley, Enoch Page, John Har -. vey, Jonathan Roby, Phineas Stevens, Seth Russell, Joseph Youring, Joseph Johnson, Benjamin Stevens, Asa Stevens, Peter Cheney, Joseph Stevens, Jonathan Eaton, Theophilus Cram, Eliphalet Wood- ward, Benjamin Wells, Joseph Flanders, Stephen Woodward, Jona. Harvey, Matthew Harvey, jr .. Joseph Woodward, Joseph Flanders, Zachariah Cross, Oliver French, David Eaton, Daniel Messer, Joseph Pearson, Joseph Mastin, Hezekialı Parker, John Pearson, Samuel Ambrose, jr., Theoph. Cram, Eliph. Woodward, Stephen Woodward, jr., Matthew Harvey, Jonathan Davis, Josiah Nichols, William Hutchins.
The petition of the town of Fishersfield is worded like the one from Sutton, and is signed by
Phinehas Batchelder, Benjamin Baker, jr., David Morrill, Benja- min Critchett, Nathan Baker, Jesse Cutton, Benjamin Baker, Sim- eon Stevens, Thomas Rowell, Joshua Hastings, Jonathan Morrill, Timothy Morse. 12 names. Dated May 26, 1797.
The following letter from Aquilla Davis, at the date a captain in the 21st regiment, will not be without interest in this connection.
To Matthew Harvey. Sir,
Capt Little was at my house last evening and says the Officers of the 1st Battalion wish to meet the officers of the 2nd Battalion at Mr. Wiggin's in Hopkinton on Thursday the 12th of this month in the afternoon to consult on the propriety of our Petition at the last Court for a division of the Regiment. If you can take the trouble to inform Capt. Gay and Capt. Wadleigh you will oblige yours
Aquila Davis
By the desire of Capt. Little and others. Warner May 6, 1796
I wish the notice had been longer.
483
THE MILITIA.
The petition for the division of the regiment which was presented to the legislature at the June session, 1797, having met with vexations delay, the selectmen of the towns, in behalf of the inhabitants; renew the petition at the November session of the same year.
The following is a copy :
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives in Gen- eral Court Court convened at Portsmouth on the 4th Wednesday of this Inst. We your Petitioners humbly showeth that Whereas the Inhabitants of Sutton and the towns adjoining Labor under many and great disadvantages on the account of the Regiment being so large and extensive to which they belong, and as the Inhabitants of the town of Sutton and Towns adjoining petitioned the Honorable Senate and the House of Representatives at their last session convened at Concord the first Wednesday of last June for a division of the twenty-first Regiment for the state of New Hampshire,-We under- stand the prayer of the Petition was so far granted as to bring in a Bill for the division of said Regiment, and that said Bill passed the House and Senate, and was sent up to the Governor for approba- tion. And we further understand the Governor did not return the Bill for want of time for mature consideration, it being short by the adjournment of the Court.
Therefore we your Petitioners in behalf of the Inhabitants of the town of Sutton and other towns Humbly pray your Honors to take this our hard case into your wise consideration, and grant us relief by making a division of said Regiment in the same way and man- ner as was prescribed in the Bill last Session, and as in duty bound we ever pray.
November 14, 1797.
The New London petition is like the foregoing, and is signed by the selectmen of that town, who were for that year Levi Harvey, Benjamin Wood- bury, and Anthony Sargent.
The petition was at last granted, and the regi- ment then formed was numbered the 30th. It was
484
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
commanded by Aquilla Davis from 1799 to 1807, when he was promoted to brigadier-general of the 4th brigade. In the war of 1812 he was in actual service, being commissioned colonel of a regiment.
A N. H. Register, printed in 1800, under the head of " Military Establishment," says,-
The Militia of this State agreably to the present arrangement contains 3 Divisions, 6 Brigades, 31 Regiments, 62 Battalions. Each Division, Brigade, and Regiment takes rank according to its num- ber, reckoning the first or lowest number highest in rank.
The 1st Brigade consists of the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 7th Regiments.
The 2d Brigade consists of the 2d, 10th, 19th, 25th, 27th, and 29th Regiments.
The 3d Brigade consists of the 8th, 11th, 17th, and 18th Regi- ments.
The 4th Brigade consists of the 5th, 9th, 21st, 22nd, 26th, and 30th Regiments.
The 5th Brigade consists of the 6th, 15th, 16th, 12th, 20th, 28th, and 31st Regiments.
The 6th Brigade consists of the 13th, 14th, 23d, and 24th Regi- ments.
His Excellency John Taylor Gilman, Commander-in-Chief, Brad- bury Cilley, William A. Kent, and Nathaniel White, Aids to His Excellency
Major-Generals.
Thomas Bartlett, 1st Division.
Ebenezer Brewster, 2d
Amos Shepherd, 3rd
Brigadier-Generals.
Moses Leavitt, 1st Brigade
Samuel Hale
2d
Henry Butler 3d
Francis Blood 4th
Amasa Allen 5th
Edwards Bucnam 6th
Michael McClary Adjutant-General-rank of Brigadier-Gen- eral.
485
THE MILITIA.
Inspectors and Brigade Majors.
Joseph Dow 1st Brigade
Nathan Taylor 2d
Jonathan Cilley 3d
Francis Blood jr. 4th 66
Asa Bullard 5th 66
Richard C. Everitt, 6th
30th Regiment in 1800 and 1802.
Aquila Davis, Lieut. Col. Commandant.
Nathaniel Eaton 1st Major
John Burns 2d Major.
30th Regiment in 1805 and 1806.
Aquila Davis,-Lieut. Col. Commandant
Richard Straw-1st Major Eliphalet Gay-2d Major
It will thus be seen that Sutton was in the 30th regiment. The 30th regiment was in the 4th brig- ade. The 4th brigade was in the 3d division.
December 18, 1824, the militia of Warner were united with the militia of Hopkinton and Henniker, being formed into a regiment and numbered the 40th.
The law of 1792 required the militia to drill two days in each year. It provided for the enrolling of all able-bodied white male citizens from 18 to 40 years of age, but in 1795 (June 19) the age was changed from 16 to 40.
July 1, 1819, the law was again modified so as to require the enrollment of those between the ages of 18 and 45, and the companies to be called out for a parade on the first Tuesday of May, and upon two other days besides muster. In the following
486
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
year, however, the law was so far modified that companies were to be called out but once besides the parade in May.
With occasional alterations the law continued in force till the abolition of the militia system in 1851 (July 5).
May training day was a joyful occasion, not only to the men on duty but to all spectators. Men, boys, and girls assembled to witness the parade and hear the fife and drum, while the women, ashamed to join the crowd of spectators as being not exactly a modest thing to do, kept within the house, but improved every chance to get a view from the windows.
The officers were in uniform, but very few of the privates were thus clothed or adorned. The officers were armed with swords or spontoons. The latter were long lances having a steel pike at one end, just below which was a hatchet, resembling an Indian tomahawk.
PETITION OF INHABITANTS OF NEW LONDON IN FAVOR OF THOMAS WADLEIGH, ESQ.
The following petition explains itself. It was called out by an action which aroused a good deal of dissatisfaction and severe criticism in Sutton and New London at the time, 1797. It seems that at a muster Capt. Wadleigh's company refused to take the rank assigned them, and did no duty that day, though it was said he went alone and occupied the station. Be that as it may, he was court-martialed,
487
THE MILITIA.
and the expectation being that he would be de- prived of his command, occasioned the petition to the governor:
State of New Hampshire. Hillsborough SS.
To his Excellency the Governor of said State. The petition of a number of the Inhabitants of the town of New London, in said State. Humbly showeth that whereas Capt. Wadleigh, late com- mander of the Twelfth Company of Infantry in the twenty-first Regiment of Militia in said State-has been complained of by his field officers, and tried by a Court Martial for disobedience of orders as they say-We your humble petitioners are sensible that Capt. Wad- leigh has not been well used by said field officers in many respects .. There has been and still is a contention between the company that said Wadleigh commanded and the companies in the town where said field officers live on the account of Ranks in the Regiment by reason of a Blank being left in the last arrangement before this, and now is filled up with a company in the town where the said field officers live, and the Commander of said Company was a member of said court-martial with two more living in the same town being near neighbors to said field officers and the attempt to do such a thing is enough to satisfy any reasonable person that their motives were not good, and that they did not mean that he should have a fair trial.
And we expect that if Capt. Wadleigh is removed from his com- pany under these circumstances that there will be a long difficulty with said Company. Therefore we your petitioners in the behalf of said Wadleigh and the town of Sutton humbly pray your Excel- lency to take this matter into your wise Consideration and see that said Wadleigh be restored to his command. And we as in duty bound &c.
The half of the sheet containing the petitioners' names is too much mutilated and worn to admit of copying.
The following is a copy of a letter from Capt. Wadleigh to Matthew Harvey, then at Concord
488
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
attending the session of the legislature. It has reference to this matter:
Sutton June 12, 1797
Sir.
I received your letter by the hand of Capt. Burns. I am much obliged to you for the representation you gave me respecting the Court Martial affairs. You informed me that Col. Pierce desires that I should go to Concord next Wednesday, and that he thinks that my affair may be settled upon certain terms. I should feel very happy to have it settled upon reasonable terms.
My business is so circumstanced that I do not see as I can possi- bly go to Concord so soon.
I understand the Court-Martial voted to default me. I expect the whole matter lays in General Blood's hands. Supposing I should go to Concord I expect it is uncertain when Gen. Blood will be there. If I should not happen to see him and find that he has not made any return to the Secretary's office-I am short sighted- but it appears to me that my journey would be to no purpose. If the General does approve of the proceedings of the Court-martial, and makes return thereof to the Secretary's Office, if you will be so kind as to inform me of it as soon as you can, and of what can be done respecting the matter, I shall take it as a singular favor done to your humble servant
Dea. Matthew Harvey.
Thomas Wadleigh
N. B. I expect you will be at home next Saturday night-I shall endeavor to see you.
I understand Colonel Pierce appears to be friendly to me. I respect Colo. Pierce.
From the foregoing papers it appears that the company commanded by Captain Wadleigh was known as the 12th Company of Infantry in the 21st Regiment of the State of New Hampshire, and it also appears that men from New London as well as from Sutton helped to compose it; that the 21st Regiment was in 1797 commanded by Col. Pierce
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