USA > Ohio > Biographical and historical memoirs of the early pioneer settlers of Ohio, with narratives of incidents and occurrences in 1775 > Part 40
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Col. Meigs, having finished the business on which he was sent, returned safe, with all his men, to Guilford, by 2 o'clock, P. M., yesterday, with ninety prisoners; hav- ing, in twenty-five hours, by land and water, transported his men full ninety miles,
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and succeeded in his attempts, beyond my most sanguine expectations, without losing a single man, either killed or wounded.
It gives me singular pleasure to hear no disposition appeared in any one soldier, to plunder the inhabitants, or violate private property, in the smallest degree, and that even the clothing and other articles belonging to the prisoners, the soldiers, with a generosity not learned from British troops, have, with great cheerfulness, restored to them, where they have fallen into their hands.
Maj. Humphreys, who waits on your excellency, with the account, was in the action, with Col. Meigs, and will be able to give any further necessary inform- ation, &c .; &c."
[NOTE H.] " PEEKSKILL, July 30th, 1777.
DEAR GENERAL : The designs of the enemy, and the importance of the posts in the various parts of the country, are, doubtless, better understood by your excellency, than I can pretend to know them. This ought not to prevent my proposing my sen- timents to your excellency's consideration : in this I do no more than my duty, and if I am mistaken, it can be no ill consequence to any one but myself. The posts ou the North river have always appeared to me of greater importance to the enemy, than any in America, and the most difficult to obtain, if any considerable body of men were left to defend them. In this light they have been generally viewed, as the communication between the eastern and southern states will be almost wholly cut off, if the enemy hold the passes in or near the river. When I was last at head- quarters, it was thought of so much importance, that Gen. Nixon's brigade was *ordered not to march for Albany, until I should arrive within a day's march of Peekskill, when three brigades and the militia would have then been left at the post. If the post is of so much importance to be held, and the intention of the enemy not fully known, it appears to me very necessary that a body of troops, sufficient for the defense of it, should be left here. The militia are to leave us to-morrow; two brig- ades are ordered over the river for Philadelphia. About two thousand men are then left to defend the forts, man the ships, and other commands, and to defend the passes through the mountains ; one thousand of which will be necessarily detached over the river, and in the ships, and to other posts; the remaining number much too small to answer the expected purposes. That the enemy do not design to attack any other place at present, I think most probable for these reasons : That no object can be of so much importance toward subjugating the country; and if a junction of Mr. Howe's army, with that at the northward, is an event they wish to take place, it can no other way be so easily effected, as by this river. The force left in and about York island, is certainly much larger than is necessary for the defense of New York. I think there can be doubt but they have six thousand men left there, and unless this army is much greater than I conceive it to be, he cannot have with the fleet, men sufficient to effect anything considerable against the force he would expect to meet at any other place southward of this post. On these grounds, I am still of
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opinion the enemy are designed here, and the present maneuver is to draw off our troops from this place. The difficulty of carrying the post, if a good body of troops were left here, I think will fully justify the maneuver of the enemy. They have never attempted to obstruct our passage over the river, which was always in their power. This I think strengthens the opinion they design to attack here. Under these circumstances I feel myself exceedingly concerned that so many of the troops are drawn to so great a distance; 'tis not my own reputation only which gives me so much concern, though I am very sensible the little I have will be forever lost, if the post is not maintained, and I think the most sanguine person can have very little hope of it, with no greater force than will remain here; with the four brigades, and what assistance we can have from the militia, there might be a prospeet of maintain- ing it against the main body of the enemy until your excellency's arrival here; otherwise I see very little prospect of holding out one day. However, I hope I may be mistaken in my conjecture ; if I should be, I shall be heartily rejoiced. The two brigades should join you, and I wish I may be added to the number.
I am your excellency's obedient servant,
SAMUEL H. PARSONS.
To Gen. Washington.
[NOTE L.] Gen. Parsons to Gov. Trumbull :
THE ATTACK ON FORT MONTGOMERY.
Extract.
DANBURY, October 7th, 1777.
SIR : I came this morning to forward, with all possible expedition, such troops as I should find coming to our aid from Connecticut. I am much pleased to find my countrymen seem again roused from the stupor which had seized them. I think by appearances that we shall soon receive a re-enforcement of two thousand men from this State. Happy would I have been had the fourth of this body arrived yesterday.
I am sorry to inform your excellency that the enemy made a successful attack on Fort Montgomery yesterday. The 5th, they landed about fifteen hundred men at King's Ferry, on the east side of the river, under cover of their ships and armed ves- sels, and the night after, re-embarked most of them. Which, with a large additional number, (about twenty-five hundred in the whole,) were landed on the west side (the 6th) in the morning, keeping a large reserve on board and at King's Ferry.
About 10 o'clock the enemy began the attack on the fort, which lasted without cessation, until near half-after six in the evening, when the fort was carried by storm, after eight or ten unsuccessful attempts, in which they were repulsed, with great loss. The courage and bravery displayed by the troops (principally militia from New York) who defended the post, would do honor to the best disciplined regiment. No terms would be accepted, but with fortitude seldom found, they undauntedly stood the shock, determined to defend the fort or sell their lives as dear as possible. The fort was finally taken, merely for want of men to man the lines, and not for want of spirit in the men. But about five hundred was afforded to man the post and
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outworks belonging to them : a number of mcn not more than sufficient to defend the largest fort, The post on the east side was left in a weak, defenseless statc, and could afford but little aid.
Thus was a post of importance, and the lives and liberties of some of the bravest men, made a sacrifice to the careless inattention of our countrymen to objects of great and extensive public importance. The enemy must have suffered much, as more than three hours of this attack the musketry was incessant within forty yards, and less a greater part of the time. Gov. Clinton, who commanded, and Col. Lamb and some other officers, escaped after the enemy had cntered. Gen. James Clinton was wounded, and is a prisoner. Maj. Humphrey, Col. Dubois, Lieut. Col. Liv- ingston, and sundry other officers, arc missing.
This event is unfortunate, but I hope will not be attended by any very ill conse- quences. I think a little more patience and public virtue, (which is now very scarce,) will set all things right again.
I am, with estcem, your excellency's obedient servant,
SAMUEL H. PARSONS.
Letter from Gen. Parsons to Gov. Trumbull :
THE CAPTURE OF FORT MONTGOMERY, AND THE ADVANCE OF GEN. CLIN- TON UP THE NORTH RIVER.
FISHKILL, October 9th, 1777
SIR : I wrote yesterday, from Danbury, an account of the misfortune which had befallen this post, merely for the want of a timely re-enforcement of men sufficient to man the lines. On that head I can only add, that should this misfortune have the happy effect to rouse my countrymen to more vigorous exertions, and to the exercise of a degree of patience, submission and perseverance, necessary to accomplish any thing great, or save the country from inevitable ruin, we may consider the event as fortunate, rather than as an event from which any ill effects will follow.
Gov. Clinton, his brother, Gen. James Clinton, Col. Lamb, Col. Maj. Humphrey, and most of the officers, and a great part of the men, who were supposed to be lost, have got in, many of them badly wounded. The garrison was defended with the utmost bravery : no men could do more. Our loss cannot yet bc ascertaincd : I hope not so considerable as we feared. The army of the enemy are now advancing. We have no doubt Albany is their object. Should they attack this post, from which they are seven miles distant, and the same spirit of inattention seize our countrymen, I fear you will hear no better news from here. We shall fight the enemy if possi- ble. We shall do our utmost to defend ourselves, if attacked. The troops are in good spirits. The issue is in the disposal of the great Arbiter of all events. I think it of absolute necessity that all who can bear arms, and can be spared, should be immediately sent forward to Poughkeepsic, except those on their march for this post, who will join us herc.
Gen. Clinton, who commands the British forces in person, must be defeated at
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Albany, or before he arrives there, or Gen. Gates will be und onc. Every exertion is necessary to animate and encourage the people, in this important crisis. That we are embarked in the cause of justice and truth-in the cause of God and man- kind-is beyond a doubt. That we shall finally suceecd, I think equally certain. When public spirit prevails over private interest-and injustice (so scandalously prev- alent at this time) is restrained, and religion, and virtue, and a sense of our depend- ence on Heaven for all our mercies, and especially deliverance from imminent dan- ger, takes place of the vain confidence in our own arm and on our own strength : then, and not till then, will our salvation be brought out; but I cannot say that a profound belief of these things, and a careless neglect of using the means put into our hands for our own deliverance, is any evidence of the sincerity of our profession. As Gen. Putnam is exceedingly busy, I have wrote by his desire.
I have the honor to be,
Your excellency's obedient servant,
SAMUEL H. PARSONS.
Letter from Gen. Parsons to Gov. Trumbull.
THE RETREAT OF GEN. CLINTON DOWN THE NORTH RIVER.
PEEKSKILL, Oct. 22d, 1777.
SIR : The enemy prevented our designed attack upon them by a very sudden em- barkation of their troops on board their ships, which still lie off Verplank's Point. Every favorable opportunity has offered for their going to New York, but no move- ments have taken place. Their Northern Army is more within your excellency's knowledge than mine. If we should soon be ordered toward New York, I think some aid from Connecticut will be much wanted. As I understand fourteen hun- dred men are ordered from the east side of Connecticut river to join Gen. Gates, under his present situation would it not be best to order them to join this part of the army as soon as possible.
The militia from this post are all returned home.
I am your excellency's obedient servant,
S. H. PARSONS.
[NOTE K.] Gen. Parsons to Gen. Washington.
THE STATE OF THE GARRISON AT WEST POINT, AND THE CONTINUANCE OF HIS COMMAND AT THAT POST.
WEST POINT, June 5th, 1779.
DEAR GENERAL : In answer to your questions, by Capt. Christie, of the Pennsy]. vania regiment, I have given him general information of the state of this garrison, which will be explained by the proper key. The garrison are in high spirits, and are very desirous to receive the enemy's attack. I cannot promise the post will be successfully defended, but I am certain every exertion will be made by the troops to secure the possession of that honor to themselves and their country, which they so
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frequently anticipate in reflection. If any more troops are ordered here, and should I continue in command of the post for any length of time, I would beg your excel- lency to order my brigade to compose part of the garrison. Two regiments of that brigade are perfectly acquainted with the country, and in that respect are better able to answer all the purposes expected from the garrison.
S. H. PARSONS.
[NOTE. M.] Letter from Gen. Parsons to Gen. Washington,
IN RELATION TO THE INVASION OF CONNECTICUT BY GEN. TRYON, JULY, 1779.
REDDING, July 9th, 1779.
DEAR GENERAL : I have this moment arrived here, after a tour of sixty miles since eleven o'clock last night. The few militia at New Haven, behaved exceedingly well, repulsed the enemy several times, and considerable loss was suffered by the enemy. They burnt a number of houses at East and West Haven, and plundered New Haven. They have destroyed Fairfield-almost every house; the abuses of women, children, and old men, are unparalleled. They embarked from Fairfield yesterday and passed over the sound, but there is reason to think they design an attack on Norwalk and the other towns. Gen. Wolcott has received an express, informing him that four thousand of the enemy are in possession of Horseneck, and marching eastward. I have wrote to Col. Wayland, and the small number of infantry, desiring them to march to the coast. I hope it will be agreeable to your excellency's intentions. I hear nothing of Glover's brigade. Is it possible to send one thousand continental troops 9 They will serve to steady the militia, and render them a formidable body. I will write you from Norwalk, where I shall be to-night.
I am your excellency's obedient servant.
SAMUEL H. PARSONS.
Gen. Parsons to Gen. Washington,
INFORMING HIM OF GEN. TRYON'S LANDING AND BURNING OF NOR- WALK-BATTLE WITH TRYON-RETREAT OF THE ENEMY, ETC. WILTON, July 11th, 1779.
DEAR GENERAL : In my last I informed you that the enemy landed last night. This morning, the enemy, on their advance, were met by the militia, and some skir- mishing ensued, but without any considerable effect on either side. At about six o'clock the troops under Gen. Wolcott, and my small detachment of about one hun- dred and fifty continental troops joined and took possession of an eminence the north end of the town. The enemy advanced in our front and on our left flank, until about nine o'clock, when they were checked in their progress by the vigorous exer- tions of the parties of militia and continental troops sent out to oppose them, and in
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turn were compelled to retire from hill to hill, sometimes in great disorder. We continued to advance upon them until near eleven o'clock, when a column having nearly gained our right flank, the militia in the center gave way and retreated in disorder. This gave the enemy possession of our ground. Gen. Wolcott, who com- manded, exerted himself upon this occasion to rally the troops and bring them to order again, but without effect, until they had retired about two miles, when some troops being again formed, returned to the aid of the right and left wings, who had retired but a small distance, and in order. With these the enemy were pursued again, and retreated with precipitation to their ships.
I have the pleasure to assure your excellency the continental troops, without exception, they being all engaged, behaved with the greatest bravery. Capt. Betts, who was the first engaged with the enemy, and who continued longest in the action, deserves particular notice for his great fortitude and prudent conduct in the battle. He continued advancing on the enemy until the center of the main body gave way, and he with his party advanced near a mile at the time, by his prudence was able to effect a regular retreat, without any considerable loss. Capt. Eels, on the right, and Capt. Sherman, on the left, were also engaged, and when obliged to retire, kept their order, and retreated with regularity. A body of the militia-I think they were commanded by Maj. Porter-and another considerable detachment, deserve honorable mention to be made of them.
I am not yet able to ascertain our own or the enemy's loss, but in my next shall be able to give a more particular account. In my handful of continental troops I have lost five men killed, a lieutenant and six privates wounded ; I don't know of any missing: some loss the militia have sustained. I am satisfied the loss of the enemy must have been considerable.
About twenty boats landed on the west side of the harbor, at five o'clock, and immediately began to set fire to the buildings. They completed burning the town at about twelve o'clock. This appeared to have been their sole business, as they did not stay to carry off any plunder of considerable value. A few Tory houses are left, which I hope our people will burn, as the burners are here, and have committed no act by which the public can seize them. I imagine Stamford will be the next object to wreak their hellish malice upon. To that place I shall repair to-morrow.
I am fully persuaded that five hundred more men, such as the brave militia I have before mentioned, and the one hundred and fifty continentals, would have given the enemy a total defeat. The numbers of the enemy were about two thousand-our numbers between nine and eleven hundred.
I am, dear General, your obedient servant.
SAMUEL H. PARSONS.
A more full and detailed statement of the movements of Gen. Tryon, and the depredations committed by him upon the sea coast, may be found in letters from
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Gen. Parsons to Gen. Washington, dated July 14th and 20th, 1779, and to Gen. Heath, July 12th.
His correspondence with Gen. Washington is large, and detailswith great precision and minuteness the movements of the cnemy, as well as the plans and continued movements of the few under his command; and likewise exhibits the mutual confi- dence existing between the writer and the commander-in-chief. Time and space, however, do not admit a transcript.
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THE
PANOPLIST,
OR THE
CHRISTIAN'S ARMORY.
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VOL. I.
JULY, 1850.
No. 7.
BIOGRAPHY.
A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE REV. SAMUEL PRINCE ROBBINS.
[By S. P. Hildreth.]
AMONGST the different profes- sions and avocations of the men who aided in laying the founda- tions of the great state of Ohio, none are more worthy a place in history, than the ministers of the gospel. If they fought no battles with the savages, nor as- sisted in framing the civil code of the State, they yet did much more in forming the morals, and establishing the religious habits of the community on which the existence of all governments de- pend,-as without them no na- tion can long continue. Their labors were bestowed when they were most needed, in the in- fancy of the State ; and all habits early established, whether for good or for evil, are lasting. They performed them at a time when travelling was laborious, from the newness of the roads ; and the habitations of men sparsely scattered through the wilderness ; when their pay was little or nothing, and their only
VOL. I.
reward the consolation of doing good, and the hope of everlast- ing life in " the house of many mansions ;" for few then, had even a temporal house. The Rev. S. P. Robbins, whose biog- raphy is here attempted to be delineated, although not one of the very earliest ministers of the gospel in Ohio, yet was one, at a period when men of that call- ing were " few and far between," in the great valley. He was moreover one, who wrought faithfully in his Master's vine- yard; the effects of whose labors can be seen even to this day ; and it is also to be hoped in " the last great day," when every man will receive according to his work.
The American ancestors of Mr. Robbins were descended from Nathaniel Robbins, a na- tive of Scotland; who came to the colony of Massachusetts about the year 1670. He was the father of five sons, the oldest of which was Nathaniel, the parent of Philemon Robbins, who was grandfather of the sub- ject of this memoir Philemon
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Biographical Sketch of Rev. Samuel P. Robbins.
JULY,
graduated at Cambridge in the year 1729, and was the first of the name who received a col- lege education. Having decided on the ministry for a pursuit, as did the larger number of the graduates of that day, he was settled over a church and parish in Branford, Connecticut, acting as their pastor for forty-eight years. He was celebrated as a man of talents, and noted for his firmness and inflexibility, in whatever he considered gospel duty, as well as ministerial priv- ilege. On this account, he, in 1741, was called to answer cer- tain charges made against him, before the New-Haven County Consociation, the principal of which was, that he had preached to a society of Baptists, in Wal- lingford, who had requested his assistance in a revival-showing that the old puritan dislike to that sect, was yet rife in the land. He, however, cleared himself, in a masterly manner, proving that there was nothing in the word of God, or in the Saybrook Platform, that forbade such labor of love.
Chandler Robbins, the second son of Philemon, was the father of S. P. Robbins, and was born in Branford in 1738. He grad- uated at Yale in 1756, and was ordained and settled in the min- istry, over the first church in Plymouth, Mass., in 1760- where he continued until his death, in 1799. This was the oldest church in the Plymouth colony, being a branch of that established at Leyden in Hol- land, and organized by the pas- sengers in the Mayflower, in 1620. It had no settled minis- ter for several years after the arrival at Plymouth. Roger
Williams, the celebrated foun- der of the colony of Rhode- Island, was their preacher from 1631 to 1634. He was a young man of fine accomplishments, " but at last beginning to vent some errors, which were offen- sive to the church, they, at his desire, gave him a dismission to Salem." The ordination sermon was preached by his father, from John xxi : 15-17. He was a man of superior intellect ; a fine scholar, an accomplished pulpit orator, and greatly venerated and loved by his people. At the time of his death his congrega- tion was one of the largest in Massachusetts. He married Jane Prince, of Boston, a niece of the celebrated divine of that name. She was a most excellent wo- man, and deeply impressed the exemplary traits of her character in the hearts of her children. The fruits of this marriage were Chandler, Jane, Hannah, Isaac, Philemon, Samuel Prince, and Peter Gilman, with others who died in infancy. The last named, now the only survivor, is the father of the Rev. Chandler Robbins of Boston, and Rev. S. P. Robbins of Lynn, so that it may be called a race of divines. In the latter years of his life, Mr. Robbins carried on a corres- pondence by letter with several dissenting ministers in England, of the old puritan stamp, espe- cially with Mr. Edward Wil- liams, and Robert Little of Bir- mingham, One from the latter, of March 4, 1797, is very inter- esting, as containing the earliest account of the first efforts of the Missionary Society of Great Britain, to establish a mission in the South Sea Islands, so graph- ically and thrillingly described
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Biographical Sketch of Rev. Samuel P. Robbins.
1850.
by the lamented Williams. It is well worth preserving, as showing the ardor of "a first love," and a precious relic of by- gone days, although many times since related by more modern writers.
" The Missionary Society have completed their first mission to the South Sea Islands. In a few months the subscription for this purpose amounted to thirteen thousand pounds. A striking proof that the hearts of all men are in the hands of the Lord ! The silver and the gold are his, nor can be better appropriated than as a sacrifice at the gospel shrine. Men were not more dif- ficult to procure than money. Several came forward with the greatest warmth and apparent sincerity to offer themselves to embark in the arduous under- taking of carrying the news of salvation by our precious Imman- uel to a perishing heathen world. A ship, called "the Duff," was pur- chased last year, by the society, fitted out and stored by the vol- untary contributions of benevo- lent individuals. The spirit which appeared on this occasion was singular. A shipwright, em- ployed in fitting the ship for the voyage, whose work could not be estimated at less than two hundred pounds, made a formal charge to the Directors of the Society, of five shillings for the whole business; a gentleman gave a cable, which was sup- posed to be worth two hundred pounds ; and hundreds of private families contributed lots of small- er articles, such as linen, hard- ware, books, pickles, and other necessaries and conveniences for the long voyage. A godly man, (Captain Wilson,) who had been
a captain in the East India ser- vice twenty years, but had re- tired in affluence to spend his remaining days in ease at home, was drawn forth by the attrac- tive influence of so noble an un- dertaking, but still more, we trust, by the love of Christ, to offer himself to conduct the ex- pedition. His piety, sensibility, and sweetness of disposition, en- deared him to all the directors and missionaries. His nephew, an agreeable, serious young man, accompanied him as chief mate. The ship's crew were selected from professing men. The mis- sion consists of twenty-nine men; not all of them preachers, but some intended to assist as mechanics in the intended set- tlement, but all of them, as far as human understanding can judge, partakers of ardent love to Christ, and unconquerable desires for the salvation of im- mortal souls. There are five women, the godly wives of some of them, and three infant chil- dren ; thirty-seven persons in all. These sailed from Spithead, on Thursday, September 22, 1796, and were bound to Otahite. It is the present intention, for the whole mission to stay in that Island three months, till they have formed a good notion of their language, customs, etc., and obtained a peaceable footing among the nations ; after which, as many as can be spared, are to remove to adjacent islands, of which the language it seems is precisely the same. I feel no small gratification, in having amongst this truly honorable company, two young men, the fruits of my ministry."
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