USA > Vermont > Orange County > Newbury > History of Newbury, Vermont, from the discovery of the Coos country to present time > Part 44
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
July 15th, Sunday. This day very hot and a small thunder shower. This day dined with Dr. Morrinton.
Monday, 16th. This day a large number of English papers to read.
Tuesday, 17th. This day a fine shower and much wanted.
Wednesday, 18th. This day borrowed the Fourth Volume of the Spectator, much to my satisfaction.
Thursday, 19th. O the melancholy thoughts of the separation from my family and friends.
Friday, 20th. This day received a letter from Esquire Marsh, informing me that McGilbraith was come into St. Johns and that my family were well the last of May, and that there was another man at my house the 24th of June and that my family were well then. The unspeakable satisfaction that I received from this piece of news.
Saturday, 21. Without the enjoyment of my family I am as destitute of any real satisfaction and comfort as a Dog is of a Soul.
Sunday, 22nd. After a solitary day was invited to Sup at Mr. Fraziers on Salmon and baked Pigeons. Very agreeable.
Monday, 23. This day a terrible Thunder Storm.
Tuesday, 24. All the dreaming is not worth a mans notice in common state of business yet by them I get my chief consolation.
Wednesday, 25th. This day heard that Mr. McGilbraith had gone to Quebec. This evening heard that there was a man in Town who left word for me that he was at my house and that my Wife was confined the Sixth of July last, but when I came to inquire I found the man to be Benjamin Patterson and as he was within twenty Rods of my Quarters for some hours and did not send to me that all he told he knew nothing of.
Thursday, 26th. O the unspeakable torments of the mind when I reflect upon my situation.
Friday, 27. Post-day. O how often am I disappointed by waiting on the Post Office without the least consolation This day Col. Gordon passed the Town to be confined at Quebec for breaking his Parole at Montreal.
Saturday, 28th. This morning not well. This day dined with Doctor Barr and a number of other Doctors. This evening received my letters from home, but they had to go to Quebec before I could see them.
Sunday, 29. This day spent in writing to my friends. Hot weather.
Monday, 30th. This day spent in writing and perusing letters.
Tuesday, 31st. My morning vision was a fortnight old. This day sent off the following Letters:
List of Letters.
One to Mrs. Johnson To Mr. Wallace
Doctor Hopkins
" Col. St. Leger
Esq. Marsh
Brother Page
Capt. Mathews, Quebec
" Mr. Gilbraith
391
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS.
This evening Esq. Marsh called on me on his way to Quebec.
Wednesday, Aug. 1st. Several days spent in reading a collection of Letters.
Thursday, 2nd. Nothing better than a perplexed mind.
Friday, 3rd. No consolation but all mortification.
Saturday, 4th. O how much do I fear the news that I may hear.
Sunday, 5th. I find myself nearly in Job's situation. All bad tidings.
Monday, 6th. Some time spent in reading Don Quixote de la Mancha.
Tuesday, 7th. O time. cruel time, that it is said passes like a vapour, but I think it moves like a millstone.
Wednesday, Sth. O, when shall I be freed from this captive state. God grant these days may be few and not great.
Thursday, 9th. This day dined with Dr. Barr and Doctor Morinton. Had some muskmelon.
Friday, 10th. This day getting a pair of Plow Irons made for Col. St. Leger.
Saturday, 11. Sorrow and distress is a great enemy to my breast.
Sunday, 12th. A distressed heart and a tormented mind prove very unkind. This evening received a letter from Doctor Hopkins, and that I had another opportunity to write to my friends again.
Monday, 13th. This day have spent in writing Letters home to my friends again. (Same list as before except to Capt. Atkinson and Brother Jesse Johnson.) Tuesday, 14th. Sent off my Letters.
Wednesday, 15th. This day a Grand Holiday and a great mass. They say that they keep it because the Virgin Mary conceived that day, and it is but four months, to the time that they keep for our Saviour's birth.
Thursday, 16. This day hearing the Bells ringing, saw all the people running to wait on the Priest out of Town, some following bareheaded, some on their knees. All this Route because the Priest was going out of Town to give the Sacrament to a sick woman. When the Bells ring the people must drop their business altho' ever so urgent and agreeable and fall to praying or run after the Priest.
Aug. 17. This day three Prisoners who deserted from Quebec were taken and carried by the Town. This day at Four O'clock came by here four Prisoners. One was Naaman Powers and young Martin from Moretown. They tell me they are but eight days from Peacham. Distressing news from my family.
Saturday, 18th. This is a most melancholy day. This afternoon received a letter from Dr. Hopkins informing me that he was returning home without getting my last letters that I sent to him which gave me great uneasiness. Nothing but disappointments for me.
Sunday, 19th. Last month came into this Town a Judge of the Court for this Province. The Court was called after nine o'clock in the morning. They told me there was forty cases. I expected the Court was going to sit the most of the week, but to my surprise they were all tried. Judgment given and dismissed by twelve o'clock the same day, and the Judge left Town after dinner.
Monday, 20th. This day passed and came to anchor Eleven or Twelve Ships. I was looking on the Ships, Saw one of the Ships Boats overset. Spent this day in viewing the Ships and other Craft passing.
Tuesday, 21. This day received news that General Clark with the Fleet had arrived in the River. This day received a letter from Esquire Marsh that Brother Page was like to get some liberty if I would pass my word for him which gives me great satisfaction. This day had Codfish and new Potatoes. This afternoon had the present of a Pear made to me.
Wednesday, 22. This day the Canadians just got engaged in their reaping. This evening heard that there were one hundred and fifty Prisoners exchanged and gone over the Lake.
Thursday, 23. O, the length of the day when a heavy heart bears the sway.
Friday, 24. The French here think it a great favor from the Lord if he will take their children from them by death. For they think they are Saints always interceding for them until they go to them. If they are sick they give them little or nothing to take. They are as cheerly and as brisk as when they are born, and when they die they have some person to come and take them away and they trouble themselves no more about them.
Saturday, 25th. This day the Sergeant that took Naaman Powers to Quebec called on me and told me that he was not closely confined, but had liberty. This day had news that Twenty Ships of the fleet were arrived at Quebec.
Sunday, 26th. This day came by express the account that Fortyfive Ships of the
392
HISTORY OF NEWBURY, VERMONT.
Fleet had arrived at Quebec. This evening received news that my Bills (of Exchange) were sold which gave me relief.
Monday, 27. This day news that the Fleet had nearly all arrived.
Tuesday, 28th. Were it not for Hope the Heart would break. This day at Twelve O'clock I received the account that I might return home on my Parole and that Capt. Bronson with some others would call on me in a few days.
Wednesday, 29th. This day such a strong South wind that I have no hopes of the Prisoners coming up the River.
Thursday, 30th. The south wind still continues to blow. This day walked about two miles up to the Ferry where I saw a new fashioned Bedstead which much pleased me.
Friday, 31. This day waiting very impatient for the Prisoners to come from Quebec. Saturday, September 1st. The Southwind still continues to blow so that I can get no account of my fellow Prisoners.
Sunday, 2nd. This day passed very agreeably with a young Gentleman, a School-master from England.
Monday, 3rd. Rainy day and a south wind still continues to blow. I am waiting with great impatience for my fellow Prisoners.
Tuesday, 4th. This morning unwell, my patience worn out. This day spent in reading the Pamphlet entitled "Reflections on the Rise and Progress of the American Rebellion," showing the disposition of our Forefathers from the time that they left England and went to Holland and from that time to the time they came to Plymouth and their intentions till this war.
Wednesday, 5th. My distress is inexpressible, as I have been waiting as long a time as I might have been at home and can hear nothing from the Prisoners.
Thursday, 6th. O, the unspeakable distresses and torments of my mind this day.
Friday, 7th. This is a Rainy day, Horror and distress lies heavy on my breast.
Saturday, 8th. This day chiefly spent in seeing the shipping go by, and walking
four or five miles up the River. O how unkind is a distressed and tormented mind. Last night there was a frost here.
Sunday, 9. Worn out with Laziness, Idleness, and a perplexed mind.
Monday, 10th. This day spent in settling my business and getting ready to go with the first Post.
Tuesday, 11th. This morning a bad Storm about two o'clock. This day went aboard Ship-went to Sorell.
Wednesday, 12th. This day wrote to St. Johns by Post.
Thursday, 13. This day came to La Prairies. Bad luck getting over the River.
Friday, 14th. This day came to Montreal. Took Lodgings at Mr. Thomas Busby's.
Saturday, 15th. This day spent in looking and walking.
Sunday, 16th. Montreal. This is a pleasant Town.
Monday, 17. The History of "Tom Jones" gives me some amusement.
Tuesday, 18th. This is a stormy day.
Wednesday, 19th. The old story, a heavy heart.
Thursday, 20th. Distress.
Friday, 21st. A distressed mind.
Saturday, 22nd. I have no disposition for writing at present.
Sunday. Nothing worth notice.
Monday, 24th. This day Col. Peters dined here.
Tuesday, 25th. This day came some Officers to see us.
Wednesday, 26th. I got Page out of Irons.
Thursday, 27. Last night a bad accident between me and my Bed-fellow.
Friday, 28. Company which passed time some better.
Saturday, 29th. This day some news that gave me some hopes that I should get away.
Sunday, 30th. This day dined aboard Ship. Captain Woodruff. Very handsomely entertained.
Monday, Oct. 1st. Time is still rolling with but little expectation of relicf.
Tuesday, 2nd. O the distress, distress.
Wednesday, 3rd. This day finished the third volume of Tom Jones. Cold weather comes on. O the horrors of the mind.
Thursday, 4th. This day about four o'clock received an express for me to repair immediately to St. Johns. Had a great surprise by my Landlady. Had to travel all night.
393
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS.
Friday, 5th. Found Captain Bronson with about Fourteen Prisoners waiting for me. About Two O'clock this day left St. Johns. Camped about four miles from Isle Aux Noix.
JOURNEY HOME.
Oct. 6th, Saturday. This morning a contrary wind. Passed the shipping to Point Au Fer. The wind turned in our favor. Lodged on the Point O'Rush.
Sunday, Oct. 7th. This morning fair wind but when we came to Cumberland Bay the wind grew too high. Some danger. We put into the Isle of Belcho Nine O'clock. On a Stone wrote this, Passed the split Rock to Grog Bay. There met Col. Peters with families and Pattersons wife. He went back with us with the Flag. Lodged three miles above the split Rock.
Monday, 8th. Passed the Ship Carleton near Crown Point. Camped three miles above Mount Independence.
Tuesday, 9th. Came to Skenesborough at One O'clock. Walbridge.
Lodged with Col.
Wednesday, 10th. This day came to Castleton at One O'clock. Could not get a Horse till night. Was very ill treated at the Creek by one John Bowman in Clarendon. Lodged in Clarendon.
Thursday, 11th. Dined at Coffins. Lodged at Cornish.
Friday, 12. Dined at Dresden. Came home in the evening.
THE NARRATIVE OF THOMAS MELLEN.
At the session of the General Assembly in 1848, Prof. James D. Butler, then pastor of the Congregational church at Wells River, was invited to deliver an address before that body, upon the battle of Bennington. The special occasion was the placing in the State House of the cannon captured at that battle, where they still remain.
Mr. Butler, learning that Thomas Mellen, a survivor of that battle, was living in Newbury, went to see him, and obtained from him an account of the battle, which is given in the pamphlet containing the address, and the proceedings of the occasion. The narrative is also reprinted in Major Caleb Stark's life of his father, Gen. John Stark.
Thomas Mellen was then living in the family of his son Robert, who owned the farm, and lived in the house which is now that of John Buchanan at the Centre. The late Mr. Edward Miller, then teaching school there, stated that Mr. Mellen had a room by himself, which was a small building behind the house, but within a few feet of it, where he spent most of his time, working and reading.
Dr. Butler writes the editor of this volume:
"Whatever I gathered from Thomas Mellen is specially worthy of preservation. It was a distinct addition to the history of the battle-the plain tale of a soldier- and probably the last one set down by an interviewer.
When I visited him, though upward of ninety-two years of age, he was so far from being bald or bowed down, that you would think him in the Indian summer of life. His dress was all of gray homespun, and he sat on a couch, the covering of which was sheep-skins, with the wool on. I have given his statements, so far as possible, in his own words:"
"I enlisted," said he, "at Francestown, N. H., in Colonel Stickney's regiment and Captain Clark's company, as soon as I learned that Stark would accept the
394
HISTORY OF NEWBURY, VERMONT.
command of the State troops; six or seven others from the same town joined the army at the same time. We marched forthwith to Number Four and stayed there a week. Meantime I received a horn of powder and run two or three hundred bullets; I had brought my own gun. Then my company went on to Manchester; soon after I went, with a hundred others, under Colonel Emerson, down the valley of Otter Creek; on this excursion we lived like lords, on pigs and chickens, in the houses of tories who had fled. When we returned to Manchester, bringing two hogsheads of West India rum, we heard that the Hessians were on their way to invade Vermont. Late in the afternoon of rainy Friday, we were ordered off for Bennington in spite of rain, mud and darkness. We pushed on all night, making the best progress we could; about day-break I, with Lieut. Miltimorc, came near Bennington, and slept a little while on a hay-mow when the barn-yard fowls waked us; we went for bread and milk to the sign of the 'wolf,' and then hurried three miles west to Stark's main body.
Stark and rode up near the enemy to reconnoitre; were fircd at by the cannon, and came galloping back. Stark rode with shoulders bent forward, and cried out to his men: 'Those rascals know that I am an officer; don't you see they honor me with a big gun as a salute.' We were marched round and round a circular hill till we were tired. Stark said it was to amuse the Germans. All the while a cannonade was kept up upon us from their breast-works; it hurt no body, and it lessened our fear of the great guns. After a while I was sent, with twelve others, to lie in ambush, on a knoll a little north, and watch for tories on their way to join Baum. Presently we saw six coming toward us who, mistrusting us for tories, came too near us to escape. We disarmed and sent them, under a guard of three, to Stark. While I sat on the hillock, I espied one Indian whom I thought I could kill, and more than once cocked my gun, but the orders were not to fire. He was cooking his dinner, and now and then shot at some of our people.
Between two and three o'clock the battle began. The Germans fired by platoons, and were soon hidden by the smoke. Our men fired each on his own hook, aiming wherever he saw a flash; few on our side had either bayonets or cartridges. At last I stole away from my post and ran down to the battle. The first time I fired I put three balls in my gun; before I had time to fire many rounds our men rushed over the breast-works, but I and many others chased straggling Hessians in the woods; we pursued until we met Breyman with 800 fresh troops and larger cannon, which opened a fire of grape shot; some of the grape shot riddled a Virginia fence near me; one shot struck a small white oak behind which I stood; though it hit higher than my head I fled from the tree, thinking it might be aimed at again. We skirmishers ran back till we met a large body of Stark's men and then faced about. I soon started for a brook I saw a few rods behind, for I had drank nothing all day, and should have died of thirst if I had not chewed a bullet all the time. I had not gone a rod when I was stopped by an officer, sword in hand, ready to cut me down as a runaway, who, on my complaining of thirst, handed me his canteen, which was full of rum; I drank and forgot my thirst. But the enemy outflanked us, and I said to a comrade, 'we must run, or they will have us.' He said: 'I will have one fire first.' At that moment, a major, on a black horse, rode along behind us, shouting 'fight on boys, reinforcements close by.' While he was yet speaking, a grape shot went through his horse's head; it bled a good deal, but the major kept his seat, and rode on to encourage others. In a few minutes we saw Warner's men hurrying to help us; they opened right and left of us, and one-half of them attacked each flank of the enemy, and beat back those who were just closing round us. Stark's men now took heart and stood their ground. My gun barrel was at this time too hot to hold so I seized a musket of a dead Hessian, in which my bullets went down easier than in my own. Right in front were the cannon, and secing an officer on horse-back waving his sword to the artillery, I fired at him twice; his horse fell; he cut the traces of an artillery horse, mounted him and rode off. I afterward heard that the officer was Major Skenc. Soon the Germans ran, and we followed; many of them threw down their guns on the ground, or offered them to us, or kneeled, some in puddles of water. Onc said to inc, 'Wir sind ein bruder!' I pushed him behind me and rushed on. The enemy beat a parley, minded to give up, but our men did not understand it. I came to one wounded man flat on the ground, crying water or quarter. I snatched the sword out of his scabbard, and while I ran on and fired, carried it in my mouth, thinking I might need it. The Germans fled by the road and in a wood each side of it; many of their scabbards caught in the brush and held the fugitives till we seized them. We chased them till dark; Colonel Johnston, of
395
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS.
Haverhill, wanted to chase them all night. We might have mastered them all, as they stopped within three miles of the battlefield; but Stark, saying 'he would run no risk of spoiling a good day's work,' ordered a halt, and return to quarters.
I was coming back, when I was ordered by Stark himself, who knew me, as I had been one of his body guards in Canada, to help draw off a field-pieee. I told him 'I was worn out.' His answer was, don't seem to disobey; take hold, and if you can't hold out, slip away in the dark.' Before we had dragged the gun far, Warner rode near us. Some one pointing to a dead man by the road-side, said, 'Your brother is killed,' 'Is it Jesse ?' asked Warner. And when the answer was 'yes,' he jumped off his horse, stooped and gazed in the dead man's face, and then rode away without saying a word. On my way back I got the belt of the Hessian whose sword I had taken in the pursuit. I also found a barber's pack, but was obliged to give up all my findings till the booty was divided. To the best of my remembrance, my share was four dollars and some odd cents. One tory, with his left eye shot out, was led in. mounted on a horse, who had also lost his left eye. It seems to me cruel now-it did not then.
My company lay down and slept in a corn field, near where we had fought-each man having a hill of corn for a pillow. When I waked next morning, I was so beaten out that I could not get up till I had rolled about a good while.
After breakfast I went to see them bury the dead. I saw thirteen tories, mostly shot through the head, buried in one hole. Not more than a rod from where I fought, we found Capt. McClary dead and stripped naked. We scraped a hole with sticks, and just covered him with earth. We saw many of the wounded who had lain out all night. Afterward we went to Bennington, and saw the prisoners paraded. They were drawn up in one long line; the British foremost, then the Waldeckers, next the Indians, and hindmost the tories."*
This narrative is referred to by President Bartlett in his address at the Bennington Centennial, and by ex-Minister Phelps in his address at the dedication of the monument.
The following letters, selected from many which were available for use in this volume, give a better idea of the state of the Coös country, and the perplexities which beset the patriot leaders, than any mere description could do.
We know, what Bayley and Johnson themselves found out in no long time, that they were mistaken as to the real motives of the Vermont leaders. But these letters permit us to see the situation as they saw it.
GEN. BAYLEY TO COL. MOREY.
CASTLETON, 22d Septr, 1777.
Sr-Success attends us yet, in part, we have cut off their Communication-we have taken Tie Side [i. e. the outworks of Fort Ticonderoga] exeept the old fort hope soon to have all Lake George. Taken about 500 prisoners; we want help much; our Division is only 1500 men. General Lincoln's gone to join General Gates. You and all the militia Eastward must turn out and with Horses and one Month's Provisions which will, I hope, put an end to the dispute this way. Gen1 Arnold fought a Battle two days ago on the left of Gen1 Gates. Great numbers fell on both sides. He took 250 Prisoners and three pieces and the field. Pray turn out.
Yours, JACOB BAYLEY .¡
*From Memoirs and Official Correspondence of Gen. John Stark. By Major Caleb Stark p. 66-69.
¡N. H. State Papers, Vol. xviii., p. 136. Original in Hibbard Collection, Vol. 10, . 20.
396
HISTORY OF NEWBURY, VERMONT.
JAMES LOVELL TO GEN. WASHINGTON.
BOSTON, March 11, 1782.
Sir : A very high degree of jealousy possesses the breast of my correspondent concern- ing the insincerity of some of the Cabinet Council of Vermont in their present conduct towards Congress. The Jealousy manifest in every conversation which I have had with him here should not, however, make me neglect to convey to your excellency such information as the enclosed which, if corroborated by other circumstances within your knowledge, will doubtless effect some of your arrangements for the ensuing campaign in which and through life I wish prosperity and honor may attend your Excellency.
And am Sir your most humble Servant, JAMES LOVELL .*
This letter accompanied the following one.
JACOB BAYLEY TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
NEWBURY, March 7th, 1782.
Sir You may remember that I mentioned the case of Captain Thomas Johnson to you, the necessity of his being exchanged in order to prove the treasonable conduct of a member of Vermont, &c. I told you Johnson had the confidence of the enemy in Canada and knew what had been transacted between them and Vermont. I am still further convinced as Captain Johnson has lately received a letter from Canada and answer demanded, which he complied with, otherwise he supposed his intent to make discovery to us would be suspected by the enemy. He showed to a friend of the United States what he received from and sent to Canada, which was from the enemy an enquiry whether an expedition to Canada was intended by us, or any preparations therefor, how the people stood as to a union with them in Canada, informing they intended an exhibition early to Albany, &c. Captain Johnson's. return was that he heard nothing of an expedition by us to Canada and that affairs went on well with us in Vermont. In about a month doubtless other letters from General Haldeman will be sent to Captain Johnson. All letters and copies will be- kept. Capt. Johnson wishes his exchange may soon take place. His situation is really critical, for without General Washington's particular directions he is exposed to the severest punishment. If he does not correspond the enemy will suspect him and be exposed, to be recalled to Canada, by which we shall lose his evidence in matters of the greatest importance. I send you this as no private correspondence with the enemy is admissible. It is come to my knowledge and I wish to convey the same to the Commander-in-Chief, which I dare not attempt by public post. I wish anyway, it may be transmitted to his Excellency, General Washington. The above answer arrived to me yesterday. I must leave the matter to your directions.
And am, Sir, your most obedient Humble Servant,
JACOB BAYLEY.+
NEWBURY, April 10, 1782.
Sir : I delivered to General Lincoln some minutes to be made usc of by your Excellency. The late revolution in Vermont has had such influence on the people respecting myself that I am more safc at home than for a year past. I now find that Capt. Johnson can and does correspond with General Haldeman, which correspondence is made known to me and two others. His reason for the correspondence is he says that he may not be suspected until he is exchanged or some other method is taken
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.