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WATERTOWN'S

MILITARY HISTORY.

AUTHORIZED BY A VOTE OF THE INHABITANTS

OF THE TOWN OF WATERTOWN,

MASSACHUSETTS.

\x^

Published in ibo/, under the direction of a Committee

REPRESENTING!, THE SoNS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION,

AND Isaac E(, Patten Post 8i, Grand Army of the Republic.

y

I

BOSTON : CLAPP & SON, PRINTERS, 291 Congress Street. 1907.

on-. o

CO

or

^,h^

CONTENTS.

List of Illustrations x'"

Preface ^^

Colonial Wars • ^

A peaceful meeting between English Settlers and the

Watertown Indians in 1630. Early preparations for self-defence. Night Guards established in April, 1631. A Council of War appointed in 1634. Roster of the Second Regiment, and Watertown's first

company .....•••• 2 The Pequod War in 1636. First Muster on Boston Common in 1639.

King Philip's War 3

Capt. Richard Beers of Watertown killed at Northfield.

Capt. Nathaniel Davenport's company of Watertown men ...••••••• 4

The Sudbury fight.

Petition of Daniel Warren and Joseph Peirce for recom- pense for services at Sudbury . . . . "5

Assignment of wages to Watertown soldiers . • 7

Soldiers' land grants 8

Sketch of Capt. Hugh Mason 9

Cost of King Philip's War.

French and Indian Wars lO

The Revolutionary War 12

Watertown town records.

The town votes to discourage the importation of British goods.

Many citizens petition for a town meeting to agree upon measures for a redress of grievances . . . 13

Resolutions against violations of constitutional rights and privileges . . • • ' • • '14

Protest against unjust taxation . . . . • 15

Action in regard to the destruction of tea in Boston har- bor ..-• ^ •■•• * 16

iv Watertown^s Military History.

Boycott on the use of tea in Watertown. The town appropriates £20 for purchase of powder, balls and flints . . . . . . . • ^7

Voted to order the Militia Company to drill two hours each week ........ 18

Capt. Jonathan Brown chosen as representative to the Provincial Congress ; also John Remington and Samuel Fisk .......... 19

No more money to be paid by the town into the pro- vince treasury. JC20 appropriated for mounting two cannon in town. The town votes to sustain the acts of the Continental Con- gress .......... 20

Officers of the Train chosen.

Military officers selected . . . . . .21

Training expenses allowed ...... 22

Dorothy Coolidge's bill for rum, and John Draper's bill for bread, used by the men in the Lexington fight, paid by the town ........ 23

The citizens of Watertown vote to stand by and defend with their lives and estates the Declaration of Inde- pendence of the thirteen colonies. Measures adopted for raising money and soldiers . . 24 Form of tax for war expense . . . . • 25

Pay allowed to soldiers ....... 26

Citizens reimbursed for payments on account of War . 27 Committee chosen to provide for soldiers' families . . 30 The town opposes the quartering of Burgoyne's officers here . . . . . . . . . '31

Bounties granted to Continental soldiers; £500 appro- priated ......... 32

Payments to soldiers ....... 33

Appropriation of £2443 for soldiers . . . • 3^

Measures for raising soldiers . . . . . -39

The sum of £12,000 voted to raise men and procure clothing for the army ...... 41

Granted £3000 to buy four horses ; also £6000 additional

for hiring men. £15,000 granted to secure soldiers . . . . .42

£34,000 to purchase beef ...... 43

Seventy-five paper dollars for one of silver. New Tender of money act not approved by the town . 44 Voted to favor revival of lately repealed Tender act . 45 Town collectors ordered to receive no more old currency

for taxes, but new money or hard coin . . .46

£100 to secure beef. $Soo to hire men ........ 47

The town's stock of ammunition . . . . .48

Events leading to the Revolution 49

Contents. v

The Provincial Congress 50

It meets at Watertown April 22, 1775,

The selectmen allow the use of the Meeting House for its sessions . . . . .... 51

Committee appointed to take depositions in regard to the Battle of Lexington.

Resolved to raise an army of 30,000 men.

Dr. Joseph Warren chosen president.

Voted that 600 enlistment papers be printed, and Com- mittee on Supplies empowered to impress horses or teams.

Active preparations for defence . . . . -52

Address to the people of Great Britain adopted . . 53

A powerful army the colonists' only hope . . -54

Letter read from John Hancock.

Aid voted to the 5000 indigent people of Boston . . 55

Supplies furnished Col. Benedict Arnold . . -56

The Receiver General empowered to borrow £100,000. 'Pay assigned to the Train Band . . . . -57

Remonstrance to Gen. Gage adopted . . . • 58

Postal rates established.

Letter sent to the Indians, asking them to raise a com- pany 59

Advice in relation to a civil government asked of the Continental Congress.

Lady Frankland's trip from Hopkinton to Boston . . 60

Committee of Safety chosen.

Gen. Artemas Ward appointed Commander in Chief.

Gen. Ward recommends large supplies for the army . 61

Third Provincial Congress .62

Mr. Edwards is admonished for calling the Committee

of Safety " a pack of sappy-headed fellows" . . 63

Rations allotted to soldiers. Appeal to the Continental Congress. Proclamation by Gen. Gage, calling the Colonists rebels,

and declaring martial law ...... 64

A vigorous reply to Gen. Gage.

Committee report on profanation of the Sabbath, as one

of the prevailing sins of the day. Dr. Joseph Warren chosen Major General. Hon. James Warren elected President of Congress. A day of fasting and prayer . . . . . .65

General Washington in Watertown . . . . (>6 His reception and entertainment along the route. Greeting by Congress.

Gen. Washington's response . . . . . '67

Gen. Charles Lee's reply to an address of welcome . 68

Closing days of the Provincial Congress . . .69

vi Waiertown's JSIilitary History.

General Court of Massachusetts organized. Trial of Benjamin Church for treason; his conviction and death.

The Marshall Fowle House . . . . '70

Occupied by the Honorable Council in 1775 and 1776. History of the house.

Sketch of G&\\. Joseph Warren . . . . '71

Lady Washington entertained.

Sketch of Dr. James Warren . . . . -72

Members of the Council.

Soldiers of the Revolution ...... 73

Watertown's condition in 1775.

Assessors' list, showing names and estates of taxpayers.

The Lexington Alarm ....... 77

Gen. Gage sends out Lieut. Col. Smith with 800 troops. Battles at Lexington and Concord; retreat of British to

Boston. Watertown's creditable part ; Joseph Coolidge killed . 78 Muster roll of Capt. Barnard's Watertown company.

Battle of Bunker Hill 81

Col. Thomas Gardner, being mortally wounded, was suc- ceeded by Col. William Bond of Watertown. Capt. Abner Craft's company was in this 37th Regiment. Names of the officers and men in the Watertown com- pany.

Battles of the Revolution and Leading Events . 83

Washington at Dorchester Heights . . . -85 Pay Roll giving the names of the Watertown militia com- pany that took part.

Soldiers of Later Battles ...... 87

Hardships and discouragements.

Alpliabetical list of soldiers who served in the Revolu- tion, as taken from the State Archives ... 88

Jonathan Brown's Payments ..... 105 Sketch of Capt. Brown.

His payments, as Town Treasurer, for war services and supplies.

Bond's List of Soldiers ...... 109

Compiled from his Genealogical History of Watertown. Men who served before and during the Revolution and Shay's Rebellion.

The Scrap Book . . . . . . . .116

Selections mainly from Rev. Edward A. Rand's scrap

books. Dorothy Coolidge's Tavern. Paul Revere in Lexington . . . . . .117

Contents. vii

The Battle of Lexington . . . . . .118

The Battle of Bunker Hill.

The Watertown Meeting House . . . . .119

Robert Harrington . . . . . . .120

Marking Patriots' Graves.

The Galen Street Bridge . . . . • . .131

The Indians of Watertown . . . . . .122

She captured a Redcoat.

A Colonial Newspaper . . . . . .123

Captain John Fowle . . . . . . .124

The Powder House.

Paul Revere House . . . . . . .125

The Stone Family.

The late Rev. Edward A. Rand . . . . .126

Story of the Watertown Seal.

General Warren in Watertown . . . . .127

The Civil War 1 29

The War of 181 2 and that with Mexico not popular in

Massachusetts. Great excitement when Fort Sumter was fired upon,

April 12, 1861. The Sixth Regiment starts for Washington, April 17. Watertown people cheer the Sixth Regiment at Newton

and decide to form a company.

Civil War Records . . . . . . • 130

Special town meeting held April 23, 1861 ; Miles Pratt moderator.

Stirring resolutions adopted in support of the Union cause, and pledging faith to care for the families of vol- unteers.

Voted to borrow $5000 and to raise and equip a company, allowing a bounty of $30 to each volunteer . • 131

July 10, 1862, voted to pay a bounty of $75 to volunteers under call of July 7.

Bounty increased to $100 . . . . . -132

Selectmen's report of Watertown's enlistments and war payments up to Dec, 1862.

$400 appropriated for reception to Co. K, Fifth Regi- ment ......... 133

Bounty of $150 voted.

$7000 appropriated for filling town quotas.

Soldiers of the Civil War ...... 135

Watertown's territory, population and wealth in i860. Where Co. K was encamped and fed by the town.

Soldiers' Record, Town of Watertown . . . 136 By William H. Ingraham, Town Clerk. Roll of Honor. Roster of Co. K, Sixteenth Regiment.

viii Watertown's Military History.

Soldiers added to the company after the regiment left the state .......... 138

Death of Chaplain Arthur B. Fuller at Fredericksburg 139

The town's quota as filled July 7, 1S62.

Volunteers for three years allowed under call for 300,000 men .......... 140

Quota of 9 months' men, Aug. 4, 1S62, in Co. K, Fifth Regiment.

Watertown men in other commands .... 141

Recruiting Committee's Report ..... 142

President Lincoln calls for 500,000 men, and a draft or- dered, if necessary, in Sept., 1864.

Watertown appoints a Recruiting Committee to fill quota.

The town appropriates $5000 and citizens subscribe over $13,000 to pay for recruits ..... 143

Names of enlisted men.

Names of substitutes ....... 144

Qiiota is filled, with three to spare.

Civil War Service 145

First Regiment Infantry (3 yrs.)

Second " " (3 yrs.) 146

Third Battalion Rifles (3 mos.)

Fifth Regiment Infantry (3 mos.) .... 147

Fifth " " (9 mos.) Co. K of Watertown

was in this regiment.'

Fifth Regiment Infantry (100 days) .... 152

Ninth " " 153

Eleventh " " 154

Twefth " " 155

Thirteenth " " 156

Fifteenth " "

Sixteenth " " including Co. K of Watertown 157

Seventeenth Regiment Infantry .... 164 Eighteenth " "

Nineteenth " " 165

Twentieth " "

Twenty-third " " 166

Twenty-fourth " " 167

Twenty-eighth " "

Twenty-ninth " "...,. 168

Thirtieth " " 169

Thirty-second " "

Thirty-third " " 170

Thirty-fifth " « 171

Thirty-eighth " " 172

Thirty-ninth " "

Fortieth " " 173

Forty-second " " (100 days). . -174

Contents.

ix

Forty-third Regiment

[nfantry (9 mos.) .

• ^IS

Forty-fourth

i(

(9 mos.)

Forty-seventh

(<

(9 mos.)

. 176

Fiftieth

((

(9 mos.)

Fifty-third

(C

(9 mos.)

• 177

Fifty-fourth

((

Fifty-sixth

((

• . • •

. 178

Fifty-seventh

((

Fifty-ninth

((

• » • •

. 179

Sixtieth

((

(100 days)

First Regiment Cavalry

,

Second "

u

• • • •

. 181

Third "

((

• • • •

. 182

Fourth "

u

First Battalion

Frontier

Cavalrv

' . • • •

. 183

Second Battery

Light Artillery

• • • •

. 184

Fourth "

t(

((

• • • •

. 185

Seventh "

((

((

Eleventh "

((

((

(9

mos.)

(( a

((

((

(3

yrs.) .

. 186

Twelfth "

((

u

Thirteenth "

((

((

,

• • • •

. 187

Fifteenth "

(C

((

Sixteenth "

((

((

First Battalion

Heavy

«

First Regiment

((

u

,

, , , ,

. 188

Second "

((

u

Third "

((

u

,

• • t •

. 189

Watertown's Quota of Colored Troops . " The Colored Troops fought nobly."

Most of them were enlisted in Southern States, at a bounty of $125 each.

Watertown Men Who Were Credited to Other States .......

Veteran Reserve Corps . . . ,

Soldiers of the Regular Army .

The Ordnance Corps

Those connected with the Watertown Arsensl.

Watertown's Naval Record

Results and close of the Civil War

The War with Spain

The Battleship Maine blown up in Havana Harbor on

night of Feb. 15, 1898. War begun in April. Calls for 200,000 volunteers. Admiral Dewey destroys the Spanish fleet at Manila

Bay.

193 195 196 197

200

207

208

X Watertoivn^s Military History.

Admiral Cervera's Spanish fleet destroyed in Cuba, by

Admirals Sampson and Schley. Losses and results of the war. Watertown men who took part in the war.

The Veterans of Post 8i 211

Organization of the Post in 1871.

Sketch of Rev. Arthur B. Fuller . . . .212

Record of Isaac B. Patten, for whom the Post was named.

Halls occupied by Post 81.

Memorial Day observances ..... 213

Testimonial to Adjutant John E. Bradlee.

Reception to the Patten family.

Income from fairs and legacies for charitable purposes 21^

Patriotic exercises in the Public Schools.

The Post adopts resolutions in support of the war against

Spain, and keeps its flag flying during the whole war. Reunions of the Veterans . . . . . .215

Rev. Edward A. Rand, associate member, sketch.

Record of Rev. William H. Savage's military service.

List of officers for 1907 ...... 216

Commanders of Post 8r.

Alphabetical list of those who have joined the Post up

to 1907, giving their war record.

Notes about Post Si 230

Photograph of Post 81 231

Sons of Veterans 232

Organization and charter members of 1894.

List of Commanders ....... 233

Officers for 1907.

Members from 1894 to 1907 ..... 234

The Woman's Relief Corps ..... 235

Charter members.

Original officers.

Its Presidents up to 1906.

Members in 1906 ....... 236

Outline of the excellent work of the Corps . . . 237

Watertown Chapter, D. A. R 238

Organized in January, 1898.

Brief history of the Chapter, showing its patriotism and public spirit.

List of Charter Members ...... 239

Original oflScers chosen.

Membership of the Chapter in 1907, and names of Rev- olutionary ancestors.

Watertown Women of 1S61 — 1865 .... 241 The churches closed on Sunday, July 31, 1862, after the second Battle of Bull Run, and the women met in in the Town Hall, to prepare lint and bandages for wounded soldiers.

242

243

245

247

Contents.

President Lincoln's letter of thanks to Watertown peo pie.

The First Volunteer ......

Interview with Sergt. Samuel F. Stearns of Watertown His record of 3 years and 8 months' service. "Fighting Joe" Hooker's letter to Gov. Andrew on death of Col. Wyman .....

Captain Banks' Diary

Sketch of war events he noted in 1862.

The Coolidge Monument .....

Erected in the Arlington Street cemetery, in honor of

Joseph Coolidge of Watertown, who was killed in

the Battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775. Dedication services, May 29, 1875. Sketch of Joseph Coolidge.

The Soldiers' Monument 248

In memory of the men who served in the Civil War. Dedicated with impressive services on Oct. 31, 1889. Description of the monument.

Soldiers' Graves in Watertown Cemeteries . . 250 Names of those whose memory is kept fresh in mind

with flags and flowers, by Post 81, on each annually

recurring Memorial Day. Arlington Street Cemetery. Common Street Cemetery. St. Patrick's Cemetery ...... 252

Ridgelawn Cemetery.

Watertown in 1907 253

Its remarkable growth in population and wealth since

1861. New school buildings erected. The Charles River improvements.

Mount Auburn Street widened, at a cost of $100,000 . 254 The water system purchased for $420,000. Sewerage system installed. Great growth of the debt and in the cost of maintenance

of town departments. Appropriations compared for 1869 and 1906, showing

many new expenses. Change in the character of the population . . . 256 The Public Library and its benefactors.

Advancement of the public schools .... 257 Conservative management of the Water department. Excellent work of the Board of Health. Public parks a crowning glory of the town. The Fire and Police departments in new quarters. Highways better cared for than ever before.

xu

Watertoivn's Military History.

Measures of relief for those in need broadened . . 258

The peril to shade trees from moths and beetles.

A liberal spirit shown by Nation and Town toward the

Veterans of the Civil War and the War with Spam.

List of the town officers of Watertown for 1907.

261 Index of Persons

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

lO.

II.

I

15

62

1. Plan of the Old Meeting House in 1836 . 12

The First Parish Church.

2. The Provincial Congress Memorial ... 50

Tablet at the corner of Mount Auburn and Com- mon Streets, Watertown.

3. Home of the Provincial Congress in 1775

Exterior of the First Parish Church. Drawn by Charles Brigham, Architect, from description.

4. General Washington on Horseback . . 66

Statue in the Boston Public Garden.

5. The Marshall Fowle House, Watertown, in

1907 70

6. Jonathan Brown's Bill for service in the Pro-

vincial Congress io5

7. Dorothy Coolidge's Tavern . • • .116

Remodeled in 1840 by John Brigham. Previously it had a low hip roof, and no ells.

8. Major General Joseph Warren . . . .118

9. The Old Bridge over the Charles River at

Watertown . . . . > - .121 Easterly view, showing the appearance just be- fore its removal in 1906.

Paul Revere's Memorial 125

Tablet on Watertown Street, Watertown.

The Town Seal 126

Designed by Charles Brigham, Architect.

12. General Warren's Memorial . . . .128

Tablet at the corner of Mount Auburn and Mar- shall Streets, Watertown.

13. The Watertown Town Hall in 1907 . -130

14. Call for 500,000 Troops I34

The Spring Hotel in Watertown . . .13^ Where Co. K was boarded by the Town in June, 1861. Until 1890, a large open yard, sheds and stable were at the right of building.

xiv Watertown's Military History.

1 6. Last Call before the Draft

17. Reception of Co. K, Captain Crafts, Mass

Fifth Regiment

18. Portrait of Capt. Joseph Crafts

19. Reception of Co. K, Sixteenth Regiment, Mass

Vol., July 19, 1864

20. Charter of Post 8r, G. A. R.

21. Portrait of Isaac B. Patten

22. A Louisiana Rebel Musket

Captured, and carved with a penknife, by U. S Private R. T. Woodward, in 1862.

23. Photograph of Post Si

24. President Lincoln's Letter, of Sept. 5, 1862

25. Portrait of Samuel F. Stearns in 1S61 .

Watertown's First Volunteer.

26. The Coolidge Monument ....

27. The Soldiers' Monument ....

28. Capt. Moses Warren's Memorial

In the Common Street Cemetery, Watertown.

142

149 150

159 211

212 230

232 241 242

247 248 250

PREFACE.

The beginning of this book is the last part to be written and printed. Nearly six years ago, at the annual town meeting of March, 1902, the following article in the warrant was acted upon favorably :

" To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Sons of the American Revolution, and Isaac B. Patten Post, 81, G. A. R., to publish an Army and Navy Register for the Town of Water- town, and appropriate the sum of $300 therefor."

A chapter of the S. A. R. was then in existence in Water- town, of which Rev. Edward A. Rand was president, and it was through his efforts that the appropriation was made and the work started.

A committee of six was appointed as follows : Rev. Edward A. Rand, Alberto F. Haynes and George A. Alden, these three representing the Chapter; Captain William H. Ben- jamin, Captain Orlendo W. Dimick, and T. Frank Holmes, selected by Post 81, G. A. R.

Rev. Mr. Rand served as chairman of the committee until the time of his death in 1903. Since then Alberto F. Haynes has acted as chairman. Captain William H. Benjamin has been the treasurer. William H. Potter was chosen to fill the vacancy caused by Rev. Mr. Rand's death. Mr. Alden moved away from the town quite a while ago, but his place on the committee has not been filled.

The services of Willie M. Russell were secured and he worked with an earnest purpose in gathering from the town and state archives, and other sources, the records of military services performed by Watertown men, or in behalf of this town. Then came his death, leaving the completion of the task to the committee.

xvi Watertoivti's Military History.

An endeavor has been made to do this work well, yet it is not expected that the book will be found to be free from im- perfections. It has been a long, laborious, loving task, with the one object in view of permanently recording the patriotic story of a town that has been foremost in the creation and preservation of the Union ; and of those individuals who have volunteered their services, and risked their lives on the battle- field, as duly accredited representatives of the town.

The ranks of these Veterans are thinning fast, but their record will live to inspire the minds of new generations with gratitude for what has been accomplished, and an ambition to keep free from stain the good name of Our Country ; its beautiful flag ever honored.

Credit has been given in different parts of the book to many of those persons from whom material was obtained. The Colonial period, including King Philip's War, was described in part from Bodge's collation of facts, as taken from the Ar- chives. Further data was obtained from the work entitled Regiments and Armories of Massachusetts. Bond's History of Watertown has been freely drawn upon. In addition to the archives of this State, information has come from those of New York, Missouri and Michigan, in response to letters sent by Captain William H. Benjamin.

Watertown people have assisted in various ways. Charles F, Fitz, whose time has been freely given in preparing for publication the volumes of town records, has helped in making the index for this Military History. Charles A. Stearns has furnished valuable material, and his wife spent many days in culling out from faded manuscripts at the State House the record of Revolutionary patriots, whose names appear herein.

The scope of the work has been broadened, to include cuts of old war posters, and pictures of houses and places, inti- mately connected with military affairs. George P. Osborn of Watertown has prepared these illustrations with excellent skill and much care.

The Committee is indebted to the printers, David Clapp & Son, whose experience in this line of historical printing has been of wide extent, for the general accuracy of the composi- tion and presswork.

Preface. xvii

It was not expected that the original appropriation of ^300 would suffice to complete the publication. In March, 1903, the town voted $500 additional, and in March, 1906, it added 1^200 more, but this is not quite enough. The book has ex- panded greatly from what was at first contemplated ; this was due to a desire to preserve the memory of men and places of more than ordinary importance in the history of Watertown.

That it may merit the approval of the Town, and prove to be worth what is has cost in money and time, is the earnest

hope of the Committee.

Alberto F. Haynes. William H. Benjamin. T. Frank Holmes. Orlendo W. Dimick. William H. Potter.

WATERTOWN'S MILITARY HISTORY.

COLONIAL WARS.

Neither Indian massacre nor battle scene has stained the soil of Watertown since it was founded peacefully in 1630. Upon the Town Seal is a picturesque representation of the first meeting between an English settler and an American Indian, each bearing in his hand a welcome gift for the other, a loaf of bread being exchanged for a fish. The banks of Charles river were a favorite home for the Red Man, who found game in the virgin forest, fish in the unpolluted stream, and cooling drink in the spring-fed brooks. Many relics of his abiding place have been found. Stone arrow-heads and other weapons, and primitive utensils, were strewn by the river side. Graves reopened have disclosed aboriginal skulls and bones.

Yet peaceful as the scene appears, it was a fatal meeting for the Indian. He has disappeared forever from the place of his natural inheritance on these Eastern shores, now the home of the descen- dants of that foreigner whom he welcomed then, and of other restless wanderers from across the sea to New England.

And while Watertown has not disclosed a bloody battlefield, it has been the starting place and sponsor of movements which main- tained the power of the early settler, established his independence, and ultimately led to the formation of a new Republic which has become the noblest that the world has ever seen.

In a new, wild country it became immediately necessary to prepare for self defence. As early as April 12, 1631, watches or night guards were established in Watertown and Dorchester, heavy penalties being fixed against the discharge of firearms after the watch was set. Every musketeer was required to keep ready a pound of powder, twenty bullets and twelve feet of match, — a flaxen cord soaked in a solution of saltpetre.

In September, 1634. Gov. John Winthrop, John Haynes, John Humphrey and John Endicott were appointed a Council of War. In the following March the Council was increased in number. Martial law was practically established, and the towns were or- dered to build magazines within a month.

In 1636, the military force of this jurisdiction was formed into three regiments. Following is the roster of the Second Regiment, the first organization with which Watertown was connected :

2 Watcrtoivn! s Military History.

Col. John Haynes, Cambridge ; Lieut. -Col. Roger Harlakenden, 1636; Charlestown, Capt. Roger Sedgwick, 1636-7; Newtowne, Capt. George Cooke, Lieut. William Spencer, Ensign Samuel Shepard, 1636; Watertowne, Capt. William Jennison, 1636-7; Concord, Lieut. Simon Willard, 1636-7; Dedham, no officers mentioned.

The first Indian outbreak of note, the Pequod War, originated, it is said, in the murder of a Watertown resident, John Oldham, at Block Island, in July, 1636. He was an able but turbulent man, who after causing trouble at Plymouth removed to Water- town, where he was admitted a freeman. May 18, 1631. He served as the town's Representative in 1634, and the same year, Apr. I, was granted by the General Court 500 acres of land in W^atertown.

The great farm lay between Waltham Plain and Stoney Brook, was bounded on the south-east by Charles River, and included Mount Feake. Cruising about with two Indians and two English lads, he ran into Block Island, where his vessel was boarded by a large body of Indians, by whom he was killed.

The settlers resolved to avenge his death, and Massachusetts agreed to raise 160 men to be sent under command of Capt. Pat- rick of Watertown, who with John Underbill had been brought over as a military instructor for the new colony. Underbill was an able, efficient officer, who did meritorious service in the Pequod War, but Patrick was of a dissolute character and of little worth as a soldier. In fact so nearly was the war over before his force was ready that it was not called into active service.

Gov. Winthrop in his diary had this to say of Capt. Patrick : " He was entertained of us out of Holland, where he was a com- mon soldier of the Prince's guard, to exercise our men. We made him a Captain and maintained him. Afterwards he was admitted to the church in Watertown and made a freeman. But he grew very proud and vicious, for although he had a wife of his own, a good Dutch woman, yet he despised her and followed after other women."

This haughty, insolent, immoral officer met a violent death, be- ing shot through the head by the leader of the Dutch on account of his treachery in matters pending between the Dutch and the Indians.

The first general muster was held on Boston Common, then a cow pasture. May 6, 1639, with two regiments, 1000 men, in the field. It was the beginning of a series of May trainings which for many years served to keep the musketeers in good trim, while affording joy unapproachable for the small boys. To the red- cheeked sweetheart and the fond mother it was a highly-colored season of rejoicing. 'Lection cake, peculiar to this season, held its fame and special flavor nearly down to modern times. Never- theless, those were serious days when firearms were carried to church, and the early settlers were constantly apprehensive of an attack by their restless dusky neighbors. Yet for nearly forty

Colonial Wars. 3

years after the Pequod War there was comparative freedom from such attacks, except in isolated cases. English settlements were gradually pushed inward from the coast, until finally the Indians made a savage assault on Swansea, opening the bloody and fierce King Philip's War.

KING PHILIP'S WAR.

To the imagination of childhood, as awakened and fed by the school histories, King Philip, son of Massasoit, appears as one of the most picturesque chieftains of those thrilling times. There were in the Massachusetts Colony, in 1675, about 22,000 settlers, as estimated, while roaming through the forests of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island were some 20,000 Indians. The total number of settlers in what are now known as the six New England states was about 50,000.

King Philip, with a band of the Wampanoags, began the war at Swansea, June 34, 1675, which resulted in a general uprising that spread through New England, lasted for fourteen months, and ended with the death of King Philip, near his home in Mount Hope, now Bristol, R. I., at the hands of an Indian who was fighting as an ally of the Plymouth soldiers. The Massachusetts Historical Society has the lock and the Plymouth Society keeps the barrel of the gun with which the red chieftain was shot.

Hadley, Deerfield, Northfield and other settlements had been practically wiped out by the Indians.

Watertown assisted bravely in this the first serious conflict of Colonial days. Captain Richard Beers, one of its original pro- prietors, who had been admitted freeman Mar. 16, 1636-7, lost his life near Northfield, Sept. 4, 1675, and about twenty out of his company of thirty-six men were killed in an Indian amljuscade. He was an important man in the community, serving as select- man nearly the whole period from 1644 to 1675, and as represen- tative for thirteen years. He was also an innkeeper in the town, recommended to the court for that position in October, 1654. Those were days of respectability, sociability and jollity at the inn or tavern, which became second only to the churcli as an institu- tion of the town, while affording special opportunities for the dis- cussion of measures to preserve the public safety, as well as furnishing fuel to keep at a bright glow the martial spirit of those troublous times. John Harrington of Watertown was badly wounded in the Northfield fight, under Capt. Beers, but escaped and lived to a good old age. John Sherman of this town, pro- genitor of a family whose branches have spread throughout the country, culminating in the military glory of Gen. William Tecum- seh Sherman of the Civil War, served in Capt. Mosely's company, was wounded while fighting the Indians in Rhode Island, and was temporarily left in that State under the care of soldiers.

Major Willard marched from Watertown, arriving at Groton, Mar. 14, 1775, only to find that the town had been just previously

4 Watertown's Military History.

abandoned. Capt. Nathaniel Davenport's Company, which marclied against the Narragansets, were mainly Watertown and Cambridge men, to whom he made a very civil speech, and whom he allowed to choose their own sergeants. It was the Fifth Com- pany of the Massachusetts Regiment. Capt. Davenport was killed by the Indians, Dec. 19, and was succeeded by Lieut. Edward Tyng, who held command during the rest of the campaign.

In the great Fort figlit, Dec. 19, 1675, under Capt. Davenport, John Hagar of Watertown was slain and Nathaniel Healy and Isaac Learned, same town, were wounded. Following is a list of Watertown men who were impressed for this company : Daniell Warrein, sr.,John Bigulah,sr., Nathaniel Healy, Joseph Tayntor, Jr., John Whettney, sr., George Herrington, James Cutting, Wil- liam Hagar, jr., John Parkhurst, Michaell Flagg, Jacob Bullard, Isaac Learned, Joseph Wright, George Dill, Jonathan Smith, Willyam Price, jr., Nathaniell Sangar, Moses Whettney, Enoch Sawtell, John Bright, John Hastings, John Bacon, John Chad- wick, John Windham, Ben. Douse, Nalh. Barsham, John Barnard, Ephraim Gearffield and Joseph Smith. The company numbered seventy-five men. Substitutes often appear for those impressed.

It was a season of great excitement and general alarm for Water- town, as King Philip and his warriors came to the very borders of this town, inflamed by passion, jealousy, and the fierce de- termination to root out the foreign invaders, whom, as it seemed to them, they had untimely welcomed, and whose hands they had unwisely clasped in friendship. Watertown at that period com- prised about 29,000 acres of territory, extending from Cambridge to Sudbury, and comprising what is now Weston, Waltham, Lincoln, Belmont, and parts of Newton and Cambridge. It is novi^ about one-thirteenth of its original size. So insecure did the settlement feel that General Daniel Denison, in a letter of Mar. 27, 1676, recommended the building of a stockade from Water- town to the Sudbury river. No time was allowed for this before a serious blow was struck at Sudbury, and afterwards it was not needed.

News arriving of the advance of the Indians upon Marlboro, where Capt. Brocklebank was the garrison commander with only a small force to hold the enemy in check, reinforcements were hurriedly sent from Boston under command of Capt. Wadsworth. When the latter arrived in Mailboro he was informed that the Indians with King Philip at their head were headed for Sudbury. Captain Wadsworth immediately retraced his steps, although his men were weary from hard day and night marching. He was accompanied by Capt. Brocklebank and a few men who could be spared from Marlboro. The forenoon of the next day, April 21, 'this force of about fifty Colonists met the Indians at Sudbury, were Wboyed into an ambuscade in the woods of Green Hill, South Sudbury, and were surrounded by an overwhelming force of ^iVilgd^. The Colonists fought well, but were forced by a forest "fi'f^W'rWieiat, and about two-thirds of them were massacred. A

King PJiilifs War. 5

granite monument, erected by the town and dedicated Nov. 23, 1852, states that Capt. Samuel Wadsworth of MiUon, Capt. Brocklebank of Rowley, Lieut, Sharp of Brookline, and twenty- six others were slain.

In the meantime the inhabitants of Sudbury were gathered in the various garrison houses, nobly defending themselves against from 1000 to 1500 Indians, whom they kept at bay. Companies from Concord and Watertown hastened that morning to their relief. The Concord men, twelve in number, also were attacked by the Indians in ambush and ten of them killed.

Watertown sent a company of about forty men, who encoun- tered about noon, after a march of ten miles from Watertown, some 200 Indians. With the aid of the few colonists of that section the Watertown company forced tlie savages to retreat to the west side of the river, whence they were unable to return, the bridge and causeway being strongly guarded. Near the west shore of the river, not far from the bridge, was located the Haynes garrison house, which was so fiercely beset that its occupants were in extreme danger, although they escaped serious harm, and finally, by brave sallies, drove their assailants away.

The main body of King Philip's command, possibly 1000 strong, had attacked Capt. Wadsworth's men at Green Hill. The Water- town company boldly pushed across the river for the purpose of reinforcing Capt. Wadsworth. It was a vain attempt, on account of the great body of Indians encountered, and the English re- treated to the Goodnow garrison. The shadows of night fell on the scene of battle, bringing the conflict to a final conclusion ; for when the morning light returned, the Indians, led in retreat as in attack by their monarch of the woods. King Philip, had van- ished, never to reappear under similar conditions in Sudbury or vicinity. Then the Watertown soldiers took part in the sad and solemn duty of burying the scalped and otherwise mutilated vic- tims of the conflict.

A homely, but no doubt accurate, statement of what the Water- town men accomplished on that occasion is given by the following petition, in which a reasonable reimbursement is asked for services rendered. It is natural to suppose that, besides the two whose names are given in the petition, many of those who had been im- pressed for service, as previously mentioned, were concerned in the Sudbury fight. A true list of the men engaged and of their officers does not appear upon record.

Petition of Dajtiel Warren & Joseph Peirce. To Inform the Honoured Counsel of the Service done at Sudbury by several! of the Inhabatance of Watertown as our honoured Captain Mason hath AUready informed a part thereof in the petion : but we who wear thear can mover largely inform this honoured Councel ; that as it is said in the petion that we drove two hundred Indians over the River; we followed the enimie over the river and joyned with som others and went to see if wee could relieve Captain Wadsworth upon the hill and thear we had a fight with the Indians but they beinge soe many of them and we stayed soe long that we wear allmost incomparsed by them which cased us to retreat

6 Waiertown^s Military History.

to Captain Goodanous Garrison ; and their we stayed it being ner night till it was dark and then we went to Mr. NoicesMill to see if we could find any that were escaped to that place all though they wear noe persons dwelling there; but tliear we found: 13 : or : 14 of Captain Wadsvvorth's men who wear escaped some of them wounded and brought them to Sud- bury towne.

On the next day in the morning soe soon as it was light we went to look for — Concord men who wear slain in the River middow and thear we went in the colld water up to the knees where we found five and we brought them in Conus to the Bridge fut and buried them thear; and then we joyned ourselves to Captain Hunton with as many others as we could pro- cuer and went over the River to look for Captain Wadsworth and Captain Brattlebank and the soldiers that wear slain; and we gathered them up and Buried them ; and then it was agreed that we should goe up to Nobscot to bring the Carts from Ihence into Sudbury-Towne and soe returned Home againe; to what is above written we whos nams are subscribed can testifi :

dated the : 6 : of March : 78 :

= 79 •■ Daniel Warrin Joseph Peirce.

Our request is to the much honoured Counsel that they would be pleased to consider us in reference to our Request ; their being 2 troops of hors appointed to bury the dead as we wear informed whos charg was spared and we as j'et not allowed for what we did.

Your most Humb'^' Servants to Command to the utmost of our poor S for our selves and in the behalf of the rest.

Daniel Warrin

Mass. Arch., Vol. 68, p. 224. Joseph Peirce

Hugh Mason with Wm. Parker &. John Wayte examined Sudbury's claims and allowed £44-ios-as abatement in their last " Ten Country Rates by reason of their losses in Estates by the Common Enemy, as result of Sudburj' fight with the Indians."

Richard Beers of Watertown, eldest son of Elnathan Beers, was in the Falls fight, above Deerfield, under Capt. William Turner, May 19, 1676. He was on the list of those entitled to share in the legislative grant of a township near the battle site.

Nov. 2, 1675, the Council instructed Capt. Joseph Sill, a Lieut, and successor of Capt. Richard Beers in command, to take charge of the soldiers raised from Charlestown, Watertown and Cam- bridge, about sixty men, and march to Natick, and thence against the Indians, the purpose being to capture the Praying or Christian Indians of three villages.

Capt. Sill was ordered by the Council, Jan. 21, 1675-6, to give direction to the constables of Watertown and other towns to send him horses and men for the transportation of ammunition and provisions from " Northbrow " to Brookfield.

It was the custom for each town to pay its own soldiers, this money being distributed among their families. The following list of assignment of wages to Watertown is of value as showing the residence of some of these soldiers :

King Philifs War,

Abraham Williams - Richard Sawtell - - Enos Lawrence - - Jonathan Stimpson - George Woodward - Thos. Whitney - - Wm. Goddard - - - Joseph Willington - Samuel Whitney Zecheriah Cutting - John Sawin - - - Joseph Peirce - - - Theophilus Philips - John Prescott - - - Moses Whitney - - Isaac Learned - - - Joseph Bemish . . John Sterns - - - Jonathan Smith - - William Bond - - Josiah Jones - - - Joseph Wait - - - Samuel Sterns - - John Parke - - - John Fisk - - - - John Eames - - - John Bigello - - - Daniel Peirce - - - Richard Child - ■ Joseph Garfell - ■ John Cutting - - - Daniel Warrin - - Ephraim Bemish

£.

s.

d.

£.

s.

d.

3

5

6

Joseph Smith - -

- -

I

0

0 6

o

19

8

John Stone - -

- -

3

3

o

8

9

Thomas Train

- -

6

12

0

o

2

6

Samuel Church -

- -

I

18

5

o

7

8

Michel Bastow -

- -

2

16

6

o

2

6

Thomas Whitney

- -

0

4

2

o

9

4

John Willington -

- -

2

8

6

4

i8

3

John Oynes - -

- -

0

15

8

o

19

8

Henry Spring

- -

2

19

10

2

9

ID

Jonathan Whitney

- -

3

8

2

3

3

6

William Shattucke

- -

4

10

0

I

6

o

Samuel Thacher -

- -

I

4

3

2

i8

6

Jeremiah Norcrass

- -

9

5

8

lO

o

o

Daniel Smith - -

- -

I

5

6

2

i6

o

William Price

- •

2

13

0

I

12

2

John Stone - - -

- -

I

10

10

2

ID

o

Thomas Chadwick

- -

I

10

10

I

7

o

Samuel Perry - -

- -

3

18

0

I

ID

o

William Bull - -

- -

0

4

2

I

O

o

William Price, jr.

- -

I

7

3

I

2

o

Samuel Perry - -

- -

I

5

6

o

15

4

Manning Sawin -

- -

0

12

0

2

3

6

Eliazer Beeres

- -

0

12

0

2

H

o

John Coolidge -

- -

2

10

0

4

13

6

Seubael Sternes -

- -

3

I

' 0

4

5

o

John Hastings

- -

0

19

8

o

9

o

Stephen Coolidge

- -

I

2

2

12

6

T u r\ «rt

2

0

0

2

jonn vjyne - - -

3

3

6

Thomas Swann -

- -

I

8

10

2

7

o

John Bright

- -

4

10

0

O

i8

6

Daniel Gookin, Esq. -

2

II

2i

o

9

8

Samuel Wood

- -

0

13

li

3

5

o

Aug. 24, I

676.

Indians resided in families, including that of a Mr. Yates of Watertown.

In repayment for military services, certain grants of land were made. Of these, Narraganset No. 2, now Westminster, Mass., was considered the most desirable, as it was nearest Boston. It was drawn by James Lowden & Co., representing the grantees from Watertown and other towns. The committee for this com- pany was composed of John Cutting and Joseph Bowman of Watertown and James Lowden of Charlestown. His Excellency, Jonathan Belcher, was given 500 acres as his honored father's right. A meeting of seven companies was held in Boston, Oct.

1-7' 1733-

8 Watertown^s Alilitary History.

The Watertown grantees were as follows :

Soldier Grantee. Claimant.

Thomas Sawen ------- John, son.

Ephraim Cutler ------- Alive.

James Cutting Jonas, son.

John Barnard Alive.

Joshua Biglow ------- "

Wm. Shuttuck ------- "

Joseph Grout -------- Joseph, son.

Jonathan Smith ------- Zechariah, son.

John Hager Samuel, nephew.

Geo. Herrington ------- Heirs.

John Herrington ------- Alive.

Dr. (Palgrave) Willington - - - Heirs.

Zachariah Cutting ------ Alive.

John Bright -------- John, nephew.

Wm. Parmenter ------- George, son.

Jacob Bullard -------- Joseph Ball, nephew.

Timothy Rice -------- Tho. Herrington, son-in-law.

John Sherman ------- John, nephew.

James Barnard ------- Joseph Bowman niece's husband.

Joseph Smith --- ----- Joseph, son.

Elnathan Beirs ------- Richard, son.

Michael Flag -------- Heirs.

John Barnard ..- Joseph Bowman, son-in-law.

John Cutting -------- John, son.

Joseph Preist .-- Joseph, son.

Benjamin Willington Heirs.

The original list as above copied is signed by "Andrew Darby, Proprietors Clerk." The company held its first meeting in Cam- bridge, Dec. 30, 1633. It is thought John Barnard, then alive, was the son of John, for whom Capt. Bowman drew in the right of his wife.

Later credits of military service to Watertown are given below :

£. s. d. £. s. d.

Nov. 24, 1676. Jan. 24, 1676-7.

Joseph Grant - - - - i i o Wm. Larned - - - - o 5 o

Dec. 24, 1676-7. Josep Child - - - - 3 9 o

Benony Larned - - - 3 13 6 Thomas Sawin - - - i 7 4

James Cutting - - - 2 14 o Feb. 24, 1676-7.

Thomas Underwood - i 10 o

Obadiah Santell - - - o 12 o

The spelling of some of these names is noticeably incorrect, but their meaning can be generally understood. Our early ancestors, not being under the domination of Webster, Worcester, or even the authors of what is now known as " simplified spelling," felt free to follow a quaint and curious fancy of their own.

King Philip'' s War. 9

From a sketch of the career of Capt. Hugh Mason, read before the Watertown Historical Society, Sept. 17, 1890, by a descend- ant, Charles F. Mason, a resident of this town, it appears that Hugh Mason was born in England in 1606. At the age of 28 he sailed for Massachusetts with his wife Esther, who was twenty- two years old. His original homestall of three acres, increased to more than one hundred and fifty acres by subsequent grants and purchases, was located on what are now the Hittinger and Liver- more properties, School street, Belmont. Beginning with 1638, he served for twentv-nine years as selectman, the longest period on record in that office. While not a cliurch officer, he was as- signed important duties, including that of seating the church peo- ple, tlie rules of precedence being office, age, state and gifts, a method which was far from satisfactory.

He also performed duties similar to those later assigned to a justice of the peace, married couples in 1658 and for twenty years thereafter, and witnessed with a father's joy the marriage of his two daughters. May 20, 1668, the fitst recorded double wed- ding in this town.

Serving as deputy to the General Court for ten years, he was a member of important committees. In Mav, 1644, he represented Watertown at a Court of Election as " Lei ft Mason" and was chosen Captain of the Watertown train band in May, 1652, liold- ing that position until his death in 1678, the training field being at the junction of Mt. Auburn and Arlington streets. Alfred S. Hudson, author of the History of Sudbury, in an extended and graphic story of the Sudbury fight, speaks of the "noble work" done by Capt. Mason and his company who " through God's fa- for" were sent from Watertown, Apr. 21, 1676.

Yet it is not clearly shown by the records that Capt. Mason led his command of Watertown men, either to Sudbury or Groton. He was at that time more than seventy years old, although still active as selectman and deputy to the General Court. He was one of a committee of three to provide a plan of defence for Mid- dlesex County. The Court received a long report upon this mat- ter, as well as his reports, upon which it acted favorably in rela- tion to claims for assistance from those who had suffered at the hands of the Indians.

"On the last day of August in 167S, the selectmen, of whom he was one, recorded the grateful acceptance of the gift from an inhabitant of Watertown — a black cloth to be used by the town for burial purposes. In just six weeks an opportunity came for its use — at the burial of Hugh Mason."

It is estimated that about a dozen settlements were destroyed in the fourteen months of King Philip's War, involving a loss of 600 houses, and a military expense of £100,000 sterling was in- curred. Some 600 colonists, men, women and children, lost their lives by battle or massacre.

Watertown, while doing its proportionate part, was not seri- ously affected by subsequent wars up to the time of the Revolu-

lo Wateriown's Military History.

tion, an hundred years later. Bond's Genealogical History of the town presents frequently the names of townsmen who took part in the minor conflicts which disturbed the newly developing Eng- lish colonies, but the full record of their services is not easy to ascertain. Many a hero and patriot, no doubt, sleeps in a name- less grave, for the town neglected to keep the names of her sol- diers properly recorded. Briefly is sketched the following list of subsequent encounters after King Philip's death.

When the French and Indian War began, in 1690, there were about 40,000 colonists in Massachusetts. Eight small vessels with 700 or more militia and marines from this State sailed from Bos- ton, April 28, captured Port Royal with little resistance, returning a month later with booty enough to pay all expenses.

Queen Anne's War was renewed between France and England, May 4, 1702.

In 1 7 TO, Port Royal was a second time captured by two regi- ments from this State.

In 171 1, Massachusetts appropriated £140,000 and raised 1500 men to proceed against Canada.

In 1716, the State contained a population of 94,000 white peo- ple, who owned 2000 slaves.

The colonists, in 1739, served in Jamaica during the war, which closed three years later between England and Spain.

In the first capture of Louisburg from the French, the expedi- tion left Boston, Mar. 24, 1745. Louisburg, although supposed to be able to withstand 30,000 soldiers, surrendered, June 16, 1745, to -a force of 4000 militia.

In 174S1 there was an estimated strength of 30,000 militia in this State, out of a total population of 200,000.

Braddock's disastrous expedition to Canada, when he was am- bushed and defeated by the French and their Indian allies, occurred

i" 1755-

War was declared between France and England in 1756, and 3000 troops were raised in Massachusetts. Two years later this State furnished about 7000 men, out of a total force of 20,000.

Again, in 1759, the colony raised 7000, in a total of 25,000 from the thirteen colonies. July 25 of the same year, Ticonderoga was surrendered and Crown Point was abandoned. Qtiebec fell Sept. 13, 17591 ^'^<^ Montreal the following year. The war closed with the Treaty of Paris, Feb. 7, 1763.

But conditions were changing rapidly, for the breath of partial freedom which the colonists enjoyed in the New England only made them yearn for a fuller sense of freedom and independence. They had fought the King's battles faithfully and well, winning, unaided, victories against stern ranks of regular troops. In 1762, a small brigade of the Massachusetts colonists fought side by side with Old England's regulars under the red cross flag for the last time, in the capture of Havana. On the next occasion when British and Colonial troops met, it was not as friends and allies, but as foes and antagonists, at the battle of Lexington and Con-

King Philifs War. i j

cord. Soldiers of a common ancestry, alike brave and determined, Avhat wonder that the contest which followed was of long dura- tion, or that the result was for years in doubt. During tlie reign of the Royal Governors from 1692, when the Puritan charter was withdrawn, to 1774, when Gen. Gage succeeded Gov. Hutchin- son, the Massachusetts colony had furnished more than 60,000 men for active military service in the field, besides a greater num- ber for garrison duty. In treasure, a rich streamXvas poured forth from the constantly increasing wealth of the colonists, both for war and for taxes.

.IBRA

>?1^«'N

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

Watertovvn's position during the war of the Revolution was unique. Closely allied with Boston, the town was also a centre around which were distributed the other eastern colonial settle- ments. Its people saw the full significance of the gathering storm clouds. The town records, which since the first incorpora- tion in 1630 had been mainly composed of statements regarding the regulation of a new freer personal town government, and with the division of the territory into homestalls and common lands, took on a deeper tone. Liberty, entire self-government, began to be the good folks' aspiration, although at first it was manifest in a declaration and movement against unjust taxation. The people felt their power, which that wonderful colonial institution, that forum of liberty and general debate, the town meeting, had wisely nurtured and fostered.

To those town records, then, we turn, and from the time-stained pages draw the causes of an inspiration that led a brave people reluctantly to rebel against the King of England, and the practical measures which that people took to prosecute a war when it could no longer be avoided. The extracts from the town records begin with a selectmen's meeting in Feb., 1770, and conclude with a town meeting in 1782.

WATERTOWN TOWN RECORDS.

[15]

Selectmens Meeting at house of Benjamin Prentice the 22d day of February 1770. Town meeting called for the 5th day of March.

Art. 15. For y*^ town to agree upon Some Measures to Dis- courage y*' Importations of Goods from Great Britain and act any thing thereon they may think best.

[19] Town Meeting March 5, 1770.

Then the [15] article was Reed and it was put to Vote Whether the town will do anything to Discourage y*^ importation of Goods from Great Britain and it past in y*^ affirmative. Then Voted to Choofe a Committee to Consider what is proper for the town to set in y® affair and Report at y** Adjournment of this meeting.

Voted & Chofe for S^ Committee Dea" Sam^ Fisk Cap' Daniel Whitney Jon" Brown M"^ Nath^ Stone M"^ Mofes Stone M'"John Remington M'' Thomas Clarke.

[30] Adjourned Town Meeting March 8, 1770.

Then the Committee appointed to make a Draught of Some Proper Votes and Refolves to Discourage y** Importation of Goods

TKis Drawing sr\ows a plan of ■(tie old Meefing ^iouae aii^wai when loil' used as a place of WbrjKip.-fl-D- I83fc-

H stood in whaj- is now a Burial Ground on lhe corner of Mounf :^ubum arid Common 6lreet5

U was bullf in iKe year- 1755: enlarged inl8l9 and demoiiihed in-183fc-wKenanew cKurcK was built elsewhere.

"Herein were held the meelinqs of lke 6ccond and TKird Provinciol Conqrcsses ir> 1175 and Kere also, "me fir6t' (ireaf and Oc^eral Courf- waj orqanizcd.pn July 19,1775.

PLAN ■ OFGALLEEV •

known io Kavc bccri Pew -ftolderA or "to have Kad Sittings - J630 1o 1S36 -

PLAN • OF • G ROVND FLOOR

Jcole J ftel- ■

°,.,.f....r

Aorc TKc narrow aisles markcj tKub - »5 were colled 'cat alslei ■rtNe line-/<-B indicates iKe /(orfS- crly side of tKe building before its Enlarqement in 1819, sixteen ftel in dcpln Having Iften been eMci to \V

• FROM-MEASVREMENTSOBTAINED-rROMTOVWJ EECOEDS •

1886-

The Revolutionary War. 13

from Great Britaine Prefented a Draught which was unanimoufly Voted and Accepted and is on file.

Voted that the town Clerk Tranfmit an Attested Copy of the Same to y*^ Committee of merchants in Boston.

[65]

Selectmens Meeting January 25, 1773, at house of Cap' Nathan- iel Coolidge.

At this meeting a petition was presented to y*^ Selectmen Signed by a large Number of the Inhabitants of 3'® town Defiring that they would Call a Town-Meeting that the Inhabitants may have an Opportunity to Agree upon Some Meafures in order to obtain a Redress of y*^ Many Greivances which the people of this as well as the other Colonies Labour under at this time.

Wherefore They ordered the Town Clerk to Issue out War- rants Directed to the Several Constables Requireing them to warn the Inhabitants of Watertown who are Qiiallified to Vote in town affairs to Afsemble at the Publick Meeting House in Said town on Monday y® first Day of February Next at one of the Clock afternoon to Choofe a Moderator for said Meeting — Secondly To Consider of the Greivances Mentioned in the Petition to the Se- lectmen for Calling this meeting as also any other that the Colo- nies in America in General or this Province in perticular Labor vmder and to hear the Pamphlet Read which the Selectmen have Received from Boston wherein the Rights of the people are Stated as also the Greivances are pointed out, and for the town to act anything Relating thereto the town may think best.

Warrants were Issued out Accordingly.

Pr Jon" Brown Town Clerk.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Watertown on Monday the first day of February A.D. 1773. Said Meeting being Called by the Selectmen in Compli- ance with a Circular Letter Received from the Com**** of Corro- fpondence of y*^ Town of Boston and at the Request of more than fifty of y® Freeholders and other Inhabitants of vSaid Watertown.

The Meeting being opened & Dea" Sam' Fisk being Chosen Moderator at the imanimous Desire of the town the Pamphlet containing the Vote & proceedings of the town of Boston at their meeting Nov"" y® 2o''S 1772- Containing also the State of y® Rights of the Colonists and of this Province in perticular and of the

[66]

Infringments and Violations of thofe Rights was Publickly Read and after Some Dabate thereon the Town Proceeded to Choofe a Com"® to prepare Something that may be proper for the town to act on the affair before them and to make Report at y® adjourn- ment of S'' Meeting was Adjourned to the Fryday following.

At a Meeting of y® freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Watertown February y*" 5''^ i773- By Adjournment the

14 Watertoivn' s Military History.

Com"® Appointed by the town the first Inftant Reported accord- ing to order which was Read and is as followeth (Viz)

Refolved that it is the opinion of the town that the State of Rights of the Colonists in General and of this province in perticu- lar as men as Christians and as Subjects are by the town of Bos- ton very properly Stated, and the Violations of thofe Rights per- ticularly pointed out and fully Demonstrated. Upon thofe very Important aflairs the Sentiments of the town are more fully expreft in the following Remarks &c.

When we take a view of the numerous Inftances wherein our Constitutional Rights & Charter privileges are invaded and Vio- lently taken from us and the many perticulars wherein we are Cruelly oprefed, we are filled with fearfull Apprehentions that there is a Defign formed and plann Laid not only to oprefs but to Inflave us, which plann Seams to be Carrying into Execution with great Rapedity.

The Consideration whereof fills us with great Grief & Anciety. For Rendering Such a wicked Defign Abortive we are willing to Contribute to the utmoft of our ability in any Constitutional way that may be thought Expedient in Conjuntion with our Bretheren of the Community ; for however deep Such a plann ma}' be laid and how far Soever advanced towards a Compleation, Yet we Don't look upon the Case Defperate. It is not Impofsible but the Snare may be broken and we may Escape. There are Seve- ral Considerations which Serve to Enliven our hopes. Perticu- larly the People in General through the Province Seam to be Roufed to a Sence of the Dangers to which their Liberties & prop- erties are exposed, and to use their utmoft Endeavors to Recover & Secure them ; we are also Incouridged by the Glorious Stand which the Representative Body of this people and the Hon^ his Majesty's Council are making in Defence of our Liberty and their united Indeavors (with a fortitude) peculier to themselves to Stem the torrent of tyrany and opprefsion which Seams to threaten to overwhelm & Destroy us. Whereby they have merited y® applause and thankful Acknowledgments of the whole province, and proved themselves truly the Guardians of our Liberties, we are eflpecially incouridged by the Considerations of the many inftances wherein

[67]

Divine providence hath interpofsed in Behalf of this people in times of their most eminent Danger, and wrought Deliverance for them, and it is our Earnest pryar to the Supream Governer of the univers who hath the Hearts of all men in his Hands that he would So order it in his providence that our Rights Liberties & piiviledges Civil and Sacred may be Reftored and Confirmed to us, that they may be wifely improved peaceably & uninterruptedly enjoyed by us and our Defendants till time Shall be no more.

Watertown Feb'^ y'^ 5*", 1773.

Sam" Fisk ]

Ion'^ Brown ( ^ ...

\n r^r, c r^ y Committee.

MoiES Stone [

Sam^' White J

The Revolutionary War. 15

The foregoing Report Read & accepted without opofsion.

Voted that the Town-Clerk enter the Same on the town Records and return an attested Copy thereof to the Committee of Corrof- pondance in Boston.

attest Sam^' Fisk Moderator [88]

Selectmens Meeting Dec. 27-1773-at house of Mr. Thomas Wellington. Warrant for town meeting Jan. 3-1774.

Fourthly — For the town to take into consideration the many Evils and DifBculties this province in perticnlar as well as Amer- ica in General Labour under by the importation of Teas into this province Subject to Duties laid on the Same by an act of perli- ment, and to See if the Town can come into Some Meafures to Discourage the Importation thereof, or at the last to Come into Some Refolutions that may prevent the Trade and Confumption of that article within the Town of Watertown untill Such time as the Duty Shall be taken oft' the Same, and for the town to act anything Relating thereto as they may think best.

[89]

Town Meeting of Jan. 4-1774, after other business had been transacted adjourned to the house of Mr. Bezaleel Learned "to meet in half an Hour from this time."

The town being meet at M^" Bezaleel Learneds House accord- ing to adjournment The Moderator Oppened the Meeting and the article Relating to East India Company's Sending Teas into this province Subject to Duty, being Read and after Consideration and Debate thereon. The Town Expreft their minds on this occation in manner and form as Entered on the next page.

[90]

Taking into Consideration the Difuefsed Scituation of this province as Well as the other Britifh American Colonies Occa- tioned by the Britifh Parlimenls Claiming a Right to tax the Colo- nies & bind them in all Cafes whatsoever. Thereby Denying us an Exclufive Right to tax ourSelves and Dispoling of our own properties, and have actually levied a Tax upon the Colonies by Impoling heavy Duties on Sundry articles Imported by the Colonies for the Exprefs purpofe of Reifing a Revenew to the Crown, and the Injurious Application of the Revenues So unjustly Extorted from us (Viz) for the Support of Civil Government and Defraying the Charges of the Administration of Justice. The bad Effects whereof are already felt in this Colony by Rendering one Branch of the Legislative Court intirely Independent of the others for its Support, and the Afpect is no lefs threatning with Refpect to the Executive part of Government. — having a tendency (as we apprehend) of Saping and finaly overthrowing our Civil Constitution of Government and Introducing an arbitary one. The publick Difstrefs is Greatly Increased by a late act of parli- ment, Impowering the East-India Company to Export their Teas

1 6 Watertowft's Military History.

to America Subject to Duties upon its being Landed. — and the proceedings of Said Company in Confequence of Said Act in Shiping a Very large Qiiantity for the Colonies a Large Qiiantity whereof hath lately arived in Boston Harbour, whereby the In- habitants of Boston and the Neighbouring towns has been greatly alarmed, which has Occationed the Inhabitants of Boston & the Neighbouring towns to afsemble and Confult how the fatal Confe- quences of Landing & Vending Said Teas might be Prevented, and we are fully of oppinion that the people had a Right thus to meet & Confult for their Common Safty. We Read that the Jews in a State of Captivity & Slavery under an arbitary King when a Decree was gon forth to Deftroy them had Liberty to afsemble together & Defend themSelves & Confult how to ward off the blow that was coming on them by Preventing the wicked Edict being Carried into Execution, — under Providence they were Won- derfully Succeeded having the kind Influences of a good Mordica in their favour who not acculing of Riot Sought their welfare & was Accepted by the multitude of his Bretheren, — and we are also fully of oppinion that the people afsembled at Boston on the 14"' & 16'^'^ of December last, had no Design or Desire that the Tea on Board the Vefsels in the Harbour Should be Deftroyed or any waj' Damaged but on the Contrary were very Desirous and ufed their utmost Endeavours that Said Tea might be Safely Returned to the owners thereof.

[91]

But that the Destruction of the Tea was occationed by the Custom House oflicers and the Govenors Refuling to grant a Clearance and pals for the Vefsel that was Deligned to Carry Said Tea back to the owner, from whence it came. Being Influenced by y'' foregoing Considerations Dreading of Slavery with which we Seem to be threatened, and being True Friends to Liberty to which we have an undoubted Right, we would Exert ourSelve; to the utmost of our power to avoid the former and Secure th^ latter : and we would be Glad to be joined by all our Bretheren on the Continent (in like Tribulation) in this Laudable attempt, For this purpofe we Refolve,

First To indeavour to Discourage & as far as it lies in our power prevent the Importation or bringing of Tea into this prov- ince by the East India Company or any others, and accordingly Declare that for y*^ futer we will not Purchefe any Tea nor Sufler it to be used in our Families.

Second That we will have no Dealings with an Shopkeeper or Tradsman or any others who Shall persist in Buying or Selling or useing of Tea in their Families.

Third We give it in Charge to our Selectmen for the time be- ing not to approbate any perfone for a Tavernkeeper or a Retailor who Shall Supply any Company or persons with Tea or Shall perlist in making use of it in their Families, and that they use their indeavours to prevent any Such from having their licenses Renewed.

The Revolutionary War. 17

4 That in case any Teas Should be Imported by the East India Company or any others into this province, we will to the Utmost of our ability oppofe the Receiving and using Said Tea.

5 That if any perfons in this town Shall persist in Selling or Buying or Confuming any Teas Contrary to the true Intent & meaning of the fore going Refolves they Shall be Looked on as inemical to their town & Country and treted accordingly.

6 That the foregoing Refolves be in force and fully Executed till the Duties aforeSaid are taken off and no longer.

Then it was put to Vote whether the foregoing Refolves &c : be agreeable to the town and it pafsed in the affirmative unani- mously, and Voted that the town-Clerk Record the Same and transmit a Copy to the Committee of Correfpondence for the town of Boston which was don accordingly & attested by

JoN^ Brown Town- Clerk.

[107]

A general public Town Meeting June 27-1774, by adjournment.

The Selectmen Informed the town that there not being a Suffi- cient Stock of ammunition belonging to the town they had pur- chafed four half Barrils of powder & purpofe to purchafe Some Balls & Flints, and after the town had Conlidered the matter, they Voted and appropriated the Sum of £20 pounds out of y^ money arifeing by the Sale of the pews to pay for S*^ : ammunition.

Selectmens Meeting July 4-1774, house of Mr. Thomas Wel- lington. Warrant for Town Meeting July 18-1774, was drawn.

(3) To agree where the Ammunition that has lately been purchafed shall be kept, and to act thereon as they See fitt.

[108]

(4) To take into confideratlon the difficult and Diftrefsed State to which this province in perticular as well as America in General are brought into by any late acts of y*^ Britifh Parlement, and to Agree upon Some proper meafures that will have a tendency to Relieve us under the prefent Burdens Occasioned thereby.

(5) For the town to agree upon Some way to pay their part of the Expence of the purpofed Congrefs, and to do any thing thereon they think proper.

(9) To know the minde of the town whether they will grant Some Releif to the town of Boston under their present Diftrefsed Circumftances and to Do thereon as they see fitt.

Town Meeting July 18-1774.

Voted that the ammunition that has lately been bought be kept in the Meeting Houfe.

The (4) article being Read together with a Covenant purpofed to be Signed and after Some Debate thereon it appeared that the Form of the Covenant was not altogether agreable it being moved

1 8 Waierto-iv?t's Military History.

& Scconeded that a Committee Should be Cliofe to make a New Draft of what will be proper for the Inhabitants to Sign.

r M"" Mofes Stone Dea" Sam' Fisk Voted and Chofe for S*^* : Committee \ Jon"^ Brown

M"" Josiah Capen M^ Nath' Stone

Voted that they make Report at the adjournment of this meeting.

Then Voted & Granted the Sum of i : 13:8 towards y** Intended Coiigrtfs as their part of the Expence.

Adjourned to 4th. Monday of August.

[110] Adjourned Town Meeting Aug. 22-1774.

at this Meeting it was Voted that the Selectmen are Desired to meet with Such perfons as may appear at a purpofed meeting to be held at Concord on the thirtieth day of this present month which may be Sent from the Several towns in this County to Confult what may be proper to do in order to preferve our Char- ter Rights also Voted that the Selectmen Shall have Resfon- able pay for their time and Expence while in Said Service.

[Ill] Adjourned Town Meeting Sept. 5-1774.

The meeting being opened & the Refolves Entered into by the members of the County Meeting held at Concord being Read. The Qiiestion being put whether tliey be agreeable to the minde of the town and it paft in the affirmative.

and it was Ordered that they be Recorded in the town Book.

upon a Motion made & Seconded, it was Voted that it is y® minde of the town the officers of the Melitia Company that Relide in the town Should Exercife all such perfons as belong to the towns & all others that Refide therein two Hours in each & every week in Armes &c during the three fall months alfo take a View of the Armes & ammunition of all the perfons borne on the alarm list and Report the State thereof to the town at the adjournment of this meeting — also Voted that all perfons that are borne on the Arlarm & Training band list be provided with armes & ammuni- tion accordingly the First monday in October Next. Voted that the Selectmen Secure the town Stock of ammunition in the best manner they Can.

Adjourned to i^* Monday in October.

[113] Town Meeting October 1774.

Capt. Jonathan Brown was chosen as Representative to a Pro- vincial Congress to be held at Salem Oct. 5th. 1774.

Voted to Choofe a Com*'^'' to draw up Some Inftructions to give their Representative &c.

Adjourned Meeting 5 o'clock same day.

The Revolutionary War. 19

[113]

a motion was made & Seconded & it was put to Vote whether it is the minde of the town that Jonathan Brown who is this day Chofen Representative Should joine with the Representatives of the Several towns in forming a Provincial Congrefs and it paft in the afirmative.

Then it was put to vote whether the town will Choofe one or more perfons to joine with the Reprefentative in forming the Said Congrefs and it paft in the afirmative.

Then they voted & Chofe for Delegates to joins S*^ : Congrefs at Such time and place as may be appointed M'^' John Remington and A'F Samuel Fisk.

Then a Motion was made to know y® minde of the town Whether it is advifable for the Collectors of Tax's to pay any more money into the province Treafury at prefent and they voted that it was their opinion that they Should not till further orders from the town, and that the town will Save the Collectors harmlefs from all Charges that may arife by their So doing.

Then it was Voted that the Collector Should proceed to Com- pleat their Collections as Soon as may be and pay the money into the town Treafury till further orders of the town.

[114] Town Meeting Oct. 17-1774, by adjournment.

Then the Qiiestion was put whether the town will mount & Equip two peices of Cannon now Lodged in the Town at their own Charge and it past in the affirmative. Then it was Voted to Choofe three perfons as a Committee to git Said work don.

r M"" David Sanger Voted & Chofe for S^ Committee -] M"^ Jonas White

( M' Abner Crafts

[115] Selectmens Meeting Nov. 17-1774.

Warrant drawn for Town Meeting Nov. 2i-i774'

Second to Grant money to pay for the two Carriages to the two peices of Cannon that were Ordered to be procured at the Expense of the town.

(5) For the town to do or act any thing that they may Judge Necessary for to Carry the Refolutions of the Continental and Provincial Congrefs's into Execution by any Grants of money or otherwife as they think proper.

Town Meeting Nov. 21-1774.

Voted and Granted £20 pounds to pay for the Carriages for the Cannon.

Adjourned to i o'clock Dec. 12-1774.

[116]

Town Meeting Dec. 12-1774, adjourned at 4 o'clock to Mr. Bez. Learned's at Said time & place. The meeting being opened & after y*^ Reading the Afsociation entered into by y® Several Delegates of the Colonies in a Congrefs held at Philadel-

20 Watertown's Military History.

phia on y« 20 Day of October last also the Refolutions of the Provincial Congrefs. They Voted to Choofe a Committee of nine perfons to See that Said Afsociation & Refolutions be prop- erly Executed.

M"" John Remington M"" Josiah Capen M'- Sam^ Soden M-- Tho« Clark Voted to Chofe for Said Committee ( M^ David Sanger

M"^ Nathan Coollidge

M^ Sam' White

Col« Wm Bond

M"^ Edw*^ Harrington jun""

Voted & Chofe (Capt. Jonathan Brown) to be Capt of the train.

(Note : — The name of Capt. Jonathan Brown is taken from the files of 1774.) w. M.R.

Voted & Chofe M'' David Sanger to be Leiu*.

Voted that they Appoint Such other officers as are needful.

Voted to Choofe a Committee to Draw out on Qiiarter of the Melitia Company as minit men agreeable to the advice of Congrefs.

f Col° Wm Bond

Voted & Chofe for Said Committe -j L' Sam' Barnard

( Enl^John Straton

[117J Selectmens Meeting Dec. 23-1774.

Warrant for Town Meeting Jan. 2-1775, ^ o'clock.

to Choofe one or more perfons to Reprefent Jhe town in a Pro- vincial Congrefs Propofed to be held at Cambridge on the first Day of February Next.

and Likwife to warn all the Training Soldiers borne on the training list, & also all that are borne on the alarm list to appear at the meeting House at half past one of the Clock the Same Day.

[118]

For the Town then and there if they think proper to Choofe officers for the Milletary Company, and Draw out minit men agreable to the advice of the provincial Congrefs, and to determin upon What pay they Shall have for their Service and to Grant any Sum of money for that purpofe they think fitt.

and to do or act any thing the town may Judge Necefsary to put the Melitia of this town into the best posture of Defence.

Town Meeting Jan. 2d-i 775- Voted to Choofe but one perfon for the purpofe aforesaid. Then the Votes were Called for bro* : in Counted & Sorted and it appeared that Jonathan Brown was unanimously Chofen.

Then it was Voted that he Shall have power to Joine with the other members of the Congrefs when meet to adjourn from time to time and to any other place if they think proper, and to Con-

The Revolutionary War. 21

tinue their Scfsion & Sefsions until the Tuesday before the last Wednesday in May Next- Then a motion was made & Seconded and Voted to Chool'e a Committe to prepare a Draught of a proper Covenant for the In- habitants of the town to Sign to, and to make Report to tlie town at the adjournment of y^ meeting.

' W Chris^ Grant

Voted & Chofe for S*! : Committe <

Jon'^ Brown Dea" Sam^ Fisk M'' Josiah Capen M'' Mofes Stone

[119]

Then the Article Relating to the Miletary Company was Read and Some debate it was Voted to Choofe officers for the Company with the addition of one more Leiutenant than what was before.

Then they Voted & Chofe the following perfons for officers (Viz)

Samuel Barnard Captain John Stratton i Leiu'

Phinehas Stearnes 2 D'' Edward Harrington Eniign

Samuel Sanger y® i ] Stephen Whitne}' i

Abner Crafts "2(0.4 Isaac Sanderson jr 2 C t- r U

Chris"" Grant jr " 3 [ ^ Mofes Stone jr 3 ^

Josiah Capen jr " 4 J Nath^ Bright 4

* Voted & Granted the Sum of 53 : 19: 2 to be improved for Defraying the Necefsary Charges of the Province as may be tho' proper by the Provincial Congrefs, and to be paid to Henry Gard- ner Esq"" of Stow who has been Appointed Receiver General for the Province by the y** late Congrefs.

(* This vote was omitted from its proper place ; see above.)

w. M. R. [120] Town Meeting Jan. -1775, by adjournment.

It was moved & Seconed to know whether the town will Choofe or Draw out minuit men and it was put to vote and it paft in the Negative.

Then it was Put to Vote whether the town will grant any money to incourage the learning the miletary art & it pafed in the affirm- ative.

Then Voted to Grant and allow 4 Coppers to each for his at- tendance once a week to learn military Exerlice to be laid out for Refrefhment.

Also voted to allow one Shilling to pay for Fifing at each meeting.

Then Voted & Chofe the four Commifsion officers with the Sergants to be a Committe to lay the money out.

Then y® Com"*^ appointed to prepare a Covenant Reported which was accepted.

Town Meeting Feb. 6-1775.

22 Waiertoivn's Military History.

Adjourned to Mr. Bezaleel Learned's House,

The town being meet at M"^ Learneds after Reading the War- rant, it was put to Vote whether it be the minde of the town that the Committe appointed to mount y'' great Guns do not Compleat the Same till after the Congrefs Rifes & it past in the affirmative.

Voted that y*^ Representative take advice of Some of the Con- grefs Relating to y*^ purpofed Afsociation in Such way and man- ner as he thinks proper.

[131] Town Meeting Feb. 20-1775.

after Reading an adrefs from the Congrefs to the Inhabitants of this province with the Refolves &c : and after Some Debate on the publick affairs it was Voted that the Committe appointed to mount the Great Guns Compleat the Same as Soon as may be.

Selectmens Meeting Feb. 21-1775.

Warrant for Town Meeting March 6-1775.

21 For the town to take into consideration the Difficult State of the publick affairs, and do or act any thing Relating to En- courage the miletary, or any thing to forward the payment of the money Designed for the use of the province and act any thing Re- lating thereto as the town Judge best.

[133] Town Meeting March 6-1775.

Miletary au"^^ To Col° W™ Bond for fifing - . - - To Cap*" Samuel Barnard for Expence at trainings

To L* John Stratton for D«

To L* Phinehas Stearns for D° _ _ _

To Enf" Edward Harrington for D° - To Serjant Samuel Sanger for fifing - - - To the wid° Dorothy CooUidge for Drinks &c -

[126]

It was Voted before the adjournment of the meeting that every man that Appeared to Exercife in either of y*^ miletary Companys Shall Receive the Same allowance as before, till the adjournment of the Meeting.

[127] Town Meeting March 13-1775

Then the accounts of y'' Committe that were Appointed to mount and Equip the Cannon were Read & after Considering the Same, The town Voted to Choofe a Committe to Examin The accounts and Report to the town their next meeting.

i M'" Nath° Stone Voted & Chofe for Said Committe I Jon'* Brown

( Lt : Phin : Stearnes

0

6

0

I

0

5

2

7

10

2

0

10

2

2

0

10

4

2

0

7

0

0

I

10

2

3

The Revohitionary War. 23

The (31) article being Read and it being moved to know if the town will Continue to encourage the learning y*^ miletary art and it was Voted that y'^Same allowance be Continued as was allowed at former meetings (Viz) 4 Coppers per man each time he attends to Exercife provided it be not more than once a week & allowance For Fifers as before.

[138] Selectmens Meeting May 24-1775

Warrant for Town Meeting May 29-1775.

To Choofe one or more Representatives to attend the Provincial Congress to be held at Watertown Wednesday May 3 1 -1775-

[129] Town Meeting May 29-1775.

Cap*^ Jonathan Brown was Chosen to Reprefent the town in a Provincial Congieis appointed to be Convened at the above Said Meeting House on the 31"^ Day of this inftant month of Mav.

[130] Selectmens Meeting July 10-1775.

Town Meeting called for Jul}' 17-1775

to elect Reprefentative to a Gen. Court to be held in Water- town July 19-1775.

Cap' Jonathan Brown was Chosen.

[136]

These amounts were allowed at the March Meeting 1776. Wid" Dorothy Coollidge for Rinn v^ 19 Day of april \ q

for the men in the Lexington Battle - - \

her other account for Training Expence - - - Major Sam' Barnard Training Expence _ - - Cap' Phinehas Stearnes for D'' -

L' Edward Harrington jr for D° . - - -

Cap' Sam' Fisk for D° ....

M"" John Draper for Bread at the Lexington Battle on

y® 19 Day of April 1775 - - - - -114

[137] Town Meeting May 20-1776.

f Sam' Fisk Esq^

I M'' Nath' Stone

Voted & Chofe a Com"'' of Correspondence \ M' Mofes Stone

I M"^ Jede" Leathe [ M^ Richard Clark

[142] Town Meeting May 20-1776.

Then a Refolve of the late House of Representatives Relating to the Congrefs of the thirteen united Colonies Declaring them In- dependent of Great Britain. The Qiiestion was put to know y® minde of the town whether they will Stand by & Defend the Same with their lives and Estates & it past in the affirmative unanimously.

2

2 3

0

4 0

0

4 0

0

9 4

2

8 2

24 WatertoWTi's Military History.

[144] Meeting of Selectmen July 2-1776.

Warrant for Town Meeting, same day.

(2) To Agree upon Some Proper method for Railing Water- towns part of the five thousand men ordered for the Defence of this Country, and to Grant a Sum of money to forward the affair, and to act thereon as they See fitt.

Town Meeting July 2-1776, house of Mr. Samuel Willington.

Then Voted & Granted the Sum of Six pounds Six Ihillings & eight pence to each perfon that Shall inlist into the Service for the town of Watertown for the present Service till Watertowns proportion is Complaeted.

Voted that the S'' : Sum be allowed to thofe that inlist within two days.

Voted that all thofe perfous that are now in the Service & thofe that are going be Excufed from paying a pole tax toward the above Voted Bounty.

Voted that the Town Treafurerbe impowered to hire the money to pay the the Bounty untill Such time as the money Can be afsest. Voted that the assessors be Defired to afses the Inhabi- tants of this town to Raife money to pay this Bounty emediatly in a Separete list.

[145]

Voted that the afsefsorsbe Directed that where any perfons hold lands by lease or otherwise that they lay the tax on the Landlords.

It was moved to allow the bounty Granted at the former meet- ing to Such as inlist on or before the fifteenth Day of this month which was Voted and allowed.

Adjourned Town Meeting July 15-1776.

It was Voted that the bounty be allowed till the thirty men be inlisted as Required as Watertowns proportion of the five thousand.

[146] Meeting of Selectmen Sept. 23-1776.

Warrant for Town Meeting Sept. 30-1776.

(4) For the town to agree upon Some Proper method for Railing men for the Defence of the united States of America and to act any thing Relating thereto the town may think best.

and also to Warn all the Male Inhabitants of the town that are free being twenty one years of age & upwards to afsemble at Said time & place to Consider and Determin whether they will give their Consent that the present House of Representatives with the Council Should agree upon a Form of Government for this State and act thereon as they See best.

[147] Town Meeting Sept. 30-1776.

Then the 4'^'' Article was Read and after Debate thereon it was Voted to Choofe a Committe to Consider thereon and Report what way they think will be best for the town to proceed in Raifing

The Revolutionary War.

25

men for the Defence of america for the Futer & make Report at

M-^ Sami White M'^ David Bemis

the adjou'

Voted «&: Chofe for S'' : Committe {

M"" Josiah Capen M"" David Sanorer M'" Mofes Stone

[148] Adjourned Tow^n Meeting Oct. 7-1776.

Then the tov\^n took into Consideration a Refolve of the Gen' Court of the if"^ of September hist ReLiting to a Form of Govern- ment and after Debate thereon They Voted unanimously that they give their Consent that the present Houfe of Reprefentatives with the Council Should Form a plan of Government for the State to be laid before the Several tow^ns in the Same for their Considera- tion before it be Ratified.

[149] 2nd. adjournment of above meeting to Nov, 25-1776.

The Committee appointed to conlider the Matter Relating to Raising men for the Defence of the Country made Verball Report that they had not don any thing on the affair.

Then it was Voted not to act any thing on that article.

[150] Selectmens Meeting Mar. 4-1777.

Warrant for Town Meeting March 10-1777.

(3) To know the minde of the town whether they will come into Some Method to proportion the Charge that has already been by hireing men to go into the Service, and to act any thingthere- on as they tbink proper.

(4) To know the minde of the town what method they will take to Raife Watertowns proportion of men to Compleat the Continental Army and to act thereon as they think proper.

(5) To Choofe a Committe of Correspondance &c agreeable to a Refolve of the General Court.

[154] Town Meeting March 10-1777.

f M>- Rich'! Clark M"" Josiah Capen

Voted & Chofe Com*'® of Corespondence { M"" Edward Richardfon

I M"" David Sanger I M'' Stephen Harris

[155]

Then the 3d Article was Read & after Debate thereon it was Voted that the town will leave the whole Charge of the war in Equal proportions as They pay other Taxs.

Voted to Choofe a Committe to bring in an Account of what

has already arifen &c.

Voted & Chofe for S^ : Committe

Maj'' Sam' Barnard Cap* Phin' Stearns Clerk Nathan Coollidge \ M^ David Bemis M'' David Sanger L* Josiah Capen ju' M"" Elijah Bond

26

Watertorvft's Military History.

Voted that y^^Committe bring in a particular account what each

man has don.

Then the 4"^ article being Read after Debate thereon :

Voted to Choofe a Committe to procure men at y^ Expence of

the Town.

Voted that the Selectmen be a Committe for Sd : purpofe Voted & added Mr: Simon Whitney — L* : Chris': Grant ju. Voted that v^ Committe give £24 pounds p'' man if they Cannot

be had for lefs & have power to hire money for y® purpofe in the

Name & behalf of the Town.

[156]

Then the Com"® Appointed to Consider what Services perfons have don in the War & make Report.

Their Report being Read after Debate thereon Voted to Re- commit the Report & add four more to the Committe, Voted & chofeMefs"^: Sam^: White, Daniel Sawin, Sam^ : Fisk Esq"^ : & M"": W'": Hunt.

Then M'' : Edward Richardfon Excufed himfelf from Serving on the Committe of Correspondance and M'' : Daniel Coollidge was Chosen in his Room.

[158] Town Meeting March 31-1777, by adjournment.

Then the Report of y*^ Com"® appointed to Consider what Ser- vices each perfon has don for the town the present war was Read & was Voted & accepted and is as follows (Viz) :

Watertown 2*^"^ of March 1777.

The Com**" Appointed by the Town to take into Consideration the .Services don for the town in the present war, and what each Soldier Shall be allowed for their Refpective Services, Exclusive ofthe pay from the Continent or State beg leave to Report as follows (Viz) :

(i) That there be paid bv the town to each Non-Commifsion officer & Soldier that engaged in the Service for eight months in 1775 the Sum of 2 pounds each y® N'* 35 is -

(2) That there be paid bv the town to each ] Non-Commifsion officer and Soldier that march®'' ! from Cambridge to New York & from thence to [ Canada twenty pounds each 19 in Number - J

(3) That there be paid by the town to each ] Non-Commifsion officer & Soldier that march'd (^ to New-York & engaged in the Service one year [ £10 each being four in number - - - J

Carried Forward . - -

£70 : 0:0 380 : 0:0

40 : 00 : o

£490 :

o : o

The Revolutionary War.

27

Bro : forward - - - -

(4) That there be paid by the town to each Non-Cominifsion officer and Soldier thatengaged for one year & marched for Ticonderga in Aug' 1776 -£6 each Number being 6 is .

(5) That there be paid by the town to each Non-Commifsion officer and Soldier that engaged in the Service in July 1776 for five montiis Ex- clufive of those y*^ were hired £5 each y*' Num- ber being 5 is- - - - - - -J

(6) That there be paid by the town to each ] Non-Commifsion officer and Soldier, that en- gaged in the Service for two months and Marched for New- York Ocf 1776 JC5 each (exclufive of those that were hired) being 9 in Number is - J

(7) That there be paid by the town to each Non-Commifsion officer and Soldier that en- gaged in the Service for three months and marched to New- York in Dec'' 1776 (Exclufive of those that were hired) £8 one only went

(8) That there be paid by the town to the following perfons the Refpective Soms affixed against their names, being money Expended by them for the benefit of the present War (Viz) :

To Cash paid by David Stone

To D° bv John Draper . . .

To D° by Richard Everitt -

To DO by S;uni White - - - -

To D° by Simon Whitney - - -

To D° by William Leathe -

To D" by Nathaniel Blight

To D" by Ezekiel Hall

To D° by Mofes Coollidge -

To D° by Nathaniel Bemis -

To D" by Joel White - - - -

To D° by Samuel Soden

To D« by Elijah Bond

To D° by Josiah Capen . . -

To D" bv Samuel Barnard -

To D° by Mofes Stone

To D° by Jonas White no bounty rec*^ from y*' town

Carried over _ . _

490

36

25 45

£604

o : o

O : o

o: o

o : o

o : o

6

13:

4

6

13:

4

6

13:

4

7

13:

4

7

13:

4

6

13:

4

6

13:

4

7

0 :

0

6

13:

4

6

13:

4

6

13:

4

7

1=;:

4

4

6:

8

6

13:

4

7

13:

4

7

5:

3

£)ii2 : 15 : 4

28 Watertown's Military History.

[160] bro'over - - . . To Cash paid by John Sthnson

To D° by Stephen Whitney

To D'* by Simon Hastings -

To D° by Daniel Whitney -

To D° by Nathaniel Coollidge

To D° by Amos Bond

To D" by Josiah Norcrofs -

To D** by Thomas Clark

To D° by Thomas Harrington

To D° by John Cook - - -

To D° by Bezaleel Learned

To D° by Thomas Pattin

To D" by Phinehas Stearnes

To D** by Samuel Hager

To D° by Samuel Benjamin

To D° by Edmund Fowle -

To D° by Jonathan Child -

To D° by Eires Ta inter

To D° by Peter Harrington -

To D" bv Elkanah Wales -

To D° by Oliver M. Roe -

To D" by Elifha Learned -

To D° by Ephraim Jones -

To D° by Samuel Nutting -

To D*' by Amos Livermore -

To D° by Samuel Fisk Esq""

To D° by Jonathan Brown Esq"" -

To D° by David Bemis

To D° by William Corkran

To D° by John Cookson

To D° by Marshall Spring -

To D" by Eben"" Stedfon

To D° by Samuel Cook

To D° by Nathaniel Harrington -

To D*' by Samuel Whitney -

To D** by Christopher Grant

To D° by Solomon Prentice

Carried up -

[161] bro' up ... -

To Cash paid by Isaac Sanderfon -

To D° by Ebenezer Stone

To D«> by Nathaniel Stone -

To D° by Phinehas Harrington -

To D° by David Sanger

To D** by John Chenery

To D° by Richard Clark -

To D° by Daniel Sawin

£ri2 6

3 6.

'5

13

0

13:

4 4 8

4

7-

5:

4

I.

6:

5" 13: '3 =

4 4 4

I.

6 6

5- 13: 13: 13:

4 4 4 4

lO

13:

4

7

5

4

II :

0 :

0

6

0

0

4

18

0

4

'7

4

4

13

4

4

0

0

lO

0

0

7

10

0

lO

0

0

4

0

0

lO

0

0

8

6

0

7

0

0

lO

12

0

1 1

0

0

lO

0

0

lO

0

0

lO

0

0

lO

0

0

lO

0

0

lO

0

0

lO

0

0

lO

0

0

lO

: 0

: 0

406 : o : 8

406 : o : 8

10:

0 :

0

10:

0:

0

8:

12 :

0

9-

0 :

0

8:

6:

8

10 :

0 :

0

3:

6:

8

0:

16:

0

465 : 1 2 : o

The Revolutionary War. 29

The within Report is Submitted to the town by their Said Committe.

Sam^ Barnard Pr Order.

Then the Qiiestion was Put whether that Deceal'^ Soldiers &c Taxes Should be Stoped out of their allowance it passed in the affirmative.

Selectmens Meeting April 25-1777, house of Samuel Wellington.

Warrant for Town Meeting Apr, 28-1777.

(2) To agree upon Some method to Raife Seven men to go & march to the State of Rhod-Island agreabled to an order of the General Court.

[162] Town Meeting April 28-1777.

Then the article Relating to Raifing Seven men to join the army at Providence was Read and after Debate thereon

The town Voted to Choofe a Committe of Seven perfons to procure men on as eafie termes as they can.

M-^ Mofes Stone Cap' Phin® Stearnes Maj"^ Sam* Barnard Voted & Chofe for S^* : Comt«« { L': Josiah Capen

M"^ Stephen Harris M"" Jonas White M"" Nathan Coollidge

Then Voted that the Said Com"'' Shall have power in the name & Behalf of the Town to hire money to pay the men they may hire to go into the S'* : Service.

Selectmens Meeting May 12-1777.

[163] Warrant for Town Meeting May 19-1777.

{^^) To make Grants of any Sums of money if Need be for past Services in the present war, and for further Services's and do any tiling thereon as the town may think Proper.

(6'y) To Choofe any Committee or Committees Required to be Chofe to See to the putting any laws of tliis State into Execution.

(7*^) To here any Reports of Committees that have been Ap- pointed for Perticular Services and to act anything thereon as The town may See fitt.

(10'^) To know the minde of the town whether the persons the town purpofe to allow any Sums of money to for past Services Shall Exhibit their accounts under oath and to act as they See fitt.

[164] Town Meeting May 19-1777.

(10) article Read & Voted that the Several persons that are to be allow'd money for their past Services in y" war Should Exhibit their accounts upon oath.

3°

Watertown^s Alilltary History.

[166] Town Meeting June 9-1777.

Then the Account of the Committe Appointed to hire Seven men for Soldiers to go to providence was Read Amounting the Sum of 35 pounds and it was Voted that the former Committe that were Appointed to hire men Should pay Said 35 pounds with the money which is in their hands.

Town Meeting June 23-1777, by adjournment.

The (6) article being Read. Then the following perfons were Chofen to put the Act against Monopoly & Opprefsion into Exe- cution viz :

Mess'' David Bemis, Simon Whitney, Jeddi^: Leathe, Jonas White & Mofes Stone.

[167]

Then they Voted & Granted the Sum of iCii83 : o: 10 pence to be Raifed by a Tax, to be paid to the Several perfons or their Le- gal Representatives, that have done Services in the present War, and that have Advanced moneys for the Support of the Same. The perfons first making Oath to the payment of the Value affixed to their Several names, or produce proper Receipts from the officer or officers to whome they paid the Same, Agreeable to the Report of the Committe Chofen by the town to Consider S*^^ : Services

Then Voted the above mentioned Sum be afsefsed as Soon as Conveniently may be in a list b}' it Self.

at the aforementioned meeting Mefs : Jonas White and Thomas Learned were added to the Com"** of Corrofpondance.

[169] Selectmens Meeting Nov. 3-1777.

Warrant for Town Meeting Nov. 10-1777.

Second to Choofe a Committe to provide for the Families of Such Persons as are gon into the Continental Army for y® town of Watertown, & to act any thing Relating thereto as the town may think proper.

(3) to Grant money to pay fo;- y*^ Armes Ammunition & Bread that the Selectmen provided meletia and to act any thing Relating thereto as they See fitt.

(4) To know the minde of the town whether they will allow any thing to Such persons as are in the Service as a Reinforcement to tlie Continential Army, and to do and act any thing Relating thereto as they See fitt.

[170] Town Meeting Nov. 10-1777.

The Second ^Article being Read & the Question being put whether they will Choofe a Committe to provide for the poor Fam- ilies of perfons in the Continential army.

It paft in the Negative.

Then the Selectmens accounts for Armes &c was Read & the Sum of £52: 16: 2 was Granted to pay for the Same also the Sum of 13: 4: o was Granted to pay for the Flour provided by them for the use of the Melitia.

The Revolutionary War. 31

Then Voted that the Selectmen Should Sell the Lead and Gun- Locks that they Bought and be accountable to the town for the Money ariling by the Sale thereof.

Selectmens Meeting Dec. 14-1777, house Jonathan Brown.

Warrant for Town Meeting Dec. 15-1777-

to manifest their minds Relating to the Qiiartering Some of the officers of the Army lately Commanded by Gen': Burgoyne in Watertown, and to act thereon as they think proper.

[173] Town Meeting Dec. 15-1777.

then the Article Relating to Qiiartering Burgoynes officers was Read & after a fair and Candid Debate thereon the following pafsed unanimously (Viz) That it is the Opinion of this town that the Qiiartering the British officers among the inhabitants thereof, at this time, is Very Dangerous to the peace & Safty of the town as Well as the publick, and therefore we Cannot give our confent thereto.

Then they Chofe the Selectmen to be a Committe to Inform the D. Q. jSJaster, and Such of the Inhabitants of the town as were Inclined to Receive Sd : officers into their families or houfes of this Vote.

Selectmens Meeting Jan. 12-1778.

Warrant for Town Meeting Jan. 16-177S.

to hear the articles of Confederation Read and to act on the Same &c.

Town Meeting Jan. 16-177S.

then adjourned to the Hoiife of m"" Bez' Learned and being there Al'sembeled, the Articles of Confederation & perpetual union be- tween the united States of America as Purpofed by Congrefs were Read & Confidered, and Voted that the Reprefentative be and he is hereby fully Impowered & Inftructed to do and act any thing he Shall Judge proper in order to tiieir being Rattified & Con- firmed.

Selectmens Meeting Feb. 19-1778.

Warrant for Town Meeting March 9-1 77S.

[175]

(13) To Grant money to pay what was hired to pay the Bounty to the Continential Soldiers.

(14) To Grant money to pay Such peribns as have been in the Service for which no allowance has been made and to act any thing thereon the town think proper.

(15) To know the minde of the town whether they will Call in the money that is due to them & Appropriate it for Defraying the Charge of the war, and act thereon as they See fitt.

(iS) To Determine in what manner the money Shall be paid to the perfons that have been in the Service or have paid money therefor agreeable to the Grants that have been made for them.

32

Watertown* s Military History.

Selectmens Meeting March 6-1778. (among bills presented at this meeting were the following, no grant having been made :)

[176]

To Richard Leathe for making Cartriges - 2

for d° &c

for Casting Bullets

For Baking &c

- 3

- o

- 2

To Hugh Mafon

To Seth Norcross

To John Draper

[177] Town Meeting March 9-1778.

f M^ : Sam' : White

For a Committe of Correspon- dance Inspection and Safty

16

I

10

12

M"^ David Bemis \ M^ David Sanger I Cap* Phin^ : Siearnes Excufed [ M"" Daniel Sawin

[178]

The 13 Article was put off to the adjournment. The 14 article being Read it was Voted to Choofe a Committe to procure a list of the perfons that have done Service in the War Since there has been any allowance made, and Report what their Service has been, & Report what is proper to be don thereon.

Cap* Phin® Stearnes M"" David Bemis Maf : Sam' Barnard M^ Sam White M"" Elijah Bond Chofe for Said Committe ^ L* Josiah Capen ju''

L' Amos Bons M"" Jonas White Serg* Mofes Stone M"^ : Daniel Sawin M"" Josiah Bisco Then Voted that the money now in the Treafury that was on Interest before be appropriated to help pay What money has been hired to pay Soldiers.

[179] Town Meeting March 23-1778.

M'^ Elijah Bond was Chofen one of the Committe of Corre- fpondance in the Room of Cap* Phin^ Stearnes.

Voted & Granted the Sum of £500 towards paying the Bounty to the Continent .1 Soldiers.

[180]

Voted that the Sums that was Granted to each Soldier Shall be paid to them or their order.

Then the Committe Appointed to Consider what Services per- fons have don in the prefent war for which there has been no allowance made was Read and after Debate thereon the Vote

The Revolutionary War.

33

was put whether the Sums Shall be Accepted and it paft in the Negative.

Then Voted to Commit the Report to a New Committe to Con- lider and Report what they think is proper to be don thereon and also to Report a plan for the Railing men in futer in an Equitable manner.

]VF Jedi*^ Leathe

8am' Fisk Esq"" AP Mofes Stone M'' David Bemis Dea" Nath' : Stone M'^ Simon Whitney M^ Daniel Whitney L*^ Chris'' Grant ju"^ M-^ Rich^i Clark M'"Josiah Capen M"^ James Barnard

Voted that Said Committe make Report at the Next Town Meetinsf.

Voted & Chofe for S'^ : Com"« {

[181] Selectmens Meeting March 23-1778.

They also Signed an order to pay the Selectmen that Served y® last year the Sum of £65 : o : 3 which Sum they paid for armes Flour &c.

[183] Town Meeting April 6-1778.

Then they took under Consideration the Report of the Com- mitte Relating to the men that have don Service in the War & have had no allowance.

Voted that the men that went in perfon & thofe that hired others ■ be paid alike for the Service.

Voted that the following twelve perfons that were to Reinforce the Northern Army have 30 pounds each (Viz) :

Daniel Parker Jacob Sanderfon

Sam' Sprague Zach'' Shed

Henry Bradfhaw Benj" Capen

Mofes Hager Jedid"^ Leathe

Jon^ Stone Jon'^ Livermore

John Sawin Peter Richardfon

[183]

Nov'': The nine that were Raifed to Guard the prifoners at Cambridge (Viz) :

Ruggles Whitney Stephen Harris

Jon'^ Crafts Tho^ Learned

David Bemis ju'' Sam': Wellington

Thad''^ Fuller James Mallard

Daniel Mafon

34 Watertown's Military History.

The nine men for Dorchester heights (Viz) :

Seth Norcrofs Josiah Learned

Pennuel Park Andrew Stimfon

Jon-'* Child Daniel Coollige

Phin« Child Benj" Hurd

Benj" Hastings

177S Jan"^-^: to Reinforce the Guards at Cambridge being twenty-three men (Viz):

Edw'' Harrington ju'' Joshua Stratton

Sam' Bond Simon Coollidge ju""

Nath' Bemis Converfe Spring

Luke Bemis W™ Learned

Tho^ Prentice James Stone

Rich'' Everit George Alen

Nath' Coollidge John Vila

Step" Cook Joseph Bright

W™ Sanger Andrew White

W" Morfe Jon^ Brown ju'

Phin^Jenifon Edm^ Fowle Joseph Child

March Eighteen men to go to the lines for one month all thefe to have their wages with what is allowed them by y^ Conti- nent & State made up to Six pounds P'" month.

Then the Report Relating to Raifing men for the futer was Read & Committed to a New Com"^ to be taken into a new Draught.

i M.^ Josiah Capen Chofe for S*^ : Committe •< Sam' Fisk Esq"".

( M"" Josiah Bisco

[184] Town Meeting April 30-1778, by adjournment.

Voted & Accepted the Report of the Committe on the plan for Railing men for the Service in the army. See the Report.

Voted that the Meletia officers with the Committe of Corre- fpondence be a Committe to procure men for the Publick Service in the Army at the Expence of the Town.

Voted that Said Committe have power in the Name & Behalf of the Town to hire money if Need be for Said Service.

[185]

Selectmens Meeting May 1 r-i 778. house of Bezeleel Learned.

Warrant for Town Meeting May 18-1778.

(2'y) For the town to grant money or to do any thing they think Necessary to Incourage the Railing men for Recruiting the army as they think best.

(3'y) For the Town to Determin what Sums of money Shall be afseft at this time.

(4'y) For the Town to make grants to Such men as have been in the Service that were omitted before, if they See fitt.

The Revolutionary War. 35

(6^y) To know if the Town will Call in the money that is due on Bond or Note of Hand & Appropriate it to Such ufes as they See fitt.

[186] Town Meeting May 1S-177S.

Then they Voted to Choofe a Committe to Examin what Ex- pence the town has been at in hiring men for Service in the War & Report to the town.

f M'' : Mofes Stone I M"" David Sanger Voted & Chofe for S^ Committe { W Sam^ White

Cap' Phin* Stearnes ^ Maj'' Sam' Barnard

Then Voted that the Selectmen be joined to the Committe of Corrofpondance & Melitia for Railing Men to Recruit the army.

Voted & Granted a further Sum of JC5 pounds to each of the men that Went to the White plains in the year i77^-

Voted that the men that went to the Northward in the year 1776 with Cap' Edw'' : Harrington be allowed a further Sum of I : 13 : 4 each.

Voted y' the Committe appointed to hire men Report what they Should Receive.

[187]

Voted that the Town Treafurer Call in all the money that is due to the town on Bond or Note as Soon as may be.

Voted & Appropriated Said money to help Defray the expence of the present War.

Voted that the Treafurer Report what money is due to the town as aforesaid & from whome due.

Town Meeting June 1-1778, by adjournment.

Voted & Granted a further Sum of £3 pounds P"" : month to each of the men that went to Cambridge to Guard the prifoners & also to each of thofe that went afterwards as a Reinforcement to S*^ Guards and to the men that went to Roxbury lines in addition to what was granted thein before.

Voted & Granted the Sum of £720 pounds to hire men to go into the Continental army, also Voted & Granted the Sum of £270 pounds to pay the men to go to Peks-kiln [torn] Granted to Wellington & Crane for the [torn] 8

months 40/ each £4 pounds they being omitted [torn].

[188]

Voted & Granted the Sum of twenty-two pounds to Cornelius Park for his Service the first eight months and for his Service for one year in going to New York & Canada.

The Committe appointed to enquire into the whole Expence that the town had been at in hiring men for the Service Reported.

See their Report on file.

36 WaterioTVTi's Military History.

Voted that the .Sum of 2443 : 18 : 11 be afsest as Soon as may be to pay the men according to the Several grants made them.

Voted & Granted the Same Sums of money to Cap' Phin*: Stearnes and Leiuteants Josiah Capen & Amos Bond as were allow'd the privates that Served with them.

[189] Selectmens Meeting June 4-1778.

Warrant for Town Meeting June 8-1778.

(2^y) To take into Consideration a New Form of Government purpofed by a Convention of y® hite General Court ordered to be laid before the Inhabitants for their Approbation or Disapproba- tion and to act thereon as the}' See fitt.

(4^^) To hear the Report of a Committe Relating to the Raif- ing men for the Service of the war and to act thereon as they See proper.

Town Meeting June 8-1 77S, at Mrs. Dorothy Coollidge.

The purpofed Form of Government being Read & after Debate thereon. The Qiiestion was put whether they Approve of the Same, and it pafsed in the Negative unanimoufly, there being Sixty Voters present.

Voted that the Reprefentative endevor to prevent any thing be- ing don Relating to a New Constitution at present.

[190]

Then a Report of a Committe appointed to Report a Flan for a more eafie & Just way of Raifing men for the Publick Service was Read & accepted which is on file. Then Voted to Choofe a Com- mitte to devide the Inhabitants into Lots agreable to S'^ : Report. Voted that they Shall be paid 12/ each for each day they Shall Spend Necefsarily in the Service.

f Sami : Fisk Esq"- : j Jon'^ Brown Esq"": Voted & Chofe for S^': Comtt^ \ W Mofes Stone

I M'^ Sam^ White [ M'" Josiah Bisco

Selectmens Meeting June 35-1 77S.

Warrant for Town Meeting June 27-1778.

Secondly to agree upon a Method to raife four rhen to go into the Service of the united States to do duty in the State of Rhoad-. Island & to make a Grant of a Sum of money to encourage the Inlistment of the men for that Service or any futer Service & to do & act any thing thereon that may be thought Necefsary :

[191]

Then Voted to Reconsider their vote of y® 4 Inftant Relating to Railing men &c :

Voted to Choofe a Committe to hire 4 men for the Service at Rhoad-Ifland and also men for other Services as often as they are ordered by proper Authority with full power to hire money in

The Revolutionary War. 7*j

the Name & behalf of the town for Such Services as often as Oc- cation may Require. They to Continue a Com"^ for S*^ purpofe during the towns Pleafure.

( M'' : Mofes Stone Voted & Chofe for Said Committe ] ]VP: Sam': White

( L' : Amos Bond

Voted to allow S'^ : Committe Reafonable pay for their Service.

[192] Selectmens Meeting July 20-1778.

At this meeting they Signed an order on the town Treaf'' to pay the Sum of £1054 : 12 : S to Such perfons as has been in the VVar or had paid money for such Services Agreeable to the Severall grants made them.

[193] Selectmens Meeting Oct 1778.

Warrant for Town Meeting Nov. 2-1778.

(7) To know the minde of the town What Sums of money or W'hether any that have been hired to Raife Soldiers, Shall be afsest at this time, and Determin what Shall be further don thereon.

[194] Town Meeting Nov. 2-1778.

One (Report of Committee) Signed by Mofes Stone & others being a Committe for hiring men for the War &c the Account ammounting to iE342 : 12 : o which was Voted & Granted, one other Signed by Sam' Soden & others for like Services amounting to £874 : 3 : o which Sum was also Voted & Granted.

[195]

Then Voted that the Remainder of the Charge that the town has been at in hiring men for the War be afseft as soon as may be.

[198] Selectmens Meeting Dec. 1-1778.

They Signed an order to the town Treafurer to pay the Sum of Eleven Hundred & thirty Nine Pounds 17/8 Pence to Sundry Perfons that have don Services in the War each one the Sum that was Granted to them.

[303] Town Meeting March 8-1779.

M' Rich" Clark

Committe of Correspondance Safty &c

M"^ Jed'^ Leathe M"" Elijah Bond M-^ Sam' Soden M'' Daniel Savvin

[205] Town Meeting March 15-1779, by adjournment.

The Committe Appointed to hire men to go into the Service in the War Reported that they had hired men for the Service to the amount of iESo : 18 : 2 and the town Voted & Granted the Same Sum.

38 Watertoivn^s Military History.

[309] Selectmens Meeting May 17-1779.

Warrant for Town Meeting May 24-1779.

(2) To Consider a Refolve of the General Court for forming a New Constitution or Form of Government, and to act thereon as the town Shall See proper.

210]

(5) To Agree upon ways & means to Raife Soldiers for the Publick Service when Called upon by lawfull Authority.

[211] Town Meeting May 24-1779.

They took into Consideration a Refolve of the Gen^ : Court Re- lating to a New Constitution or Form of Government and after Debate thereon the Q_uestion was put Whether they Chuse at this time to have a New Constitution or Form of Government made & it past in y® Negative

twenty being against it but three for it.

then the Second Qiiestion mentioned in S'^ Refolve was put and it palsed in the Negative.

[212]

Then they voted to Choofe a Committe to hire men to go into the Service when called for.

( M'" Mofes Stone Voted & Chofe for S^^: Committe } W Sam' White

(L* Amos Bond

[214] Selectmens Meeting June 28-1779.

Warrant for Town Meeting July 7-1 779-

(2^^) To consider & adopt any Meafures for Appretiation of the Currency and to act any thing thereon that they may Judge Necessary & proper.

(3'^) To See if the town will give any Inftruction or Directions to their Committe of Corrofpondance at Concord on the 14^*^ Day of July Next for the above Said Furpofes and to act any thing thereon they See fitt.

(5^y) For the town to Grant and order the Afsefsing the Mon- ies that have been paid for Raising Soldiers and to act thereon as they See fitt.

Town Meeting July 7-1 779-

The article being Read relating to taking Meafures for the Appreciating the Currency as Recommended by the Inhabitants of Boston & otber places after Considering the Same. They voted to Choofe a Com^** to Consider y*^ Same and Report what is Proper to be don thereon & Report as Soon as may be.

[215]

Voted & Chofe for S'' : Committe Sam^ : Fisk & W" HuntEsq'^: M'' David Sanger M'' Sam': Cook & Jonathan Brown.

The Revolutionary War. 39

Then Voted that Said Committe Sit emediately. who Pro- ceeded & Considered the matter & in about one Hours time Re- turned & made the following Report (Viz) :

[Here follows a long report on page 215 original records, and page 279 of the copied records.]

[318] Town Meeting July 30-1779, by adjournment.

The 5'^ & Sixth articles being Read the Com"<= for Railing Soldiers Reported the Expence attending the Raifing men for Rhoad-Island & the Continental army amounting to iE3226 : 19: 6 which was Voted & accepted. (See the Report on file.)

[Pages 219 to 223 inclusive contain the Report of the Com- mittee to fix the prices of Products of Labor.]

[227] Town Meeting Sept. 13-1779.

the following accounts were Voted allowed & Granted (Viz)

To Cap' Phins Stearnes for Service in the War JE45 : 0:0 To L' Amos Bond for D° 22 : 12 : o

67 : 12 : o

Voted that a Com"® Report the names of the officers that have don Service in the War which have had no Grant.

Chofe for a Com'** Mefs David Bemis [torn]" Brown Esq'' & [torn] Bond.

[228]

Voted that all the Grants that have been made for Soldiers & other Services Should be Afseft all which ammount to the Sum of £3468 : 19 : 9.

Selectmens Meeting Oct. 12-1779.

Warrant for Town Meeting Oct. 14-1779.

To agree upon Some way to Raife nine men to go into the Publick Service agreable to the Order of the General Court — also to take Some Proper Meafures for filling up Watertowns Propor- tion of the Continential Army, and to Grant Such Sums of money as may be thought Necefsary for Said Services, & to act any thing Relating to the Same that may be thought Necessary & proper.

Town Meeting October 14-1779.

Then voted to Raife a Sum of money to hire men for the Service in the War.

Voted & Granted £1500 pounds for Said Service and voted that it be Afsefed emediately.

Voted that it be paid into the Treafury by monday Next [torn] 6 : Clock afternoon.

then Voted that Mefs David Bemis [torn] David Sanger, be of the Committe in the Room Sam Whi [torn] Amos Bond who are Excufed for the Present.

40 Watertown's Military History.

Selectmens Meeting December 10-1779. [339] Warrant for Town Meeting December 20-1779.

(4) To give Inftriictions to their Delegates that belong to le Convention Relating to their Conduct at the Next meetingof that Body.

[330] Town Meeting December 20-1779.

Then it was Voted that only one of the Delegates that wre Appointed to attend the Convention Should attend at a time at le Next Session, Except at the time of Pafsing on the whole Fori.

[33-4] Selectmens Meeting February 28-1 7S0.

Thev Signed an order on the Treafurer to pay Samuel Wite & others a Committe for hiring men for the war the Sum of 67 : i^ : o for their Service in full of their accounts.

[338] Town Meeting March 20-1 7S0, by adjournment.

Voted & Granted the Sum of £48 pounds to pay mefs [torn Mofes Stone, David Bemis & David Sanger for hiring m [torn.

[3-J:4] Town Meeting May 20-1 7S0.

Then the said Form of Cover: was Read to the Town theme Meeting was adjourned to three O : Clock afternoon.

[Afternoon again read, after Debate a com. appointed to bar objections t^ report.]

Sam^ : Fisk Esc : Dea"" Nath' Stone M'^ Daniel Parker W"" Hunt Esq' Voted and Chose for S"^ Committee ■{ L* Aroos Bond

M^ Sara : Cook

Jon- Brown E^' : M' Jed'^ Leathe M' Josiah Bisco

[!245] [On this page is the report of above committee anckbe action thereon.]

Town Meeting June 6-1 7S0.

Then they Voted & Chose tlie following perfons for a Gm- mittee to hire Men to Serve in the Armv (Viz) L* Josiah Ccen lu' Josiah Bisco & Moles Stone iu*^.

Voted that said Committee have fiill Power to hire men onthe best terms they cau for the Service of this town in Ae War.

[3445] Town Meeting June 1 2-1 7S0,

Then the town voted to add two more peribns to Ac Cbmndtse for hiring nie:i.

Then Vote^i ^ Chofe \\'* Hunt Es<f and M* David Sanger

The Revolutionary \\\ir. 41

[a-7]

'l]en the town Voted & Grai)U\l tlu> Sum ol .Ci ."oiu) 'Tlious nul ponds to Railo nuMi <ft piocnrc C'loathin^ lor tin- use ol ll\( Aiiny agjeahlo to the Rclolvcs of thf (uMUMid C'onil.

'hen it was voted that the Sum alore Said ix- emethatlv al'sclst-d ari( Collected hy next nionday Ni^jhl.

Selectmeiis Meetiiii; July 3-1780. -Tarrant for Town Meetiiifj July 5-1780.

\) To agree upon Some Method for Hailiuf; a Numlui moro Soliers agreable to the Relblves of the CJeneral Com(.

() To Grant any Sums of Money that may he lhoii;'lit Nceel- sar for Said purpofe.

Selectmens Meeting July 5-1780. 'hey Signed an order on town treafurer to pay llic Sum of Seen Thousand & .Seventy five I'ounds ten Siiillin^s lo I/: Joi^h Capen & others & Cotnniitte to hire men.

[^8] [Among orders signed on (he IreaHurer] :

and to pay Josiah Capen isi others \

a Committe to hire men to iill the r ijooo : o

Continential Army )

Town Meeting Jidy 5-i78(j.

lien the Committe Appointed to hire men to go into (he Any Reported and it Appeared liiat there was a IJalLuK c due to;tem of X'7075 : 10 : o whicii Sum was Voted k. (Jraiiled.

'hen they Voted & Granted the Sum orX'12000 poiuidw to hire me agreable to (he Last Refolves of the General Court.

,\)ted that the Committe Appointed to hire men before I'roeecd tOL^U the Remainder as S(ion as may he.

kso Voted & Impowered S'' : Com"" to liire money in I'dialf oflte town for Said purpofe.

"Vited & Granted i'3000 ['oiuuIh to enable the .S(-lc<;ttn(;n (o prcure the four llorfes Required by a Relbive rW the Gencial Cort.

loted that the aforeSaid Grants l^e Afseft a« Soon as may be.

[^91 Town Meeting July 12-1780, by adjouiiiin'-Mt.

loted & Granted the further Sum of X"6<^xjo poundh (o lii/e Men inVdition to the former Grant made for that I'urpofc.

Selectmens Meeting July 24-1780. At a Meeting of y" Selectmen on tlie 5"' of July /780. Tjey Signed an order on the Treafurer to pay the Sum of £775 : 10 : o to L' Josiah Capen & other» a Committee appointed to Ire men for to go into the Army.

ad at their meeting on the 24 Day of the Same month they Siaed an order to pay the .Same Corn^'* £,\/\(j^Ki poundu for the lik purpofe.

42 Wateriown''s Military History.

[350] Selectmens Meeting August 26-1780.

Warrant for Town Meeting.

(2) To agree upon Some Method to provide the Cloathing ordered by the General Court & to act any thing thereon that may be thought Necefsary.

[353] Town Meeting September 6-1 7S0, by adjournment.

Voted that money be hired to procure the Cloathing by the Selectmen.

Voted & Granted JE15000 pounds to pay the hire of Soldiers gon into the Army.

Selectmens Meeting October 5-1780.

Warrant for Town Meeting October 11-1780.

(2^y) To agree upon a Method to procure a quantity of Beef agreeable to a Refolve of the General Court. — and to Grant a Sum of money for that Purpofe and to act any thing Relating thereto that may be thought Proper.

[353] Town Meeting Oct. 11-1780.

Then a Refolve of the General Court Requiring a Qiiantity of Beef was Read & after Consideration thereof they —

Voted & Chofe M"" Jonas White as a Committe to purchafe the Beef Required by Said Refolve.

Voted to Choofe a Committe to hire the Sum of £15000 pounds in the name & behalf of town to purchafe S'^ : Beef.

r W™ Hunt Esq

Voted & Chofe for Said Committee \ M'" Sam^ Suden

(M"" Sami White

Then Voted & Granted the Sum of Fifteen Thousand pounds and Voted that the Same be afsefsed & paid into the town Treaf- ury by the first day of January Next, for to Repay the money that may be hired as above Said.

[354] Selectmen Meeting December 22-1 7S0.

Warrant for Town Meeting December 27-1780.

(2) To agree upon Some Method to Procure a Qiiantity of Beef agreeable to a Refolve of the General Court or to provide money to Pay in lieu thereof, and to Act thereon as may be thought proper.

(3) To agree upon Some method to raife men to fill the Con- tinential Army, and to act any tUing Relating thereto that may be thought proper.

[355]

Town Meeting at house of Mr Thomas Bullard by adjournment Dec. 27-1780. Then they Voted to Choofe a Committe to Con-

The Revolutionary War. 43 '

sider & Report what is proper to be don Relating to the Railing men.

Sam' : Fisk Esq*" M"" David Bemis M"" Mofes Stone Voted & Choofe for S*^ Committee \ M'' David Sanger

M'- Rich'i Clark M'' Simon Whitney M'' Josiah Bisco

The Com"® after considering the matter made Verbal Report that a Committe be appointed to hire men to fill the Continential Army which w^as Voted & Accepted.

f M"" David Sanger Voted & Chofe for Said Committee -| L' Josiah Capen

( L' Amos Bond

Then Voted & Granted 1600 Dollars in hard money to hire S'^ : men.

Then Voted that Said money be afseft as Soon as may be and that it be paid into the Treafiiry by the 25 Day of January Next.

Then it was Voted that any perfons that Choofe to pay in Paper money that 75 paper Dollars in old currency Shall be Received in lieu of one Silver Dollar.

Voted & Granted the Sum ofj£24000 pounds to purchafe the Beef Required by the Gen' Court for the use of the army.

Then Voted to Choofe a Committee to Receive the money of the Collectors & pay for the Beef.

r M'- Daniel Parker

Voted & Chofe for Said Committee ■< M'' Simon Whitney

( Jon'^ : Brown Esq"^

Voted to Choofe Collectors to Collect the above Sums.

Then Voted & Choofe Mif« Mofes Stone jn'' : & Edm^' Fowle who were Sworn into the office by Jon'"^ Brown Jus' : Peace.

[356] Town Meeting January 16-1781.

Then the report of Committee appointed to hire men Laid on the tabl was Read & accepted & the Ballance of £747: 18:0 was allowed.

[357] Selectmens Meeting February 23-1781.

Warrant for Town Meeting March 5-1 781.

(9) To do any thing further that may Appear Necefsary for Railing men to fill the Continential Army.

[358] Selectmens Meeting March 2-1 7S1.

Orders signed on Treasurer :

to Jonathan Brown for Service Relating Beef - 24 : o to Jonas White for Collecting Beef &c - - - - 496 : 8 to Jed" Leath for d° 45 : o

44

Watertown^s Military History.

[260] Town Meeting March 5-1781.

then the article Relating to Raifing men was Read & it was Voted that the Collectors Should be Called upon by the Treafurer to Settle before the adjournment & upon Failure for him to Issue his Executions.

Voted that the Committee appointed to hire men for the army be Authorifed to hire money for that Purpofe.

Then Voted to Raife Six hundred Mill'd Dollars or the Value thereof in Paper money.

and that the Afsefsors be directed to afsefs Said money as Soon as may be.

[263] Selectmens Meeting March 19-1781

Signed order :

to pay the Ballance of the Committees account for Service the last year being in full for Railing men &c the whole amounting to the Sum of JC747 : 18:0.

Warrant for Town Meeting April 2-1 781. (3'^) To take into Consideration a Letter from the Committees of Corrofpondance meet at East Sudbury Relating to the Tender act ; and act thereon as they think Proper.

[264] Town Meeting April 2-1 781.

Then the Letter from the Committees of Corrofpondance was Read & Voted

[265]

That the late Act for taking of the Tender of the money was not Agreable to the mind of the town.

Then they Voted to Choofe a Committee to Prepare Inftructions for their Representative Directing him to ufe his influence in the General Court to git the tender Put on again.

L' : Josiah Capen

Voted & Chofe for Said Com"« \

Sam^ Soden M'' Josiah Bisco M-^ Sam^ White

W" Hunt Esq"" M"" Jonas White M"^ Rich"! Clark

Town Meeting April 3-1 78 1, by adjournment.

Voted the Taxes Set to the Soldiers in m"" Edmund Fowles Lists Shall be abated if they go into the Continential Army.

Then the Committee Appointed to Prepare Inftructions to be given their Reprefentative Laid a Draft therefor on y® Table which was Read & not accepted and Recommitted to the Same Committee.

adjourned to Mr John Bullards to meet ^ hours time which will be at 7 o'clock.

The Revolutionary War. 45

[266]

The town being met at m'' Bullards According to Adjournment but there being no Convenient Room that they Could have the meeting was by a Vote Adjourned to M""* Dorothy Coollidges to there in a Qiiarter of an Hour. They being met according to Adjournment a Motion being made and Seconded They Voted to Reconfider all the Votes that had been Pafsed on the third article in the Warrant Relating to the Tender Act (So Called).

Then they Voted that their Reprefentative be Directed to use his Endeavor in the General Court that the Tender act that was Lately Repealed be Revived So far as it Concerns the tender.

Then it was Voted that the Names of the Perfons that voted for the Inftruction & thofe against it be taken by Yeas & Nays — which are as follows (Viz) :

Nays. Teas.

Mofes Stone Jedidiah Leathe

■ Josiah Mixer Mofes Coollidge

Mofes Stone jr Abraham Whitney

W™ Warren Hugh Mason

Sam^ White Amos Livermore

Edm*^ Fowle Josiah Capen

W™ Hunt Sam^ Barnard

Jon^ Stone Elijah Bond

Nathan Coollige Jonas White

Tho^ Pattin Josiah Sanderfon

Josiah Norcrofs Phin^ Child

Sam^ Cook Sam' Spring

Henry Bradfhaw Josiah Bisco

Daniel Parker Daniel Sawin

Sam' Richards Jon^ Child

Simon Hastings

Benj" Capin

Jon'^ Coollidge Godding

Daniel Mason

Eben"" Everit

W'" Harrington

Rich'' Everit

Francis Brown

Sam' Soden

Simon Whitney

Selectmens Meeting June 7-17S1. Warrant for Town Meeting June 1 3-1 781.

[269]

(2'') To take Some Effectual Meafures to Compleat the Railing of our Proportion of men to fill up the Continential Army agree- able to the order of the Gen' Court &c.

[torn] nd make Such Grants of money & do any other things Re- lating thereto [torn] may appear Necefsary.

46 Watertown' s Military History.

[370] Town Meeting June 13-1781.

Voted that the Committee for hiring men be Defired to ufe their best endeavors to hire men to Compleat the towns Qiiota of men for the Continential army and make Report of their doings at the Adjournment of this meeting also Voted that if the Com"*^ have Inlisted any who have not yet Pafsed mufter they be Desired to ufe their Endeavors that they be immediatly muftered.

Voted that S'' Com"® be Desired to Report to the town what Sums of money they have on hand & what Sort of money that belongs to the town at the Adjournment of this meeting.

also that the Collectors that have lists of Town taxes granted for the purpofe of hiring men be Desired to Report at S'^ : Ad- journment how much they have yet to Collect on S'^ lists & what money they have on hand.

Voted that the Committee be Impowered to hire men with Scocks or Produce.

Town Meeting June 1 8-1 781, b}' adjournment.

Voted to Reconlider a Vote at a former meeting Granting hard money to hire Soldiers being paid at the Rate of Seventy five old Continential Dollars in lieu of one in Silver.

Then voted that the Collectors Should Receive no more old Currency for S*^ Tax's but to Receive them in the New money or in hard coin.

Voted y*^ : the Collectors may Receive three new in Lieu of one Silver.

Town Meeting June 20-1781, by adjournment.

Voted that the Comm"*^ be desired to Report what money they have on hand & that the Collectors Report what money tliey have yet to Collect & what they have on hand.

[371]

Voted that the Collectors be desired imediately to pay what money they have now on hand that they have Collected for the purpofe of hiring men into the Committees hands.

also Voted that Sd : Committee Dispofe of the old emifsion in the best manner they can for the ufe of the Town.

Voted that the Committee for hiring men be Directed to ufe their endeavours to have all the perfons whome they have Inlifted (Except John Jaeob Sawyer a Hafsion) imediately Muftered.

Voted that the Sum of one hundred & eighty pounds hard money be Granted for the purpofe of hiring men and be afsefsed & Collected imediately.

Town Meeting July 6-1 781.

on the 2'* : Article Voted to Grant a Sum of money to procure the towns Qiiota of Beef — and the Sum of one Hundred pounds hard money was granted for that purpofe.

on y'^ 4 Article Voted to Clafs the Inhabitants of the Town for the purpofe of hiring or Raifmg men for three or five months asfreable to the orders of the Gen' Court.

The Revolutionary War. 47

Voted to Choofe a Committee to Clai's the Town into as many Clafses as there are men to be Raifed.

r Sami : Fisk Esq'- : Chofe for S*^ Committee ■< Jon^ Brown Esq"" :

( AF Jed" Leathe

[363] Town Meeting July 23-1781, by adjournment.

They Voted that the money Granted to hire men Should be paid in Specia.

Voted to Reconfider a former vote for Clafsing the Inhabitants of the town &c.

Voted & Granted 800 Dollars to hire men and that it be afsefsed emediately.

Then Voted that the Committee appointed to Raiie men to fill the Continential Army be a Committee to hire men for the five and Three months Service.

Town Meeting August 6-1 78 1, by adjournment. They took into Consideration the ^^ Article Relating to the Beef to be provided for the Army — and voted to Choofe a Com- mittee to procure the Same.

iM" David Bemis Voted and Chofe for Said Committee -< M"" Sam^ White

( M'' Simon Whitney Then they Voted that all the tax's that the Collectors have or mav Receive Afefsed in hard coin Shall be paid in like money any Votes before to the Contrary Notwithftanding.

[373] Selectmens Meeting August 37-1781.

They Signed an order on the Treafurer to pay M'' : David San- ger & others the Committee appointed to hire men to go into the Army the Sum of two Hundred pounds for the Said Purpose.

[374] Selectmens Meeting October 3-1 781.

Warrant for Town Meeting October 8-17S1.

(3) To Devife Sufficient Means for Raifing the Men for the Continential Army.

(375] Town Meeting October 16-1781, by adjournment.

3^ article passed over.

[376] Selectmens Meeting November 9-1 781.

Warrant for Town Meeting November 14-1781.

(2'y) To take into Consideration a Refolve of the General Court for Compleating the Continential Army and act thereon as they Judge Proper.

Town Meeting November 14-1781. (Action taken on collecting money assessed to carry on the war.) Then they Voted to Choofe a Committee to use their endeavor

48 Watertowft's Military History.

to git the town Releafed from two of the men Set to them as their part of the Continential Army which are Suppofed to be more than Watertowns proportion.

( Jonathan Brown Esq"^ Voted & Chofe for Said Committee - William Hunt Esq"^

(M'' Samuel White

[278] Selectmens Meeting.

to Daniel Parker Esq"" for the Beef he provided 82 : 13:6

Town Meeting January 7-1 7S2, by adjournment. The (2*^) article in the Warrant being Read = And the Com- mittee appointed to hire men for the Continential Army Informed that they had made Such provifion for Supplying this towns pro- portion that they Suppofed the Number was Compleat therefor no other Meafures were taken.

[379] Selectmens Meeting February 18-1782.

Warrant for Town Meeting March 4-1782.

(15) To know y® minds of the town whether they will make any further grants to officers or Privates that have been in the Publick Service at Cannada Ticonderoga or else where not in- cluded in any former Vote, and act thereon as they may think proper.

[383] Town Meeting March 18-1782, by adjournment.

Then the (15) article was Read & Voted y* the Selectmen Con- sider thereof & Report what is proper to be don thereon.

[For this report see the book of records.]

Service in four New England States. May 7-1777.

Receipt for five pounds was signed by Samuel Jennison jr for two months service Capt. Stephen Danas Company.

ditto Abell Russell Capt. Stephen Danas Company.

May 9-1777.

ditto Tho^ Wilfon by his mark Capt. Stephen Danas Com- pany.

Town Stock of Ammunition 1780. The Towns Stock of powder, Balls, Flint, &c.

one Barrill w^ ----- - 131

one ditto - - - - - - - 120

one ditto ------- 68

one ditto ------- 55

one Bag of Balls No 26 wd - - - 48

one ditto No 21 _ - - 52

one ditto No 28 . - - 39

one Bag

No 22 W-'

one ditto

No i8

one ditto

No 24

one ditto

No 20

one ditto

No 20

one ditto

No 26

Flints

-

Buck Shot w*^ -

-

powder

-

The Revolutionary War. 49

one ditto No 29 _ - - 50

one ditto No 26 - _ - 41

Flints one paper No i ... loi

one ditto No 2 - - - 94

at M'' David Bemis 44 2-3 pounds of Balls & 47 Sheets paper ~ " ' - - 26

22 9

54

- - 46

- - 37

- - 805 30 30

The town records bearing upon the Revolutionary War have been given in continuity, in order to outline, in a measure, the action taken by the town during that exciting period previous to the opening of the conflict, as well as to show the local means provided for vigorously prosecuting the war to a satisfactory con- clusion. We, of the present day, can have but little realization of the thrilling interest, the vivid glow of righteous indignation, which filled and actuated the minds of our people then. Plain country folks, as they were, desirous of leading a simple life of peace and quietude, to till their farms and tend their flocks, they were swept by fate into a war against their king, George the Third, the consequences of which their Greater King, the Lord of Hosts, alone could foresee.

But the impress of the times bore with especial power upon this community for a particular reason. The Stamp Act, the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the pressure of the royal troops, the infinite personal exactions and restrictions, which fret- ted and inflamed them, finally ignited the devastating blaze of open rebellion. General Gage had called, in accordance with custom, a Congress, composed of representatives from the several towns, to assemble at Salem. Alarmed by the manifest symptoms of disorder, he hurriedly revoked his call. It was too late, the spirit of the hour could not be restrained. Those representatives of the townships, in spite of all protests, convened at Salem, Friday, Oct. 7, 1774, creating that first distinctively Republican Assembly, to be forever known as the Provincial Cons^ress.

THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.

The Watertown Historical Society, in connection with its numerous other good works, has caused to be erected by the town two granite tablets of a monumental character. One of these is placed at the corner of Mount Auburn and Common streets, just inside the iron fence which encloses the cemetery. It bears upon its face, in letters of gold, the following inscription :

" Here stood the Meeting House in which met the Provincial Congress from April 23 to July 19, 1775. Here the Great and General Court, or Assembly, was organized, and held its sessions from July 19, 1775, to Nov. 9, 1776, and from June 2 to June 33, 1778."

The other Memorial is placed at the head of Marshall Street, at its junction with Mount Auburn street, and is thus inscribed :

" This stone marks the site of the Dwelling House in which General Warren slept the night before the battle of Bunker Hill."

Four days after the First Provincial Congress convened at Sa- lem, and adjourned, it re-convened at Concord, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 1774. Six days later it met at Cambridge. Again it met at Cam- bridge, Wednesday, Nov. 33, dissolving Saturday, Dec. 10, 1774.

The Second Provincial Congress convened at Cambridge, Wednesday, Feb. i, i775) ^»d adjourned to meet at Concord, Tuesday, Mar. 22. April 22, three days after the British had in- vaded Concord, the Congress made a hasty adjournment from that town to Watertown, its session opening in the latter place April 22, 1775' ^^ 4 P M., in the town meeting house. These sessions continued regularly until May 39, 1775, when it dis- solved.

History was making very fast, so that only two days elapsed before the Third Provincial Congress convened at Watertown, and did not dissolve until July 19, 1775. This period was doubt- less one of the most intense excitement for the Massachusetts Colony, as well as for her sister colonies. Watertown was the theatre in which great actors played important parts. This town was represented in the First Congress by Capt. Jonathan Brown, John Remington and .Samuel Fisk ; while in the Second and Third Congresses Capt. Jonathan Brown was the town's sole representative.

In a Military History of Watertown there should be justly re- corded a brief account of the momentous doings, within its bor- ders, of those representative delegates from the towns comprising the Massachusetts Colony. It follows, somewhat in diary form :

April 15, 1775, the Second Provincial Congress, in session at Concord, adjourned, intending to meet again in the same town,

THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS MEMORIAL.

Tablet at the corner of Mount Auburn and Common Streets, Watertown.

The P}'ovincial Congress. 5 1

May lo. Two days later, apprehension was felt of immediate danger. The scattered members were recalled, to meet at Con- cord as speedily as possible. April 22 a short session was held in Concord, with Richard Devens as chairman, and John Murray as clerk. A letter from Mr. Qiiincy to Mr. Adams was read, the contents of which are not known ; after which the Congress ad- journed to meet at 4 p.m., of the same day, at Watertown. Im- mediately an order was passed, " that Mr. Watson notify the Committee of Safety of the time and place of adjournment, and request their attendance, with whatever plans they may have in readiness for us ; and also notify the absent members, that are in Cambridge, and request their attendance." It was further ordered, "that Mr. Sullivan, Col. Cushing, and Mr. Crane, be a committee to wait on the Selectmen of Watertown, and ask for liberty to use the Meeting House, during the session of Congress here."

They returned, and reported that the Selectmen had readily granted their request. The supreme feeling of the times was manifested in the following action: "Ordered, that Mr. Gerry, Col. Cushing, Col. Barrett, Capt. Stone, Doct. Taylor, Mr. Sul- livan, Mr. Freeman, Mr. Watson, and Esq. Dix, be a committee to take depositions, in perpetuam, from which a full account of the transactions of the troops, under Gen. Gage, in their route to and from Concord, &c. be collected ; to be sent to England by the first ship from Salem."

The following day, as early as 7 A.M., the session reopened. It was unanimously resolved, after the reading of a letter from Gen. Ward of New Hampshire, " that an army of 30,000 men be raised, and established, for the defence of the colony; that 13,600 men he raised immediately by this province, and that the Committee of Safety bring in a plan for the establishment of officers and men." Col. Cushing, Mr. Sullivan, Col. Whitcomb, and Mr. Durant, were added to the Committee of Safety: "Voted, to send word of this action to the New Hampshire Congress at Exe- ter by Mr. Sullivan ; that Major Bliss go to Connecticut, and Dea- con Rawson to Rhode Island, for the same purpose."

In the afternoon, Doctor Warren was unanimously chosen President, and Col. Palmer was chosen Secretary pro tempore. Mr. Gerry read a letter from Marblehead, reporting that the British man-of-war Lively was in their harbor, and asking direc- tion and aid ; as their means of defence were inadequate. Doctor Warren read a letter from the Committee of Correspondence, stating that every preparation was making to support this province ; that the ardor of their people was such they could not be kept back, and the Colonels were to forward a part of their men at once ; the remainder to be ready at a moment's notice.

Monday: "Voted, that 600 enlistment papers be printed; that the Committee of Supplies be empowered to impress horses or teams, the owners to send their accounts to said committee ; that the resolves for the establishment of the army be printed in handbills ; that a member for each county be appointed to attend

52

Wate7'tozvft''s Military History.

the Committee of Safety and let them know the names of officers in said county belonging to the Minute Men, and such as are most suitable for the army now raising."

The next day the Treasurer was asked as to the state of the treasury. He responded that for the year 1773, it was supposed about £20,000 was due^ and that he had received £5,000.

" Ordered, that the following gentlemen be a committee to see the Committee of Safety : Col. Lincoln for Suffolk; Maj. Fuller for Essex ; Col. Prescott for Middlesex ; Col. Pomeroj' for Hamp- shire ; Nathan Cushing for Plymouth; Daniel Davis, Esq., for Barnstable; Col. Daggett for Bristol; Ichabod Goodwin, Esq., for York ; Joseph Mayhew, Esq., for Duke's County ; Maj. Bige- low for Worcester; Mr. Samuel Freeman for Cumberland ; Rev. John Murray for Lincoln ; Col. John Patterson for Berkshire, and Stephen Hussey, Esq., for Nantucket."

Apr. 25, it was " voted that the companies in each regiment be reduced from 100 men to 59, including three officers, a captain and two subalterns ; and that each regiment be reduced to ten companies." In reply to a letter from Haverhill, stating that, owing to the late dreadful fire, together with some public distur- bance there, the two representatives, Nathaniel Peaslee Sargeant, Esq., and Jonathan Webster, were needed there, the Congress said : " The Congress apprehend the important business of the Colonies require that every town should be represented, and de- sires these and others should attend."

Many memorials were received, from maritime ports, stating that armed vessels were hovering about; the people's means were exhausted ; and praying for reinforcements of men, as well as for supplies of arms and ammunition.

Wednesday, April 36, it was resolved, " that William Burbeck is appointed engineer of the forces now being raised in this colony, to be paid at the rate of £150 per annum, and that from and after said forces shall be disbanded, during the life of said Burbeck, he shall be paid £97, 6s. Sd. annually." A letter to the Hon. Ben- jamin Franklin, Esq., at London, was read, speaking of their entire confidence in his faitiifulness and abilities ; their trust in his important agency, in this da}' of unequalled distress ; of the fallacious account of the recent tragedy, as sent by their enemies; requesting his assistance for Capt. Derby, the bearer of this pack- et; asking that the papers forwarded be immediately printed and sent through every town in England, and especially communicated to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and City Council of London ; de- claring that, whatever price our brethren may be pleased to put on their constitutional liberties, the inhabitants of this country are inflexibly resolved to sell theirs, only at the price of their lives.

An address to the people of Great Britain was adopted, stating " that hostilities were at length commenced by troops, under com- mand of Gen. Gage : On the night preceding April 19, a body of the King's troops, under the command of Col. Smith, were se- cretly landed at Cambridge. Inhabitants travelling peaceably on

The Provincial Congress. 53

the road, between Boston and Concord, were seized and abused. Lexington was alarmed by these means, and a company mustered tliere. The regulars fired on said company, killing eight, and woundinof several others. Then the British regulars marched to Concord, where a number of the provincials were fired upon, two killed and serveral wounded. The engagement lasted through the day, in which many of the provincials, an 1 more of the regu- lar troops, were killed and wounded. A great many houses were plundered, and rendered unfit for use, several being burnt. Wo- men and children were driven naked into the street ; old men were shot dead ; and such scenes exhibited as would disgrace the annals of tlie most uncivilized nation.

"But these have not detached us from our royal Sovereign. We propose to be his loyal and dutiful subjects, and are still ready, with our lives, to defend his person, family, crown and dignity. Nevertheless, to the persecution and tyranny of his cruel ministry we will not tamely submit. Appealing to Heaven for the justice of our cause, we determine to die or be free."

Richard Gridley, Esq., was appointed Chief Engineer of the force, raising in this colony for the defence of the rights, and lib- erties of the American continent. Salary £170 per annum, law- ful money; salary, after the forces are disbanded, during life of said Gridley, £123 per annum.

Thus it appears, while the Colonists were still " loyal and duti- ful subjects " of his Majesty the King, they were not unmindful to provide means for the noble art of self-defence against a time of need.

The Committee on Supplies was ordered to procure and dis- tribute "such a quantity of powder and ball as appears necessary, to be supplied to the eastern towns of York, Welles, Boothbay and Biddeford ; resolved to send four half barrels to each of these towns."

Thursday, Apr. 27, Capt. Goodman was delegated to enquire of the Committee ot Safety whether any provision is made for a post, or posts, to ride from the army to Worcester.

In Committee of Safety Capt. Derby was directed to make for Dublin, or any other part of Ireland, thence cross to Scotland and England, hasten to London, and deliver his papers to the agent there. " P. S., You are to keep this order secret from every per- son on earth." This important secret message was signed by "J. Warren, Chairman."

On motion of another illustrious leader, Mr. Gerry, the Con- gress resolved: " Whereas, hostilities have been commenced in this colony, by Great Britain, and the sword may remain un- sheathed for a considerable time. Resolved, that committees in the seaport towns of Essex, use their utmost efforts to have all the effects of the inhabitants removed, as soon as possible, and said inhabitants be in readiness to go into the country, at the shortest notice."

In the afternoon it was ordered "that Capt. Kingsbury, Doctor

54 Watertowjz's Alllitary History.

Holten, and Deacon Stone are appointed to enquire, and endeavor to get an exact account, concerning men killed, wounded and murdered in the late scene on the 19th inst." A committee was appointed to arrange means for supplying the treasury.

April 28, a stirring letter was read, in reply to one received from New Hampshire, saying: " It is the opinion of this Con- gress, that a powerful army, on our side, must at once cut out such a work for a tyrannical administration, as, under the great opposition they meet in England, they cannot accomplish ; and their system of despotism must soon be shaken to the foundation ; but should they still pursue their sanguinary measures, that the colonies will then be able to make a successful stand."

Saturday, Apr. 29, a committee reported in relation to the lib- eration of the inhabitants of Boston. A set of rules for the Con- gress was adopted. The Committee on Military Supplies was empowered to purchase every kind of military stores, provisions and other supplies for the use of the arm}'.

A letter was prepared, expressing the deepest concern of this Congress "that Mr. Brown, a valuable friend to the cause of America, is betrayed into the hands of our common enemies. Ordered that Samuel Murray, and such other officers of Gen. Gage's army as are prisoners of war, be sent to Providence, to be made use of by Hon. Stephen Hopkins, or other friends, in ob- taining the liberty of Mr. Brown." Brown had been seized, with two others, and carried on board of a British man-of-war ship at Newport.

Another letter, to Hon. Stephen Hopkins of Providence, stated how, since the above order was presented, word had been received, announcing that Gen. Gage had consented to allow the in- habitants of Boston to leave the place, with all their personal ef- fects, except firearms. The firearms were to be delivered to the selectmen, at Faneuil Hall, with their owner's names marked on them. The General expected a like permission would be given by Congress for colonists to move into Boston. " Should the first order — relating to Mr. Brown — be passed it might put a stop to this favorable event. P. S. Have just heard the passages from Boston are again blocked."

April 29. Owing to the reduction of several regiments, from 1000 men to 590 men, the pay of field officers was reduced one- fifth, pay to be as follows: Colonel, £12 per month ; Lieutenant Colonel, £9, I2S. ; Major, £8. A committee was appointed on supply of the treasury, as follows : Doctor Taylor, Col. Dexter, Col. Gerrish, Mr. Gill, Mr. Gerry, Capt. Stone of Framingham and Capt. Greenleaf.

A letter was received by the President from John Hancock" who was then at Worcester, being on his way to attend the Con tinental Congress. He states the need of himself and Samuel Adams for a suitable escort, and asks: "Are our men in good spirits.? For God's sake do not permit the spirit to subside, until they have perfected the reduction of their enemies. Boston must

The Provincial Congress. 55

be entered. Oiu" friends are valuable, but our country must be saved. I have an interest in that tovi^n : What can be the enjoy- ment of that to me if I am obliged to hold it at the will of Gen. Gage or any one else?"

A committee reported military supplies on hand as follows : In Cambridge, six three-pounders complete with ammunition, and one six-pounder ; in Watertown, sixteen pieces of artillery of dif- ferent sizes. The said six-pounder, and sixteen pieces, will be taken out of the way ; and the first mentioned six pieces will be used in a proper way of defence.

April 30. A letter was sent to the Committee of Safety, request- ing an immediate report on the subject of removing the poor in- habitants of Boston. The Committee of Safety reported a resolve, " that any persons who incline to go into Boston with their effects, except firearms and ammunition, have toleration for the purpose, and be protected from injur3' and insult; that Doctor Taylor, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Lothrop, Mr. Holmes^nd Col. Farley be a committee to see what steps are necessary for assisting the poor of Boston in moving with their effects.

Monday, May i. A form of commission for the officers of the Colonial Army was accepted, and it was voted to have 1000 copies printed. Report of committee appointed April 30: ''Whereas, it is reported that about 5000 of said inhabitants of Boston are in- digent. Resolved, that the good people of this Colony, and espe- cially the Selectmen and Committee of Correspondence, aid and assist said inhabitants with teams, etc. ; and that the Selectmen of the several towns provide for such persons in the best and most prudent way, until this, or some future. Congress shall take action thereon. Resolved, that these shall not be considered as the poor of said towns. Total estimated number, 4903 : allotted to Suffolk County, 215; Middlesex, 1016; Plymouth, 115; Bristol, 588; Berkshire, 314 ; Hampshire, 78S ; Worcester, 539."

Ordered, that the Committee on Supplies be directed to deliver to William Reed, Esq., one barrel of pork, for the use of Joseph Loring, Joseph Loring, Jr., Widow Milliken and Joseph Pond. A committee, consisting of Mr. Hollock, Col. Howe, and Capt. White, was appointed to furnish the army with its present neces- saries.

Tuesday, May 2. Col. Warren was chosen President pro tempore.

[Note. The loss sustained by Deacon Joseph Loring was esti- mated at JC720 ; of Widow Milliken £431, including buildings, household furniture and wearing apparel. The house of Deacon Loring was near the spot where the brigade of Lord Percy joined the retreating detachment under Lieut. -Col. Smith, and is stated by him to have been the first one destroyed by the troops in Lex- ington, April 19.]

"Doctor Warren presents his respects to Congress and accepts the Presidency." A committee was appointed to draw up a form of oath for the soldiers and officers. A letter to the delegates of

56 WaiertoTvn's Military History.

this Congress at Connecticut was prepared, saying: "We appre- hend that things are now reduced to such a state nothing but an immediate recourse to arms can possibly prevent our destruction, and a recourse to any other method is, at best, nugatory and vain." This letter was presented because of a letter sent from Jonathan Trumbull to Gen. Gage, which Doctor Samuel Johnson and Col. Oliver Wolcott were commissioned to deliver, asking if there was any way to prevent this unhappy dispute from coming to extremi- ties. Gen. Gage replied, stating that "the King and Parliament seem to hold out terms of reconciliation consistent with the honor and interests of Great Britian, and the rights and privileges of the Colonies."

May 3. Another prominent figure on the military checker- board now comes into view, an officer, at first respected and hon- ered with high command, who, nevertheless, was destined to end his career in dishonor.

The Committee of Safety was directed to furnish Col. Benedict Arnold with 10 horses, 200 pounds of gunpowder, 200 pounds of lead balls, and 1000 flints, at the expense of the Colony ; and also i£iOO in lawful money. 1

Resolved, '' Ihat the Receiver General be empowered to borrow \]

£100,000, and issue Colony securities for the same, payable, with annual interest at six per cent., June i, 1777 ; and that the Con- tinental Congress be desired to recommend to the several Colonies to give currency to said securities. The payment on notes is to be in Spanish milled dollars, at 6 shillings each ; or in the several species of coined silver and gold, as per English Act, notes to be not less than £4 each ; each soldier to be allowed 20 shillings in advance." Hon. Samuel Dexter, Esq., Doct. Joseph Warren, and Mr. Moses Gill, were made a committee to procure a copper plate for printing the Colony notes.

A letter to the Continental Congress at Philadelphia was read and ordered to be forwarded. The letter expressed the deepest concern for this country, and asked direction and assistance. It stated what had been done in raising troops and money, and said that the raising of a powerful army, on the part of America, was the only means of stemming the rapid progress of a tyrannical min- istry.

A resolve was adopted, recommending that an application be sent to Gen. Gage, signed by wives or nearest relatives of prison- ers, desiring he would discharge their friends from imprisonment.

Friday, May 5. A vote was reconsidered, which had been passed at Concord, Apr. i, urging that writs, calling for a General Assembly the last Wednesday in May, be obeyed ; stating that Gen. Gage hath utterly disqualified himself to serve the Colony as Governor ; appointing Mr. Gardner, Col. Dwight and Col. Warren a committee to bring in a resolve, recommending the seve- ral towns to choose delegates to a new Provincial Congress, to be held the last Wednesday in May. A letter was adopted, to the Governor and Company of Connecticut, stating that the most in-

The Provhzcial Congress. 57

contestible evidence proved the King's troops first fired upon and killed several Colonists, before injury was done to them ; that the experience we have had of Gen. Gage convinces us but little dependence can he placed on his professions, as it is evidently the business of the General to subjugate these Colonies.

A letter was sent to Gen. Artemas Ward, requesting him to examine into the cause of the obstruction to the liberation of our friends in Boston ; a copy to be sent to the Selectmen of Boston. A resolve was adopted, calling for delegates to a Provincial Con- gress, to convene in the meeting house, at Watertown, May 31.

[Note. — Gen. Jonathan Trumbull of Hartford, Conn., replied, May 4, in behalf of Connecticut ; saying : '' You need not fear for our firmness, deliberation and unanimity, and purpose lo act in unison and concert with our sister Colonists."]

The Committee on Supplies was empowered to procure powder in the other Colonies ; also other military stores. Gen. John Whit- comb and Col. Benjamin Lincoln were appointed as Muster Mas- ters in the Massachusetts army, with orders to accept only able- bodied men. The pay of a train band of 46 men, including offi- cers, was fixed as follows :

One Captain - - - - £6, los. per month.

Two Lieutenants - - -

One Fire Worker - - -

Four Sergeants, each.

Four Corporals " - -

Thirty-two Matrosses, each, -

One Drummer . _ _

One Fifer - - - -

An order was passed, "to disarm all persons who will not give assurance of their good intentions ; to oblige all, who are liable by law, to appear, when properly called by their officers."

A letter was approved, to the Selectmen of Hopkinton, sug- gesting extreme caution towards those who chose to leave the colony for Philadelphia. " A violation of the natural right of the individual to remove his person and effects wherever he pleases would ill become those who are contending for the inalienable right of every man to his own property, and to dispose of it as he pleases."

A motion was lost, restraining people of this Colony from sup- plying Boston with provisions. A committee was appointed to refute a false account, which stated that when Capt. Parsons re- turned with three companies over the bridge, at Concoi"d, they observed three soldiers on the ground, one scalped, his head mangled, and ears cut oflT, although he was not quite dead.

Ordered, that Selectmen supply enlisted men with arms, and that twenty Armorers be appointed to repair the many arms, un- fit for service.

Ordered, that the Committee of Safety be directed to consider the propriety of removing the whole, or part, of the cannon and

6,

I OS

4.

10

3»

10

2,

10

2,

6

2,

3

2,

6

2,

6

58 Watertoxvn's Military History.

stores from Cambridge, further back into the country; that the general officers be directed to call in all soldiers who are already enlisted, and all in camp at Cambridge and Roxbury, so they will not depart until further orders of this Congress ; also direc- tions were given for preserving the straw, needed in large quanti- ties, for the army.

A remonstrance to Gen. Gage was adopted, asking him to remove all obstructions suffered by the inhabitants of Boston, who have to contend with numerous delays and embarrassments in removing from that town. Resolved, that ten companies of train be formed for the artillery, and enter immediately on constant discipline.

A letter was sent to the Committee of Correspondence of New York, stating that two men of war, with three or four companies of troops on board, had sailed from Boston to New York. Or- dered, that Capt. Stone, Col. Warren and Mr. Sullivan be a com- mittee to consider the raisingof one or two companies of Indians.

Afternoon of May 12. A committee reported in favor of the appointment of another committee, which should make an appli- cation to the Continental Congress to secure the right, on the part of this Colony, to take up, and exercise the powers of civil gov- ernment. The action regarding companies of train was reconsid- ered, and the pay for ten companies of Matrosses, fixed as follows :

Captain, Capt. Lieut, First "

Two2"'i" each.

Sergeants, "

Corporals, "

Six Bombardiers, "

Six Gunners, " Thirty-two Matrosses,"

A third set of depositions for April 19 was ordered. Resolved, " that post riders be immediately established, to go from Cam- bridge to the various towns, that post offices be kept and post- masters appointed. Rates for mail sent by these post riders were fixed as follows : Not exceeding 60 miles, 5^ pence ; 100 miles, 8 pence ; 200 miles, io| pence; 300 miles, i shilling 1 pence; 400 miles, I shilling 4 pence; 500 miles, i shilling, 6| pence; 600 miles, I shilling, 9 pence; 700 miles, 2 shillings; 800 miles, 2 shillings, 2^ pence ; 900 miles, 2 shillings, 5 pence ; 1000 miles, 2 shillings, 8 pence."

Above rates were for single letters, to be doubled for double let- ters and trebled for treble letters, and for every ounce in weight to be four times as much as for single letters. These charges were to remain in force until changed by the Continental Con- gress, by this Congress, or by the House of Representatives of this Colony.

£6.

10 s

0

5-

10

0

4-

10

0

3-

12

0

2.

10

0

2.

6

0

2.

4

6

2.

4

0

2.

3

0

The Provincial Congress. 59

[Note. — A letter book of Gov. Hutchinson was found in the attic of his country seat at Milton. One letter was suppressed, as it had nota favorable bearing upon the stanch patriotism of Mr. Hancock. The book is now in the Massachusetts State Archives. 1 A letter was approved, to the eastern tribe of Indians, stating the great wickedness of Great Britian, asking for their aid, and saying that a blanket, a ribbon, and pay when away on service would be given to each. " We will do what we can for you, and fight to save you. We have sent Capt. John Lane to you, and he will show orders for raising one company of your men."

Resolved, that no person shall be permitted to move his goods out of the Colony [to Nova Scotia or elsewhere], unless he shall obtain the permission of the Committee on Correspondence of the town he belongs to, or of the Selectmen. Resolved, that Con- gress approves the action of the Selectmen of Falmouth in send- ing reports that the Canadians are likely to attack their frontier, and recommending said Selectmen to transmit further intelligence with all convenient speed. Hon. Joseph Gerrish, Esq., and Col. Ebenezer Sawyer, were chosen as delegates to the Congress in the province of New Hampshire.

Tuesday, May i6. Resolved, that Doct. Church go to Phila- delphia with the following application to the Continental Con- gress: "May it please your Honors: That system of Colony administration which, in the most firm, dutiful and loyal manner has been in vain remonstrated against, seems still to threaten ruin and destruction to this Continent. The principle of self-defence, roused in the breasts of freemen by the dread of impending slavery, caused to be collected the wisdom of America, in a Congress, composed of men, who, through time, must in every land of free- dom be revered, amongst the most faithful asserters of the essen- tial rights of human nature. We have declined, though urged thereto by the most pressing necessity, to assume the reins of civil government. But, as the sword should, in all free states, be sub- servient to the civil powers, we humbly hope you will favor us with your most explicit advice, respecting the taking up and ex- ercising the powers of civil government, which we think abso- lutely necessary for the salvation of our country. We suggest you take the regulation and general direction of the army."

Resolved, that Hon. Joseph Gerrish, Esq., and Col. Ebenezer Sawyer, a committee to New Hampshire, be empowered to in- duce said Congress to raise their proportion of men to defend the Colonies. Doct. Benjamin Church was chosen as a delegate to Philadelphia.

Resolved, that men be enlisted for the artillery force from the several regiments already engaged, so as to have men well quali- fied for service.

Wednesday, May 17. A letter from Edward Mott to this Con- gress, dated May ir, 1775, was read giving an account of the taking of Ticonderoga, together with a letter from Ethan Allen. A form of oath for the officers was adopted. A resolve and let-

6o Watertown's Military History.

ter were accepted, presenting congratulations on the reduction of the important fortress of Ticonderoga ; also asking if a battery of cannon, especially brass cannon, can be spared from that fortress, or procured from Crown Point ; suggesting that Col. Arnold take charge of and bring them down with all possible haste, Ethan Allen to remain in charge of the fort.

Resolved, that Lady Frankland, wife of Sir Henry Frankland, who had extensive estates in Hopkinton, be permitted to go to Boston with seven trunks, all beds and furniture, all the boxes and crates, a basket of chickens and a bag of corn, two barrels and a hamper, two horses and two chaises, and all the articles in chaises, excepting arms and ammunition ; one phaeton, some tongues, ham and veal, together with sundry small bundles, as examined.

[Note. — Notwithstanding this permission, some excitement arose at her departure. An armed party arrested her journey, and detained her person and effects, until the action of Congress freed her and her companions from captivity.]

Friday, May 19. Col. Bond and a guard of six men were di- rected to escort Lady Frankland to Boston.

The following were appointed as the Committee of Safety : Hon. John Hancock, Esq., Doct. Joseph Warren, Doct. Benja- min Church, Capt. Benjamin White, Col. Joseph Palmer, Mr. Richard Devens, Mr. Abraham Watson, Mr. John Pigeon, Col. Azor Orne, Hon. Benjamin Greenleaf, Esq., Mr. Nathan Cush- ing, Doct. Samuel Helton, and Hon. Enoch Freeman, Esq. This committee was empowered to assemble, dispose and dis- charge the militia and direct the army. Mr. John Pigeon was appointed a Commissary for the army.

The Commission for Gen. Ward was accepted, as follows: "We, reposing trust and confidence in your courage and good conduct, do, by these presents, appoint you, the said Artemas Ward, to be General and Commander-in-Chief of all the forces raised by the Congress aforesaid, for the defence of this and the other American Colonies."

Col. Foster, Capt. Stone and Mr. Webster, a committee ap- pointed to get depositions and a narrative of the late excursion of the King's troops to Concord, were directed to have these printed in pamphlet form, and a copy sent to every town and district.

A report was received from the committee appointed, relating to the removal of people from Boston, and was accepted. It stated that only a small proportion of said inhabitants had been permitted to remove, and those only to bring their clothing and household furniture. Resolved, " that Gen. Ward be directed to order the guards in future not to suffer anything, except furniture and clothing, to be carried into Boston, until Ge.\\ Gage takes a different course of action, in accordance with his plighted faith."

Resolved, " that each soldier and non-commissioned officer shall receive 40 shillings advance pay, instead of 20 shillings ; that, for the payment of advance pay to the Massachusetts army, there be

The Provincial Congress. 6i

issued notes not exceeding £26000." A report was accepted, re- questing ministers of tlie several denominations, to the number of 13, to attend the army, in their turns. Various commissions were granted to officers, only Colonels of the regiments to attend Congress for this purpose.

Saturday, May 20. Congress met at 4 o'clock, and adjourned until 8 o'clock the next day.

[From this time until the dissolving of this Congress no journal of its proceedings has been preserved. From the papers on file, and copies of resolves certified to be correct by Secretary Free- man, the record of the final eight days is imperfectly made up.]

The important doings of Monday, Ma 22, are sketched as be- low: A committee reported the inhabitants of Deer Island to be greatly in want of provisions, but whether it was better to send them supplies, or to remove the people, was submitted for deci- sion to Congress.

Resolved, that " those persons guilty of acting in conjunction with Gov. Hutchinson, are guilty of such atrocious crimes that every friend of mankind ought to forsake and detest them, until they shall give evidence of a sincere repentance, by actions worthy of men and Christians, and that no person within this province shall take any deed, lease, or conveyance, whatever of the lands, houses, or estates of such persons."

A letter from Gen. Ward recommends procuring the following ordnance: 30 twenty-four pounders, 10 twelve-pounders, iS nine- pounders, 21,600 pounds of powder, 80 balls for each gun, 1500 stands of arms, 20,000 pounds of musket powder, 40,000 pounds of lead, and 1700 iron pots.

A letter was approved, to be sent to Col. Arnold, applauding the conduct of the troops, and thanking him for his exertions in the cause.

May 29, 1775, the Second Provincial Congress was dissolved.

THIRD PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.

At a Congress of delegates from the several towns and districts in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, begun and held at the Meet- ing House in Watertown, the 31^* of May, 1775, Mr. Samuel Freeman was chosen Clerk, and Hon. Joseph Warren, Esq., President.

June I, a convention of the ministers was held in the said Meet- ing House, at which they proffered their services as chaplains in the army. Congress, in a letter to Benedict Arnold, stated that " they are sorry to meet with repeated requests from you that some gentleman be sent to succeed you in command. They assure you they place the greatest confidence in your fidelity, knowledge, courage and good conduct; and they desire you, at present, to dismiss the thoughts of quitting your important command at Ti- conderoga. Crown Point, Lake Champlain, etc., and you are hereby requested to continue your command over the forces raised in this colony." He was advised that 1000 men had been ordered to march at once to his assistance.

It was ordered, that the officers of Col. Gardner's regiment be commissioned, agreeably to the list by him submitted. This was the regiment with which was connected the Watertown company that served at Lexington.

June 3, it was resolved that, in view of the depredation of Gen. Gage, all persons occupying the islands or coasts of this province be advised to remove their hay, cattle, horses, sheep, etc., so far into the country, or otherwise dispose of them, that they " may be out of the wa}' of our implacable enemies."

The payment of the colony forces occasioned concern. The offer of Mr. Becket of Salem to lend £500 for this purpose was gratefully accepted. Mr. Paul Revere was directed to stamp the notes for the soldiers, "all the ensuing night, if he can, and to finish them with the greatest possible dispatch."

Ascertain sorrel horse," that was taken by the guards at Roxbury from an officer of Gen. Gage's troops, Apr. 20, was ap- pointed for the use of the Rev. Mr. Emerson of Concord. Four prisoners, brought to thiis Congress by Sergt. John Parker, were committed to the custody of the guard which had charge of the public stores in Watertown.

Tuesday, June 6, there was a lively hearing before Congress, in relation to charges made against Col. Brewer ; after a long and full debate, his commission, as Colonel of a regiment in the Mas- sachusetts army, was refused by a vote of 80 to 70. Whereupon, Mr. Edwards, at the door of the Meeting House, exclaimed : " By God ! if this province is to be governed in this manner, it is time

HOME OF THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS IN 1775.

First Parish Church, Watertovvn. Drawn by Charles Brigham, Architect, from description.

Third Provincial Congress. 63

for us to look out, and 'tis all owing to the Committee of Safety, a pack of sappy-headed fellows. I know three of them myself." Mr. Edwards was the next day called before Congress and "ad- monished."

A resolve was accepted, and ordered to be printed in the " Cambridge, VVatertown and Worcester papers," making further provisions for the removal of the poor from Boston, and their subsequent care and support.

A letter was approved, to be sent to the Moheakounuck tribe of Indians, living in and around Stockbridge, in part as follows: " Brothers: You say that you were once great, but that you are now little ; and that we were once little, but are now great. The Supreme Spirit orders these things. Whether we are little or great, let us keep the path of friendship clear, which our fathers made, and in which we have both traveled to this time. Though you are small, you are wise ; use your wisdon to help us."

Each soldier was allowed the following, per day : One pound of bread, half a pound of beef and half a pound of pork, and, if pork cannot be had, one pound and one quarter of beef; and one day in seven they shall have one pound and one quarter of fish, instead of a day's allowance of meat ; one pint of milk, or if milk cannot be had, one gill of rice ; one quart of good spruce or malt beer ; one gill of beans, or other sauce equivalent ; six ounces of butter per week ; one pound of common soap for six men per week ; half a pint of vinegar per week per man, if it can be had.

In a letter to the Continental Congress, attention is called to the distressed condition of the Colony, and the need of a civil government to maintain order and preserve property : " The army under command ofGen. Gagewe estimate to amount at least to 5000 men, well appointed, under the command of gene- rals of character and experience, and prepared with everything necessary for action ; exclusive of the additional strength derived from negroes, which the general has taken into his service, and disaflected Americans. We have great reason to apprehend that a reinforcement of at least eight companies of foot and one of horse may be hourly expected. As the seat of war, with all its distresses has, for the present, taken its principal residence here, we should consider it a happy event, if you should think proper to adjourn to some part of the continent not far distant; that the advice and aid of the Continental Congress may be more expedi- tiously furnished upon any emergency."

Walter Spooner, Jedediah Foster and James Sullivan, Esqs., were appointed a committee, and directed to proceed to Ticonder- oga and Crown Point, to inform themselves in what manner Col Benedict Arnold had executed his commission and instructions. "And in case you shall judge it proper to discharge said Arnold, that you direct him to return to this Colony and render his ac- count."

Col. Warren, Col. Palmer, Mr. Seaver and Doct. Taylor were appointed a committee to consider the subject matter of an extra- ordinary proclamation just issued by Gen. Gage.

64 Watertown^s Alilitary History.

In this proclamation, Gen. Gajje recounts the events which had of late transpired, refers to the Colonists as rebels who have added insult to outrage, and publishes and declares the establishment of martial law throughout the province.

Thursday, June 15, it was resolved " that the library, appara- tus and other valuables of Harvard College be removed, as soon as may be, to Andover." It was ordered, that the various towns collect firearms, and that arrangements be made for establishing a camp at Cambridge.

Friday, June 16, Cols. Jonathan Brewer, and David Brewer, and Col. Glover were sworn and commissioned.

A committee on the violation of the Sabbath reported : "Among the prevailing sins of this day we have reason to lament the fre- quent profanation of the Lord's Day, or the Christian Sabbath, many spending their time in idleness or sloth, others in diversions, and others in journeying or business which is not necessary on said day." Ministers were asked to use their influence to dis- countenance such profanation, and officers were advised to strictly require of their soldiers to keep up a religious regard for the day.

The committee appointed therefor made a vigorous reply to the recent proclamation of Gen. Gage. " And we trust that the God of armies, on whom we rely for a blessing upon our arms, which we have taken up in support of the great and fundamental principles of natural justice, and the common and indefeasible rights of mankind, will guide and direct us in our designs; and at last, in infinite goodness to this his injured people, restore peace and freedom to the American world."

On the afternoon of Wednesday, June 14, Doct. Joseph War- ren was chosen as second Major-General, the Hon. John Whit- comb, Esq., having been chosen as first Major-General of the Massachusetts army. Three days later General W^arren rode from Watertown on horseback to Cambridge and thence to Bun- ker Hill, where he was killed in the terrible encounter between the Colonists and British troops. The intense excitement caused by this battle was reflected in tlie doings of the Provincial Congress, which held an important session, Sunday, June iS. The first action was the adoption of a resolve, that the records and papers ot Congress be secured and taken care of at the direction of the secretary.

A committee was appointed to prepare a letter to the Conti- nental Congress, in relation to the late attack. The Committee on Supplies was asked what steps had been taken to procure powder from the other governments of New England. Other committees were appointed to provide supplies tor the soldiers, and to care for the sick and wounded.

Hon. James Warren was chosen President of the Congress " in room of the Hon. Joseph Warren, Esq., supposed to be killed in the late battle of Bunker Hill." In a letter to the Con- tinental Congress, it was stated that about 1200 Colonists took possession of posts in Charlestown and Dorchester, June 16. "The

I

Third Provincial Congress, 65

British man-of-war Lively, and other vessels, opened fire upon them at daylight, Saturday, June 17. About 2 p.m. the British troops landed and attacked them, but were twice repulsed. At 5 o'clock the British had gained possession of the posts within the isthmus, and Charlestown was being destroyed by fire. The number of Colonists killed, or missing, was estimated at 60 or 70. Our most worthy friend and president, Doct. Warren, lately elected a major-general, is one of them. This loss we feel most sensibly. The loss of the British was said to be 1000."

The subsequent acts of this Provincial Congress related to ac- tive preparations for the Colony's defence. Yet the religious spirit of the times was manifest in the appointment of Thursday, July 13, to be observed throughout the Colony as a day of fasting and prayer.

GENERAL WASHINGTON IN WATERTOWN.

June 26. — Doct. Benjamin Church and Mr. Moses Gill were appointed as a committee on behalf of Congress, "to repair to Springfield, there to receive Gens. Washington and Lee, with every mark of respect due to their exalted stations ; to provide escorts for them from thence, to the army before Boston, and the house provided for their reception at Cambridge ; and to make suitable provision for them in the manner following, viz. : by a number of gentlemen from the Colony from Springfield to Brook- field ; and by another company raised in that neighborhood, from thence to Worcester ; and by another company provided from thence to Marlborough ; and from thence, by the troop of horse in that place, to the army aforesaid : And to make suitable provision for tlieir company at the several stages on the road, and to receive the bills of expense at the several inns, where it may be convenient for them to stop for refreshment, to examine them, and make report of the several sums expended at each of them, for that purpose, that orders may be taken by the Congress for the payment of them ; and all innkeepers are hereby directed to make provision agreeably to the requests made by the said com- mittee ; and that Gen. Ward be notified of the appointment of Gen. Washington as Commander-in-chief of the American forces, and of the expectation we have, of his speedy arrival with Major- Gen. Lee, that he, with the generals of the forces of the other Colonies, may give such orders for their honorable reception, as may accord with tlie rules and circumstances of the army, and the respect due to their rank, without, however, any expense of pow- der, and without taking the troops oft' from the necessary attention to their duty, at this crisis of our afiairs.

" That the president's house in Cambridge [the Craigie house, afterwards the Longfellow residence], excepting one room re- served by the president for his own use, be taken, cleared, pre- pared and furnished, for the reception of Gen. Washington and Gen. Lee."

General Washington having been duly received and escorted to Watertown was greeted, July 3, with the following address, approved by Congress, July i, 1775 ■'

" To His Excellency George Washington, Esq., general and commander-in-chief of the Continental Army:

Mav it please your excellency — The Congress of Massachusetts Colony, impressed with every sentiment of gratitude and respect, beg leave to congratulate you on your safe arrival, and to wish you all imaginable happiness and success in the execution of your elevated station.

General Washington in Watertonvn. 67

While we applaud that attention to the public good manifested in your appointment, we equally admire that disinterested virtue, and distinguished patriotism, which alone could call you from those enjoyments of domestic life, which a sublime and manly taste, joined wtth a most affluent fortune can afford; to hazard your life, and to endure the fatigues of war, in the defence of the rights of mankind and the good of your country.

The laudable zeal for the common cause of America, and com- passion for the distresses of the Colony, exhibited by the great despatch made in your journey hither, fully justify the universal satisfaction we have with pleasure observed on this occasion ; and are promising presages, that the great expectations formed from your personal character, and military abilities, are well founded.

We wish you may have found such regularity and discipline already established in the army, as may be agreeable to your ex- pectations. The hurry with which it was necessarily collected, and the many disadvantages, arising from a suspension of govern- ment, under which we have raised and endeavored to regulate the forces of this Colony, have rendered it a work of time; and though, in great measure effected, the completion of so difficult, and at the same time so necessary a task, is reserved to your ex- cellency, and we doubt not will be properly considered and at- tended to.

We would not presume to prescribe to your excellency, but supposing you would choose to be informed of the general charac- ter of the soldiers who compose the army, beg leave to represent, that the greater part of them have not before seen service ; and though naturally brave, and of good understanding, yet, for want of experience in military life, have but little knowledge of divers things most essential to the preservation of health and even life. The youth of the army are not possessed of the absolute necessity of cleanliness in their dress and lodging, continual exercise and strict temperance, to preserve them from diseases frequently pre- vailing in camps, especially among those, who, from their child- hood, have been used to a laborious life.

We beg leave to assure you, that this Congress will, at all times, be ready to attend to such requisitions as you may have occasion to make to us ; and to contribute all the aid in our power to the cause of America, and your happiness and ease in the discharge of the duties of your exalted office.

We most fervently implore Almighty God, that the blessings of Divine Providence may rest on you ; that your head may be covered in the day of battle ; that every necessary assistance may be afforded, and that you may be long continued, in life and health, a blessing to mankind."

Gen. Washington responded as follows:

" Gentlemen: — Your kind congratulations on my appointment and arrival, demand my warmest acknowledgments, and will ever be retained in grateful remembrance.

68

Water town'' s Military History.

In exchanging the enjoyments of domestic life for the duties of my present honorable, but arduous station, I only emulate the virtue, and public spirit of the wliole province of the Massachusetts Bay, which, with a firmness and patriotism without example in modern history, has sacrificed all the comforts of social and po- litical life in support of the rights of mankind, and the welfare of our common country. My highest ambition is, to be the happy instrument of vindicating those rights, and to see this devoted province again restored to peace, liberty and safety.

The short space of time which has elapsed since my arrival, does not permit me to decide upon the state of the army. The course of human affairs forbids an expectation, that troops formed under such circumstances, should, at once, possess the order, reg- ularity, and discipline of veterans. Whatever deficiencies there may be, will I doubt not, soon be made up by the activity and zeal of the officers, and the docility and obedience of the men. These qualities, united with their native bravery and spirit, will afford a happy presage of success, and put a final period to those distresses which now overwhelm this once happy country.

I most sincely thank you, gentlemen, for your declaration of readiness, at all times, to assist me in the discharge of the duties of my station. They are so complicated and extended that I shall need the assistance of every good man and lover of his coun- try ; I therefore repose the utmost confidence in your aid. In return for your affectionate wishes to myself, permit me to say, that I earnestly implore that Divine Being, in whose hands are all human events, to make vou and your constituents, as distin- guislied in private and public happiness, as you have been by ministerial oppression, by private and public distress."

An address of welcome and congratulation presented to Major- Gen. Charles Lee, was replied to by him in the following man- ner :

'' To the Gentlemen of the Piovincial Congress of Massachusetts : Gentlemen : — Nothing can be so flattering to me, as tiie good opinion and approbation of the delegates of a free and uncorrupted people. I was educated in the highest reverance for the rights of mankind, and have acquired, b}' long acquaintance, a most par- ticular regard for the people of America. You may depend, therefore, gentlemen, on my zeal and integrity ; I can promise nothing for my abilities. God Almighty grant us success equal to the righteousness of the cause. I thank you, gentlemen, for an address which does me so much honor, and shall labor to deserve it."

During the closing days of the session of Congress, orders were passed, providing 13,000 coats for the army ; for placing the stores of powder in school houses and elsewhere in Watertown ; and impressing the saw mill belonging to Mr. John Cook, in Watertown, into the public service.

General Washington in Watertown. 69

The receiver-general was directed to pay the modest bill " of JE28. 5s. and lod. for escorting and entertaining Gens. Washington and Lee from Springfield to Cambridge." Wednesday, July 19, 1775, the Provincial Congress was forever dissolved. Its labors have been freely sketched in this book to show how within the town of Watertown these Massachusetts delegates had vigorously acted, almost alone, in preparing means of defence against the forces of King George. It had concluded its distinctively local and provincial work. Now, under the direction of a greater cen- tral authority, the Continental Congress, it continued to put forth its best efforts for the common good, but assumed a new name, which has since been retained in honor and respect, that of "The Great and General Court of Massachusetts."

In the old meeting house at Watertown, as the granite memo- rial relates, this Great and General Court was organized, July 19, 1775? 3nd here it continued to hold its sessions until Nov. 9, 177^' when it removed to Boston. Again, in 1778, it met here from June 2 to June 23, owing to a small pox scare in Boston at that time.

In Watertown were decided the important measures for carry- ing on the war. Here, the following year, the General Court unflinchingly supported the Continental Congress in its Declara- tion of Independence, as adopted July 4, 1776. But in the midst of this glory there came a day of shame for one of those delegates who had stood high in the council of the Colony. Nov. 7? '775' the meeting house witnessed an unwonted scene, when Dr. Ben- jamin Church was tried, convicted and publicly branded as a trai- tor to his country. He had served the Provincial Congress on important committees, including the one which received General Washington at Springfield, when on his way to take command of the army at Cambridge. He was later discovered to be in secret correspondence with the British, and one of his letters was inter- cepted. He was sentenced to Norwich, Conn., jail, where he remained confined until the following spring. Owing to his ill- health he was then released from prison, ordered to be transported for life, and was placed on board of a ship bound for the West Indies. It is supposed the vessel and its occupants went to the bottom of the ocean, as there were no further tidings of them received.

THE MARSHALL FOWLE HOUSE.

Next in historic importance to the old meeting house, in which the sessions of the Provincial Congress and its worthy successor, the Great and General Court, were held, is the Marshall Fowle House, wherein the Provincial Council transacted its business of state. This Council was chosen by the deputies under special authority given, June 9, 1775, by the Continental Congress, to assume those duties that had previously been performed by the royal governor and lieutenant governor.

From a paper read by Dr. Bennett F. Davenport, now president of the Watertown Historical Society, eleven years ago, before that So- ciety, are gleaned the following facts: " On July 21, 1775, the 205 deputies, who met in the meeting house at Watertown and organized the General Court, chose 28 Councillors, of whom 14 attended the meeting of the board the 26*^'', and 17 on the 27'''. On the 28'^'' the house passed a preamble and resolve, to the effect that the governor and lieutenant governor having absented themselves and refused to govern the province according to the charter, therefore, until they return to their duty, or some governor shall be ap- pointed to govern the province according to the charter, the house will recognize the Council, or major part of them, as governor, and will acquiesce in their doings as such. The new governinent then organized — the legislative board of the Council, commonly called the General Court Board, beginning on July 26 — held sway without any other executive head than the Council, until the adoption of the Constitution, in 1780.

" Upon July 21, 1775, ' a committee was appointed to provide some convenient place for the Council to sit in.' It reported the next day ' that a large chamber in the house of Mr. Fowle might be procured, but, it being unfinished, the Committee recommended that there be a rough floor laid, and chairs provided for that pur- pose.' The report was accepted, and a committee appointed to prepare said chamber. From the records the Honorable Council appear to have continued to occupy this chamber in the Marshall Fowle house so long as the assembly met in the meeting house at Watertown."

This building is supposed to have been built by Edmund Fowle, in 1765. It was originally located a short distance back from Mount Auburn street, and was removed to its present site, on the westerly side of Marshall street, in order that the latter street might be cut through. Once