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William Dawes, Jr. (1768), tanner, of Boston, son of William (1760) and Lydia (Boone) Dawes, and great-grandson of Ambrose Dawes (1674), was born in Boston April 6, 1745, and died Feb. 25, 1799. He married, May 3, 1768, Mehitable, daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Mears) May. She died Oct. 28, 1793, aged forty-two years, two months, and twenty-two days. William (1768) married, (2) Nov. 18, 1795, Lydia Gendall, who survived her husband nearly ten years, dying Aug. 11, 1809. By his first wife he had seven children, and by the second, one child, of whom the eldest, Hannah, married Benjamin Goldthwait (1793), son of Benjamin (1740) and Sarah (Dawes) Goldthwait.1

The principal facts in the life of William Dawes, Jr. (1768), and others relating to the Dawes family, are taken, by permission, from an essay by Henry W. Holland, Esq., entitled "William Dawes and his Ride with Paul Revere." Without enlarging upon the disputed points therein discussed, the simple story of William Dawes, Jr. (1768), is as follows:

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He passed his early years in his father's home on Ann Street, a home religiously strict, after the manner of that time. Little is known of his youth, except that he learned the trade of a tanner, which he followed for some years, having his tanyard on what is now the corner of Sudbury and Friend streets. Feb. 5, 1769, he and his wife, Mehitable, united with the Old South Church.2 For six or eight years they lived at No. 64 Ann, now North, Street, nearly opposite to his father, in a house previously owned by Josiah Waters (1747). April 8, 1768, Major William Dawes, Jr. (1768), joined the Artillery Company, and was its second sergeant in 1770. In 1786, at the revival of the Artillery Company, Mr. Dawes held the position of clerk. He was an ardent supporter of the colonial cause, was annoyed by the presence of the British soldiers in Boston, with whom, on sundry occasions, he had collisions. He scoured the country, organizing and aiding the birth of the Revolution. His granddaughter wrote: "During these rides, he sometimes borrowed a friendly miller's hat and clothes and sometimes he borrowed a dress of a farmer, and had a bag of meal behind his back on the horse. At one such time a British soldier tried to take away his meal, but grandfather presented arms and rushed on. The meal was for his family. But in trying to stir up recruits, he was often in great danger." In 1775, he was in correspondence with the Salem Committee of Safety, to obtain powder for the Boston patriots.

The two leading spirits in the purloining the guns from the gun-house were William Dawes, Jr. (1768), and Samuel Gore (1786). They planned and executed the daring deed. These men forced their way into the gun-house while the guard was at roll-call, the guns were taken off their carriages, carried into the school-house, and placed in a large box under the master's desk, in which wood was kept. When the carriages were found without the guns, by a lieutenant and sergeant, who came to look at them previous to removing them, the sergeant exclaimed, in the presence of Samuel Gore (1786), then captain of the governor's troop of horse, "They are gone. These fellows

William Dawes, Jr. (1768). AUTHORITIES: Holland's "William Dawes, and his ride with Paul Revere"; Drake's Old Landmarks of Boston; Loring's One Hundred Boston Orators; Boston Records; Hill's Hist. of Old South Church.

Henry Ware Holland, author of "William Dawes [1768] and his Ride with Paul Revere," is a grandson of Benjamin (1793) and Hannah (Dawęs) Goldthwait,

2 His ancestor, William Dawes, was one of the founders of the Old South Church in 1669; his great-grandfather, Ambrose [1674], became a member in 1670, his grandfather, Thomas, in 1705, and his father, William [1760], in 1735. Major Thomas Dawes [1754], who was chosen deacon in 1786, was his second cousin,

will steal the teeth out of your head while you are keeping guard." The yard, gunhouse, and school-house were examined over and over again, except the box. The guns remained under the master's feet for a fortnight. During the removal into the school-house, William Dawes (1768) injured his wrist, making the surgical aid of Dr. Joseph Warren necessary. From the school-house, the guns were carried to Whiston's blacksmith shop, and hidden under the coal. The Committee of Safety, Jan. 5, 1775, voted "that Mr. William Dawes [1768] be directed to deliver to said Cheever [Deacon Cheever] one pair of brass cannon and that the said Cheever procure carriages for said cannon or any other cannon that require them; that the battering cannon carriages be carried to the cannon at Waltham and that the cannon and carriages remain there until further orders.". Under this order the guns were sent by boat to Waltham, and were in active service during the war.

After the Peace, the State of Massachusetts applied to Congress for their restoration, which was granted, May 19, 1788, when Congress "Resolved, that the Secretary of War cause a suitable inscription to be placed on said cannon; and that he deliver the same to the order of his Excellency, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."

Gen. Knox, a native of Boston, then Secretary of War, well knew the history of the guns, and caused the arms of Massachusetts, with an inscription, to be chiselled upon them in bold relief. This work was done by Joseph Callender, of Boston. The guns were in seventeen engagements during the Revolutionary War, and one was taken by the enemy, and retaken, several times.1

William Dawes, Jr. (1768), was chosen by the town of Boston an informer of deer from 1770 to 1773 inclusive, warden in 1774, and, Sept. 9, 1776, the town clerk informed the inhabitants that, agreeably to their recommendation, signified to the General Assembly, William Dawes, Jr. (1768), had been appointed second major of the regiment of militia in the town of Boston. He held other minor town offices prior to the Revolution.

Not long after the affair of the cannon occurred the ever-memorable ride to Lexington and Concord. For some days before the 19th of April, 1775, it had been known the British were preparing to move. It was suspected that the destination of the troops would be Concord, where stores of war material were gathered, and in the vicinity of which were Hancock, Adams, and other Revolutionary leaders. On the afternoon of the day before the attack, Gen. Warren learned that the British were about to start. He waited until they had begun to move to their boats, and then he sent out William Dawes, Jr. (1768), by the land route, over the Neck, and across the river at the Brighton Bridge to Cambridge and Lexington; and directly after, "about ten o'clock," he "sent in great haste" for Paul Revere, and sent him by the water route through Charlestown to Lexington to arouse the country, and warn Hancock and Adams. About midnight Paul Revere arrived at Parson Clark's, where he found the leaders of the Revolution. A half hour later, Revere met Dawes (1768) on the Green in Lexington. The latter started from

'Columbian Centinel, June 4, 1788.

2 "Intelligence of the intended expedition to Lexington on the 19th of April was conveyed over the Neck by William Dawes [1768], who was mounted on a slow-jogging horse, with saddle-bags behind him, and a large flapped hat upon his head to resemble a countryman on a journey. Col. Josiah

Waters [Capt. Waters (1747), not Col. (1769)], of Boston, a staunch Whig, and who afterwards, as engineer, assisted in building the forts at Roxbury, followed on foot on the sidewalk at a short distance from him until he saw him safely past all the sentinels." — Drake's Hist. of Roxbury, ↑. 74.

Boston, without going home, eluded the guard at the Neck, and going by the longer route of Brighton Bridge and the Cambridge road, aroused the families on the way. After a little delay for refreshment, Revere and Dawes (1768), accompanied by Dr. Prescott, rode on towards Concord. About half way between the two towns, near Hartwell's Tavern, they met British officers. Prescott and Dawes (1768) were a hundred rods behind, alarming a house, when Revere discovered them. Prescott escaped; Dawes (1768), chased by the British, dashed up to an empty farm-house, flapping his leather breeches, and shouting, "Helloo, boys, I've got two of 'em!" and his pursuers were frightened, and made off. In the excitement of the chase, Dawes (1768) pulled up so suddenly that he was thrown from his horse, and lost his watch, and did not get it again until some days later, when he returned to search for it. Revere did not escape so easily. In fleeing from those soldiers, he rode into the midst of another party, to whom he was forced to surrender. They proceeded with him, as a prisoner, to Lexington, where, in the excitement which preceded Pitcairn's arrival, Revere escaped, with the loss of his horse, and joined the party at Parson Clark's about three o'clock in the morning. The further movements of William Dawes (1768) during that memorable night are not known, but it is probable he continued his ride, as he intended, to Concord, and aroused the people on the way.

Paul Revere, in his statement of that night's transactions, says: "About ten o'clock, Dr. Warren sent in great haste for me. . . . When I got to Dr. Warren's house, I found he had sent an express by land to Lexington a Mr. William Dawes [1768]. . . . I arrived at Rev. Mr. Clark's, at Lexington, where Hancock and Adams were, about a half hour before Mr. Dawes [1768] and having refreshed ourselves started off for Concord." His capture and escape are related as above by himself.

William Dawes (1768) at once joined the Continental troops at Cambridge, and, it is said, fought at Bunker Hill. When Boston became unsafe, he moved his family to Worcester, and, soon after the evacuation of Boston, he was appointed by Congress commissary at Worcester. The following story is told in regard to his (Mr. Dawes') treatment of those British soldiers captured at Saratoga :

"While upon their march to the neighborhood of Boston, the British behaved with such insolence as confirmed the country in their determination never to submit, for the people said: 'If they are thus insolent now they are prisoners, what would they be were they our Masters?' The Germans stole and robbed the houses, as they came along, of clothing and everything on which they could lay their hands to a large amount. When at Worcester, indeed, they themselves were robbed, though in another way. One Dawes [1768] the issuing commissary, upon the first company coming to draw their rations, balanced the scales by putting into that which contained the weight a large stone. When that company was gone (unobserved by the Germans, but not by all present), the stone was taken away before the next came; and all the other companies except the first had short allowance."

Mr. Dawes (1768) probably knew that the Hessians had already supplied themselves pretty freely. While in Worcester he went into partnership with his brother-in-law, Mr. Coolidge (1786), in the grocery business. At the close of the war, he returned to Boston, resided in Distill House Square, and carried on the same business in Dock Square. Near the close of 1796, his health having failed, he, with his family, removed to Marlboro, to the farm presumably once occupied by his father. There he died, Feb. 25, 1799. His remains were brought to Boston and buried in the King's Chapel Burial-Ground.

HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY.

Elisha Eaton (1768). He was elected a clerk of the market in 1766, but was excused from serving; was elected scavenger for Ward 10, in 1771, and attained the grade of captain in the militia. 151

John Fullerton (1768), distiller, of Boston.
Ward 10, in 1773 and 1774, as constable in 1779 and 1780. He was first sergeant of the
Artillery Company in 1772, and lived on Milk Street.
He served the town as scavenger for
Administration on his estate was

granted in 1793.

May 11,

John Greenleaf (1768) was a member of the Old South Church in 1766. 1768, Mr. Franklyn, master of Engine No. 9, presented the name of a fireman to take the place of John Greenleaf, "who left the service." July 1, 1772, John Greenleaf (1768) made a visit to the public schools with the justices, selectmen, and others.

John Haskins (1768), cooper and distiller, of Boston, son of Robert and Sarah (Cook) Haskins, was born in Boston March 12, 1729. His father came to Boston from England, and died during the infancy of his son. John (1768) married, in Malden, March 12, 1752, Hannah Upham, of Boston.

John Haskins (1768) was a culler of staves, in Boston, from 1759 to 1774, at which time he was a cooper, in company with his stepfather, Thomas Hake. He lived in Rainsford's Lane, now Harrison Avenue, and his estate extended through to Washington Street, opposite Boylston Market. He was a protester against the Whigs in 1774. Mr. Haskins (1768) was commissioned by Gov. Hutchinson captain of a company in Col. John Erving's Boston regiment, and, Feb. 20, 1772, he took the appointed oath before Col. Erving, John Leverett (1750), and Thomas Dawes (1754), field-officers. He was a worshipper at King's Chapel, and in 1785 was on a committee appointed to amend the prayer-book. He was a Royalist, and took no part in the Revolutionary struggle. He remained, however, in Boston, and immediately after the evacuation of the town by the British, took the oath of allegiance to the State. A characteristic anecdote has been preserved concerning Capt. Haskins (1768). He was of a deeply religious character. One day while the family were at dinner, the distillery which adjoined his house was discovered to be on fire. checked by their father. Calling them back to the table, he returned thanks, according The children started eagerly from their places, but were instantly to his custom, "The Lord be praised for this and all his mercies." "you may go." He died in Boston, Oct. 27, 1814. "Now," he added,

Michael Homer (1768) was a "bricklayer and Mason, near Oliver's dock: chimnies and cabbusses for vessels, built at the shortest notice." He was a son of Michael and

Sarah Homer, who first appear in Boston Records in 1727, and was published, Sept. 29, 1767, to marry Hannah Allen.

At a meeting of the selectmen, June 8, 1768, the master of Engine Company No. 6 presented the name of a person to take the place in the company of "Michael

Elisha Eaton (1768). AUTHORITY: Boston Records.

John Fullerton (1768). AUTHORITY: Boston Records.

John Greenleaf (1768). AUTHORITY: Boston Records.

John Haskins (1768). AUTHORITIES: “Ralph Waldo Emerson, his Maternal Ancestors," by Has

kins; Memoir of Ralph Haskins, by David G.
Haskins, Jr., 1880; New Eng. Hist. and Gen. Reg.,
1873, p. 56.

Michael Homer (1768). AUTHORITIES: Bos-
ton Records; Whitman's Hist. A. and H. A. Com-
pany, Ed. 1842; Bridgman's Hist. King's Chapel
Burial-Ground, p. 200.

Homer, who has lately entred into the Artillery Company." July 7, 1773, he visited the public schools of Boston, with the justices and others. He was third sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1770, and lived in Cold Lane. In 1787-8, he was second lieutenant of the Republican Volunteers, and in 1791 became a captain in the Boston regiment. He held the latter position several years. "He died at Hopkinton, Mass., aged sixtynine years."

William Hoogs (1768), of Newton. He was published, Oct. 3, 1763, to marry Elizabeth Stoddard, and became a captain in the military service. In a list of the freeholders, in Newton, it is recorded, "William Hoogs [1768] owned a house valued at nine hundred dollars and had seventy-four acres of land valued at fifteen hundred dollars." He was a selectman of Newton.

"Capt. Hoogs [1768] removed to Canada and in crossing the lakes was drowned with his whole family."

Israel Loring (1768), housewright, of Boston, son of Caleb and Rebecca (Lobdell) Loring, of Hingham, was born Aug. 30, 1741. He married (published) Mary Homer, of Boston, Oct. 17, 1765.

His brother, Joshua Loring, joined the Artillery Company in 1769. Capt. Israel (1768) was fourth sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1771, its ensign in 1790, and a captain in the militia. May 14, 1766, the selectmen approbated Israel Loring (1768) as a member of Engine Company No. 6. He resided on Water Street. His place of business was on Loring's Wharf.

years.

Capt. Loring (1768) died at Dover, Mass., in December, 1820, aged seventy-nine

John Newell (1768), cooper, of Boston, son of Andrew and Martha (Ivory) Newell, of Charlestown, was born (baptized) May 14, 1738. He followed the trade of his father, who was a cooper, and lived in a "house of H. Gowen's estate," in Charlestown, in 1770. He married, May 27, 1760, Elizabeth Skillings, of Boston, and, in 1782, married Mary He had two sons, Andrew and John, who were baptized at the New North Church, March 29, 1761. Capt. Newell (1768) removed to Boston, and in 1780 was an inn-holder. June 5, 1782, the selectmen approbated a Mr. Cooper to keep a tavern in the house lately improved by Mr. Newell (1768), situated in Way's Lane, but he was succeeded by John Newell (1768), June 11, 1783. Mr. Newell (1768) was, April 27, 1785, appointed an inspector of pickled barreled fish, pork, and beef, and, April 13, 1786, Capt. John Newell (1768) was appointed an inspector of oil. In 1771 he was third sergeant of the Artillery Company.

Capt. Newell (1768) died June 13, 1792, aged fifty-four years, and was buried in the King's Chapel Burial-Ground.

John Skillin, Jr. (1768), shipwright, of Boston. The Boston Directory, of 1789, names "John Skillen, carver, the wharf north of governor Hancocks; house, Fish Street." He was a captain in the militia. He died in July, 1801, aged sixty-three years.

William Hoogs (1768). AUTHORITIES: Whitman's Hist. A. and H. A. Company, Ed. 1842; Smith's Hist. of Newton.

Israel Loring (1768). AUTHORITY: Lincoln's Hist. of Hingham.

John Newell (1768). AUTHORITIES: Boston Records; Wyman's Charlestown Genealogies and Estates.

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