The minute-man of the Revolution! He was the old, the middle-aged, and the young. This was the minute-man of the Revolution, the rural citizen trained in the common school, the church, and the town meeting, who carried a bayonet that thought, and whose gun, loaded with a principle, brought down, not a man but a system."

Rev. William Gordon, of Roxbury, was invited to deliver the Artillery election sermon in 1775, but, Boston being in a state of siege, the June anniversary was unobserved.

Rev. William Gordon, D. D., was a native of Hitchin, England, and, prior to his coming to Boston, was settled in Ipswich, England, and in Old Gravel Lane, Wapping, England. He emigrated to America in 1770, began to preach to the Third Parish Church in Roxbury in 1771, and, July 6, 1772, was installed as its pastor. He held this relation for fourteen years. He was elected chaplain to the Provincial Congress, May 4, 1775, and that body voted him a horse to use in the service, and gave him free access to all the prisoners of war. It also commissioned him to procure the letter-books of Gov. Hutchinson, then in the possession of Capt. McLane, of Milton. Mr. Gordon was a thorough patriot, but blunt, harsh, and injudicious. April 2, 1778, he was dismissed from the office of provincial chaplain for his violent expressions in regard to a part of the proposed constitution of Massachusetts. John Adams said of him, "He is an eternal talker, and somewhat vain, and not accurate or judicious."

He left America for London, March 17, 1786, that he might publish his history of the American Revolution on more favorable terms than in this country. The work was issued in London in 1788. He died at Ipswich, England, Oct. 19, 1807, aged seventyseven years.

1776.

Aug. 26 a committee of thirty-six persons was chosen to take a census of the people of the town. Eleven of this committee were members of the Artillery Company, and one third of the jury selected for the trial and condemnation of vessels, Sept. 5, were members of the Company, Timothy Pickering, Esq., being the judge. Sept. 9 the town clerk announced to the inhabitants that, agreeably to their recommendation, the General Assembly had appointed Henry Bromfield colonel, Thomas Dawes (1754) lieutenant-colonel, Ephraim May (1765) major, William Dawes, Jr. (1768), second major of the regiment of militia in the town of Boston.

At this time, according to the report of the committee chosen Aug. 26, there were 535 of the Inhabitants. . . now in the Continental Service, 206 in the Colony, and 166 in the Sea Service, making in all 907 persons in the service of their Country."

Upon all the working committees of this eventful period the Artillery Company was constantly represented, and its members were active in the affairs of the town and the colony.

The General Court having ordered a draft, as a reinforcement for the Continental Army, at or near New York, the selectmen of Boston executed the order, Dec. 18 and 19, 1776. Two hundred and sixty-nine persons were drafted, of whom the following-named were members of the Artillery Company (those with a prefixed paid the fine) :

*Benjamin Andrews (1754), Samuel Ballard (1755), Capt. Samuel Barrett (1755), *Daniel Bell (1733), Capt. William Bell (1756), *Daniel Boyer (1756), Joseph Bradford (1740), Capt. Edward Carnes (1755), Capt. Caleb Champney (1762), *John Coburn (1751), *Amasa Davis (1786), Major William Dawes, Jr. (1768), Benjamin

*

Edes (1760), Joshua Farrington (1786), *Stephen Gore (1773), Thomas Greenough (1744), John Haskins (1768), *John Head (1757), *William Homes (1747), Col. Joseph Jackson (1738), *John Lucas (1786), *Ephraim May (1765), John May (1786), Moses Peck (1758), Benjamin Phillips (1755), Joseph Pierce (1769), Edward Proctor (1756), *William Shattuck (1787), Capt. John Simpkins (1769), Capt. Jonathan Stoddard (1765), Andrew Symmes (1734), *Edward Tuckerman (1765), John Waldo (1739), John Welch (1736), *Samuel Whitwell (1755), Charles Williams (1768), *Jonathan Williams, Esq. (1729).

Under the act passed Nov. 14, 1776, no station in life, place, employment or office, exempted any person from serving in arms for the defence of the country, except those persons who had, before April 19, 1775, been by law deemed to be of the denomination of Christians called Quakers, clergymen, teachers, and undergraduates of Harvard College, Indians, negroes, and mulattoes, should not be held to take up arms or procure any person to do it in their room. One quarter of the able-bodied male persons within the State, not in actual military service, from sixteen years old and upwards, were to be drafted, to march at a moment's notice, and to serve for a term not exceeding three months. The fine for non-service was ten pounds.

1777.

Capt. Jonathan Williams (1729) was chairman of the committee to . express the thanks of the town to Benjamin Hitchburne, Esq., for his "spirited oration," delivered March 5, 1777, "to commemorate the horrid massacre perpetrated March 5, 1770, by a party of soldiers of the Twenty-Ninth Regiment," and was also chairman of the committee authorized to select a person to deliver an oration March 5, 1778. Capt. Williams (1729) was also moderator of the meeting, and received the thanks of the town for "his good services."

as

April 2, a committee was appointed to take the names of such persons in Boston are suspected as being inimical to the States of America." May 19 the list was made public. It contains twenty-nine names; among them are those of the following members of the Artillery Company: Benjamin Phillips (1755) and Hopestill Capen (1763). A jury was drawn, May 22, for the trial of these suspected persons in a special court. It consisted of six persons, of whom Jeremiah Belknap joined the Artillery Company in 1745, Edward Carnes in 1755, and John Newell in 1768.

The people of Boston suffered greatly in 1777. Five hundred persons in Boston, of the families of such as were in the Continental Army, were in suffering circumstances. Donations were gladly received. Hon. Viscount Demauroy, brigadier-general of the French army, gave one hundred dollars for the soldiers' wives and children. Col. Nathaniel Barber (1758), Thomas Dawes (1754), and Ezekiel Price were appointed to express to Gen. Demauroy the thanks of the town for his donation.

1778.

Oct. 16, 1778, the Assembly passed an act "to prevent the return to this State of certain persons named therein, and others who have left this State, or either of the United States, and joined the enemy." A hundred and fifty residents of Boston are named in the act, and about the same number from other towns in the State. Among them are the following-named members of the Artillery Company:

Martin Gay (1761), founder; Edward Lyde (1758), merchant; John Gore, Esq. (1743); Adino Paddock, Esq. (1762); John Joy (1755), housewright; also, Isaac Royall, Esq. (1750), of Medford; Josiah Edson, Jr., Esq. (1747), of Bridgewater. Few indeed were the members of the Artillery Company who deserted the colonial cause and sought protection under the British ensign.

In 1779, the following-named officers of Col. Craft's (1765) train of

1779. artillery were members of the Artillery Company: captain, Turner Phillips

(1786); lieutenants, John Grant, Jr. (1769), Daniel Bell (1733), Benjamin

Edes (1760).

The line officers in the regiment of militia in Boston were, in that year: captains, Nathaniel Heath (1765), Caleb Champney (1762), John Stutson (1765), Robert Davis (1786), Sarson Belcher (1765), Jacob Williams (1768), Edward Kneeland (1772), Levi Jennings (1764); lieutenants, John Wells (1765), William Todd, Jr. (1773), Russell Sturgis (1786), Israel Loring (1768), Alexander Hodgdon (1786), Mannasseh Marston (1769), Joseph Ford (1786), and John Wise (1774).

The officers of the Light Infantry Company in Boston in 1779 were: John Hinkley (1772), captain; John Coolidge (1786), second lieutenant; Zechariah Hicks (1786), third lieutenant, and Capt. John May (1786), adjutant.

Of the Brigade Train of Artillery in 1779, Thomas Bumstead (1764) was captain, with the rank of major, and William Miller (1770) was first lieutenant, with the rank of captain.

1781.

"Boston, November 8, 1781. The late important and pleasing account

of the victory of the allied forces over the British army commanded by Earl Cornwallis in Virginia, induced the inhabitants of Boston to devote

last Monday to demonstrations of gratitude and joy.

"The day was ushered in by discharges of cannon from the Castle, the other forts . in the harbour, the ships of his most Christian Majesty and other armed vessels in the road; and a general ringing of the bells in the town.

"In the forenoon several churches were opened for public worship in prayer and thanksgiving, which were expressed in the presence of crowded audiences; a generous collection was then made for the families of those soldiers of this town, who were engaged in the Continental army for three years or during the war.

"At noon the Council and a great number of other gentlemen, French and Americans, met at the Council Chamber, and drank to healths and sentiments becoming the happy occasion, when the forts and ships again repeated their salutes.

"At three o'clock his Excellency, the Governor, gave an elegant dinner at the Bunch of Grapes tavern in State Street, at which were present the Hon. gentlemen of the Council, the Hon. the Consul of France, the Hon. the Commander of the French ships. and the French officers, many gentlemen of the Town and strangers of distinction.

"After dinner toasts were drank, each accompanied with 13 discharges of cannon,

by the train of artillery commanded by Major Miller [1770].

"The greater part of the gentlemen after dinner attended at the Seat of his Excellency, the Governor's, to pay their compliments to his Excellency's Lady, where they

found a brilliant assembly of Ladies, and preperations for a Ball in the most beautiful

economy.

"After tea the evening was pass'd in the most innocent, graceful and pleasing amusements.

"His Excellency the Governor's [house] his Honor the Lieutenant Governor's, the State House, and other public buildings were beautifully illuminated in the evening. In the front of his Excellency's house, fireworks were display'd as usual on all events which promise happiness and prosperity to the country.”1

"Boston, November 19, 1781. Upon the glorious and memorable occasion of the complete conquest and capture of the British army, under Lord Cornwallis, by the allied forces in Virginia, the Hon. Consul General of France, gave a ball last Monday night to the Governor and Council, the Commodore and officers of His Most Christian Majesty's ships in this harbor, the American officers, and a great number of the principal ladies and gentlemen of the town. The Consul opened the ball with the Lady of his Excellency the Governor. Everything was conducted with the greatest decorum; and the whole appearance was brilliant. The joy of the evening was particularly heightened by the mutual glow of friendship between the two nations, which sparkled in every countenance on this happy occasion." 1

Monday afternoon, Dec. 12, 1781, the Honorable Major-General, the Marquis de la Fayette, with his suite arrived in Boston from the southward. The arrival of this illustrious commander was announced by the ringing of the several bells in town and every other demonstration of joy.

1782.

"Boston, September 21, 1782. The Colonel of the Boston Regiment of Militia, would notify the inhabitants that the alarm list will be called upon in a short time and whoever is then found deficient will be prosecuted without discrimination, (except those who are unable -). The articles according to the militia. Act are now inserted, that none may plead ignorance, viz: A good Fire-arm with steel or iron ramrod and a spring to retain the same: A worm, priming wire and brush: A bayonet fitted to the gun, a scabbard and a belt: A pouch holding not less than 15' pounds cartrages: 6 flints: One pound powder: 40 lead balls fitted to his gun: A knapsack and blanket: A canteen or wooden bottle sufficient to hold one quart.

"Edward Proctor Esq. [1756], Colonel. Joseph Webb Esq. [1761] Lieutenant Colonel. John May, Esq. [1786], Major."

The record of the Artillery Company for 1782, in the Transcript made by Mr. Whitman (1810), is preceded by the following note:

"N. B. The following was never recorded in the Company's Book, and was recently discovered in a bundle of old papers, supposed to belong to Deacon Samuel Barrett [1755], deceased. The original is placed as well as can be in the old transcript Record Book, and now transcribed in its proper chronological order.

Attest: Z. G. WHITMAN, Clerk."

"Boston, Oct. 14th, 1826.

1 Boston Newspaper.

The record referred to in the above note is as follows:

"AT A MEETING OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ANCIENT AND HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY AT DEACON JONES [1754], MAY 30TH 1782.

"Present. Captain William Bell [1756], Chairman, Joseph Jackson Esq. [1738], Jonathan Williams [1729], John Welch [1736], Samuel Barrett [1755], Asa Stoddard [1765], John Stutson [1765], Daniel Rea [1770], Abraham Hunt [1772], William Rogers [1765], Benjamin Edes [1760], Ephraim May [1765], William Dawes [1760], Ebenezer Torrey [1765], Stephen Gore [1773], Samuel Belknap [1773], John Fullerton [1768], Joseph Spear [(Jr.) 1774], Edward Kneeland [1772], Daniel Jones [1754], Manasseh Marston [1769], John Hinkley [1772], Josiah Waters [1747], Jacob Williams [1768], Israel Loring [1768]. ·

“Voted, That Benjamin Edes [1760] officiate as Clerk this Evening.

"Voted, That a Committee be appointed to wait on the Secretary to obtain a copy of the Charter of this Company.

"Voted, That the committee consist of three.

"Voted, That Capt. Samuel Barrett [1755], Capt William Bell [1756] and Mr. Benjamin Edes [1760] be the Committee.

"Voted, That the same Committee wait on the Treasurer of this Company, examine his accounts, and make report at the Adjournment.

"Voted, That this Meeting be adjourned to Monday the 17th day of June next, then to meet at this Place; and that the above Committee give Notice thereof in the publick prints. The Meeting was adjourned accordingly.

"At the Adjournment of the Meeting of the Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company at Deacon Jones' June 17th 1782. Present, Capt William Bell [1756], Chairman, Joseph Jackson [1738], John Welch [1736], Samuel Barrett [1755], Samuel Belknap [1773], John Deming [1756], Daniel Jones [1754], Benjamin Edes [1760], Jacob Gill [1774], Thomas Russell [1769], Joseph Eaton [1773], Joseph Spear Jr. [1774], Josiah Waters [1747], Josiah Waters, Jr [1769], John Stutson [1765], Daniel [Stephen] Gore [1773]. "The Committee appointed at the meeting on the 30th of May last, to obtain a Copy of the Charter and examine the Treasurer's accounts, made Report, that they had performed said service and laid before the Company a Copy of said Charter attested by the Secretary and an Account current between the Treasurer and the Company, as follows, viz (See the Copy of the Charter & then the Treasurer's Account to follow here to save transcribing). On motion made and seconded, Voted unanimously That the Report of the Committee be accepted. On motion made by Col. Josiah Waters, Jun. [1769] and seconded, That a Committee be appointed to take up the Affairs of the Company, at large, from its first institution to the present Time; to be particular in enquiring into the state of the Company's Debts, and in what manner the Securities stand; to obtain a correct list of the Company; and to report to the Company, as soon as may be, the State of their Affairs; and recommend what it may be best for them further to do, as to its further establishment and prosperity.

"Voted, That Capt Samuel Barrett [1755], Col Thomas Dawes [1754], Capt. William Bell [1756], Mr. Robert Jenkins [1756] and Col Joseph Jackson [1738] be the Committee.

"Voted, That the necessary expenses which may arise in procuring any papers or advice which may be necessary, be defreyed by the Company from the Monies now in the hands of the Treasurer.