1738-1821

Samuel, the missionary. He was brought up to the trade of a house and sign painter, finishing his apprenticeship with Darius Brewer, of Dorchester. After working about one year for John Green, Jr. (1835), he began business on his own account, in company with a Mr. Horton. The firm was successful in business. After a few years the firm of Baker & Horton was dissolved, and Mr. Baker (1819), after continuing in business alone for some time, formed a partnership with his youngest son. He served as a member of the common council of Boston from 1833 to 1835 inclusive, and from 1839 to 1841 inclusive. He was representative in the General Court from Boston, and at the time of his decease was a director in the Boylston Bank.

Mr. Baker (1819) was, after several years of military service, promoted to be a lieutenant in the Third Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, in 1817, captain in the same from 1818 to 1822 inclusive, and lieutenant-colonel in 1823 and 1824. He was third sergeant of the Artillery Company in 1821, and second lieutenant in 1824. He was elected an honorary member of the Company, April 2, 1827. He received the Masonic degrees in Columbian Lodge, of Boston, and became a member thereof Dec. 29, 1825. He filled various stations in the Lodge, was master four years, from 1837 to 1840, and was treasurer eight years, from 1841 to his decease. He was a member of St. Andrew's Chapter, and of Boston Commandery, Knights Templars. He was the first officer of the former in 1838 and 1839, and of the latter in 1841 and 1842. He was a member of the Grand Lodge, A. F. and A. M., of Massachusetts, and served as one of the trustees of Masonic Temple from 1844 until his decease.

He died at his residence in Boston, Jan. 17, 1848, Rev. David Fosdick preaching a funeral sermon at his obsequies, which were held at Hollis Street Church. He sustained through life the character of an upright and honest man.

Elijah Crane (1819), farmer and innholder, of Canton, son of Major Thomas Crane, was born in Milton, Aug. 29, 1754. His father removed with his family, in 1763, from Milton to Canton. At the age of twenty-one years, Elijah Crane (1819) enlisted in the Continental service, and was a member of a company that marched in answer to the Lexington alarm. This company is supposed to have been stationed in Roxbury, near the present Yeoman Street; for, in later years, when Gen. Crane (1819) was attacked by articles in the public press, he is said to have replied: "A man that has stood guard at Lamb's Dam cannot be scared by squibs." This subsequently brought out the toast: "While we venerate the eagle, we would not be unmindful of the Crane who stood sentinel at Lamb's Dam." No record of Mr. Crane's (1819) subsequent enlistment and service appears, but he used to speak of a dinner of hasty-pudding and molasses which he received while driving a four-horse team with supplies for the army in New York State during the Revolution.

In early life he was a farmer, but afterward an innholder. He devoted much time and labor in church, parish, and town affairs, but it was in the military service that he became most distinguished. He was captain of the Third Troop of Cavalry in 1789-90, and in years following commanded a cavalry company attached to the first division of the State militia. Being promoted through various military grades, he was commissioned brigadier-general of the Second Brigade, First Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia,

Elijah Crane (1819). AUTHORITIES: Hist. of Canton, by D. T. V. Huntoon; Grand Lodge Records; Freemason's Magazine, Vol. XXXI.; Dedham Transcript, November, 1878.

in 1803, and major-general of the First Division, June 16, 1809. He held the latter position until 1827,- so long that the officers under him became weary waiting for promotion, although he always said he would resign when a gentleman should be proposed to fill his place. One, more weary than the rest, at a public banquet offered the following toast: "Major-Gen. Crane [1819],- May he be eternally rewarded in heaven for his everlasting services on earth!" Again, it is said "he had all the virtues except resignation."

His first division muster was at "Low Plain," now Readville, in 1815. When, Oct. 12, 1826, the muster was ordered at the same place, the Boston troops were incensed at being obliged to go so far, and resorted to various methods to worry Gen. Crane (1819). The Boston News-Letter, in speaking of this review, says: "Major-Gen. Crane [1819], in defiance of public sentiment and public feeling, of squibs, crackers, rockets, and pasquinades, seems determined to play his military farce at Dedham on the 12th instant; the Boston brigade, having no tents, must sleep under the canopy of heaven," which the editor thinks would be almost as bad as " standing sentinel on Lamb's Dam." Gen. Crane (1819) held the muster, and it was conceded by all that it was very creditable to the division and to the Commonwealth. It was at this muster that the "striped pig" was exhibited. Gen. Crane (1819) gave an order that there should be no liquor sold on the camping-ground. This order was considered an outrage upon the liberties of the mustering patriots. About noon of the first day, one asked another, "Have you been to see the striped pig?" On the outskirts of the field a man had erected a booth, on which he advertised he would exhibit a striped pig. Everybody wanted to see the pig. Admission, "a shilling." Entering the booth, there could be seen, tied to a stake, a large hog, painted with black stripes, zebra fashion. In the rear of the booth were sundry kegs, bottles, demijohns, etc., and the contents of either could be sampled by giving up the ticket of admission. Some persons went in several times to see the "striped pig." This muster was afterward known as the "striped pig muster."

Gen. Crane (1819) made a fine appearance on horseback. He wore his white hair cut short, and brushed straight up from his head, and it is said he reminded spectators of Andrew Jackson, with whom he had several characteristics in common.

Elijah Crane (1819) was landlord of the old tavern in Canton from 1789 to 1800, succeeding Samuel Capen, the author of "Norfolk Harmony." In granting his license the selectmen declared that Elijah Crane (1819) was "of sober life and conversation, suitably qualified and provided for such employment." For twenty years he was high sheriff of Norfolk County. On one occasion he was obliged to visit Northampton on a pauper case, and his manner was so overbearing that Judge Parker, looking directly at him, said, "Gentlemen must be more quiet; the high sheriff of Hampshire does n't allow as much noise in his county as the high sheriff of Norfolk."

Gen. Crane (1819) was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. He was master of Rising Star Lodge in 1810, district deputy grand master, District No. 4, in 1820; junior grand warden of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1821 and 1822, senior grand warden in 1823, and grand master in 1833.

Gen. Crane (1819) in social life was plain, substantial, reliable, and upright, kind to friends, generous to enemies, polite and courteous. June 21, 1819, Major-Gen. Elijah Crane (1819) was unanimously elected an honorary member of the Artillery Company.

He died at Canton, Feb. 21, 1834.

Ezra Hawkes (1819) was a tin-plate worker in Boston. His shop was No. 63 Court Street, and his residence on Second Street. He was ensign of a company in the First Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, from 1816 to 1818 inclusive, and captain in the same from 1819 to 1821 inclusive. He rejoined the Artillery Company, May 9, 1821, and was honorably discharged March 24, 1823. He never held any office in the Company. He died Dec. 21, 1868.

Benjamin T. Pickman (1819) was a merchant of Boston. March 14, 1806, by act of the Legislature, Benjamin Pickman, son of the Hon. Benjamin Pickman, Jr., of Salem, in the county of Essex, was allowed to take the name of Benjamin Toppan Pickman (1819). He was born in Salem in 1790, and married Hannah, daughter of William and Hannah (Carter) Bright, of Boston. They had no children. Mr. Pickman (1819) was ensign of a company in the Second Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, in 1815 and 1816, and lieutenant of the same in 1817 and 1818. He held the position of aide-de-camp on the staff of Gov. John Brooks (1786) from 1819 to 1823, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He was a member of the common council of Boston in 1829, 1830, and 1831, a representative to the General Court, also a senator, and presided over the Senate from 1833 until his decease. He died March 21, 1835, aged forty-five years.

Timothy Rix (1819) was in the grocery trade in Boston, at No. 7 Rowe's Wharf. He does not appear to have held office in the State militia, nor in the Artillery Company. He paraded with the Company in 1822, but subsequently his name was dropped from the roll. Mr. Whitman (1810) says that Mr. Rix (1819) removed to Haverhill, N. H.

George Stearns (1819) is recorded in the Boston Directory of 1820 as being a "victualler" on Cambridge Street, and as residing at No. 8 North Russell Street. He was ensign of a company in the Second Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, from 1818 to 1823 inclusive, and lieutenant in the same from 1824 to 1827. He paraded in the Artillery Company in 1822, and was honorably discharged May 19, 1823. He never held any office in the Company.

Peter L. R. Stone (1819) was a grocer, of the firm of Train & Stone, and their place of business was on Cambridge Street. He was lieutenant of a company in the Second Regiment, Third Brigade, First Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, in 1819, and captain of the same from 1820 to 1823 inclusive. He was honorably discharged by the Artillery Company, May 31, 1824. He never held any office in the Company.

George Sullivan (1819), lawyer, of Boston, joined the Artillery Company, Oct. 7, 1811. He was honorably discharged in 1814, and he rejoined the Company, May 27, 1819. He was elected an honorary member May 27, 1819, and was again honorably discharged Feb. 16, 1827. He never held any office in the Artillery Company. See page 357 of this volume.

William Sullivan (1819), lawyer, of Boston, second son of Gov. James Sullivan, whose father came from Ireland in 1730, was born at Saco, District of Maine, Nov. 30, 1774. He entered the Latin School in 1781, and graduated from Harvard College

William Sullivan (1819). AUTHORITIES: Loring's One Hundred Boston Orators; Whitman's Hist. A. and H. A. Company, Ed. 1842.

in 1792. He studied law under the direction of his father, and was admitted to the Suffolk bar in July, 1795. He married, May 19, 1802, Sarah W., daughter of Col. James Swan, of Dorchester, Mass. He became eminent in his profession," a man of popular talents and a polished gentleman." He delivered the oration for the town authorities, July 4, 1803, which was such a signal success that, in 1804, he was elected representative to the General Court, and afterward to the Senate or Council until 1830, when he declined to serve longer. In 1812 he pronounced the first oration before the Washington Benevolent Society, and delivered a discourse before the Pilgrim Society, Plymouth, in 1829. He was a member of the convention on the revision of the State constitution in 1820.

He was major of the Independent Cadets from 1805 to 1809; was elected to the colonelcy, which he declined; was brigadier-general of the Boston brigade of State militia from 1818 to 1822, but never held any office in the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. He was president of the Social Law Library of Suffolk; a member of several societies of art, science, and history, and was elected to the city council on its institution in 1822. In his last years he devoted himself to literature, wrote several valuable books, and the "Political Class-book, which entitles him to the reputation of having first introduced the study of the nature and principles of our government in the schools of our land." He died Sept. 3, 1839. His brother, Lieut.-Col. John Langdon Sullivan, joined the Artillery Company in 1812, and another brother, Lieut.-Col. George Sullivan, in 1811 and 1819.

William Hyslop Sumner (1819), lawyer, of Boston, only son of Gov. Increase and Elizabeth (Hyslop) Sumner, and grandson of William Hyslop (1755), was born in Roxbury, July 4, 1780, and graduated at Harvard College in 1799. He married, (1) Oct. 4, 1826, Mary Ann Perry, who died July 14, 1834; (2) Dec 13, 1836, Maria F. Greenough, who died Nov. 14, 1843, and, (3) April 14, 1848, Mary D. Kemble. When nineteen years of age, by the death of his grandfather in 1796, and of his father in 1799, he became attorney for his mother in the management of her half of the large Hyslop estate. His mother died in 1810, and for several years he had the sole care of the properties left by his father and mother, one of which was Noddle's Island, of six hundred and sixty acres.

Mr. Sumner (1819) was aide-de-camp on the staff of Gov. Strong in 1806 and from 1813 to 1816, and on the staff of Gov. Brooks (1786) from 1816 to 1818, when he was appointed by Gov. Brooks (1786) adjutant-general of Massachusetts. Mr. Sumner (1819) held that and the office of quartermaster-general under Govs. Brooks (1786), Eustis, Lincoln, and Davis until 1834, when, upon his resignation, Gen. Dearborn (1816) was appointed his successor. In 1808, and during the eleven succeeding years, he was one of the representatives of Boston in the General Court. On the 10th of September, 1814, he was appointed by Gov. Strong an agent of the State to go "to the District of Maine," which was then invaded by the British, and provide means for the protection of that part of the State. In December, 1814, he was appointed by the board of war to borrow money of the banks and pay off the troops which had been called out in Maine. In 1816, Gen. Sumner (1819) was a State agent to present the Massachusetts claim for militia services during the war to the general government. In November, 1826, he was

William H. Sumner (1819). AUTHORITIES: New Eng. Ilist. and Gen. Reg., 1854; Sumner's Hist. of East Boston; Whitman's Hist. A. and H. A. Company, Ed. 1842.