Needham Town (part 8 of 12)

The History Of Needham 425

and twenty acres on the west side of the railroad, near the Upper Falls, and also, to a smaller extent, Home Park, formerly Fuller Land, on the east side of Highland Avenue. Frank W. Yerxa was the principal owner of Fremont Park, which, before there were sales, contained sixty acres. This park Is on Highland Avenue, and southeast of River Park, and at the junction of Central and Wellesley Avenues was Highland Park, which had less area than some of the other parks in that vicinity, and by 1898 had many owners. In some Instances lots of five thousand feet In one of these parks were sold for more than the assessed valuation of ten acres of the same land when the parks were first planned and laid out. The sales in the larger parks near the river were usually at auction on Saturday afternoons, and often on the installment plan. Subsequent to 1900, particularly after the new railroad was opened In 1906, the development of real estate was rapid, and cannot be followed in this history; the advance In prices has corresponded with the increased demand for houses and house-lots. The Cooperative Bank has been an important factor in the growth of the town, and The Needham Associates, consisting of Dr. Albert E. Miller, F. Ernest Thorpe, and a Boston partner, have built seventeen good houses in six years at a cost of nearly $100,000, and Mr. Thorpe, the active associate, has bought and sold a large amount of other property for this trust, or syndicate. The assessed valuation of some of the land that has been improved by these Associates has increased six fold.

The Needham Savings Bank was incorporated on April 7, 1874, and the Honorable Galen Orr became its president, and Emery Grover secretary and treasurer, but the bank never did a large business, and after a few years it was given up. The depositors received their money In full, but lost somfe interest.

The Needham Co-operative Bank was incorporated on April 21, 1892, and began business on May 9. This bank is one of the most important and successful institutions in Needham, and from January 8, 1906 to May i, 191 1, its assets increased from about $100,000 to $309,392.29. On May i, 191 1, there were nine hundred and thirty-nine members, and there were seven thousand five hundred and ninety-eight shares, the latter representing twenty-three of the thirty-eight issues. The thirty-ninth series of shares is now offered for sale, and the bank has paid at the rate of six per cent, compounded semi-annually, from its incorporation. The authorized capital is one million dollars. Dr. Albert E. Miller has been the president and William G. Moseley the secretary and treasurer from the beginning, and the management has been both prudent and enterprising, resulting in a bank which has the confidence of the community. The bank held its first meeting in the town hall in the Bourne Building, as it is now called, and for fourteen years had its office in this building, renting the library room for certain hours. From the autumn of 1898 it regularly leased these premises until the room was granted by the town to the Grand Army of the Republic, when the bank was removed to the banqueting hall above, returning to the second floor when the town clerk transferred his office to the new town hall. In 1906 the bank moved into a commodious banking-office at 234 Great Plain Avenue, in Fowler's Block, and on November i, 1910, it occupied a still more spacious office at 232 Great Plain Avenue, where the treasurer is on duty an entire day and evening each month, and at advertised hours at other times.

The Act of November 22, 1693, required each town to have one barrel of good powder, two hundred weight of bullets, and three hundred flints for every sixty enlisted men; the selectmen to furnish the poor with arms and ammunition according to the decision of the chief commissioned officers in the town. The personal equipment to be kept ready by each citizen was prescribed in detail by the law.

Town Ammunition And Powder-House

to make in a pound & Stocks", and in May, 1746, the town voted "the Bird Money to be Layed out for ammunition". In 1748 the town treasurer paid Lieut. Zachariah Mills £1, old tenor, "for his Buying and Bringing up from Bofton y^ Town Stock of ammunition". On July 12, 1753, Lieut. Amos Fuller, Timothy Newell and Lieut. Aaron Smith were chosen to procure "a place to Keep the Town Stock of Arms and Amunition". This powder-house cost £6, 8s., 2d., 2f., but it does not appear whether it was in the meeting-house, or was an independent building. When the meeting-house was burned in 1773 town ammunition was kept in the loft, apparently in a chest, and the first distinct powder-house that has been located is the one that stood on "Powder House Ledge", west of Nathaniel Wales's barn. In 1764 four pence were granted to Michael Metcalf "for a Staple for y^ powder houfe", and on June 2,

1777, the town voted "to Sell y« Houfe Called y^ powder Houfe", and after an adjournment for a quarter of an hour, chose Col. M:?Intafh, as the town clerk spelled the Colonel's name for many years, to "be Vandue Mafter to Sell the powder Houfe". In 1774 the town purchased of Jonathan Patten "Two Cafks of powder and Thirty Pound of Bullets and Fifty Flints and One Pail", for £8, 4s., gd., 2f., and during the war bought powder, "Guns Locks Flints and Lead". On December 15, 1777, the town voted "That the Selectmen Should Sell the Six new Guns, and the Six New Gun Locks, and One Hundred pounds of the Lead", also the "New Flints", that had been assigned to Needham by the General Court. In 1796 the town refused to build a powder-house, but in 1800 appointed Colonel Kingsbery, Daniel Smith, Capt. Ebenezer M^'Intosh, Colonel Alden and James Smith a committee to build one. The powderhouse built in 1800 cost upward of $100, and James Smith and Daniel Sanger, the masons who laid the bricks, boarded at Captain Mcintosh's. There is a payment of $7.50 for one thousand bricks delivered, and also one of $2 for carting a like quantity from Watertown. Perhaps the two lots were identical. In 1835 Israel Whitney took away the powderhouse, but traces of it remain on Powder House Ledge to this day (191 1).

Spanish War Of 1740

The Soldiers from Needham under command of Admiral Vernon in 1740/1, in the expedition against the Spanish colonies in the West Indies, particularly Cuba, were: - Jeremiah Smith, aged 18, blacksmith, enlisted May 27, 1740, in Capt. John Prescott's company, Jonas Cooke, aged 23, mason, enlisted July 12, Richard Fuller, aged 28, husbandman, enlisted July 24, Jn° George, aged 20, husbandman, enlisted July 20, John CoUer, aged 26, husbandman, enlisted July 17. The four last named were in Capt. Stephen Richards's company.

The History Of Needham 429 French And Indian War

During the French and Indian Wars "the Leg" or "West End" was temporarily a part of Natick, and the militaryservice of its inhabitants was credited to that town. In the War of the Revolution The Leg furnished a brave quota for Needham, of whom were Lieut. John Bacon, of the Minute Men, slain at West Cambridge April 19, 1775, and his six sons. Lieut. John had served in the "Old War" of 1745-8, and had been at Annapolis Royal. In 1748/9 the town voted £20 each to John Brown, William Mills, Jr., and Thomas Gardner; the claim of the latter was on account of his son Daniel. These grants were to refund money paid "when Impreft to Goe into his Majefty's feruice". A year later £20 were allowed to Hopestill Field for a similar reason. On May 22, 1755, the town voted to "Refer all the Lifted Solders" to the next meeting.^ In 1767 the town reimbursed Alexander Farie £2, los., "which he paid Towards Hireing a man or men into His Majefty's Service about Eight years ago", but declined to excuse Henry Dewing "from paying of Two Notes that he Gave as a fine for a Soldier that Lived with him. That was Under his Care and abfented him Self From Training". Six years later these notes were returned to Dewing to be cancelled.

Col. William Mcintosh (Mackintosh) is the most distinguished soldier that has been identified with Needham; he began his military career some ten years before he came here to live. When the forces were raised to repel the incursions of the French at Crown Point and at Lake Champlain, he received an ensign's commission, September 9,

^ In 1759 Henry, Daniel and Stephen Bacon, Jr., presumably inhabitants of "The Leg," then a part of Natick, paid £8, £4, and £4 respectively for substitutes to go to the war.

1755, and soon after joined the army at Fort Edward. This was the dark period of the war following Braddock's defeat. While in service at Lake George Ensign M"'Intosh was made a first lieutenant, his commission bearing the date of March 13, 1758. He was destined to be a brave and able officer in the War of the American Revolution.

From a muster roll, dated December 4, 1754, of a "Company in His Majesties Service Employ'd for the Defence of the Eastern frontiers under the Command of Jofeph Willson Captain", it appears that Daniel Gardner of Needham enlisted on May 31, 1754, at £1, 6s., 8d. per month, and was discharged on September 7, having served three months, two weeks and two days. His total wages were £4, 19s., |d. Archives, Vol. 93, p. 134.

From the roll of "Col. Timothy Ruggles Company in a Regiment whereof he is Colonel Fort Edward July 26, 1756", were obtained particulars of the following Needham men, all of whom, except Humphrey, had been at one time in Captain Kingsbery's company of Colonel Brinley's regiment.

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John Stebbins, who had commanded this company, died August 18, and that Lieut. William Humphrey became captain. Richardson and Lyon were sergeants, Knap and William Doggett were corporals, Beaverstock, Fisk, Parker, and Whittemore were dead, Clark was lame. Corporal Knap and Private FuUham (Fullam) were sick at Albany, Glover, Gardner and John Farrow were "sick", Stoil was the drummer, Elijah "Kenderick", Robinson, Torry and Tolman were still in active service. There are many other names in this roll, but not those of Needham men. Archives, Vol. 94, p. 496.

From a roll of Capt. William Bacon's company were obtained the following facts: - Bacon was sick, as was Private Joseph Lyon. Lieut. Ephraim Jackson was at Albany, and Corporal John Woodcock at Fort Edward; both sick. Adam Blackman, David Fairbanks, Moses Felt and William Smith were In the service, John Smith was dead, Ebenezer Pratt had been "Killed or taken w"* Hodges." "Mustred" October 11, 1756. Archives, Vol. 94, p. 454. Blackman was not a resident of Needham, but was later well known here as the builder of the Second Meeting-house.

"Return of the Men inlifted or impreffed for his Majefty's Service within the Province of the Massachusetts- Bay, in the Regiment whereof Francis Brinley Esq; is Colonel, to be put under the immediate Command of His Excellency Jeffry Amherst, Esq.; General and Commander in Chief of His Majefty's Forces in North-America, for the Invafion of Canada". Then follow sixteen names, all of men resident in Needham except Gergery, who was of Weston: - John Bird thirty years old, had his own gun, Theophilus Richardson forty, Moses Pratt twenty-nine, John Kitley twenty-six, Christopher Capron twenty-six, Jabas Upham twenty-four, had his own gun, Ephraim Upham eighteen, son of Josiah, John Fellows twenty (John Kingsbery was his "Mafter"), Nehemiah Mills twenty, son of Nehemiah, had his own gun, Josiah Lyon thirtysix, Elijah Gergery twenty-one, Jonathan Wittemore twentyone, had his own gun, Jeremiah Dewing forty-three, John Keaith thirty, Elijah Parker seventeen, son of James, had his own gun, Andrew Gardiner "Impressed". The first four enlisted on March 26, Lyon and Keaith on March 31, and all of the others on "Aprill 2". Richardson had been at "Lack Georg" in 1756 (1758?), and Pratt, Kitley, Capron, Jabas Upham, Lyon, Gergery, Wittemore and Keaith had been "In the Campain at the Lacke" "y^ Leak Georg" in 1758.

"A Roll of Officers and men in Cap* Thomas Cheevers Comp? in Col° Frye's Regiment and in service in the Province of Nova Scotia after the first of January 1760 & the time of their discharge": - John Fellows, Moses Felt, John Kitley, John Keith, James Man, Moses Pratt, Theophilus Richardson, Ephraim Upham, Jonathan Whittemore, Josiah Lyon, Robert Smith. There were sixty-nine men in this company including Elijah Gregory. The Needham men had all been paid to the latter part of November, 1760, except Upham and Smith, the former having received his pay on September 13, and Smith to August 7. Archives, Vol. 98, p. 440.

Another roll of this company, dated December 20, 1760, contains the name of Christopher Capron, but not the names of Josiah Lyon or Robert Smith. The men had enlisted in March and April, 1759, and had been in service from eighty-five weeks and five days to eighty-seven weeks and three days, and were entitled to from £38, 6s., 3§d. to £39, 6s., 7d., with the exception of Ephraim Upham, who was drowned September 13, 1760, which reduced the length of his service to seventy-five weeks and two days, and the amount due him to £33, 17s., 7d. Payments were made in supplies from time to time by the commissary or captain, and the roll gives the value of what the individuals had thus received. On the back of this document is endorsed "Muster Roll of Capt. Thomas Cheever & C° at Fort Cumberland from Mar. 31^.* 1759. to Nov^ 26. 1760. Boston Dec: 23. 1760". Archives, Vol. 98, p. 215.

"A Muster-Roll of the Company in His Majestys Service, Under Command of Eph"" Jackson Esq'": Captain Jackson was of Roxbury, and the following were of Needham: - Lieutenant William Humphrey, Sergeant Jonathan Capron. Corporal Nathaniel Blackenton, Privates Job Cumecher, Nathaniel Chamberlain, William Dunn, Nathan Fuller, and Josiah Hawes, the latter a son of Joslah Hawes. Elijah Kendrick and Baz* Lyon appear to have been also credited to Needham. These men had enlisted between February 13 and April 14, 1760, and served till near the end of the year, some of them as late as December 3. The captain had £9 per month, the lieutenant £5, the sergeant £2, 3s., id. and the corporal £1, i8s., 7d. "The whole of Wages due to each Man" shows the captain entitled to £94, 3s., 6d., the lieutenant to £52, 13s., 7d., and the others to from £13, 7s., 6d. to £19, 17s. The non-commissioned officers and privates were all allowed for "120 miles 5/4" "BlUItlng Home, at 8d. per Diem", and, officers included, were charged six shillings each for baking their bread. The paymaster and commissary, and occasionally the captain, made trifling payments. In money or supplies, from time to time, all of which were duly charged and deducted from the total pay. Archives, Vol. 98, pp. 236, 237.

"A Return of Men Inllfted for His Majeftys Service for the Total Reduction of Cainadae" has the names of the following Needham men, and tells when they were enlisted, and by whom: - Jonathan Capron, born in "Atelburey", 27 years old, Nathaniel Chamberlain, born in Roxbury, 41, Elijah KIndreck, born in Newton, 46, Andrew Gardner, born in Brookline, 47, Zebedlah Pratt, 22, Nathan Farrow, enlisted by Mr. Warren, was a native of Lancaster, 18,

Joseph Whitmore, born In Newton, 28, Thomas Whitmore, born in Petersham, 17, Ebenezer Skinner was his "Mafter", Joslah Haws, 18, son of Joslah, Abljah Man, 18, son of Nathaniel, Nathaniel Blacklnton, born In Attleborough, 31, Ellsha Parker, 18. They were all enlisted by Lieutenant Humphrey, and were born In Needham, unless otherwise Indicated. The dates of enlistment were all In February and March, 1760, and vary a few days from those given In the roll of Captain Jackson's company, but In the cases of Klndrlck and Haws the difference Is more material. This roll states that both enlisted on February 18, but the previous roll gives the date as March 21 and 5 respectively. The dates of this return are March 5 and 21, 1760. Archives, Vol. 98, p. 115.

On page 118, of the same volume, Is another roll of a portion of this company, dated either In April, or March, and Capron Is credited with enlisting on March 14, whereas on pages 236 and 237 It Is the 21st, but on page 115 It Is given as the 19th.

The French and Indian War has been called the trainingschool of the officers and soldiers of the American Revolution, and It Is certain that during the long struggle between the English and French for supremacy on this Continent thousands of New England men, Including some from Needham, received Instruction In the art of war from able British officers, and that so far as experience was concerned the Americans were well prepared for the War for Independence. There were British commanders who were not popular or successful, but others were, and no one was more beloved than George, Third Viscount Howe, a brigadier-general who fell on July 6, 1758, at TIconderoga, and of whom it was said "with him the soul of the army seemed to expire". Lord Howe was admired by the Massachusetts men, and our General Court appropriated £250, which were expended for his monument In Westminster Abbey. His younger brother, William, was a major of Light Infantry at the time

The History Of Needham 435

Quebec was taken, and led the forlorn hope of twentyfour men that forced the entrenched path by which General Wolfe's army scaled the Heights of Abraham. In 1775 Major-General Howe was the senior of the three generals ordered to Boston to assist General Gage, and was in command at the Battle of Bunker Hill, and it is said that his remarkable escape, when practically all of the other British officers were shot down, was due to the fact that behind the American breastworks were many veterans of the earlier war. General Howe was extremely reluctant to serve against the New Englanders, because of early associations with them, and had an interview with the King in which he stated the situation, and asked to be excused, but His Majesty insisted upon his joining General Gage in Boston.

"The following foldiers Names" are in a list by themselves: - William Allden, Samuel Mackintler, Reuben Dunton, Thomas Metcalfe, John Coller, Jonathan Whittemore, William Smith, Thomas Mills, Israel Sanders, Comfort Wheaton, David Dewing, Abraham Ireland, John Brown, Caleb Kingsbery "Clerk". The fourteen last named began their service on September 25, and served three days, with the exception of Dewing, Ireland, Brown and Kingsbery, who were credited with but two days, receiving IS., lod. each, while the other ten had 2s., gd. per man. Of the sixty-two men whose names are in the longer list, preceding the fourteen, all apparently had served five days. Captain Fuller was entitled to 9s., 2d., the lieutenant to 6s., 8d., the ensign and sergeants to 6s. Id., the corporals to 5s., lod. each, and the privates to 4s., yd. per man. The total for the seventy-six men amounted to £16, i6s., 6d. with the addition of £18, 12s., gd. for "Billeting."

"Suffolk: fs April 6*> 1748 Cap* Robert Fuller made Oath to the above Muster Roll of the Company under Subfiftance 348 days his Command and Marched in to Boston being 49 weeks and five days and were in Service the time Entered hereon, before me Jacob Wendall Jud: Pea: 18- 12-9

Militia

There is no record of the militia officers under the Second Charter until shortly before the Revolution, unless there was special service, and as our town clerks were apparently exact in their use of titles it seems needless to enumerate these early militia officers, all of whom are mentioned in this history In connection with civil affairs. Asa Kingsbury, who was elected town clerk on March 7, 1825, ignored most of the military titles, and since his time but few of them have appeared in the records of town proceedings in Needham.

Capt. John Fisher commanded the first military company formed in Needham, and had evidently served In the militia before the town was Incorporated. He had been a soldier in King Philip's War. There is an old undated letter, among other valuable papers that belonged to the late Honorable Enos H. Tucker, In which Robert Cook, Jr., expressed his thanks to the members of the military company for electing him clerk about the year 1730 (.^).

"A List of The Military Soldiers In Natick under the Command of Cap* John Coolidge Taken By me this nineteenth Day of Ap'"Il: 1757:" gives the names of forty- two men, of whom sixteen were more or less connected with Needham: - Lieutenant Thomas Sawin, Ensign John Bacon, Sergeant Isaac Goodenow, Sergeant Isaac Underwood, Corporal Ephraim Jennings, James Man, Henry Bacon, Elijah KIndreck, Samuel Morse, Jeremiah Bacon, Daniel Bacon, Thomas Hall, David Hall, Isaac Goodenow, Jr., Thomas Kendrick and Joseph Dun. There were also twenty-three "Alarm Men" at Natick, Including the minister, the Rev. Stephen Badger, Stephen Bacon, Jr., Robert Jennison, Moses Fisk, John Bacon, Daniel Dewing and Joseph Drury. Elijah Goodenow was the clerk for these companies. Archives, Vol. 99, p. 83.

In June, 1771, Ebenezer Fisher was captain of the Needham company, Seth Willson the lieutenant and Timothy KIngsbery the ensign. Archives, Vol. 99, p. 385.

Shays'S Rebellion

town of Needham ", but declared that they "will Stand by Government in every thing that is Rational ". From a note-book of Capt. Jonathan Kingsbery it appears that both companies met at the East Meeting-house at the same hour that this town meeting was held, and that two days before the West Company had met at the West Meeting-house for the purpose of detaching fourteen men to rendezvous at Roxbury on the 19th, and that on the 22d the West Company met at Lieut. Ephraim Bullard's tavern and detached the following men for thirty days' service: - Seth Gould, Thomas Discomb, Jr., Solomon Brackett, Benoni Muzzey, Nathan Mills, William Kingsbery, David Trull, Jr., Abijah Stevens, Amos Morse, Daniel Hawes, David Bacon, Eliab Moore, Nathan Dewing and Abel Stevens.

On February 6, 1787, an order came to detach nine men for six weeks' service, but it was countermanded on the same day. In 1787 the West Company had a number of parades and "viewing arms" near the West Meetinghouse, which was their usual place of assembling. This parade ground was not too far from Bullard's tavern, where they occasionally met by order. Captain Kingsbery noted under date of June 5th and 19th, 1788, that twenty-six men came to the muster at the West Meetinghouse "in Frocks." General Pond then commanded the brigade, which had a muster each autumn, sometimes at Walpole.

There was evidently some sympathy with Shays in Needham, and it is remarkable that there was not more, as many of the farmers were heavily in debt, and had mortgaged their farms to non-residents at high rates of interest.

In 1794 there were rumors of wars, which, as in these later days, involved expense. On August 4, 1794, Lieut, Oliver Mills, Capt. Robert Smith, Aaron Smith, Jr., Lemuel

The History Of Needham 439

Mills, William Fuller, Esq., Capt. Ephraim Bullard and Moses Fisk were chosen to consider and report "refpecting an allowance being made to those men that are Drafted as minute men ". On September 29 the town voted to "make up to those men that are Detach'd to hold themselves in readinefs as minute men or those that are or may be procured to take their place twelve Dollars per month Including the Continental monthly pay from the time they march and are in Service"; also one dollar per man "for their time in pafsing mufter providing they Should be Called upon to pafs Mufter." An appropriation of £15 was voted "to procure Aminition to Supply the Deficiency".

At the March meeting in 1800 the town voted to pay the militia of the town who paraded at Walpole on September 30 and on October i last one dollar per day each for their time, and also to "provide powder Balls and flints a Quantity sufficient for the Melitia of said Town for the purpose of being Viewed Annually to remain the property of the Town to be Deposited in a Military Chest in charge of some man or men Chosen for that purpose ". At the May meeting these votes were reconsidered, but in March, 1802, the town voted to pay one dollar per day to each militia man who had performed duty at the muster at Walpole the previous September. In 1809 one dollar per day was voted to the men, twenty in number, "that were detached and Inspected last fall". On July 20, 18 12, it was voted "that the Soldiers that were detached from this Town in May last, should be paid, if called into active service and do serve While they serve and no longer ". Their pay was to be made up to $15 per month each, and $5 were to be paid when "first called into active service, and the remainder in six Months after ".

In 18 1 5 the town voted "to give those soldiers that were detached in the year 18 14, belonging to the Town of Needham" $7 each in addition to the public pay, and in 1 8 16 the selectmen were to furnish the soldiers with arms and

In the following list of Needham mllltia officers it may be assumed with reasonable certainty that the individuals had risen from the ranks and had served in the lower grades, which are not here mentioned, the name appearing only under the highest position that the man obtained. The names of the officers of the Norfolk Rifle Rangers will be found elsewhere.

Colonels: - WilHam Mcintosh, First Suffolk, 1776- , Warren Dewing 1825-7, Josiah N. Bird 1833, then living in Dedham, but while adjutant, 1830-1, he had been of Needham, William B. Parker 1835, Joshua Brown Lyon 1838. All but Colonel Mcintosh were of the First Regiment, which name superseded that of First Suffolk when Norfolk County was created in 1793.

The History Of Needham 441

Ensigns: - Michael Harris, Sr., Asa Cheney 1818. Apparently all of the foregoing were officers of the First Suffolk Regiment, or First Regiment of Infantry, of the Second Brigade of the First Division.

First Lieutenant and Paymaster of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company: - The Honorable Emery Grover, joined the company in 1885, was elected first sergeant of artillery in 1888, lieutenant in 1890, and has been the treasurer since 1893.

Charles Seaver Courtenay was the commander of the British Military and Naval Veterans of Massachusetts from 1903 to 1905, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and acted as brigadier-general on the "British Sunday", during the visit to Boston of the Honorable Artillery Company of London in 1903, when various organizations were under his command. He was also prominent when the 43d Regiment, Duke of Cornwall's, came from the Dominion of Canada to Boston in 1905. There were other occasions on which Colonel Courtenay represented his command. In 1909 he was commander of the Imperial and Colonial Veterans. He became an officer of the 7th Royal Fusiliers early In 1855, ^^^ served nearly two years In the Crimea

* Captain Smith commanded the East Company at the laying of the corner stone of Bunker Hill Monument in 1825; his handsome sword, scabbard and sash were conspicuous in the Historical Exhibit during the Bicentennial celebration.

with this regiment. After six months at Aldershot they were ordered to India, and were there for three years, 1857-9. Soon after the completion of his service in India, Mr. Courtenay resigned his commission, after six years in the same regiment, and landed in Canada on the day that Fort Sumter was first fired upon. Needham is indebted to him for the circle, or little park, near the railroad station. He constructed it under adverse conditions, and for many years the citizens have annually raised money to adorn it with beautiful flowers. Colonel Courtenay died in Needham August 19, 1909, in his seventy-fourth year, and had one of the few military funerals that the town has witnessed in modern times.

With the exception of Captain Henderson, who commanded the Roxbury Horse Guards, all of the cavalry officers from Needham were of the uniformed company, which included residents of Dedham, Needham, Dover and Medfield. Until the Norfolk Rifle Rangers were organized this company of cavalry was the only uniformed company that had been connected with Needham. Cornet Timothy Kingsbery appears to have been the solitary cavalry officer resident in Needham in the days of the Province.

Militia Items From The Selectmen'S Orders

In 1801 $16 were granted "to pay Eight Soldiers of the Company of Cavelry belonging to Needham that did Military duty at Walpole" on September 30 and October I, 1800. Capt. Ephraim Bullard, of the West company.

The History Of Needham 443

had had thirty-four officers and soldiers at the muster, and Captain M'=Intosh, of the East company, fifty-three. All of the men were paid $2 each by the town. The next year the East company went to Walpole with fifty-six men and the cavalry included eleven from Needham.

In 1800 Captains M'^Intosh and Dewing required nearly thirty pounds of powder for the parade at Dover, and for years the militia companies used from two to four quarter casks of powder annually. In addition to the powder, which cost fully fifty cents per pound, sometimes sixty cents, the town from time to time purchased a hundred weight of balls and five hundred flints. Beginning about 1810 the town paid, on the average, $5 per year to individuals who made cartridges for the two companies, and the East company alone disposed of eight hundred cartridges one fall, at which season there was the brigade muster. Paper for these cartridges was another item, and such expenses continued as long as the old militia law was in force. The powder was often bought of French and Everett, knapsacks in 1822 of William H. Brown, and the "equipments", "Camp Kittles", which latter cost considerable, were obtained from difi"erent Boston firms. In 1814 a "Chest for the powder house" was purchased, and in 1824 forty belts for Capt. Hollis Mann's company cost $20.

In 1820 the town voted to furnish each officer and soldier with twenty-four cartridges which were to be kept at the powder-house. In 1831 the town dismissed article seven, which was "to see if the town will vote to abate the poll taxes of those persons who uniformed themfelves and did military duty in the Company Commanded by Cap* Franklin Stevens of said town, agreeable to the law of this Commonwealth, passed on the 12th day of March 1830", but the next year voted "that Soldiers who have Complyed with the law to intitle them to a remittance of a poll tax, should be benefit by it, whether the return from their Commanding officers was legal or not".

The Norfolk Rifle Rangers

As this is the only uniformed military organization that Needham has ever had,^ and as it was one of the "crack" militia companies of the State, it seems proper to give a somewhat detailed account of it. Fortunately its records are complete, and one of its officers, Lieut. Enos H. Tucker, an ideal assistant in investigating local history, lived to the close of 1907.

Early in 1832 William B. Parker, who was much interested in military matters, and forty-eight other young men petitioned the Governor and Council for authority to form "an independent corps of Rifle-men by the name of the Norfolk Rifle Rangers to be attached to the first Regiment second Brigade first Division". They stated that there was then but one military company in Needham, the other having been disbanded. The petition went through the usual course and was granted, and they were ordered to meet at Estes Kimball's tavern in West Needham on April 26, on which occasion they chose William B. Parker captain, Paul Dewing first lieutenant, John Welles Lyon ensign; there were also five sergeants and seven corporals. Benjamin W. Parker was clerk, Otis Jennings treasurer, Henry Starr surgeon; of the various committees was that on "Musick," which consisted of Samuel M'^Intosh and Eben Flagg.

On the first Tuesday in May the Company met at Myrick's Hotel. Captain Parker and four others were requested to purchase "Rifles and Uniforms": "each member should have a priveledge of owning and keeping his Rifle". It

^ It is true that the cavalry company that flourished in the years following the Revolution had a uniform, but it included men from Dedham and Dover, and perhaps other towns, although Needham had a large representation.

The History Of Needham 445

was also voted that "Belts be of black patent leather", "barrells of the Rifles stamped", "black plume sixteen inches high", "brafs in centre of the caps, and the cord to be all gilt, the same braid on the top as on the coat", "cuflFs of the coat be the same as the City Gaurds", "pantaloons be the same as the pattern only fuller in front", "stocks be black bombazeen ", "that the buttons of the company have N R R and, 'On Hand' inserted on them, likewise that the pantaloons have a leaf on the front", "drills shall be with guns or rifles until further orders", "music shall have red coats white pantaloons and leather caps". A committee of three was chosen to "inspect and prove the Rifles".

It was their intention to make their first public appearance on the 4th of July, but the uniforms were not ready, and it had to be deferred to September 13th. There were several meetings during the summer, subscriptions were asked for, fines were imposed for absence from drill, or coming late, and one man was discharged for slandering the corps. On August II they had accepted the "knapsacks according to the pattern", "the thirteen inch black plume", and voted that the "pantaloons shall be plain". On the 25th they voted "that Capt. Parker be authorized to provide as good a dinner as the season can afford when we shall first appear in uniform". On September 13, 1832, the Rangers met at 8 A.M. with "Knapsacks canteens and all other military equipments complete", and marched to the Lower Falls, where they "partook of a eolation served up by Peter Lyon, and then March'd to the Uper Falls and partook of another served up by Owen Colburn, then Marched to Estes Kimballs and partook of a dinner served up by E Kimball and Furnised by some of our Townsmen". On Wednesday, October 3, they went to muster for the first time. The company met at- Myrick's Tavern at 8 o'clock in the morning, paraded about town, and then marched to Dedham where they arrived at noon, and had dinner at Alden's Hotel. After the dinner they proceeded to Walpole, a usual place for brigade musters, and "at the edge of the Town was met by the Walpole Light Infantry and escorted by them to our encamping ground where we piched our Tents for the night".^

In April, 1833, the Rangers voted "To send the rifles, to M' Pratt of Roxbury to be stained". During the early years of this company there were many drills, and parades with collations. They took especial pride in their music, to obtain which they assessed themselves a dollar, or more, per member on every important occasion. Their refreshments, which usually cost from seventy-five cents to one dollar per man for a day, were supplied for the muster in September, 1833, by Artemas Newell, but often by the tavern-keepers. They met impartially at Myrick's and Hoogs's Taverns and at Slack's Hotel.^ At the muster in 1833 they reported at Harvey Clapp's Hotel in Walpole at 5.30 A.M. On September 15, 1833, they had celebrated their second anniversary with a parade, and banquet at Myrick's Tavern; salutes were fired, presumably with some of the powder that the town occasionally granted them. Ordinarily their music consisted of a drum, fife and two bugles, but at muster they had a small band. At the muster on October 7, 1835, when the Rangers rendezvoused at Henderson's in Medway at 6 o'clock A.M., the music committee, Samuel Mcintosh and Artemas Newell, provided a band of eight pieces, and it cost the members $5.44 each for music, etc. At this muster "the Company volunteered with the remainder of the Battalion to Skirmish with the Indians" under the command of Colonel Holbrook.

^ Lieutenant Tucker related that on the occasion of one of the musters at Walpole, Robert Smith arrived at Dedham very lame in consequence of wearing new boots, and when the time came to resume the march to Walpole, Mr. Smith was advised to pour a pint of rum into his boots. He had just begun to do this when the captain commanded the men to "fall in", and in his haste Smith poured the entire pint into one boot; as the result he reached muster with one foot in good condition, but with the other in a state that rendered him unfit for service.

^ In 1835 Moses Crafts succeeded John W. Slack as the proprietor of the hotel lately known as the Elmwood Park Hotel, and for a time called it "Crafts Inn". Mr. Blanchard kept this hotel in 1838, and Colonel Shepard in 1840.

The History Of Needham 447

The annual muster occurred early in October, and the Rangers usually left Needham the day before. On September 19, 1843, with eight pieces of music, they marched to the railroad station, Grantville, "and rode to Boston in the cars." "From the Boston Depot, marched to the Common, were inspected and reviewed and performed the regular duties of the day. Partook of dinner at the Western Railroad House at 75 cents per man". They returned to Needham in the cars, and marched to the armory, which the town allowed them in the town building, and broke ranks after "A vote of thanks, was passed to the Musicians for the honourable and Satisfactory manner with which they performed their duty". On May 29, 1844, they voted "To have the company training two days in succefsion and go on an excursion", which resulted in a target shooting match on September 17, which was won by Samuel Pratt. The target was presented by Lieut. Charles E. Alden, who also gave a pencil as a prize for the "best three shots". On the i8th they were refreshed at the Upper Falls by Lieutenant Randall and A. H. Small, and then marched to West Newton, and dined in the "Newton Railroad House" for fifty cents each. They went back to Needham in the cars. They had five pieces of music from Newton Upper Falls, and Messrs. Bartlett and Cutting of the Brigade Band. On the 24th they started from their armory at 5 A.M., and took the cars for Boston, where they "Formed in Brigade line and performed the usual duties Partook of dinner at Pantheon Hall at 75 cents per man". On this occasion they had five pieces of music from the Upper Falls and two from Fitchburg.

On October 19, 1843, a "celebration of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis" was held near the junction of Washington Street and Oakland Street in West Needham. Brig.-Gen. Charles Rice personated Lord Cornwallis and Col. Warren Dewing was General Washington. The armies were great numbers of men and boys from Needham and the neighboring towns, with a few militia companies, including one from Waltham. Capt. Timothy Newell Smith of the Rangers declined to participate, and First Lieut. Charles E. Alden was on the staff of one of the commanders as quartermaster, consequently the command of the Rangers devolved upon Second Lieut. Enos H. Tucker. Col. Richard M. Johnson, Vice-President of the United States, 1837-41, was a spectator, as were Henry Wilson and Nathaniel P. Banks. On September 14, 1840, the company had voted to accept "of Muskets untill we can obtain Rifles from the State and to wear white Pants while we use the muskets", and also to get gray fatigue caps. The next July the Rangers voted to "have the State arms on the caps instead of the eagles". There were fines for defective equipment, such as "priming Wires and Brushes", as well as for coming late to drills, which were usually in the daytime. At times some members furnished substitutes. Charles A. Hines, a member of the company, had charge of the armory. On May 25, 1841, a committee of three, including Enos H. Tucker, Jr., who had joined on May 17, 1840, was appointed "to see if the Select Men will provide 20 Balls and a quarter of a pound powder for each member to be kept at the Armory"; they reported success on September 6th. At the May meeting the Rangers had also voted "to have the Plumes shortened to ten inches before next meeting". At the meeting on July 2, 1841, their new "pants" were to cost $3.50 per pair, and a committee was to get "pompoons for Company". Lieutenant Randall had presented them with a sign for their armory. In 1843 they wisely took measures to secure the uniforms of those who left the company. Dippers were a part of the equipment. After flourishing for more than ten years the interest in the company declined, and on May 6, 1845, the clerk was directed "to return Rifles and Equipments which belong to the State to the Arsenal: for which service he shall receive the balance of funds now in his hands". The volume of records of the Rangers, in the custody of the town clerk of Needham, contains the lengthy constitution with a preamble and twenty-six articles. There were amendments in 1842, and the pages bear the signatures of seventy members of the company, Including many familiar names: - Matthias Mills, Galen Orr, George E. Eaton, Elisha Hiram Lyon, Augustus Fuller, George L. Kingsbury.

At the election of officers of the Rangers it was the custom for a major to preside, and sometimes Maj. Paul Dewing, their former captain, was the officer selected.

Captains: - Paul Dewing August 17, 1833, vice Capt. Parker become lieutenant-colonel, John J. Gorham April 12, 1836, vice Capt. Dewing elected major, (Capt. Gorham was chosen orderly sergeant when the company was organized), Russell Smith May 3, 1839, he had then commanded for some months, and it is probable that Capt. Gorham, who is described as a *"tall, dark man", had removed from town, Thomas Orr September 20, 1841, who had then commanded for some months, Timothy Newell Smith May 31, 1843.

Prior to the Convention at Dedham in September, 1774, there is nothing in our records to indicate the approaching storm, except a vote of the town on December 22, 1773, not "to join with the Committee of Correfpondence of the Town of Bofton; Relating to the Importation of Tea". On March 23, 1775, however, the town voted that the collectors of the Province taxes should thereafter pay them to Henry Gardner, Esq., who had been appointed by the Provincial Congress, and not to the Honorable Harrison Gray, the agent of the Crown.

On May 29, 1775, Capt. Robert Smith was chosen a Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety. The names of his successors, with the dates when they were chosen, are: - John Slack, Michael Metcalf and William Smith, on March 11, 1776, William Smith, Lieut. Ebenezer Fuller and Joseph Daniell, Jr., on March 10, 1777, Josiah Eaton, Henry Dewing and Ebenezer Newell on March 9, 1778, and re-elected on March 11, 1779, Moses Man, Aaron Smith, Jr., and Eleazer Fuller on March 13, 1780, Crowner Nathaniel Fisher, Capt. Robert Smith and Capt. William Smith on April 5, 1 78 1, who perhaps held over, as there is no record of the choice of such a committee in 1782, and John Slack, Robert Fuller, Jr., and Aaron Smith, Jr., on May 12, 1783. There is but little on record of the doings of these committees, although the opposition to the British rule largely centred in them.

The History Of Needham 451 Lexington Alarm

On the morning of April 19, 1775, the news that the British were on their way to Concord was brought to Bullard's Tavern, and the alarm was given by Ephraim Bullard, the tavern-keeper, or by his son of the same name, who fired a gun on Bullard's Hill. The West Company of militia rendezvoused at this tavern, great fires were made in the house, and bullets were moulded, the women assisting. The West Company was the first from Needham to arrive at the scene of the conflict. In "The Leg" the alarm was sounded by the trumpet of Abel, or Nero, Benson, a negro. The news was received in East Needham about nine o'clock in the morning, from a messenger who rode through the town on his way to Dedham, and the militia company was drawn up in their minister's east driveway, as the ammunition was then kept in his house. The Rev. Mr. West addressed them earnestly, and gave his blessing. In the cellar of Mr. West's house, now the home of the writer, is a large brick chimney closet, which may have been the place where the military "Stores" were deposited. At Watertown the East Company stopped for refreshments, but reached West Cambridge in time to join in harassing the King's troops on their retreat.^

Seven Needham men were killed or wounded at West Cambridge: - Sergeant Elisha Mills, forty years of age, blacksmith, lived on what is now South Street, near Webster Street. The tradition is that he stepped out of a barn to fire at the enemy, and fell riddled with bullets. By the kindness of his neighbor, "Hawk" Aaron Smith, who

^ In my childhood I was often taken to call upon a very ancient blind lady, Miss Agnes Austin, who was born in Charlestown, and lived there for many years, and who delighted to tell her visitors that she saw the British troops under Earl Percy and Lieut.-Col. Smith on their return at the close of the memorable nineteenth of April, 1775. A considerable number of the soldiers had thrown away their red coats and much of their equipment. The first legacy that I ever received was under the will of this venerable lady, who was a distant connection of my family. - G. K. C.

afterward married his widow, his body was brought to Needham in a cart, on the 20th, and buried in the old graveyard. The others who died that day were interred at West Cambridge.

Jonathan Parker, also of the East Company, was twentyeight years old, and lived a short distance south of the present Pierce house on Charles River Street, but on the other side of the road, a wooden tablet marking the site. He literally left his plough in the field, west of his house, to answer the call of duty, was surprised at West Cambridge by a flank guard at a barn, and shot while attempting to reach the woods. The Parker School, near his home, is named for him.

John Tolman of the East Company, while lying behind a wall with several others, was discovered by a flank guard. Those not disabled stood up, and Tolman twice tried to fire at the main column, but the powder flashed in the pan, although after his first failure he had cleared the vent with a pin from his shirt collar. He then found himself in a cross fire, and was struck between the shoulders by a bullet, which later was extracted from his breast, and is still preserved. After long suffering he recovered, and died in Fairhaven, Vt., in 1835, aged eighty-two years. He lived on the "Gay Farm" on Central Avenue. In 1906, or 1907, his remains and those of his wife were brought to Needham, and interred in the Tolman lot. A large white gravestone and a footstone came with the bones, and there is now an S. A. R. marker on his grave. His great-granddaughter, Mrs. Anna M. Tolman Pickford, bore the expense of the removal.

None of the West Company were seriously hurt, but of the Minute Men First Lieut. John Bacon, aged fifty-four years, was killed on a ledge of rock in Menotomy. He was with "Old Hawes," a former comrade in the French and Indian War, and Bacon had been lying behind a wall with his powder in his hat. Suddenly Hawes said, "Run or you are dead, here 's the guard ", and as they attempted to get over the wall Bacon was shot near the third button of his waistcoat. The next day his son, John, recognized his father's old striped hat on a roll of clothes in a school-house at West Cambridge. Lieutenant Bacon's house, now a tenement and much changed, stands on North Main Street, near Bacon Street, and west of the watering trough. He was an energetic man, and frequently had eight or ten Indians and negroes, and four yokes of oxen working on his farm.

Amos Mills, a cousin of Elisha, lived on what is known as the Abijah Stevens place on Blossom Street. He was a Minute Man, and was killed at West Cambridge, aged forty-three years.

On November lo, 1845, Rufus Mills, Israel Whitney and General Rice were chosen by the town a committee with reference to a monument to commemorate these five men, but nothing was accomplished until Mrs. Sarah Eames Mills Kingsbury and other ladies raised the necessary money in 1851, and placed on the hill in the old graveyard the handsome granite monument inscribed with the five names, and the words "For Liberty they died."

The monument at West Cambridge (Arlington) is a granite shaft marking the common grave of twelve men slain on April 19, 1775. This memorial was erected in 1848, and bears on the east side an inscription giving the names of three Cambridge men, but a temporary tablet of later date on the west side has the names of the other nine, including the four from Needham.

Lexington Alarm Lists

The muster-rolls of the two companies of militia, and of the Minute Men from Needham were copied verbatim, at an expenditure of much time, with the purpose of reproducing them in full, but the writer has reluctantly decided that it is not feasible to do so, owing to the many columns, the great number of figures, the abbreviations with superior letters, and the profuse punctuation.

"A Muster Roll of the Travel and Service of a Company of Alarm Men in Needham under the Command of Caleb Kingsbery in Colo" Aaron Davis's Regiment That March'd in Consequence of the Alarm Made on the 19*'' of April 1775. Which is as FoUoweth Viz.*"

The History Of Needham 455

Many of them had travelled thirty miles, some thirtysix, and Mudge only nine miles, for which they were paid one penny per mile. This was for the distance to and from their homes. Most of them were in service two days, at IS., 5d., ^f. per day, but of the last seven in the list all but Houghton served from six to nine days at the same pay per day. The total claim for the company amounted to £16, i8s., lod., 2f.

Caleb Kingsbery Colony of the Mafs* bay March 15 1776 Captain Caleb Kingsbery within named made Solem Oath to the truth of the within Roll by him Subscribed According to the beft of his Knowledge

The History Of Needham The History Of Needham

Most of these men had travelled thirty miles from their homes, including the return, and were paid the same as the Minute Men for travel and service, but many of them served fourteen or sixteen days, which was a much longer time than the Minute Men served. Captain Smith was paid 4s., 6d. per day. This muster-roll was duly sworn to by Captain Smith before Josiah Newell ''Justice peace", on January 2, 1776, compared with the "Original" by the Committee, and "allowed" by the Council on March 19, 1776. The total amount was ^(i']^ 17s., id., jf. Archives, Vol. 13, p. 92.

"A Roll of Capt Aaron Smiths Company of Militia who marched in Confequance of the Alarm Made on the i()^^ of April laft in the Regiment whereof William Heath Efq.' was then Col: as Follows Viz - "

Most of these men had travelled thirty-six miles from their homes, and returning to them, and had served a week or more. Captain Smith and Privates Moses Daggett and Samuel Pratt were on duty fifteen days. The total claim amounted to £50, 7s., 2d., which was sworn to by the Captain on March 15, 1776, and allowed by the Council on April 2, 1776. Archives, Vol. 13, p. 98.

The History Of Needham 459 Siege Of Boston 1775. Eight Months Men

The muster-roll of "Capt. Mofes Whiting's Company in ye 36 - Reg* of Foot in the Continental army Encampt in Cambridge In Fort N° 2 October 5, 1775 ", bears the names of the following Needham men: - Lieut. Aaron Pain "Engaged April ye 19", Sergeants John Macintash, John Tolman and Joseph Ware, Corporal Ebenezer Clark, all of whom enlisted the first week in Alay, Privates David AlIUs, Thomas Fisher, Daniel Wight, Ebenezer Richardson, Michael Bacon, Elijah Fuller, Josiah Lyon, Joslah Fisher, Simeon Fisher, Uriah Coller, Phineas CoUer, Thomas Fisk? "gone to Canady" and John Brown "Deceised August y^ 21 ". Total, eighteen men. Archives, Vol. 56, p. 244.

Samuel Ware was also at Cambridge, October 17, 1775, serving under Capt. Abner Craft and Lleut.-Col. Bond, 37th Foot. Archives, Vol. 56, p. 255. Michael Bacon, who enlisted on June 15, Andrew Gardner, on May 12, and John Hastings, on June 23, discharged on July 28, were all from Needham, had travelled twelve miles, and Bacon and Hastings had furnished their own guns. These three men were in Capt. Daniel Whiting's Company, of Colonel Brewer's Regiment, and Bacon and Gardner were of this company on August I, 1775. Archives, Vols. 16 and 56, pp. 72 and 32. Aaron Motton of Needham was a corporal in the company of Capt. Joseph Morse of Natick, August, 1775. Archives, Vol. 56, p. 176. The men who enlisted for eight months, ending on January i, 1776, were to receive from the "Colony " each a coat as additional bounty, and the receipts for these coats, or their equivalent, are in the "Coat Rolls". Archives, Vol. 57.

The muster-roll of Captain Samuel Kllton of Needham, October, 1775, included the following Needham men: - 1st Lieutenant John Bacon, Sergeants John Mcintosh, Solomon Flagg, Daniel Gould, Enoch Kingsbery and Peter Jeneson,

Enoch Johnson was paid £6, 13s., 4d. by the town for serving eight months in 1775. From the town book under the heading "The Names of thofe men that Entered the Service April 1775 and Served Eight months at the Lines Near Bofton" six more names are added to those in the muster rolls, viz., Aaron Smith, 3d, Samuel Ward, Aaron Moulton (probably identical with Aaron Motton of Captain Morse's company), Jacob Hemingway, Uriah Coller, Sr. (perhaps the man named in Captain Kilton's roll), and Jacob Parker, Jr., all of whom, except Parker, were paid £6, 13s., 4d. each, a total for fifty-six Eight Months Men of £366, 13s., 4d. The names of Longley Bartlett and John English are erased from this list in the town book, but Bartlett served under Colonel M*=Intosh, and was at Fishkill.

The State Archives, Vol. 206, p. 239, record a Resolution of the Council on August 17, 1775, in favor of Colonel M<=Intosh for £6, 12s., I4d..? for twenty-eight "Narrow Axes and for Collecting and tranfporting the fame to Watertown".

Dorchester Heights

"A Copy of Cap-^ Rob- Smith's of Needham Pay Roll, for him and his Comp^ of Malitia afsisting in taking pofsefsion of Dorchefter Hill in March 1776".

The History Of Needham 461

Besides Captain Smith the company included Lieutenant Silas Alden, Sergeants Jonathan Gay, Thomas Fuller, Eleazer Fuller and (erased) Alden, Corporals (erased) Fisher, Eliakim Cook, John M=Intosh and Ebenezer Day (the word "Corp^" is erased by time and wear, but apparently these four men were corporals). Privates Richard Blencoe, Lemuel Colburn, Henry Dewing, Timothy Fisher, Jeremiah Eaton, Jr., Josiah Eaton, (erased) Eaton, (erased) Eaton, Nathaniel Fisher, Jr., Solomon Fuller, Amos Fuller, Jr., Robert Fuller, Asa Gay, Jonathan Kingsbery, Moses Man, David Mills, Jr., Ezra Mills, Enoch Mills, Reuben Newell, Samuel Payn, Nathaniel Tolman, Samuel Wight, Jonathan Ware, Samuel Ware, Jr., Ephraim Ware, Nathaniel Wilfon, Timothy Broad and Samuel Edes. Total, thirty-eight men. Each man had travelled twenty-four miles from his home and returning at one penny per mile, and Captain Smith was entitled to £1, 8s., I id., 2f. for services and travel. Lieutenant Alden to £1, OS., id., the sergeants to los., 3d., 2f., each, the corporals to 9s., 8d., 3f., each, and privates to 9s., 2d., 3f. Total for the company, £19, 6s., iild. Sworn to by the Captain before Josiah Newell, J. P., and was allowed in Council on June 5, 1777.

In May, 1776, Capt. Robert Smith was commissioned captain of the 4th Company in Colonel Mcintosh's Regiment, which was the First Suffolk Regiment of militia. Captain Smith's last active service appears to have been from February to May, 1778, when he was captain of a company of Guards at Boston and Dorchester, under Maj.-Gen. Heath.

"A Roll of the west Company of Melltia in Needham in Col° W"?. M° Intoshs' Reg* Command^*^ By Cap* Aaron Smith that went In March 1776 to Afsist in Taking Pof session of and Fortifying Dorchester Hills".

Names added: - Nathaniel Bullard, drummer, Joseph Bullard, fifer. Privates Isaac Goodenow, Enoch Fisk, Samuel Ward, Theodore Broad, Nehemiah Mills, Nicholas (erased), Timothy Huntting, Israel Huntting, Abijah Mills, Daniel Gould, Timothy Dell, Jonathan Bacon, Peter Bent, John Slack and George Wallin. Total seventeen, making the strength of the company sixty-nine men. There are also the following changes: - Samuel Kilton and Enoch Kingsbery had become sergeants, and the "Jun^" disappears after the names of Jonathan Whittemore, Ellphalet Kingsbery, Daniel Huntting and Benjamin Mills.

Most of these men had travelled thirty-six miles from their homes and returning, had served four days, and the total due them was £34, 7s., lod. Dated April 21, 1777, and signed by Capt. Aaron Smith, who was a handsome writer. Archives, Vol. 23, p. 78. Capt. Aaron Smith was commissioned captain of the 9th Company of Colonel Mcintosh's Regiment of militia in May, 1776.

Military Duty At Roxbury The History Of Needham 463

"A Roll of Cap* Hopeftill Halls Company in Coll? Lemuel Robinfons Reg* from the time of Service til marched" was dated October 4, 1776, and contains the names of the following Needham men : - Lieutenant Oliver Mills, Sergeant John Tolman, Corporal Philip Mills, Privates John Bird, Jeremiah Woodcock, Jeremiah Woodcock, Jr., Josiah Lyon, Elisha Mills, William Kitley, Benjamin Mills, Richard Bryon, Theophilus Richardson, Michael Bright, Ebenezer Richardson, Joseph Stowell, Royal Mackintash, Michael Bacon, John Beaverstock and Elman Tolman. Total, nineteen men. These men were enlisted on January 30, served twenty-two days, and Lieutenant Mills was paid £31, i6s., 8d. (he either had claims in addition to the twenty-two days' service, or was paid in depreciated currency). Sergeant Tolman £1, 15s., Corporal Mills £i, lis., 3d. (in 1783 he received £2 from the town for service in 1776), privates £1, 9s., 4d. each. Archives, Vol. 2, p. 75.

In November, 1776, the muster-roll of Capt. John Gay's Company, Colonel Francis's Regiment, showed the names of seven Needham men: - Corporal Samuel Daggett, Privates Moses Bacon, John Bacon, Joseph Haws, Moses Huntting, Elisha Fuller and Reuben Newell. They each were allowed by the Province one penny per mile for eighteen miles' travel, and also a day's pay for every twenty miles; their wages were los., 4d. per man, including six shillings each for "Gun and Blanket", the corporal receiving is., 6d. more. Archives, Vol. 2, p. 61.

but eight shillings. Jonathan Whittemore's name is in the town list, which states that the service was at Dorchester Hill, August to December, 1776. Joseph Haws, Jr., was allowed £6, 13s., 4d. in 1782 for "Service in the War" in 1776.

From the State Archives were obtained further particulars as to service in the year 1776: - Nathaniel Ayers, Aaron Jackson, Ephraim Jackson and Phinehas Kingsbery served a little over a month under Capt. Aaron Guild and Colonel Whitney, "til their Return Home", November 26, 1776, had travelled forty miles, and were to receive £2, 6s. each, but Ayers was to have six shillings more for an additional day. Archives, Vol. 19, p. 141. Ayers had served in the same company with Phinehas Kingsbery late that year at Hull, and they were allowed by the Province 13s., 4d. each for "Blanket Money" besides one penny per mile for travel sixteen miles, together with the usual pay for service. Archives, Vol. 18, p. 32.

Castle Island 1776

The "Melitia Detachment" under Capt. Thomas Mayo, Colonel Weld, for the Castle Island service December 9-29, 1776, numbered forty-five officers and men from Roxbury, Brookline and Needham. The Needham men were: - from £4, OS., I i|d. due Lieutenant Alden to £1, 12s., S^d. due each private. Archives, Vol. 36, p. 175. The town also paid these sixteen men eight shillings each for one month's service, and also paid Jonathan Dunn and Robert Fuller, Jr., whose names are not in the muster-roll. In several instance? the "Jr." is obtained from the town records, and is not found in the muster-roll. Nathaniel Ayers and Phinehas Kingsbery, before mentioned, were also paid by the town for duty performed on one of the islands near Boston in 1776, as was Ephraim Bullard, Jr.

On June 24, 1776, there was an article in the warrant "To See if it be the mind of the Inhabitants of the town to Inftruct, and advife their Prefent Representative, that If the Honorable Congrefs for the Safety of the United Colonies Declare them Independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, that they the Said Inhabitants will Solemnly Engage with their Lives and fortunes to Support them in y® meafure". Presumably this vote passed, but the record does not indicate it, and prudence may have influenced the town clerk, Robert Fuller, although pages 135-8 of Vol. III. are covered with the Declaration of Independence of the United Colonies engrossed in full in Mr. Fuller's bold and handsome handwriting.

Canada And New York

A muster-roll of Capt. Timothy Stow's Company was found among his papers in 1869, and was placed in the State Archives, Vol. 49, pp. 116 and 117. The men named in this roll were to serve from June to December i, 1776, "to furnish ourfelves with a good effective Fire-Arm, and if pofliible, a Bayonet fitted thereto, or in lieu thereof, a Hatchet or Tomahawk, a Cartridge Box Knapsack and Blanket:" The recruits were to march to Charlestown, N. H., and they contracted to obey their officers, etc. Those who signed, representing Needham, were (with no attempt to reproduce the abbreviations used by the men) : -

Ithamar Smithj Jr., Benjamin Mills, Benjamin Mills, Jr., John Tolman, Jeremiah Woodcock, Jr. (his mark), Ebenezer Huntting, Da^-id Henderson (his mark), Israel Huntting, John Clark, Nathaniel Fisher. Jr.. Lemuel Eaton, Jonathan Huntting, John Smith, Seth Pratt, Isaac Goodenow, Jr., John Kitley, Isaac Bacon. Moses Eaton, Nathaniel Tolman, John Beverstock (his mark), Jonathan \Miittemore, Aaron Fisher and Samuel Wight- Total, twent}*-three. The signature of Moses Daggett is crossed out.

Of five thousand men called "for Canada *Sc New York", "Needham's Proportion was 26 to be formed into one Company of 91 men Officers Included". This was the company Captain Stow commanded, and ist Lieut. Moses Bullard was a Needham man. They were in the Second Di^^sion; '-'the firlt Di^'ifion Marched the }0'> Day of July 1776 vdxh a \^"aggon for their Baggage; the Second Di\'ifion Marched the 5''' Day of Auguft 1776 with a Waggon for their Baggage and were ordered to Charlestown in New Hampshire where I have been Informed they arived Safe in about Eight or Nine Day after their marching from home Attelt Jonathan Metcalf one of the Committee Watertown September S: 1776". Archives, Vol. 40. p. 22^.

In the town records these men are designated as going to Ticonderoga, and small bounties were paid them by the town. Nathaniel Fisher, Jr., died in the ser\"ice, and Needham also sent William Carey and Da%'id L"pham in her quota. The two men who bore the name of Benjamin Mills are designated in the town book as '* Ju^" and ''3"*"; John Smith is also *'3'^''. From August 24, when the company was at Ticonderoga, to November 17, 1776, several returns were made as to its effective strength. It was reckoned two hundred and ninety miles from Skeensborough to Dedham, Albany, and it took this company fourteen and one half days to march this distance. Dedham was largely represented in the company.

The History Of Needham 467

to the following men, who were entitled to them in September, 1776, for service at "York": - Lieut. Enoch Kingsbery, Serg. Jonathan Gay, Privates John Bird, Ezra Mills, Samuel Ware, Elmon Tolman, William Smith, Jr., Enoch Mills, Joshua G [illegible], Timothy Daniell, Jonathan Kingsbery, Jr., Stephen Bacon, Jr., David Hall, Samuel Woodcock, David Brackett and Seth Broad. In December the town paid £20 in bounties for service at "York", and the recipients were: - Lieut. Oliver Mills, John Tolman, Isaac Shepard, Philip Mills, Michael Bright (allowed £2 additional in 1783), Ebenezer Clark, Jr., Nathaniel Ayers, Jr., Samuel Spring, Solomon Flagg, Timothy Huntting, Samuel Daggett, Jr., Ebenezer Huntting, Daniel Ware and Cato Underwood. Total, thirty men. This December list also included the names of John Bird and David Brackett, both in the earlier list, as well as the name of Jonathan Huntting.

In February, 1777, the town paid "Canady" bounties of seven pounds each to the following persons: - Nathaniel Fisher (a minor, and paid to his father), Aaron Fisher, Isaac Goodenow, Jr., John Kitley, Josiah Upham ("for his Negros' Inlifting"), Benjamin Mills, Jr., Benjamin Mills, "y^ 3:", Ebenezer Huntting, Jonathan Huntting, Israel Huntting, Moses Eaton, Lemuel Eaton, Jonathan Whittemore, Jr., Jeremiah Woodcock (paid to his father), John Beaverstock and John Smith, Jr.

Late in December, 1777, Lieut. Moses Bullard was allowed £6, 13s., 4d. "for his Going to Ticonderoga in the Year 1776", and Lieut. Oliver Mills a like amount for going to "York" in December, 1776, while Lieut. Enoch Kingsbery received one half of that sum for his service at "York" in 1776. Mrs. Mary Spring was paid £3 in 1782, the balance of her husband's bounty for three months' service at "York" in 1776 and 1777. These payments were made by vote of the town, which on July 15, 1776, had chosen Colonel Mcintosh, Capt. Aaron Smith, Michael Metcalf, Capt. Robert Smith and John Slack, "to Confult what Method to Ralfe the money to Incouriage the Men that are to be Raifed to Go to Canady". Their report favored a bounty of seven pounds, additional to that offered by the General Court, and it was adopted in a town meeting, and a rate voted. This report, which is recorded in full under date of July 15, provided that a man who had been in the service "eight months last summer" should be allowed "half a turn", and also "half a turn more", if he re-enlisted and took the £14, thus making "a whole turn". A new soldier, with no former credits, was to be allowed for "a whole turn", in case he had only the £7 offered by the General Court, but if he had also received £7 from the town, then he was to be allowed but "half a turn". The town bounty, £7, was clearly within the reach of every man who enlisted for "Canady", whether officer or private, but expressions well understood when used are obscure to another age.

Continental Army. One Year Men 1776

The town paid to eighteen men bounties amounting to £113, 6s., 8d. for serving In the Continental Army for one year. The men were: - Lieutenants Aaron Pain (died in the service), and John Bacon, Sergeant John Bullard, Privates Nathan Dewing, Elmun Tolman, *Joseph Ware, *Thomas Fisher, John CoUer, Joseph Fisher, *Daniel Wight, James Faris, John Gay, *Benjamin Edes, *William Symms, Benjamin Ware, Josiah Eaton, Elijah Fuller and Moses Bacon. The four men last named lost their lives in the One Year Service, and those marked with a star re-enlisted in the Continental Army for three years, after their enlistment for one year had expired. On June I, 1790, the selectmen granted to Solomon Park Parker an order of £5, and also £1, 3s., the latter sum as costs, to settle a claim he had successfully sued for £5 "he paid to Capt Aaron Smith in 1776 to hire men into the Continental army".

Continental Army. Men Enlisted For Three Years

* John Gay was much in the service, and in a muster-roll dated January 10, 1781, is described as of Natick, aged 26 yrs., 6 mos.; height, 5 feet, 7 inches.

Total, forty-two, or forty-three men, of whom Crosby, Dell (Deal or Dill), Henry, Hunter and Jennings were of Boston, and Daverson, Grant and Levey were "Foreigners". These eight non-residents were hired to fill Needham's quota.

In 1776 Josiah Lyon and EHsha Mills had been "Matrofses" in the First Company of American Artillery, and served under Capt. James Swan in Colonel Crafts' "Batallon". Archives, Vol. 38, p. 118.

On February 21, 1778, Colonel Mcintosh made oath, before Squire Newell, that Phineas Coller had served under Captain Foster, Colonels Greaton and Weld. Archives, Vol. 40, p. 217. A descriptive list, dated at West Point, January 25, 1781, contains the name of William Kelly (query Kitley.?) of Needham, 24 yrs. old, 5 ft., 7 in. tall, complexion dark, hair and eyes black, enlisted February I, 1777, 3d Regiment, Colonel Greaton.

The following named Needham men enlisted In the Continental Army in April, 1781: - John Beaverstock, Thomas Cumlngs, Solomon Flagg, John Fuller, John KItley, John M^Intlre, Christopher Smith, Samuel Smith and Timothy Whittemore, and in June Ithamar Smith and Hezeklah Mills were added to their number. Three other men were also credited to Needham, viz., Charles Winchester, who enlisted in March, Benjamin Dolbeare, in July, and Eliphalet Reed in August. Dolbeare appears to have been the only one of the three at all identified with. Needham. Beaverstock and Flagg were Three Year veterans re-enlisted. Archives, Vol. 28, p. 175.

Votes Of The Town Relating To Service In The Continental Army

On February 17, 1777, a rate was voted to pay a town bounty of £14 to each man who enlisted in the Continental Army for three years, or for the war, and a committee, consisting of Capt. Robert Smith, Capt. Aaron Smith, Josiah Newell, Esq., John Slack, Lieut. Ebenezer Fuller, Lieut. William Fuller and Michael Metcalf, was "to See what has been paid, and who has Done a turn or part of a turn, Perfonally". In March the town voted to borrow the money to pay these bounties to soldiers enlisted before April 20th.

On January 5, 1781, Eleazer Kingsbery, John Slack and Robert Fuller, Jr., a committee chosen by Needham on December 27, 1780, petitioned the General Court for an abatement of the quota of seventeen men for three years required of the town. They stated that the town had not been fully credited with its men then in the army, and that one half of them left families for which, by Act of the General Court, the town had to provide. And as said Town took upon them an Early and large part in the Prefent Contest with Great Britain". This petition concluded with patriotic sentiments. Archives, Vol. 186, p. 429.

In March, 1782, the town voted to raise £550 by a tax to pay the bounties of the Three Year men. The original receipts for bounties varying from £40 to £70 were dated from April to June, 1782, and were paid by the town committee, whose duty it was to hire men for three years. These papers are in the Archives, Vol. 3, pp. 69-73, ^^^

Care Of The Families Of The Soldiers

The care of the families of the soldiers became a heavy expense, and the number of the poor increased during and after the war. In certain instances the selectmen were authorized to apply the amount of a bounty to the support of a soldier's wife and children, and from time to time the following persons received money: - Elizabeth, wife of John English,^ Lydia, wife of Solomon Flagg, Sarah, wife of John Clark, the family of Ebenezer Richardson, Ann, wife of Richard Blincow, who "was in the Private Expedition to Providence", 1777.

Special allowances were also made to the families of the soldiers because of the "Extra price" of everything, and many orders of the selectmen have reference to this arrangement, which one case will sufficiently illustrate: On April 6, 1778, Solomon Flagg was granted £7 "for money he paid for Extra price for providing for his Family, by Order of the Committee, from the firft of September Last, Untill the Date hereof". The following persons also had such allowances: - Sarah, wife of Uriah Coller, Hannah, wife of [Joseph] Stowell, Sarah, wife of [Josiah?] Lyon, Mrs. John Clark, and "M^f Englifh and Family".

On July 26, 1779, Josiah Newell, Jr., Josiah Upham, Ensign Timothy Kingsbery, Josiah Newell, Esq., Dea. John Fisher, Moses Kingsbery and Colonel Mcintosh were chosen "to Provide for the families of thofe men that are in the Continental army". In 1780 Capt. Eleazer Kingsbery, Nathaniel Fisher, Ephraim Pain, Capt. Caleb Kingsbery, Ebenezer Day, Timothy Newell and Lieut. Timothy Kingsbery were assigned to this duty, and in April, 1781,

1 The name of Elizabeth English reappeared in our records in the autumn of 1901, when Miss Elizabeth M. English, a graduate of Radcliffe College, came to teach the Parker School.

The History Of Needham 473

These five men were mustered in June, 1779, for nme months, to serve for the Town of Needham, together with Samuel Fuller, Josiah Mills and John Smith, Jr. See certificates of Nathaniel Barber "Qtr master County of Suffolk April 4, 1780, and of Stephen Badlam "Superintendent Oy of Suffolk", dated Dorchester April 29, 1780. The latter certificate did not include Coller. Of those "receipted for at Springfield, July 19, 1779, by Capt. James Cooper was Samuel Fuller of Needham, 18 yrs. old, 5 ft., n m. tall, dark complexion, who served under Captain Smith and Colonel Mcintosh. Archives, Vol. 45, p. 272. _

On December 27, 1779, the selectmen, William Smith Oliver Mills, William Fuller and Samuel Daggett, petitioned the General Court to remit a fine of £600 "for failure of the quota of men as required by a Resolve pafsed January, 1779", claiming that the Nine Months men were and are now in the Army". A certificate of Colonel Mcintosh accompanied this petition to the effect that Uriah Coller had enlisted in the Continental Army, and had marched, also one from Solomon (erased), Jr., that Coller had been in Capt. L. Bailey's Company, Col. J. Bailey, in August, I779, as a Nine Months man from Needham. In November, 1781, Coller had an order for £150, the balance of his bounty for enlisting in 1779 in the Continental Army for nine months. In May, 1779, Samuel Alden and Joseph Kingsbery, Jr., took a load of clothing to Springfield for the use of the Continental soldiers, and were each paid £43, 13s., in depreciated currency, by the town.

In December, 1779, Seth Broad, Joseph Bullard and Nathan Dewing, then serving under Captain Howell, Colonel Tyler, had travelled seventy miles, and were entitled to £17, I2s. each for one month and three days. Archives, Vol. 2, pp. 114 and 126.

On June 16, 1780, the town voted that the "Nine Months Men Should be Made up Equal with Others in the Nominal Sum that went in that Campaign".

Continental Army. Men Enlisted For Six Months 1780

"A Descriptive Lift" of the men enlisted for Six Months, and who arrived at Springfield from July 16 to August 19, 1780, includes the following from Needham: -

The History Of Needham 475

"A Pay Roll of the Men Belonging to Needham in the Service in the Continental Army Six Months in the year 1780 Agreable to a Refolve of the General Court" included thirteen of the foregoing names, and also those of James Farris and Aaron Smith, all of whom had enlisted in July, except Uriah CoUer, enlisted on August 14. They had served on the average six months, had travelled two hundred and twenty miles, and their wages amounted to £181, is., 4. This pay-roll is dated January 30, 1782, and was sworn to the next day, before Squire Newell, by the selectmen, John Fisher, William M<=Intosh, William Fuller and Aaron Smith. Another list of these Six Months Men gives the ages somewhat differently, omits Farris, and calls Solomon Mills Solomon "Miller". Archives, Vol. 27, p. 5.

"A descriptive list of the New Levies raised for six months", dated August 29, 1780, includes of the foregoing only Jason Smith, Christopher Smith, Timothy Whittemore, Benjamin Dolbier, Benjamin Mills, Uriah "Choller" and John Fuller, but adds for Needham Simeon Russell, Jeremiah Page and Ebenezer Bartlett. Archives, Vol. 25, p. 222.

Rhode Island Campaign

"The Pay Roll of Cap* Eben! Battles Company for Travel to and from the State of Rhode Ifland together with their Service Coh Jon? Titcombs Regiment In Said State From May 8*'? to July 8**» 1777 Being two months and a Day", included from Needham: - Serg. Aaron Smith, and Privates Royal M'=Intosh, Reuben Newell, Moses Hunting, Moses Daggitt, Oliver Gay and Ebenezer Gay. They had been to Providence, and had travelled seventy-two miles. Sergeant Smith was entitled to £5, 4s., and the others to £4, 6s., 8d., besides the "State Bounty" of £2, 3s., 4d. Archives, Vol. I, pp. 81 and 95. The town list gives the name of Moses Deming instead of Moses Daggitt, which it should be, although it does not appear that there was a Moses Deming resident in Needham. M'^Intosh, Newell and Oliver Gay are recorded as paid £4 for service from May to September. Moses Daggett was at Tiverton, R. L, two years later, then serving under Captain Battelle, Colonel Pierce, and was discharged July I, 1779.

Daggett had enlisted at Tiverton on July 2, 1778, and on January i, 1779, was in Captain Haskins's Company of Colonel Jacobs's Regiment, and Josiah Fisher was in the same company. There appears to be some confusion in the record of the latter's service; see Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors, and Archives, Vol. 2, pp. 83 and 84.

In April, 1779, orders were drawn in favor of Josiah Fisher, Oliver Gay and Moses Daggett for £68, 2s. each for six months' " Service at Rhode Island for the Town of Needham in 1778". On July 25, 1778, the Council had written to Colonel M'^Intosh calling his attention to certain loiterers in Dedham, and other places, who should do duty in Rhode Island until January i. Archives, Vol, 199, p. 350.

The military employed in Rhode Island consisted only of militia until the summer of 1778, when General Washington sent some Continental troops there. The Battle of Rhode Island was fought on August 29, 1778.

Benjamin Mills had an order in June, 1781, for £15, the balance of his bounty for service in Rhode Island for six weeks in 1779. In 1780 there was military duty to be done in Rhode Island, and Capt. Robert Smith hired Capt. Moses Bullard to go in his place, and the town allowed the former £550, perhaps equal to £18, or thereabouts, in hard money, but Smith was dissatisfied with this award, and sought to obtain more. For several years Capt. Robert Smith was out of favor with his fellow-townsmen. See records of the town meeting on June 10, 1784, and of other meetings.

In 1779 the town paid Richard Blencow, Moses Man, Timothy Dewing, John Pain, Samuel Daggett, Jonathan Whittemore, Jr., and Jonathan Dunn each £3, 12s. for the part which they had taken in the "Private Expedition to

The History Of Needham 477

Providence". Joseph? Fisher, Abner Hall, Nathaniel Dyer and Jonas Obscow also represented Needham in this unsuccessful expedition, for which ten thousand men were assembled by the middle of October, 1777. John Fuller, Jr., served in the "Private Expedition", and had an order from the selectmen in April, 1779, for £32, los.

Re-Enforcements For The Northern Army 1777

"A Pay Roll of Cap* Aaron Smiths' Company in Col Benj° Gills' Reg* of Mafsachusetts Bay Militia that Marched in Aug^ 1777 to Reinforce y^ Northern Army" included the names of thirteen men from Needham, viz., - Lieut. Moses Bullard, Lieut. Ichabod Gay, Privates John Smith, Benjamin Mills (on "Furlow"), Nathl Ayers, Nathan Dewing, Asa Huntting, Jonathan Huntting, Phinehas Kingsbery, Eben^ Goodenow, David Mills, Jere Smith and Sam! Baley. Most of these men had served three months and twenty-seven days, and had marched two hundred and forty miles. Captain Smith's pay was £46, i6s., the lieutenants £31, lis., 9d. each, and the privates £7, i6s. each. The Captain swore to this roll before Josiah Newell, Justice of the Peace. Archives, Vol. 23, p. 80.

On January 21, 1778, this company consisted of sixtyeight men, besides the commissioned officers, and £718, 13s., 4d. was due them. Archives, Vol. 23, p. 85. From the Province Captain Smith received allowance for two hundred and thirty-eight rations, and for travel from the camp at White Plains. In 1779 the town granted him £30 for this service.

Re-Enforcements For The Northern Army 1778

A muster-roll dated June 29, 1778, gives the names of the Nine Months Men under Capt. Aaron Smith, Colonel Mcintosh, with their service from their arrival at Fishkill on June 22.

All of these men were husbandmen, and the Planks came from KlUingly, Conn., a place with which Needham then had close associations. Archives, Vol. 28, p. 147.

The color of the hair and eyes was obtained from a roll of this company, dated at Fishkill, August i, 1778, which later roll gives the ages of three of the men different from the June roll, and these changes are noted in parentheses in the foregoing list. In the August roll "D. 22" is against the name of White (Wight), and June 30, June 22 and June 24 after the names of Henderson, Bartlett and Underwood respectively. Another Fishkill roll, between these two dates, omits the two negroes, and credits Needham with nine men, who apparently belonged in Dedham, or in the Springfield Parish of Dedham, viz., - Ebenezer Battles, Hezekiah Battles, Josiah Battles, Nathan Cook, Josiah Fisher, James Gray, Ichabod Farrington, Abijah Richards and Hezekiah Turner. After White's (Wight's) name "June 22*^" is written. The date of this roll was July 2, 1778, and it was signed by R. Putnam, Colonel, and "Jona? Warren Commifsioner" receipted for one hundred and nine men. Archives, Vol. 41, p. 30.

These were the "Men Raifed in the County of Suffolk to Compleat the fifteen Battalions of Continental Troops Directed to be Raif'd in the State of Mafsachufetts Bay" according to Archives, Vol. 40, pp. 131, 152 and 211, but as Capt. Aaron Smith was never an officer in the Continental Army it is probable that the privates were in the militia, and not Continentals. On October 19, 1779, the town voted £40 each to Lieut. Silas Alden and Lieut. William Fuller

The History Of Needham 479 Service At Castle Island 1779

The following named men did duty at Castle Island under Maj.-Gen. Hancock, in Capt. Nathaniel Belcher's Company of Suffolk militia, serving from August 27 to December i, 1779, and having claims for fifteen miles' travel: - Samuel Coller, Elisha Fuller, John Bird, Edward Buckminister, Lemuel Smith, William Gay, Solomon Colburn, Jonathan Day, David Fuller, Daniel Knolton and Samuel Gay. Archives, Vol. 25, pp. 19 and 21.

Votes Of The Town And Orders Of The Selectmen In

On February 6 and 9, 1778, the selectmen drew orders in favor of two hundred and nine persons "for Money Paid, and Services Done in the present war". Some claims were as small as eight shillings, and the largest were those of Thomas Fisher and Joseph Ware, £16, 13s., ^d. each. Jonathan Deming, whose name is not found in the musterrolls, was allowed £3, 3s., 4d., as he had "Done a turn". In 1778 the town was called upon for thirteen men "to Reinforce the army with Genf^ Wafhington and at Hudfons River", and on March 9 Colonel Mcintosh, Amos Fuller, Capt. William Smith, Lieut. William Fuller and Lieut. Josiah Upham were chosen to see what the town " Shall allow to a man that Shall be Drafted or Goes Vollentery in to the Publick Service of the war". This Committee reported on June 10, but on May 28 the further consideration of the allowance to the "Years Men" had been referred to it, or to a new committee. At the latter meeting the town appropriated £150 to pay for a gift of clothing to be sent to the Continental soldiers. At the meeting on May 6, when the new committee was elected, which consisted of Colonel M°Intosh, Capt. Aaron Smith, Capt. Eleazer Kingsbery, Serg. Jonathan

Gay and Aaron Smith, Jr., the members were directed to hire men "Difcrecinary, and at the beft Method they can", and the town treasurer was authorized to borrow the necessary money.

On March 9, 1779, the town, after much discussion, accepted the report of the committee "Relative to thofe men that went to y Northard" with Capt. Aaron Smith, also those that "went in the Private Expedition to Providence in the year 1777", or "to Gard the Britifh Prifoners at Cambridge" in November, 1777, or "to Gard the Stores" six months in 1777, or "to Gard near Bofton" (or hired men "in their Room") in 1777 and 1778, or "to Gard at Dorchefter hill", and near Boston in 1778,

There were eleven men who guarded prisoners at Cambridge in November, 1777: - Joseph Bullard, Abner Hall, Moses Huntting, Amos Huntting, Nathaniel Bullard, William Graves, Robert Fuller, Jr., Uriah Coller, Uriah Coller, Jr., Jeremiah Eaton, Jr., and Enoch Wilson, and £117 were distributed "to thofe men and their Succefsors in Said Guard"; most of them received £13. Ebenezer Wilkinson, Archibald Smith and William Eaton were fined.

Nehemiah Mills and Jonas Mills were paid £6 each for guarding stores for six months, and there were seven men who were entitled to £9 each for guard duty near Boston in 1777 and 1778: - Joseph Hawes, Enoch Fisk, Enoch Johnson, Joshua Brown, Samuel Coller, Nathaniel Fisher and Samuel Pain. There were eight who were paid £11 each: - William Leverett, Theodore Broad, Abner Hall, Lemuel Eaton, Elisha Fuller, Uriah Coller, Samuel Coller and Enoch Wilson. The claims against the town in 1778 amounted to ' '£2292 : 4 : 8 : o," and there was due the town " £83 2:9:4: 2." The town considered the matter of "Several Fines that was paid to Cap* Robert Smith which Appears that the Town has had no Benefit of them". There may have been another side to the controversy as to these fines, for Captain Smith had had the confidence of the community for many years.

The History Of Needham 481

Of those who received £2, los. each from the town for "Garding on the Islands Near Bofton 1778" were Joseph KIngsbery, Moses Daggett, Aaron Smith, Jr., Michael Bright and Isaac Shepard.

Eight men received from the town a total of £90 (from £7, IDS. to £15) for guarding prisoners at Cambridge, probably "Burgoyne Prisoners", which duty they undertook to perform for three months. The men were: - Stephen Huntting, Thomas Descomb, Moses Fisk, Jacob Hemingway, Joseph Drury, Michael Harris, Asa Gay and Samuel Coller.

Capt. Robert Smith, Jonathan Smith, Jr., Jonathan Kingsbery, Jr., Joseph Mudge, Jr., Seth Broad, Jonathan Bacon, Samuel Ward, Samuel Eaton, Enoch Wilson, Gideon M'^Intosh and Samuel Fuller were paid sums amounting to £44 for guard duty at Dorchester Hill and in Boston in 1778.

On March 19, 1779, the town accepted the report of the committee as to the men who went "to Gard on the Island in the Year 1778 with Allowance for Isaac Shepards man the time he was there longer; in proportion to the Sum that was allowed to them", "also as to those that went to Roxbury laft march", or "to Gard y^ Prifoners at Cambridge in April and may laft three months", or "to Nantafkett Island Near Bofton", 1776, or "to Providence in Auguft for Six months", 1778, or "to Gard y^ Stores in July laft for 15 Days", or "to Rhode Island in Auguft Laft or hired Men in their Room for Six weeks; To be made up Twenty Shillings a Day with their wagers"; or "to Bofton in September 1778 or hired men in their Room for three months".

In these varied services each man was to receive £11 per month, in sadly depreciated currency, and in July, 1779, £17 were also voted to each man. John Slack, Capt. Caleb Kingsbery, Capt. Aaron Smith, Capt. Robert Smith and Jeremiah Daniell were chosen "to Set what Sum of Money the Town Shall Allow to a man that may be Drafted or

Goes Volentary into the Publick Service of the war for the Town of Needham when Called for in y« Enfuing year". At the town meeting on July 26 Capt. Robert Smith was excused from this committee, and Aaron Smith, Jr., Jonathan Gay and Isaac Goodenow, Jr., were added. They were to act under a vote similar to that of May 6, 1778. In order to pay the "Charges of the War the Laft year" £3000 were voted. Colonel AMntosh and others advanced money to pay the soldiers, and in July, 1779, the town appropriated £4000 for war expenses, and added £3000 In October. On August 2, 1779, Capt. Ebenezer Fuller, Michael Metcalf and Aaron Smith, Jr. C'Hawk Aaron") were chosen "to Confider and Say what Allowance thofe Officers Should have That were Mentioned in the laft Report of y^ Committee". In October and November the selectmen granted ninety-three orders for services and money advanced on account of the war, the amounts varying from £1 to £33.

Votes Of The Town And Orders Of The Selectmen From

On May 29, 1780, Aaron Smith, Jr., Eleazer Fuller, Josiah Newell, Esq., Enoch Parker and Amos Fuller were chosen to hire men for the ensuing year, if any were needed, with authority to draw on the town treasury, and to borrow money when necessary. Amos Fuller declined to serve, and on June 16 the committee was increased by adding Samuel Alden, John Slack, Jr., and Robert Fuller, Jr. Three men had been chosen In May to examine the accounts of the committee to hire soldiers. At the June meeting £30,000 were voted, to be raised by a rate, in order to hire the men required, and on July 17 another £30,000 were placed at the disposal of the committee. These large sums illustrate the great depreciation of the Continental Currency.

On October 12, 1780, Josiah Newell, Jr., Lieut. Silas Alden and Moses Man were selected "to Procure the Beef Laid on Said Town", and £16,000 appropriated, which sum was increased by £23,000 in December. On July 9, 1781, Timothy Newell, Ensign Josiah Upham and Capt. Isaac Goodenow were assigned to this task, and £220 in hard money "or paper Equilent" voted, to which £13, 6s., 4d. were added later. Our selectmen drew many orders to pay for this beef which cost from three pence to five pence per pound. Some of it was bought in Roxbury, and Stephen Bacon had charge of the money to pay for it.

On December 27, 1780, a new committee to hire men was named, and it consisted of Lieut. Oliver Mills, Samuel Daggett and Timothy Huntting. Aaron Smith, Jr., Capt. Moses Bullard, John Ayers and Capt. John Bacon were added to this committee in January, 1781. On January 29, 1 78 1, however, the town proceeded to choose a new committee "to Procure the men that are now Called for" "in y^ beft and Cheapeft Manner they can". This committee included Samuel Fisher, Capt. Moses Bullard, Moses Man, Capt. John Bacon, Isaac Goodenow, Jr., Lieut. Enoch Kingsbery and Capt. Robert Smith, and £550 in hard money, to be raised by a tax, were placed at their disposal. The same committee, with the addition of Aaron Smith, Jr., was re-elected on July 9, 1781, and £180, hard money, appropriated, with authority to borrow under the vote of December 27.

These various war committees were refused compensation at the time, but later successfully petitioned the town for pay. A large sum was paid to the members of the numerous "War Committees" at the rate of three shillings per day per man for actual service.

The record book in which the expenses of these committees were recorded, as well as all other payments by the town on account of the War of the Revolution, is of great value, as the entries furnish evidence of military service not found in the State Archives.

From The State Archives

I was defected By the Brigf. of the County of Suffolk to detach ten men from the firft Reg* in the County of Suffolk and one Lieut: to guard the Continental Stors; Agreable there to I have ordered Liu* Enoch Kingfbury to go with the guard

The town refused on October 19, 1779, to compensate Lieutenant Kingsbury for guarding these stores, or for a similar service. On March 4, 1778, Colonel M'^Intosh informed the Council that he had detached eighteen men with a lieutenant and a fifer "to take Bofton Long Ifland Properly Equiped". Archives, Vol. 43, p. 306. The Council on August 2, 1779, called on Colonel M*=Intosh for information as to what he had done under a certain Resolve. Archives, Vol. 199, p. 350.

The story of the part taken by the men of Needham in the War of the American Revolution or in the Civil War might be extended into a volume of some size, particularly if the personal experiences related in the applications for pensions or recorded in private journals and letters were included. We know what the women did in the time of the Civil War, and may be sure that they did no less, and perhaps suffered more, in the weary years of the earlier struggle. This chapter may seem unnecessarily long, and yet only the essential facts and a few of the more important musterrolls are referred to or quoted.

In the War of the American Revolution, as in the Civil War, Needham was represented by her sons in the quotas of other towns, perhaps of other Provinces, but the names of these men are not known to the writer.

The History Of Needham 485

Ward in Gen. Benedict Arnold's expedition against Quebec, and kept a journal, which was printed, in part at least, in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. VI., 1852.

Children'S Subscription To Bunker Hill Monument

At the suggestion of the Bunker Hill Monument Association the town appointed a committee on November i, 1824, to receive the subscriptions of children toward the monument. The committee consisted of Peter Lyon, Esq., Elisha Lyon, Esq., Capt. Jonathan Gay, Capt. George Smith and George Fisher, and the money raised was "to be placed to the name of Lafayette". Several citizens of Needham contributed $5 each, and doubtless the children gave something.

Centennial Of The Battles Of Concord And Lexington

On March i, 1875, the town chose Warren Dewing, Solomon Flagg and George K. Daniell, all sons of soldiers of the War of the American Revolution, as delegates to the Centennial commemoration. The citizens were invited by the town to accompany the delegates, and the invitation was availed of by the venerable William Eaton, son of a soldier of the Revolution, and three hundred others, in addition to the principal town officers. The town furnished the delegates with a banner, which cost $122, and has been preserved.