Page 171

[Photo - "Old Oak, Bedford. (Rendezvous of Minute Men from adjoining towns.)"

CHAPTER XV

FOOTPRINTS OF THE PATRIOTS AT BEDFORD. THROUGH THE OLD BURIAL-GROUND AT BEDFORD WITH A NONAGENARIAN

      ON the opposite side of Concord is the town of Bedford, in an interesting manner bearing the same relations to it as does the town of Acton. They were originally parts of Concord, and there were many ties that bound them together at the time of the Revolution. Their families were connected by marriage, and they were very jealous of the honor of the mother town. It required but the slightest warning to arouse them.
      The alarm at Bedford was received probably before it reached Concord. Two messengers were despatched at once from Lexington to notify the Bedford people.
      The town contains several homesteads that are identified with the early events of the Revolution. Homes through which sounded the alarming cry, "To arms! the redcoats are coming!" still echo the voices of the same families. Sitting by the same fireside, the occupants cherish the firearms, and tell the story as they have heard it from their grandsires who faced the enemy.

Page 172

      Prominent among these historic dwellings is that of the Page family. Seven generations of patriots of this name have possessed and occupied this estate.
      The spirit of patriotism was cradled in this home as in but few others.
      While sitting as a guest about the family hearthstone, I received from Captain Cyrus Page of the sixth generation much of the information which follows. For two hundred and eight years the family have been in possession. About ten years after the landing of Governor John Winthrop, a large tract of unexplored territory was granted to Cambridge to encourage those settlers, and prevent their removal, following Mr. Hooker and his company to Connecticut. The church stood first in importance; and the benefit of this grant was to go to the church, and college so intimately associated with it, at Cambridge. In 1652 the grant was allotted to the settlers. Mr. Edward Oakes received three hundred acres. This he sold to George Farley and others. Farley sold to Timothy Brooks.
      It was during Brooks's possession and occupancy as a residence that the first military tinge is given to the homestead. At the opening of King Philip's war, the owner was directed to secure his family at Garrison "No. 10," that was near by. Brooks sold to George Grimes, of whom the estate was purchased in 1687 by Nathaniel Page.

[Photo - "Page Homestead, Bedford"]

Page 173

      It did not require the presence of a garrison house to arouse the military spirit of this first Page settler in the territory about Shawsheen, which later fell to Bedford in the incorporation of 1729. He had already been active in the "Three County Troop,"[1] and he had been commissioned by Governor Dudley as sheriff of Suffolk County. The military spirit was fostered in this home, and transmitted from father to son, becoming manifest in a readiness to take up arms for the protection of home and country during the wars that succeeded King Philip's, before the Revolution. Nathaniel Page 1st died in 1692, when the town was suffering from the desolating assaults of King William's war. Sons and grandsons there were to perpetuate the family name and patriotism. One of them was a colonel in the French and Indian war, and several were in the ranks.

[Photo - "Cyrus Page"]

      The midnight alarm of April 18th was first


[1] See flag of minute-men in this volume.

Page 174

received at this house. It met with a ready response from Christopher, the sergeant of the minute-men, and Nathaniel, the cornet, or flag-bearer. Two others also responded. They belonged to the company of militia, and all were at Concord Fight.
      Says Captain Cyrus Page, "Our people were not surprised when the messenger reached this

[Photo - "Fitch Tavern"]

house. They had seen Gage's men several times riding about the town, and were kept familiar with the movements in Boston. The frequent drillings of the minute-men were good opportunities for exchanging ideas, and there was no home that was not in a state of expectancy. My grandfather's account was: 'We had agreed at the last drilling to meet, in case of alarm, at the tavern in the centre of the town, kept by

Page 175

Jeremiah Fitch, sergeant of the militia company. The horseman banged on the house and cried out, "Up, Mr. Page, the regulars are out." We were not long in our preparations, and were soon at the tavern, where some had already gathered, and others soon appeared. Our captain lived fully two miles away from the village, but he was on hand.
      "Captain Willson had received a report from Boston on the previous afternoon; it was brought by his brother-in-law, Thompson Maxwell, a native of Bedford, but then a resident of Amherst, N.H. He made trips between Amherst and Boston for the conveyance of merchandise, and stopped at Willson's when on the journey. Maxwell had served in the French and Indian war, and was well known by leading men of Boston as a trustworthy patriot. One of his trips was made in the month of December, 1773. After unloading his freight, he went to John Hancock's warehouse to load for his return trip. While there, Hancock asked him to drive the team to his stable, where it would receive care, and then call at his counting-room. He did so, and was there let into the secret of destroying the tea, and was invited to join the enterprise. He did so, assisted in the midnight business, and the next day drove home as "any honest man would."
      "'He was on another trip in April, 1775, and on his way home had stopped at Willson's. They

Page 176

sat up unusually late, discussing the condition of things. Maxwell had detected some unusual movements that day which led them to be more anxious about the future. They retired at a late hour, and were scarcely asleep when the alarm reached the Captain's home.
      "'Maxwell accepted an invitation from his brother-in-law, and they both made haste to the village. Our company of minute-men, numbering twenty-six, were all assembled. Many had left their homes without any food, and refreshment was served at the tavern in a most informal manner. This done, Captain Willson gave his order "Come on, my brave boys; this is a cold breakfast, but we'll give the redcoats a hot dinner. We'll have every dog of them before night." On we went, little realizing what was before us. The town's company of militiamen, fifty strong, was also on the way. They had met at the home of their captain, John Moore, a half mile out from the village on the Concord road.
      "'Circumstances favored an early response from the Bedford men; and we should have been remiss in our military obligations, and unmindful of our filial relations, if we had not reached Concord among the first companies, which we did. We assisted in secreting the stores, and were anxiously awaiting reports, when we saw the army approaching. That was a sight never to be forgotten, those brilliantly attired soldiers, moving

Page 177

in perfect martial order, in solid phalanx, with their bayonets glistening in the morning sun. We went on over to the other side of the river, and there fell in, according to the orders of Colonel Barrett, and marched down to the bridge. We had a share in the engagement which immediately followed, but fortunately received no injury. Whether we did any, or not, is a question that we could not positively answer. In our pursuit of the retreating enemy we were not so fortunate. When near Brooks's tavern, just across the line in Lincoln, there was a severe engagement, and our brave Captain was killed, shot through his body. A comrade, Job Lane, was severely wounded. Some of us returned home bearing the dead and wounded, while the majority continued in the pursuit, going into camp at Cambridge. The place of the dead Captain was filled by Lieutenant Edward Stearns. Those who went home soon started with the loads of provisions which had been prepared during the day, and reached their tired and almost famished companies. where they had lain down for rest.
      "'Being so near home, we were continually in receipt of provisions, and fared better than many who were in camp during the command of General Artemas Ward; but two of our young men, Solomon Stearns and Reuben Bacon, died, as a result of the fatigue of the 19th, and the exposure that followed. Theirs was the fate of a good

Page 178

many whose homes were farther away from the seat of war. Timothy Page remained in continuous service until the battle of White Plains, where he was killed. A comrade, Moses Fitch, was wounded at the same time."
      This story of Nathaniel Page, repeated by his grandson at the old home, is only one of many from the same source, all of which are substantiated by indisputable evidence.
      Says Captain Page, "There is another home on the Concord side of this town where the footprints of the patriots are as plainly to be traced as they are at my ancestral dwelling." This is the Davis estate. It has been in the family almost two centuries. It was purchased by Samuel Davis in 1696. The conveyance being "In the eighth year of the Raine of our Souvereign Lord William the third, by the Grace of God, over England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, King and defender of the faith." The homestead has passed through six generations, in each of which has been found the name of Eleazer. The military spirit was early kindled at that hearthstone. Three of the family went from this homestead with Lovewell, in his famous expedition of 1724-5 in pursuit of the Indians, to the wilderness of Maine; one, Josiah, lost his life, and Eleazer was maimed for the remainder of his days. Two were in the French and Indian war, where Paul lost his life in 1763.

[Photo - "Davis Home, Bedford"]

Page 179

      At the opening of the Revolution, Eleazer was second lieutenant of the minute-men, and soon promoted to first lieutenant. His commission, still kept, is evidence of his honorable career on April 19. He was in service with the company, and his sword has been faithfully kept in the house to which it was brought after that day's experience. His musket, used in the Continental army, is also treasured. Both being most tangible evidence of the patriotism which moved the hearts of the occupant of this home at the opening of the Revolution, and where rare specimens of good citizenship have been found in each succeeding generation.
      When at Lexington we were tracing the footprints of the illustrious patriots, guests at the parsonage, we made the acquaintance of Madam Clark, wife of the minister. In our circuitous course we have now come to the Bedford parsonage, of an earlier date, from which the minister's daughter went to become a minister's wife, and as such the entertainer of Hancock and Adams.
      Although no longer a parsonage, this, the most notable house of the town of that time, was a centre of patriotic influence.
      The owner of to-day proudly opens the door, and bids a cheerful welcome to the guest, who is shown the room in which the town's Committee of Correspondence and Supplies held their numer-

Page 180

ous meetings. From this house went John Reed, the town's representative to the first two Provincial Congresses, and to numerous conventions where men of judgment, inspired by patriotism, were wont to meet to devise ways and means for carrying on the struggle for liberty. Here were discussed the questions which were later public actions of the voters, such as, to encourage the produce and manufactures of this Province, and to lesson the use of superfluities;" "not to use any tea till the duty is taken off;" "to suspend all commercial intercourse with Great Britain till the said act shall be repealed;" "not to buy, purchase, or consume, or suffer any person by, for, or under us, to purchase or consume, in any manner whatever, any goods, wares, or merchandise, which shall arrive in America from Great Britain, and to break off all trade, commerce, or dealing with those who do it, and to consider them as enemies to their country;" "June 17, 1776, voted, That we will solemnly engage with our lives and fortunes to support the colonies in declaring themselves independent of Great Britain."[1] The master of this house not only served on the various committees incident to the above votes, but shouldered his musket in a campaign to Rhode Island.

[Photo - "Home of John Reed, Bedford"]


[1] The above votes were in substance the action of the towns in general.

Page 181

THROUGH THE OLD BURIAL-GROUND OF BEDFORD WITH A NONAGENARIAN.

      When but a child, I found something congenial to my taste in the habits of an old man whom the townspeople familiarly called Uncle Leander.
      It was not a benignant smile which sometimes lights up the faces of the aged as they approach the sunset of life, nor was it any special attention shown by this man to the youth of the village. In neither way was he made particularly attractive to the many. But to me alone of all the children of the town who passed Uncle Leander's door on the way to school, was this man companionable. This was because of his efforts to stay the ravages of time in the Old Burial-Ground.
      I had seen him on several occasions with a pail of whitewash, and a brush in hand, passing about among the leaning slabs, and here and there applying his liquid coating.
      I was quite sure that some wise purpose actuated him in his repeated visits to this sacred enclosure. My resolve to inquire into this peculiar work was often of no avail, because of my failing courage when I neared the gate whose slats I had so often heard flapping in the breeze. In fact, I had an early aversion for the ancient sepulchres, because of false stories told me of the rude designs there seen on many stones. But the results of the old man's work recommended

Page 182

his acts to me, and I at length mustered courage to interview him. My first question met with no reply until Uncle Leander had stepped to an old moss-covered stone, from behind which he took a long tin trumpet, which he placed in his ear, turning the larger end of the conical tube to my mouth, and indicating that if I would fathom the fourscore years that separated us, I must do it through this instrument. This I did, and met with a most cheerful reply. In fact, the old man manifested pleasure that one so young should have any interest in his work, and in the Old Burial-Ground, where were resting almost all of those with whom he began life, and had for a long time journeyed.
      "This preparation of lime," said he, "prevents the moss from gathering, and keeps the epitaphs in a legible condition."
      Having observed that he discriminated in his work of prevention, I ventured to again penetrate his dull ear and learn the cause. The question brought a smile to the aged face; and he said, "Come with me, and I will show you." Passing to the centre of the yard, he paused at an erect, well-kept slab, and said, "Read that," which I did aloud, --

IN MEMORY OF CAPT. JONATHAN WILSON,
WHO WAS KILLED IN CONCORD-FIGHT
APRIL 19TH, A.D. 1775,
IN THE 41ST YEAR OF HIS AGE.

Page 183

My venerable guide stood by me in the attitude of a listener; but he knew it all, and needed not to hear my voice. "My wife's uncle," said he; "a Bedford patriot, who was killed on the first day of the war." Taking up his pail and brush, he led the way to another section; paused, and leaned over a modest slab with seeming affection. This I read as before, --

HERE LIES THE BODY OF CALLEY FASSETT,
DAUGHTER OF MR. JOSEPH AND MRS. DOROTHY FASSETT,
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE AUG. 22, 1775,
AGED 17 YEARS.

"My father's first love," said Uncle Leander. My father, John Hosmer, was engaged to be married to her, a most beautiful young lady. When the Lexington alarm was sounded, he left home, and did his duty that memorable day, and returned safely, staying long enough to bid a tender farewell to his betrothed, cheering her at parting with the promise of a speedy return when he should claim her as his bride. He occasionally received some carefully prepared dainty from her hand, delivered by a teamster who brought food and other supplies to the camp. At length there came a time when neither word nor package reached him, and in an anxious mood he lay down in his camp for a night's rest. But harrowing dreams disturbed the soldier's slumber, and he awoke by a call to duty with a vivid impression that the object of his affection had died. So firmly

Page 184

fixed was the impression, that he obtained a leave of absence for a few days, and made haste to Bedford. As he approached the weather-beaten dwelling through a bridle-path, he detected unusual movements, and soon learned the painful reality of his dream. As chief mourner, the young soldier followed the object of his blighted affections to this grave, and sorrowfully returned to answer his country's call.

[Photo - "Tombstone of Calley Fasset"]

      The years of war, when death in its most trying forms was a common occurrence, did not efface from his memory the scenes of his early years.
      "Although surrounded by a large and prosperous family, my father never forgot his first love, but conducted his children and grandchildren to this grave, and here told them the story which has led me to keep the stone erect, and safe from the ravages of time."
      Among other objects of the old man's care was the stone on which I read, --

SACRED
TO THE MEMORY OF CAPT. JOHN MOORE,
WHO DIED SEPT. 27TH 1807,
AGED 78 YEARS.

Page 185

Glory with all her lamps shall burn,
To watch the Christian's sleeping clay.
Till the last trumpet cause his urn
To aid the triumph of that day.

      "He was captain of the Bedford militia," said my guide; "was over to Concord Fight, and also in the Continental army. He was one of the wealthy of the town, as this stone indicates, by its size and style."
      To the graves of Solomon Stearns and Reuben Bacon, he led me, pausing only to say, "Fell sick in camp, and died just before the battle of Bunker Hill. Brave patriots they." Lieutenant Edward Stearns's grave was near by, and the stone was one that Uncle Leander kept in order. "He took Captain Willson's place at the fight," said the faithful guide. Lieutenant Moses Abbott's gravestone was another that had received the attention of this man with the pail and brush.
      "Moses Fitch," said he as we hastened on, "wounded at White Plains," at the same time drawing the brush across the smooth surface of an unusually tall slab. "He was deacon, had a little better stone than some; deacons were then people of distinction, you know."
      Reaching over to an irregular row in the rear, my guide said, "Solomon Lane," at the same time applying his brush; "he was at Concord, with scores more who are now all free from the tumult of war."

Page 186

      Stumbling over mounds and depressions, alike suggestive of the early and later time, we came to a row of stones of a size and design indicative of the standing of the family in the town. "They selected this corner of the yard," said Uncle Leander, "because it was very near the old residence." The inscription was easily read because of the fresh coating of whitewash. It was "Erected in memory of John Reed, Esq., who died Nov. 20, 1805, in the 75th year of his age." "A member of the first and second Provincial Congresses, of the Committee of Inspection, and also of the Convention that met to frame a constitution." So well had my guide classified the patriots of the town in their various departments of service, that he readily pointed out the other stones marking the graves of the Committee of Inspection, each of which had received the careful attention of his hand. They were Moses Abbott, already mentioned; Thomas Page, who died July 31, 1809, aged 76 years; Ebenezer Page, who departed this life June ye 9th, 1784, aged 47 years and 6 days; and Edward Stearns, whose grave we had already visited. My guide confessed to having become puzzled over the many stones erected to the memory of the Pages. As they all had been identified with the military interests of the town, he had given each stone the same treatment, and proceeded to make known to me the result of his study in this direction. He read, "Cornet Na-

Page 187

thaniel Page, who died March 2, 1755, aged 76 years," and remarked, "He must have been the Nathaniel of the second generation, who was in the Indian wars." The next to notice, and in order of generation, was "Nathaniel Page, who died April 6, 1779, aged 76 years." Here my guide thoughtfully remarked in passing, "Too soon to realize the result of his experience at Concord, which was hard indeed for him, then 72 years of age." He next led the way to a stone on which I read, "Cornet John Page, who died Feb. 18, 1782, aged 76 years," and remarked during my reading, unheard by him, "He was a very tall man, who made the regulars tremble. He was at Lexington on the eventful morning, and aided in capturing several prisoners. He was also at Bunker Hill." As the next generation in order, my guide selected the following inscription, "Mr. Nathaniel Page, who died July 31, 1819, aged 77 years," remarking, "He carried the old flag with the minute-men to Concord Fight." The difficulty of making any inquiry led me to accept all the remarks of my venerable friend, which I later proved to be well authenticated. The next of the name was found to be, "Nathaniel Page, who died Aug. 30, 1858, aged 83 years." To this my guide remarked, "Born in the harvest-time following the fight at Concord, too late to have a part in the Revolution; but he was on hand in 1812, and was always ready to take part in the

Page 188

'Cornwallis,' when we celebrated the surrender of that General to Washington." Having made out the successive generations, Uncle Leander made haste to call my attention to the stones marking the graves of Sergeant Christopher Page of the minute-men, and William Page of the militia, and paused to say, "Here ought to be a stone to the memory of Timothy Page, who was one of the militia at Concord, and was killed at White Plains."
      So faithfully had this aged man studied these modest memorials, that he led me to the graves of other Bedford patriots, where, now that my guide has passed away, I read, "Lieut. John Merriam, Sergeant James Wright, Lieut. Eleazer Davis, Fifer David Lane," all of the militia who served in the opening of the war, also "James Lane, Jr., 3d, Oliver Reed, Jr., Samuel Lane, Israel Putnam, Jr., Samuel Bacon, Samuel Davis, Thaddeus Davis, William Maxwell, Samuel Meads, Samuel Merriam, David Fitch, Abijah Bacon, Ziba Lane, Josiah Davis, John Lane, Joseph Hartwell, Thomas Bacon, John Fitch, Samuel Lane, Jr., Job Lane, Jr., Matthew Pollard, Stephen Lane, Oliver Pollard, Jr., John Reed."
      Of the minute-men indicated by my guide, and later verified, I read, "Sergeant Ebenezer Fitch, 2d Lt. Timothy Jones, Joseph Meads, Jr., Reuben Bacon (before mentioned), Oliver Bacon, drummer, Jonas Gleason, David Bacon, David Reed,

Page 189

Nathan Bacon, Elijah Bacon, Lieut. William Merriam, Matthew Fitch."
      By the time we had gone the rounds of the Revolutionary list, my guide had become so aroused with the spirit of the days when these men left their homes at the midnight call, that he could not refrain from seeking out a very ancient stone, on which I read, --

IN MEMORY OF MR. JOHN ABBOTT,
WHO DIED IN YE ARMY AT LAKE GEORGE,
NOV. YE 2D, 1756,
AGED 25 YEARS.

He also directed me to a space, apparently vacant, which he thought was reserved in memory of Nathaniel Merriam, who died in his Majesty's service at Lake George, in September, 1758.
      This faithful old man had thus adopted a method of marking the graves of the soldiers of the Revolution many years before any organization had sprung up to do it. The whitewashed slabs throughout that enclosure indicated the resting-place of a good share of the seventy-seven men from Bedford who were seen at Concord in the hottest of the fight.
      Halting near the centre of the enclosure, my faithful guide repeated the effort made many times before this day, to straighten up one of the most ancient stones, but which as often settled back to its long accustomed position. While

Page 190

thus engaged, Uncle Leander seemed to have forgotten his youthful companion, and meditated in a half audible manner, "Dea. Israel Putnam, died November ye 12th, 1760." When, having fully satisfied himself of the difficulty of changing the habit of anything, even a gravestone, which had followed its own inclination for more than a century, the old man turned about, and shouted, "Here, boy, let me tell you about this. In a half-charmed, half-frightened state of mind, I stepped forward, and gave heed to the narrative, while my eyes were seemingly riveted to the rude carvings before me. "Brave man," said he, "Israel Putman was a relative of General Israel, who faced the wolf and the British as well. He settled over opposite here in 1721, and was one of the prominent founders of this town. He gave the land for this burial-place, and might well have this central location himself. He was the first deacon of the church and a leading citizen." Having discharged his obligation to the memory of one who took the first steps towards the incorporation of the town of Bedford, my guide turned about, and, placing his trembling hand upon a stone near by, said, "This marks the grave of Jonathan Bacon, whose daughter Sarah became the wife of Israel Putnam. Hence you see their close relation in death is suggestive of their intimacy in life." I must confess that it was only the main fact that was intelligible to me in my youth,

Page 191

the minor points having later become realities to me.
      Jonathan Bacon, "a principal inhabitanc," was the leader in the formation of the church and town, and one whose years gave him the precedence in the entire enterprise. Another stone which was the object of the old man's care made up an interesting trio. On it I read, "Doc. John Fassett, died January 30th, 1736, aged 66 years." "He was the first resident physician, famous for bleeding and blistering. If he had lived a few years longer, there might not have been so many of those little stones as you see over there." With this remark, accompanied by a wise shake of his gray locks, Uncle Leander moved on, keeping a sure grasp upon his pail and brush, of which he occasionally made use. Halting before a sunken memorial, he said, "This triple stone, and that one over yonder, suggest the ravages of a throat distemper which brought sorrow to a good many families in this town and throughout the country." By careful examination I found that my guide was doubtless right; for I there learned that within ten days, in the year 1754, Mr. Christopher and Mrs. Susannah Page parted with three little children, and that many other little mounds were made in that burial-ground during the same time. Coming to the north-east corner of the enclosure, my guide said, "This was the African reservation, the place where the family slaves were buried,

Page 192

and the paupers as well." This locality was conspicuous for the absence of memorial stones; the levelling hand of time had failed to obliterate the mounds that lay in methodical rows, each mouldering heap as suggestive of mortality as though dignified by the sculptor's hand and the motto, "Memento mori."
      "A good many old slaves lay there," said my guide, flourishing his brush as though he would like to wipe out that part of the annals of the town, and that peculiar chapter in the history of the New England colonies. In passing along, my oracle did not fail to express his contempt for one who had lived in the community, -- "a miser," said he, "lived to be almost a hundred, but how much better was the town for his having lived in it? A flourish of his brush, and a thump upon the stone, gave emphasis to the old man's indignation. Leading on to another locality, my guide directed my attention to a stone of which he remarked, "Queer old minister, that Penniman, -- a sort of a Tory he was; thought he was doing his duty by staying at home and praying on the 19th of April, 1775, when all his parishioners were up in arms." While the old man gave vent to his feelings in regard to the minister of the town during the Revolution, I was endeavoring to remove the lichen which hid the inscription; for the old man's whitewash brush had not been applied here, any more than it had been on the stone last

Page 193

noticed. My surprise at not finding the sepulchre of the minister brought forth the exclamation, "Oh, no! that parson was hurried off; but he has left us a record of his peculiarities in the inscriptions which you read there on the stones at the graves of his children."

HANNAH, DAUGHTER OF REV. JOSEPH PENNIMAN
AND HANNAH, HIS WIFE,
WHO DIED DEC. 22, 1790,
AGED 18 YEARS, 4 MOS., II DAYS.

Ah! now no notice do you give Where yon are and how you live! What! are you then bound by solemn fate, To keep the secret of your slate? The alarming voice you will hear, When Christ the Judge shall appear. Hannah! from the dark lonely vault, Certainly, soon and suddenly you'll come, When Jesus shall claim the treasure from the tomb.

      On the stone at the grave of Molly, who died in 1778, at the age of 3 years, 6 months, 3 days, is to be read, --

Ah! dear Polly, must your tender parents mourn, Their heavy loss, and bathe with tears your urn, Since now no more to us you must return.

      The diverted attention of my guide led him to be unusually free with his wash; and seeing the pail was empty, he thoughtfully leaned over to me, raised his trembling voice, and said, "I sha'n't be here long to attend to these patriots' graves.

Page 194

You boys must do it; for if it had not been for such men and women as lay here, we should be crouching beneath the paw of the British lion to-day."

[Photo - "Stone at Grave of Captain Jonathan Willson in Bedford"]

Table of Contents