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CHAPTER XIX

BILLERICA PATRIOTS. -- HILL HOMESTEAD. -- PROVISION FOR THE ARMY. -- MRS. ABBOTT'S STORY

      THIS town has individuality denied to many. It is the only one of the name on this side the Atlantic. Being a very early settlement, the people were inured to hardship.
      The nearness of the Indians, and their cruelty in various localities, kept these settlers in a state of anxiety and watchful preparation. Garrisons were erected in various localities. They were somewhat relieved by the labors of the Apostle Eliot with the nearest tribes, who in a measure elevated them from savage warfare.
      But the people of Billerica did not escape the ruthless hand of the red men. It was in 1695, at midday, that they swept down upon the northern part of the settlement, and killed or captured fifteen. Others perished at different times. This, together with the ordinary hardship attending a new settlement, prepared the people for later troubles.
      These pioneers, like many of New England, were of sterling worth,

-- That neither gave, nor would endure, offence,"

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      They came to build up a Christian community, and laid their foundations broad and deep. Some of the early settlers are still represented there by their descendants, who occupy the same lands. It was the same blood, heated in the effort to protect the log cabin from the savages, that, coursing in other veins, was fired to action by the oppressive measures of King George III.
      Among the first pulsations of civilized life in this town was that of the location of the Dudley Farm, a grant of one thousand acres to the deputy governor in 1637. It was upon this land that the Hill and Farley families made very early settlements; and a greater portion of their early tilled lands is in the possession of their descendants, after more than two and a quarter centuries. With the former family the surname has not changed.
      Ralph Hill, the pioneer, appears in the business transactions of the town in 1654. His house was made a garrison in Philip's war, and around it cluster the earliest actions of the people in regard to resistance to George III.
      As in other towns, the minister here was an acknowledged leader, and Ralph Hill was a willing follower. To an appeal from the Boston Committee, the town responded on June 6, 1774, in a lengthy statement, concluding thus: "That, as it would be an Indellible Disgrace and a Violation of the Sacred Obligation we are under, to God,

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to our Country, to ourselves, and to Posterity, for us tamely and Pusillanimously to give up these invaluable Liberties, which our worthy Ancestors purchased for us at Such Vast Expense of Blood and Treasure, We are Determined to use our utmost efforts to maintain them, and not part with them at a Cheaper Rate than they were at first Obtained."

[Photo - "Hill Homestead, Billerica"]

      To these resolutions the name of Ralph Hill is attached as one of a committee. He was also on the Committee of Correspondence.
      The town not only adopted such measures as did other towns in the Province, but in some respects were more positive. They say, "As every method ought to be pursued which may tend to promote the arts and manufactures of

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the Country, especially that of wool, The Inhabitants of this town shall not Kill any lambs for the markett till after the first Day of August next; and also that no one ought to sell any to any Butcher or Petty Chapman, at any time whatever."
      Voted, That the Inhabitants of this Town will, on the Death of a friend or Relative, Conform to the 8th article of the American Association, and go into no further mourning than such as is therein Recommended, and will entirely Discontinue the Giving of any Gloves whatever at Funerals."
      The ruthless treatment of a Billerica citizen by Gage's men in Boston (before explained in this volume) had served to so arouse the people that they were ready to march at the slightest notice. At the Ralph Hill homestead, the facts are gathered.
      The message probably reached the town by two o'clock on the morning of the 19th. It came by the way of Woburn, to the home of the Ditson family, one member of which had been the recent sufferer in Boston. As might be supposed, they lost no time in arousing the people. A possible opportunity was at hand to avenge the insult, and they made haste to improve it. Two, at least, of the family were early on their way to Concord, bent on dealing out to Gage's troops something more lasting in its effects than tar and feathers, which they had so liberally used on March 8th."

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      There were citizens of this town who had more than mere local military distinction, such as the leaders of the minute-men were then enjoying.
      Colonel Thompson and Lieutenant Stickney were early in motion. Ebenezer Bridge, captain of the minute-men, was quick to respond. Muskets and accoutrements were hastily made ready and donned. There were the alarm-list, the trainband, and the minute-men, all gathered at the Common for muster and orders, and were soon off towards Concord. There were veterans also, as volunteers in, the ranks. They went by the way of Bedford, there falling in by the "Old Oak," where Billerica, Reading, and other soldiers halted near Fitch's tavern with the Reading men, when they received added impulse and all made haste, meeting the enemy, when on their retreat, at Merriam's Corner.
      "This was our first shot at them," said Mr. Hill; " and we lost no time for the rest of the day. Two of our men were wounded."
      "We had met the king's army in action, and come off victorious, despite the boasts of the enemy and all Tory predictions," continued our hero.
      The manner in which the army that began to assemble at Cambridge was fed, clothed, and nursed is without parallel. Each colony made separate provision for its troops, - enlisting men, establishing their pay, supplying them with pro-

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visions, and appointing and commissioning their officers. Companies were going and coming pretty much at their own will. Indeed, soldiers were straggling up and down the roads. They had no uniforms; and their firearms were such as they chanced to possess, but which they knew how to handle to advantage. There could not be other than disorder, for there was no authority vested in any one as commander-in-chief. General Ward, who early responded from his home at Shrewsbury, did his best; but in a state of desperation, he wrote, five days after the battle, to the Provincial Congress: --

      "GENTLEMEN: -- My situation is such, that, if I have not enlisting orders immediately, I shall be left alone. It is impossible to keep the men here, except something be done. I therefore pray that the plan may be completed, and handed to me this morning, that you, gentlemen of the Congress, issue orders for enlisting men."

      While this was the state of things without, there was great unrest within, the town of Boston. General Gage, shut up with his army, was fearful that the enraged country would sweep down upon the town, and destroy him and his army. Arrangements were made between General Gage and the selectmen, by which people could leave the besieged town; but, when he saw them going in lare numbers, he regretted the step, realizing that the presence of women and children would

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stay the hand of the destroyer outside. Gage then began to fail to keep his part of the obligation. He appointed guards to examine all trunks, boxes, beds, and everything to be carried out; and every possible method for harassing the patriots who preferred to leave was adopted.
      In the meantime, the distressed tone of General Ward's letter was not without its good effect. In Massachusetts, the Provincial Congress assembled at Concord resolved that an army of thirty thousand was necessary for the defence of the country, and resolved to raise, as this colony's proportion, thirteen thousand six hundred troops; and General Artemas Ward was appointed commander-in-chief.
      The New Hampshire troops that had responded to the Lexington alarm assembled at Medford, where the field-officers held a meeting, and advised the men to enlist in the service of the Massachusetts colony, and recommended Colonel John Stark to take charge of them until the whole could be ratified by the Provincial Congress of New Hampshire.
      Connecticut was prompt in its action on the receipt of the alarm, and also in organizing its army. They voted to raise six thousand men.
      The Rhode Island Assembly immediately voted to raise fifteen hundred men, and put them in command of Brigadier-General Nathaniel Greene. This was known as "the Rode Island Army."

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      Thus was gathered the "great American army," consisting of about sixteen thousand men. Each colony was providing for its own, "the only element of uniformity being the common purpose that called them together."
      General Ward did have authority to command the New Hampshire forces. as well as those of his own colony.
      Each colony was drawing its supplies from its several towns, and hence the patriots had both duties at home and in the army. Billerica was not remiss in this respect. It was there voted "to provide Blanketts for those persons in this town that have Inlisted into the provincial service." They also ordered members of an old militia company to be "Ready on any occasion to take their part in any Burthen." A committee was chosen to provide straw for the army at Cambridge, "to purchase 6o hogsheads of salt and ten hogsheads of Molasses, for a new stock." This was bought at Beverly. Their extremity appears when they record the purchase of a pair of shoes, an old coat, and a pair of stockings for a soldier. One man was set to work "to fix 5 Bayonets;" another to make "7 Cataridge Boxes for the minute-men." Together with such minute preparations, out of their straitened circumstances they were ready "to take care of and provide for the Donation persons that come from the towns of Boston and Charlestown."

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      It is not strange that death should step in to prevent many of these people from ever returning to their homes. In the burying-ground given by Ralph Hill to the town of Billerica may be seen a stone on which is read the following: --

HERE LIES YE BODY OF THE WIDOW
LYDIA DYAR OF BOSTON, THE PLACE OF HER NATIVITY,
WHERE SHE LEFT A GOOD ESTATE
AND CAME INTO YE COUNTRY MAY 22D, 1775,
TO ESCAPE YE ABUCE OF YE MINISTERIAL
TROOPS SENT BY GEORGE YE 3D
TO SUBJECT NORTH AMERICA.
SHE DIED JULY 28TH, 1776, AGED 80 YEARS.

"The sweet remembrance of the just
Shall flourish when they sleep in dust."

      The other Billerica homestead already referred to is that of the Jaquith family. It joins the Hill estate, and here early and later patriots have been quick to respond to their country's call.
      The farm was purchased by George Farley in 1653. Upon it was erected a commodious and substantial dwelling, which was a stronghold in Philip's war, 1676. The story of this old home in times of peace and war is given by the oldest living representative, Susan (Jaquith) Abbott, now venerable with the crown of ninety-eight years. Said this interesting woman, "I am of the eighth generation of our family born on this estate; and as there are two more in which I take pleasure

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here, it appears that ten generations of our family have already enjoyed the homestead.
      "It was my grandfather, Joseph Jaquith, who joined the patriots on the arrival of the message

[Photo - "Susan (Jaquith) Abbott"]

from Lexington. He was ploughing in 'The Old Field' in the rear of our home when the word of danger reached him. He hastily unhitched his oxen from the plough, ran for the house, took his gun from the wall over the door in 'Aunt Abigail's

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room,' saying, 'The redcoats are coming. He was not a member of an organized company previous to the alarm, but started off as many others did at the call of need. When he returned with other Billerica soldiers, there was but little military precision; their guns were slung over their shoulders in an easy-going manner."
      This patriot and many others are buried in the South Burying-Ground, near the grave of the Boston lady who fled to this town for safety.

      Since the-organization of the Sons of the American Revolution began its work, the Jaquith sepulchre has received patriotic attention by one of the number, Charles E. Abbott, who has honored his own name in honoring the memory of a worthy ancestor and patriot of Billerica.

      The patriots of this town were in service at the battle of Bunker Hill, in the redoubt under Prescott. Its captain of the 19th of April had been made a colonel, and Lieutenant Jonathan Stickney was in command. The Billerica men did not suffer as much as many; but the first soldier killed in that battle was Asa Pollard,[1] who was buried on the field. His name, and also that of Samuel Hill, who was killed, appear on the memorial tablets at Charlestown. Others perished as a result of that day's battle.


[1] The Pollard school at Billerica is a fitting memorial of its citizen who gave up his life at Bunker Hill.

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