CHAPTER XXIII
WOBURN'S PART. -- THE THOMPSON FAMILY. -- COLONEL LOAMMI BALDWIN. -- THE WINN HOME. -- A ROMANCE OF WAR. -- GENERAL GAGE'S EXCURSION REPORTED IN 1775
THE town of Woburn, at first known as Charlestown Village, was among the very early settlements of the colony. Among the first to begin the English settlement there was James Thompson, who with his wife and children came to New England in the Winthrop emigration of 1630. James Thompson was one of the first board of selectmen of Woburn, 1644. From that time to the present the name of Thompson has been prominent in all that pertains to the welfare of the town.
They were found among the most decided patriots at the beginning of troubles with the mother country.
Early in 1774 the town erected a house for the safe keeping of their stock of ammunition, and procured an additional stock, "consisting of two barrels of powder, and bullets and flints in proportion, for the use and benefit of the town."
When the memorable alarm was given in the town, it met with a ready response. But two days
[Photo - "Benjamin Thompson House, Woburn"]
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before the outbreak the people had taken action for organizing a company of minute-men, and consequently could not have been under very good military discipline, only as they had been drilled in the customary manner of playing soldier, or had caught the military spirit from those who had done service in the earlier wars.
When but a child, moved by curiosity to meet a centenarian, I went with many people to the home of Mrs. Betsey Taylor in the town of Burlington, Mass.; and among others of the aged woman's personal reminiscences I gathered that of April 19, 1775. She was then a child of eleven years. "A messenger sent by Captain Joshua Walker, who commanded the military company of Woburn precinct, came to my father, Mr. Jonathan Proctor, the drummer of the company, to beat an alarm as soon as possible, for the redcoats were on the move."
The manner of spreading the alarm in the precinct we may infer was the same as that which called the people to action in the main part of Woburn; and turning to the old Thompson homestead, to the ancient hearthstone in North Woburn, we listen to the story of the movements of that family, as now related by Rev. Leander Thompson, a grandson of one who participated: "Samuel, Daniel, and Abijah Thompson were sons of Samuel and Ruth (Wright) Thompson. They were all born in North Woburn, in a house still
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standing, and still occupied by a great-grandson of Samuel. When the Revolutionary War commenced they were all married, and had young families around them. Daniel lived about one mile from the others, on the road to Woburn Centre. On hearing in the early morning of April 19 of the march of the British towards Concord, the family tradition is, that he instantly sprang upon the bare back of his horse, and ran with speed to rouse the people of North Village. Only one man of those he met hesitated; and when that one asked him if he were not too hasty, and exposing himself to great danger, he instantly replied, 'I tell you that our tyrants are on their march to destroy our stores, and if no one else opposes them, I will.' Immediately hurrying away to the scene of action, he boldly took his position, and poured his fire into the ranks of the British. On the retreat of the enemy, he took a station near the road, stepping behind a barn to load; then advancing around a corner of the building, he fired diagonally through the platoons of the enemy, thus making every shot effectual. A grenadier who watched his movements was so enraged that he ran around the corner of the barn, and shot him dead on the spot while he was in the act of reloading his gun.
"Tradition says that a well-directed ball from another Woburn gun prevented the grenadier from ever rejoining his comrades. It has ever
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been supposed that the avenger was one of the brothers of Daniel Thompson, and that the British gun for many years was treasured in the Thompson family.
"The two brothers of Daniel whom he particularly desired to arouse had immediately seized their muskets, and hurried away also to the scene of action. Samuel, the eldest of the three, charged his boy Jonathan, fifteen years of age, as he left, to be a good boy, and take good care of his mother. But the father had hardly more than gone before the boy borrowed an old musket and a horn of powder, and taking, without the knowledge of the family, the leaden weights of the scales, ran them into bullets at a neighboring shop; and thus armed and equipped, he, too, set off for Concord. He arrived at the scene of action just as the enemy began their retreat. Noticing that the method of annoyance employed by his countrymen was that of gaining the head of the retreating column by a circuitous route, and then from a favorable position previously chosen pouring their shot among the ranks till all had passed, he did the same. In one of these circuits, to their mutual surprise, he met his father, who at once exclaimed, 'Why, Jonathan, are you here? Well, take care of yourself. Your Uncle Daniel has been killed. Be prudent, my son, and take care of yourself.' Father and son then each pursued his way. The son followed
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the retreating enemy to Menotomy, from which place he crossed over to Medford, where with others, all of whom were excessively fatigued, he sought repose in a barn, reaching home safely early the following morning.
"Abijah, the youngest of the three brothers, also immediately hastened from home to the scene of action, in which he bore a conspicuous part till he was deputed to convey the sad news of Daniel's death to his distracted family in Woburn.
"The two brothers who survived the conflict, and also the boy of fifteen years, were subsequently regular soldiers of the Continental army, and after the declaration of peace became highly enterprising, useful, and respected citizens of Woburn."
The Thompsons were among the many patriots who without military order made haste across the towns, and intercepted the enemy below "Merriam's Corner."
Of the many, Daniel Thompson, already mentioned, and Asahel Porter, whose name appears on the Lexington monument, were all who perished on that day of the Woburn men. Three others were wounded.
Rev. Leander Thompson also says, "Asahel Porter and Josiah Richardson set out for Boston market during the night of April 18; and when near Menotomy, the present town of Arlington,
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being on the route the British had taken, they were halted by the enemy, deprived of the horses they rode, and forced to accompany their captors to Lexington as prisoners of war. They were released just as the firing on the Common began, on condition that they were to leave without making themselves conspicuous by running, under penalty of being shot. Porter disobeyed, and after walking a few steps began to quicken pace, and was shot dead. His body was found by Amos and Ebenezer Locke as it lay by the side of a stone wall."
The Salem Gazette of that period affords a glimpse of the sorrow that followed the memorable 19th in Woburn.
"Same day [Friday, April 21], the remains of Messrs. Asahel Porter and Daniel Thompson of Woburn, who also fell victims to tyranny, were decently interred at that place, attended to the grave by a multitude of persons, who assembled on the occasion from that and the neighboring towns. Before they were interred, a very suitable sermon and prayer was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Sherman." [1]
Standing by the grave of Daniel Thompson, with naught to recall the multitude who gathered about the open grave save the leaning, mossgrown slabs, I copied the following, while the eye moistened from sympathy for the widow and children: --
[1] Brother of Roger Sherman of Connecticut.
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HERE LIES BURIED THE BODY OF
MR. DANIEL THOMPSON,
WHO WAS SLAIN IN CONCORD BATTLE ON YE 19TH OF APRIL,
1775, AGED 40 YEARS.
Here, Passenger, confined, Reduced to dust,
Lies what was once Religious, wise and just,
The Cause he engaged did animate him high,
Namely, -- Religion and dear Liberty,
Steady and warm in Libertie's defence.
True to his Country, Loyal to His Prince,
Though in his Breast a thirst for glory fir'd.
Although he's gone his name Embalmed shall be
And had in Everlasting memory.
The name of Asahel Porter is read, not only on the Lexington Monument, but on a marble slab erected at his supposed grave, on the centennial of his death, by Post 33, G. A. R., of Woburn.
The patriots of to-day, appreciating the blessings of liberty, turn aside from the busy scenes of the modern city of Woburn to her ancient burial-ground, and there seek out the graves of two brave men who so early fell victims of tyranny.
Sylvanus Wood, alluded to in our Lexington story in this volume, was another prominent patriot from Woburn. His narrative, given under oath, was, in brief, that he lived with Deacon Obadiah Kendall, about three miles from Lexington. The bell of that town aroused him at an early hour; and, fearing there was trouble, he arose, took his gun, and with Robert Douglass made haste to Lexington, where he found the
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company assembled. By invitation of Captain Parker, he (Wood) and Douglass also joined in the ranks, shared in the experience at the Common, and hastened on to Concord, after assisting in carrying the dead into the meeting-house. When near Viles's Tavern in Lexington he captured a British soldier as prisoner.
William Tay, Jr., made oath to a statement of his experience. He claimed to have been in the throng of countrymen who pursued the enemy to Charlestown. While nearing the latter place, he and others were passing a house, and were fired upon by three of the enemy who were hiding there. He with his party returned the fire, killing two of the British, and capturing the third by seizing him bodily, and cuffing him until he gladly surrendered. He claimed that he was deprived of his just credit by some other American, who carried away the military equipments of the trio of the enemy, and thus he lost the evidence of what he had bravely done.
The most notable patriot of the town was Colonel Loammi Baldwin. His military service began as early as 1768, when, in his twenty-fourth year, he is credited as enlisting in His Excellency's Troop of Horse Guards, in command of Colonel David Phips. By this it seems he was not entirely without experience when he was called into service as a patriot of Woburn. Extracts from the diary of such a man cannot fail to interest and
[Photo - "Col. Loammi Baldwin Mansion, Woburn"]
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instruct every one who has a just appreciation of the republic which Colonel Baldwin did so much towards successfully establishing: --
1775, April 19. Wednesday. This morning a little before break of day, we were alarmed by Mr. Stedman's Express from Cambridge. Informed us that the Regulars were upon the move for Concord. We mustered as fast as possible. The Town turned out extraordinary, and proceeded toward Lexington. I rode along a little before the main body, and, when I was nigh Jacob Reed's I heard a great firing; proceeded on, -- soon heard that the Regulars had fired upon Lexington people, and killed a large number of them. We proceeded on as fast as possible and came to Lexington, and saw about 8 or 10 dead and numbers wounded. . . .We proceeded to Concord by way of Lincoln meeting-house, . . . ascended the hill, and pitched and refreshed ourselves a little. . . . The people under my command and also some others came running off the East end of the hill while I was at a house, and we proceeded down the road, and could see behind us the Regulars following. We came to Tanner Brook at Lincoln Bridge, and then concluded to scatter and make use of trees and walls for to defend us, and attack them. We did so and pursued on, flanking them, till we came to Lexington. I had several good shots. The enemy marched very fast, and left many dead and wounded and a few tired. I proceeded on till coming between the meeting-house and Buckman's Tavern with a prisoner before me, when the cannon began to play, the balls flew near me, I judged not more than 2 yards off. I immediately retreated back behind the meeting-house, and had not been there ten seconds before a ball come through the meeting-house near my head. I retreated back towards the meadow, north of the meeting-house, and lay and heard the balls in the air and saw them strike the ground.
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It is inferred that he was then an officer. We later find that he enlisted in the regiment under command of Colonel Samuel Gerrish, and was promoted to the office of lieutenant-colonel on June 16. On the memorable 17th he was designated as the field-officer of the main guard.
He was stationed for a time at Chelsea, and writes his wife from there on March 6, 1776: --
"I have had much to do, constantly keeping a party on Noddle's Island for spies to discover all the movements of the enemy."
A clause in this letter furnishes evidence, in addition to that of General Ward, of the preparations of the patriots for an attack, which was prevented by the evacuation of Boston on the 17th of March, the letter being dated eleven days before it: --
"Our works on Dorchester Hills are completing as fast as possible. The enemy's ships are all drawn up in line of battle before them, but are very quiet at present."
Colonel Baldwin was commissioned as such on Jan. 1, 1776. His regiment was known as the Twenty-sixth.
He was ordered to follow General Washington to New York. The route taken is indicated by a letter from the colonel, under date of April 1, 1776, at Grafton, Mass. He writes, --
"I have this moment received orders to alter the route, and go to Providence, R.I."
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Two days later, he writes from Providence that he is quartered with his regiment in the college. On the 6th he reports to his wife, --
"I have this moment arrived at Norwich, after a march of eight days. . . . I have just received orders to continue my march to New London, where I expect to embark for New York."
April 10 brings a letter to his wife from New York, in which he gives his impressions of the place, etc. On the 19th he sums up the service of a full year in the army. On the 28th of April he writes: --
"I know not when we shall leave New York; we go into tents this week. The encampment for my regiment is laid out near the Jews' burying-ground, joining the northerly part of the city. The army is healthy. I have just returned from hearing the last of two of the best sermons (I think) that I ever heard in my life, preached this day to my regiment and some others, at Dr. Rogers's meeting-house, the afternoon sermon preached by the doctor himself."
July 14, with other things, he writes: "General Heath is this moment come to camp. He informs me that a flag of truce from Lord How, newly arrived from England, brother of General How, with a packet, or single letter, directed to 'George Washington, Esq.,' was rejected and sent back on account of the direction. I suppose the generals insist upon its being directed to 'His Excellency, George Washington, Commander-in-chief of the Army of the United States.' So we know nothing of the contents of the letter."
Letters now begin to reveal the declining health of the colonel; but he continues in service until
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the opening of the year 1777, during which time he notes many changes, among them being the battle of White Plains.
Dec. 19, he reports to his wife from "Camp, 5 miles west of the Delaware, and 30 miles above Philadelphia." "If I were at home, I should think myself sick enough to keep house, but here feel myself in good spirits. . . . On the 3d inst. marched from Peekskill for King's Ferry. Very rainy all day. Crossed the river just before night. Pitched our tents in New Jersey, by the side of the mountains, took my lodgings in a common tent upon the wet ground; very cold, there being no house to go to. In the night the rain increased, and the flood came down from the mountains, and ran in torrents among and through the tents, and almost washed them away. I had no bed nor blanket, except a thin piece of drugget."
Colonel Baldwin lived in Woburn until Oct. 20, 1807, when he was lamented by his townsmen and by all who knew him as a true patriot and good citizen.
It is noticeable that the Battle of Bunker Hill was largely fought, on the side of the Americans, by men from a distance, the nearest towns being but sparsely represented. The evidence of Woburn's part is mostly incidental. Rev. Mr. Marrett, quoted at length in connection with the "Parson and Parsonage," recorded -- that the day was Saturday, and "fair, and very warm and drying." The following day, Sabbath, he had a
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"very thin meeting," "the men gone down to the army on the alarm yesterday. On June 22, following, the weather being fair and drying, in the morning the good minister of the precinct was "at home," but in the afternoon attended the funeral of Samuel Russell, aged twenty-one, belonging in the first, or old, parish, who had died, having been "mortally wounded in the battle at Charlestown." On the following 26th of the same month, he attended the funeral of George Reed, Jr., "who died of a fever, which was occasioned by a surfeit, or heat, he got in Charlestown fight on the 17th instant."
The horrors of war were not confined to sanguinary action, or that, which it inflicts upon the camp; but the ravages of small-pox frequently accompanied the movements of the army. It broke out in Woburn in the spring of 1775, when many died, and more suffered from the malady, which never failed to leave its loathsome effects.
The home of Mr. Joseph Winn seems to have been the seat of this disease. Possibly a pest-house was established there, the location being at a distance from the general settlement.
The Winn estate is one of the few in Woburn that has never left the possession of the family. For more than two hundred and fifty years the family has been represented at this place, the name
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being identified with the interests of the settlement in its entirety. The present home is on the border of the town of Burlington (Woburn precinct), and is occupied by John Winn. It was built by Joseph, of the third generation, in 1734 and while subsequent generations have "vexed the antiquity" of the colonial residence, there is much remaining to keep green the memory of the family at the old homestead; while the Woburn library, a gift from the late Bowers Winn, is a fitting monument to the whole family.
The Winns were stanch supporters of the patriot cause. Deacon Timothy was a representative for many years from Woburn to the General Court. Joseph Winn, the great-grandfather of John, the present owner, who is of the sixth generation, was among the Woburn patriots who were early astir on the morning of April 19, 1775. The musket which served him on that day is a treasured reminder of the patriot ancestor, and is kept at the old homestead.
A ROMANCE OF WAR.
To say that more than fifty by the name of Richardson are credited with service in the Revolution from the town of Woburn is sufficient evidence of the family location. Allowing that in some instances one may appear in several campaigns, there are still enough remaining to prompt
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the observer to think of that early settlement as Richardson-town. In the christening-record of this long list, a fine array of Bible names appears. There are Jacobs many; Zachariahs and Zadoks; Calebs and Joshuas in faithful union; Paul, Silas, and Barnabas closely allied; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John often repeated. So numerous are all these that it would require a skilful genealogist to decide to which generation an individual shall be assigned. Reference to the old burial-ground of 1642, "In which are buried the ancestors of Presidents Pierce, Cleveland, and Harrison," is of but little assistance; for so strangely are these rudely carved slabs backed up to one another, that the most reverent visitor is inclined to the belief that some of these heroes must have given up life in a vain attempt to establish their identity, and their executors resorted to this method of giving them a post-mortem individuality, which they were denied in life. Even a frown seems to cloud the grim death's head on the rude stone at the grave of "Ye Reverend Mr. Jabez Fox," tottering as it is in the midst of this confusion of Richardsons. But even here military authority seems to assert itself, as we read on a well-kept slab occupying a slight elevation: --
HERE LYES BURIED
YE BODY OF MAJOR JAMES CONVERS, ESQR.
AGED 61 YEARS
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE IVLY I/8TH 1706.
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I had a word of approval upon my lips for the authorities of this early settlement, because they did not follow the example of some, and rob these ancient sepulchres of their identity, by arranging the rude memorials in parallel rows, when I chanced to observe a stone that brought forth a word of approbation for a branch of the Richardson family that had dared to face the reverend Mr. ____ at the baptismal basin, and say that the child should be called Ichabod.
This stone itself stands as direct evidence of the fallacy of the superstitious members of the family, who hid their faces when the minister laid his hand upon the little head of three days, and solemnly said, "Ichabod, I baptize thee in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost." That their prediction, "won't live long," uttered with subdued voice when leaving the meeting-house, was not verified is apparent from the stone: --
HERE LYES BURIED
One departure from the list of family names did not prove disastrous; and when Ichabod first had lived prosperously for forty years, they ventured to repeat the act, and Ichabod, with Sarah his wife, carried their first born to the altar, and there had the seal of the covenant placed upon
THE BODY OF MR. ICHABOD RICHARDSON,
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE
MAY THE 12TH, 1768, IN THE 63D YEAR OF HIS AGE.
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him, and his name declared to be Ichabod. "Such wrong-doing may be forgiven once or twice," thought some of the kin, "but persistence in it must bring trouble." It was in January, 1771, that the record of the birth of the third Ichabod was made. That he had the cradle unmolested when the Revolution broke out was ominous to the family prophets, who kept well prepared for the worst. When the alarm of April 19, 1775, called scores of the family from their peaceful homes, among whom was Ichabod, it was a foregone conclusion that he would never return; but when the Richardsons returned alive, and it was two of their neighbors who fell, there was occasion for the exercise of sympathy in another direction.
The roar of the cannonading of Bunker Hill, distinctly heard in the Woburn homes, caused the ominous wag of many a head; but the safe return of Ichabod brought joy and thanksgiving to reunited families. Some thoughtfully pondered over the familiar clause of Scripture, "visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me."
Ichabod Richardson, the father, was now twenty-eight years of age. It seemed apparent that every able-bodied man must enter the service of the colonies, or all must become slaves of the haughty King George III. Ichabod "did a turn"
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in the besieging army at Cambridge; but the dull routine of camp-life was too monotonous for him. He had always felt a longing for the sea. When a boy, he had stolen many times away from home, down to the shores of the Mystic, and watched the movements of the sailors on the small craft that came up to the town; in fact, he had been to the top mast himself, and become quite familiar with the terms so freely used by the sailors. Burning with indignation for the oppression that was heaped upon the people, and with an ardent desire to serve the colonial cause, Ichabod decided to enter the service upon the water. He enlisted as a Provincial privateersman. The sorrow in the Richardson home at the parting was only such as cast its shadow over almost every patriot home in the colonies. There was no time to devote to tears, and the last hours were spent by the faithful wife in making the best preparations for the comfort of the husband and father.
We may well imagine the inquiring words of little Ichabod, now past five years of age, as he saw the warm stockings rolled up, the best homemade blanket folded, and, with other comforts, made into a rude bundle. These strange preparations served to amuse the child, while they brought sorrow to the wife and mother. Shouldering the tear-sprinkled bundle, Ichabod Richardson bade farewell to his young wife and son, and with a sorrowful but bold purpose set sail on a voyage
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of uncertainty. He was not out of sight of his native land before he was seized upon by peculiar emotions that had never disturbed his manly heart before. The devotion of wife, and clinging, childish affection of son, were to him now more of a reality than when he was in the immediate enjoyment of them. It was too late to turn back, unmanly to weep, he thought; so he vainly tried to bury his sorrow in the hilarity of the life of the ordinary privateersman. He fancied an early return, when, loaded with bounty, he should sit down at home to Share his luxuries with his loved ones. Theirs was a swift-sailing vessel, manned entirely by men from the towns about Woburn; the voyage was a prosperous one, and they were soon cruising about the English Channel. Several richly laden vessels from British ports were discerned, and pursued by the American privateer, but made good their escape. When the flush of immediate success was over, they espied one, and lost no time in the chase. They bore down upon her, and soon had her in their power. The British vessel made a show of resistance, but was soon overcome, the crew surrendered as prisoners, and the rich freight was the property of the American privateersmen. They lost no time in making for the coast of France to find a safe refuge. They had scarcely time to realize that they were in possession of a rich prize, when a British man-of-war came upon them, and not only
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recaptured the vessel so recently freighted at their own shore, but the American privateer as well. A few hours before they were in the jubilant possession of wealth, but now prisoners of war, in irons. Alas for Ichabod! Now, as never before, the vision of that happy reunion faded from sight; and all hope vanished when they were landed, and confined in an English prison. Ichabod Richardson, with other American sailors, was committed to Forton prison, near Portsmouth, on June 26, 1777. He was one of a second company of like unfortunates who were confined at that place.
The sorrow of that Woburn family was not alone on the part of the husband and father. Time dragged slowly in the home. The weeks of hopeful expectation lapsed into months of evil forebodings. When the north-east storm beat against the windows of the lonely home, it brought to the anxious wife and mother visions of a dismantled ship tossing about upon the angry waves of the restless ocean. Then the mother pressed the son more closely to her bosom in the vain endeavor to lose herself in sleep. As the little boy prattled by her side in the warmth of the mid-day sun, Mrs. Richardson tried to comfort herself by detecting in him movements and developing features that reminded her of the absent one. As the separation was extended to years, the suspense culminated, to her, in the death of her husband.
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She patiently acquiesced in what she thought to be the will of God. She mourned Ichabod as dead, and taught her growing son to speak of his father as safe in the heavenly kingdom. There were those who, in the expression of their sympathy, did not fail to whisper to the neighbors, "I expected it."
It was when the sorrow hung the most heavily over the home of Ichabod Richardson that his Cousin Josiah was called upon to part with his wife. The many relatives bowed submissively in this sorrow, regarding it as the loving act of a kind heavenly Father. The tears of Sarah, the supposed widow, were freely mingled with those of Josiah, now bereft of his companion. Thus they lightened each other's burden as they visited the old burial-ground together. The widow, for such she was regarded, felt her lot to be the most severe. She had not even the melancholy pleasure of the freshly made mound to remind her of the silent tenant; and when the sorrowful husband performed the last duty by adding one more to the many gravestones in the yard, the widow wished her means would admit of her testifying of her love for Ichabod in the same manner.
The months wore slowly away, and sorrow was depicted on two faces; each saw the traces of the other's burden, and tried to lighten it. In promising to be a father to the little boy, Josiah Richardson was at length accepted as a husband in
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place of the supposed dead. The mother refused to have the name of Ichabod changed to that of Josiah. She regarded the name as the one strong tie that bound the memory of the past to that of the present. The name was much to her; while the growing boy, so like his lamented father, was a comfort beyond expression. Josiah and Sarah Richardson lived happily together. The anticipation of ultimate freedom from the oppressive yoke of George III. at length resulted in the reality, and they began to plan for more luxuriant surroundings, as the people in general did when relieved from the burden of a long and distressing war. Happily the declaration of peace was as far-reaching in its effects as that of war had been.
Could Sarah Richardson in her anxiety have seen a journal later displayed by a Lexington man, she would have seen in a roll of prisoners committed to Forton jail the name of her husband, and also that of the prizemaster, Mr. Hammon. Against some names she would have read "Run," while against others she would have seen the word "Dead." Short but expressive were the entries; yet in the former instances there was left an occasion for hope, while in the latter all hope was abandoned.
It would be useless to try to decide whether Ichabod or Sarah was the greater sufferer. He skulked about from place to place; to be sure, pro-
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tected while within the bounds of France; but it was not home to him, and he was but a hopeless wanderer, with not even the little bundle in his possession that had been wrapped together by loving hands. When in this forlorn state, the news of the declaration of peace reached him, and he lost no time in taking ship for America, accepting the most menial position, if thereby he could again see his native land. This wish was gratified, and Ichabod Richardson made haste to the town which he had left seven years before. He detected change on every side. The barracks of the enemy had been removed from Boston, and the Stars and Stripes were floating where before the British Lion had been displayed.
Ichabod's inquiry for Sarah Richardson was as promptly answered as it was made. He saw faces that were still familiar to him, but received no recognizing smile in return. As he passed through the narrow roads of the town, he revolved in his mind what he would say when he met his faithful wife; he tried to make up his mind how the little boy of five years, now a lad of twelve, would look. Occupied with such thoughts, he reached the house, stepped up, and pulled the familiar latch-string. The door swung open. The changes that seven years had brought to his once manly form were as apparent in those he left at home. Anxiety and distress had made deep furrows in the smooth brow, while the flush of the
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cheeks on which Ichabod pressed a farewell kiss had faded from sight.
Seven years had changed the prattling, innocent child to a thoughtful youth, in whom was a striking resemblance of the long-lost father.
The wife was Sarah Richardson still; but when the table was spread for the thanksgiving meal, four plates were put upon it. Ichabod and Josiah Richardson exchanged many thoughtful glances. All refreshed themselves, and arose from the family board to decide whose wife Sarah should be.
In law the second marriage was void, because neither death nor divorce had entered the early home; but there were other matters to be considered. Ichabod left some property when he bade his family farewell, and Josiah had added to it. Although both had but recently been warriors, they decided that the difficulty should be amicably adjusted. Sarah decided in favor of Ichabod, the father of her son. They called in the assistance of the village magistrate, Josiah Johnson, Jr., the "squire" of the town, who prepared a legal document, to which the two husbands appended their names.
The paper is styled "Ichabod Richardson and Josiah Richardson -- Stipulation": --
"Whereas Ichabod Richardson of Woburn in the County of Middlesex, Commonwealth of Massachusetts shop joiner [carpenter], about six or seven years since, (during the unhappy Difference between Great Brittian and America), the
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Colonies Inlisted him on board one of the American Privateers, leaving behind his wife Sarah, by which, he had Issue, one son, in which unlucky voyage he was taken Prisoner by the Brittians and was carried to Great Brittian and from thence to the East Indies, which occasioned him six or seven years absence; without any the least notice to his said wife Sarah, of his being in the land of the living. During this uncertain interim the said Sarah in a desolate state, Josiah Richardson of said Woburn, blacksmith, being left a widower, married the said Sarah. But so it happens at this present time, the said Ichabod is now returned and puts in his claim to his said wife Sarah, which by reason of their said son she preferres to live with in the future . . . and they the said Ichabod and Josiah, for the amicable settlement of the unhappy affair between them, stipulate as follows, namely the said Ichabod on his part, on the penalty of one hundred pounds, lawful money, stipulates with the said Josiah, his heirs and executors to pay discharge, and Indemnify him and them from all demands of what nature so ever against the said Sarah, at and until the time of her intermarriage with the said Josiah, and from all for the future, and that he the said Josiah shall Retain all the goods by him, the said Josiah and the said Sarah, Procured since the time of their intermarriage, during life. And he the said Josiah, on his part stipulates with the said Ichabod, his heirs and executors, on the penalty of one hundred pounds like money, to discharge the said Sarah from the obligations of such marriage, and to Restore all the goods she brought with her at that time.
"In confirmation of all above written, they have hereunto interchangably set their hands and seals, this fifteenth day of February, one thousand seven hundred eighty three.
(Signed) ICHABOD RICHARDSON (SEAL).
JOSIAH RICHARDSON (SEAL).
Signed, sealed, and delivered }
in the Presence of }
WILLIAM FOX,
JOSIAH JOHNSON."
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NOTE. -- Ichabod Richardson, son of Asa, was born in Woburn, March 3, 1747; married Sarah Wyman, June 6, 1770; had Ichabod, born in 1771. She married Josiah Richardson March 19, 1782. Ichabod Richardson died in Woburn, Feb. 5, 1792. Josiah Richardson died in Woburn, Nov. 12, 1801.
[From GEORGE'S Cambridge Almanack; or, The Essex Calendar for the Year of our Redemption, 1776.] Narrative of the excursion and ravages of the king's troops, under the command of General Gage, on the 19th of April, 1775; taken with 104 depositions to support the truth of it, and published by order of Congress.
This concise and much-admired narrative is said to be drawn up by the revered and patriotic Mr. G___n, of the third parish in Roxbury, together with an accurate list of all the Provincials who were killed, wounded, and missing in the action, including all that was lost on that day; collected by authority: --
"On the 19th of April, 1775, a day to be remembered by all Americans of the present generation, and which ought, and doubtless will be, handed down to ages yet unborn, in which the troops of Britain, unprovoked, shed the blood of sundry loyal American subjects of the British King in the field of Lexington. Early in the morning of said day, a detachment of the forces, under the command of General Gage, stationed at Boston, attacked a small party of the inhabitants of Lexington, and some other towns adjacent, the detachment consisting of about nine hundred men, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Smith. The inhabitants of Lexington and the other towns were about one hundred, some with and some without firearms, who had collected upon information that the detachment had secretly marched from Boston the preceding night, and landed on Phips's Farm in
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Cambridge, and were proceeding on their way with a brisk pace towards Concord (as the inhabitants supposed), to take or destroy a quantity of stores deposited there for the use of the colony; sundry peaceable inhabitants having the same night been taken, held by force, and otherwise abused on the road, by some officers of General Gage's army, which caused a just alarm to the people, and a suspicion that some fatal design was immediately to be put in execution against them. This small party of the inhabitants, so far from being disposed to commit hostilities on the troops of their sovereign, that unless attacked were determined to be peaceable spectators of this extraordinary movement, immediately on the approach of Colonel Smith with the detachment under his command they dispersed. But the detachment, seeming to thirst for blood, wantonly rushed on, and first began the hostile scene by firing on this small party, in which they killed eight men on the spot, and wounded several others, before any guns were fired upon the troops by our men. Not contented with this effusion of blood, as if malice occupied their whole soul, they continued to fire until all this small party who escaped the dismal carnage were out of the reach of their fire. Colonel Smith, with the detachment, then proceeded to Concord, where a part of this detachment again made the first fire upon some of the inhabitants of Concord and the adjacent towns, who were collected at a bridge
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upon this just alarm, and killed two of them, and wounded several others, before any of the Provincials there had done one hostile act. Then the Provincials (roused with zeal for the Liberties of their country, finding life and everything dear and valuable at stake) assumed their native valor, and returned the fire, and the engagement on both sides began. Soon after which the British troops retreated towards Charlestown (having first committed violence and waste on public and private property), and on their retreat were joined by another detachment of General Gage's troops, consisting of about a thousand men, under the command of Earl Percy, who continued the retreat. The engagement lasted through the day. Many were killed and wounded on each side, though the loss on the part of the British troops far exceeded that of the Provincials. The devastation committed by the British troops on their retreat, the whole of the way from Concord to Charlestown, is almost beyond description, such as plundering and burning of dwelling-houses and other buildings, driving into the street women in child-bed, killing old men in their houses unarmed. Such scenes of desolation would be a reproach to the perpetrators, even if committed by the most barbarous nations, how much more when done by Britons famed for humanity and tenderness. And all this because these colonies will not submit to the iron yoke of arbitrary power."
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The following is a correct list of those Provincials who were killed, wounded, and missing in the action of the 19th of April, 1775, and the towns to which they respectively belonged: --
BELONGING TO CAMBRIDGE AND MENOTOMY.
KILLED.
William Marcy.
Moses Richardson.
John Hicks.Jason Russell.
Jabez Wyman.
Jason Winship.
WOUNDED.
C. Samuel Whittemore.MISSING.
Samuel Frost. Seth Russell.
CHARLESTOWN.
KILLED.
James Miller. C. Barber's son.
WATERTOWN.
KILLED.
Joseph Cooledge.SUDBURY.
KILLED.
D. Josiah Haynes. Asahel Reed.
WOUNDED.
Joshua Haynes.
ACTON.
KILLED.
Isaac Davis.
Abner Hosmer.James Hayward.
WOUNDED.
Luther Blanchard.
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BEDFORD.
KILLED.
Jonathan Willson.WOUNDED.
Job Lane.WOBURN.
KILLED.
Asahel Porter. Daniel Thompson.
WOUNDED.
George Reed.
Jacob Bacon._____ Johnson.
MEDFORD.
KILLED.
Henry Putnam. William Polly.
NEWTOWN.
WOUNDED.
Noah Wiswell.LEXINGTON.
KILLED.
Jonas Parker.
Robert Munroe.
Samuel Hadley.
Jonathan Harrington.
Isaac Muzzy.Caleb Harrington.
John Brown.
Jedediah Munroe.
John Raymond.
Nathaniel Wyman.
WOUNDED.
John Robbins.
Solomon Pierce.
John Tidd.
Joseph Comee.
Ebenezer Munroe, Jr.Thomas Winship.
Nathaniel Farmer.
Prince Estabrook.
Jedediah Munroe.
Francis Brown.
BILLERICA.
WOUNDED.
John Nichols. Timothy Blanchard.
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