The New-Hampshire gazette and historical chronicle (Portsmouth, N.H.), 1775-04-28 00:00:00

S A L E M, April 25, 1775.
LAST Wednesday the 19th of April, the Troops of his Bri- tannick Majesty commenced Hostilities upon the People of this Province, attended with Circumstances of Cruelty not less brutal than what our venerable Ancestors received from the vilest Savages of the Wilderness. The Particulars relative to this in- teresting Event, by which we are involved in all the Horrors of a civil War, we have endeavoured to collect as well as the present confused State of Affairs will admit.
On Tuesday Evening a Detachment from the Army, consisting, it is said, of 8 or 900 Men, commanded by Lieut Col. Smith, embarked at the Bottom of the Common in Boston, on board a Number of Boats, and landed at Phip's Farm, a little Way up Charles River, from whence they proceeded with Silence and Ex- pedition, on their Way to Concord, about 18 Miles from Boston. The People were soon alarmed, and began to assemble, in several Towns, before Day-Light, in order to watch the Motion of the Troops. At Lexington, 6 Miles below Concord, a Company of Militia, of about an Hundred Men, mustered near the Meeting- House; the Troops came in Sight of them just before Sun-rise; and running within a few Rods of them, the commanding Officer accosted the Militia in Words to this Effect: "Disperse you Re- bels---Damn you, throw down your Arms and disperse!" Upon which the Troops huzza'd, and immediately one or two Officers discharged their Pistols, which were instantaneously followed by the Firing of 4 or 5 of the Soldiers, and there seemed to be a ge- neral Discharge from the whole Body: Eight of our Men were killed, and nine wounded. In a few Minutes after this Action the Enemy renewed their March for Concord; at which Place they destroyed several Carriages, Carriage-Wheels, and about 20 Barrels of Flour, all belonging to the Province. Here 150 Men going towards a Bridge, of which the Enemy were in Possession, the latter fired and killed two of our Men, who then returned the Fire, and obliged the Enemy to retreat back to Lexington, where they met Lord Percy, with a large Reinforcement, with two Pie- ces of Cannon. The Enemy now having a Body of about 1800 Men made a Halt, picked up many of their Dead, and took Care of their Wounded. At Menotomy, a few of our Men attacked a Party of twelve of the Enemy, (carrying Stores and Provisions to the Troops) killed one of them, wounded several, made the rest Prisoners, & took Possession of all their Arms, Stores, Provisions, &c. without any Loss on our Side. The Enemy having halted one or two Hours at Lexington, found it necessary to make a se- cond Retreat, carrying with them many of their Dead & wound- ed whom they put into Chaises and on Horses that they found standing in the Road. They continued their Retreat from Lexing- ton to Charlestown with great Precipitation; and notwithstanding their Field Pieces, our People continued the Pursuit, firing at them till they got to Charlestown Neck, (which they reached a little after Sunset) over which the Enemy passed, proceeded up Bun- ker's Hill, and soon afterwards went into the Town; under the Protection of the Somerset Man of War of 64 Guns.
In Lexington the Enemy set fire to Deacon Joseph Loring's House and Barn, Mrs. Mulliken's House & Shop, and Mr. Joshua Bond's House and Shop were all consumed. They also set Fire to several other Houses, but our People extinguished the Flames. They pil- laged almost every House they passed by, breaking and destroying Doors, Windows, Glasses, &c. and carrying off Cloathing and other valuable Effects. It appeared to be their Design to burn and destroy all before them; and nothing but our Vigorous Pursuit prevented their infernal Purposes from being put in Execution.--- But the Savage Barbarity exercised upon the Bodies of our unfor- tunate Brethren who fell, is almost incredible: Not content with shooting down the unarmed, aged and infirm, they disregarded the Cries of the Wounded, killing them without Mercy, and man- gling their Bodies in the most Shocking Manner.
We have the Pleasure to say, that, notwithstanding the highest Provocations given by the Enemy, not one Instance of Cruelty, that we have heard of, was committed by our victorious Militia; but, listening to the merciful Dictates of the Christian Religion, they "breathed higher Sentiments of Humanity."
The Consternation of the People of Charlestown, when our En- emies were entering the Town, is inexpressible; the Troops how- ever behaved tolerably civil, and the People have since nearly all left the Town.
The following is a LIST of the PROVINCIALS who were killed and wounded.
KILLED. Messrs. Robert Munroe, Jonas Parker, Samuel Hadley, Jonathan Harrington, Caleb Harrington, Isaac Muzzey, John Brown, John Raymond, Nathaniel Wy- man, and Jedidiah Munroe, of Lexington.---Messrs. Jason Russel, Jabez Wyman, & Jason Winship, of Menotomy.---Deacon Haynes and Mr. Reed of Sudbury.---Capt. James Miles of Concord, Capt. Jonathan Wilson, of Bedford.---Capt. Davis, Mr. Hosmer, and Mr. James Howard, of Acton.---Mr. Azael Por- ter, and Mr. Daniel Thompson, of Woburn.---Mr. James Miller and Capt. William Barber's Son, aged 14, of Charlestown.---Isaac Gardner, Esq; of Brookline.---Mr. John Hicks, of Cambridge.--- Mr. Henry Putnam of Medford.---Messrs. Abednego Ramsdell, Daniel Townsend, William Flint, and Thomas Hadley, of Lynn. Messrs. Henry Jacobs, Samuel Cork, Ebenezer Goldthwait, George Southwick, Benjamin Doland, jr. Jotham Webb, and Perley Put- nam, of Danvers.---Mr. Benjamin Pierce, of Salem.
WOUNDED. Messrs. Jacob Robins, John Tidd, Solomon Peirce, Thomas Winship, Nathaniel Farmer, Joseph Comee, Ebenezer Munroe, Francis Brown, and Prince Easterbrooks (a Negro Man) of Lexington.---Mr. Hemmenway, of Framing- ham.---Mr. John Lane, of Bedford.---Mr. George Reed, and Mr. Jacob Bacon, of Woburn.---Mr. William Polly, of Medford.--- Mr. Joshua Felt, and Mr. Timothy Munroe, of Lynn.---Mr. Na- than Putnam, & Mr. Dennis Wallis, of Danvers.---Mr. Nathaniel Cleaves, of Beverly.
Missing. Mr. Sam'l Frost, and Mr. Seth Russel, of Menotomy. Those distinguished with this Mark [§] were killed by the first Fire of the Enemy.
We have seen an Account of the Loss of the Enemy, said to have come from an Officer of one of the Men of War; by which it appears that 63 of the Regulars, and 49 Marines were killed, and 103 of both wounded; In all 215. Lieut. Gould of the 4th Regiment, who is wounded, and Lt. Potter of the Marines, and about 12 Soldiers, are prisoners.
Mr. James Howard and one of the Regulars discharged their Pieces at the same Instant, and each killed the other.
Our late Brethren at Danvers, who fell fighting for their Coun- try, were interred, with great Solemnity and Respect, on Friday last.
The Public most sincerely sympathize with the Friends and Relations of our deceased Brethren, who gloriously sacrificed their Lives in fighting for the Liberties of their Country. By their noble, intrepid Conduct, in helping to defeat the Forces of an un- grateful Tyrant, they have endeared their Memories to the pre- sent Generation, who will transmit their Names to Posterity with the highest Honour.
We suppose a circumstantial Account will be prepared and pub- lished by Authority. The above is the best we have been able to obtain. We can only add, that the Town of Boston is now in- vested by a vast Army of our brave Countrymen, who have flown to our Assistance from all Quarters.---GOD grant them Assistance in the Extirpation of our cruel and unnatural Enemies.
Marblehead Harbour is now blocked up by the Lively Man of War.
PORTSMOUTH.
A Letter from Boston dated (Sunday Evening) April, 23, 1775. SINCE I wrote you last, the Face of Things are shockingly al- tered; thirty Thousand Men in arms in Roxbury and Cam- bridge, ready upon the Inhabitants quitting the Town, to storm the Lines and enter the Town: The Governor has secur'd every Ave- nue out of Town, the Men of War entitled the same, by which Means we are in every Degree Prisoners; it is impossible to con- ceive the Consternation this Manoeuvre has put the Town in; this Day, instead of being employed as usual, has been in attending Town-Meeting in order to confer with the Governor for Leave for the Inhabitants to quit the Town. After frequent Conferen- ces by respectable Committees, we have obtained Leave to quit the Town upon Conditions the Inhabitants deliver up the Arms to his Excellency to prevent their being made use of in attacking the King's Troops in the Rear, while the Americans are in the Front. To morrow we are to do it, with full Assurance, upon full Com- pliance therewith, to have Leave to quit the Town as soon as may be. The Reason of our being reduced to this Alternative is this, the King's Troops last Tuesday Evening embarked at the Bottom of the Common, on board Boats for that Purpose, landed at Cam- bridge proceeded for Concord in order to destroy the Magazine there; they pass'd thro' Menotomy and got into Lexington just at Sun- rise. Just as they arrived at the Meeting-House there was about thirty Minute-men exercising upon the Hill; the Advanced Party halted till the main Body came up. Major Pitcairn ordered them to lay down their Arms, they refused: upon which, he ordered a second Time for them to disperse; upon which Captain Harring- ton commanded his Men to face to the Right and march, which they did, which brought their Backs to the Brigade; they had not gone five Paces, before the advanced Party fired upon them; killed six dead upon the Spot, wounded 2 who liv'd about an hour. They then proceeded to Concord, destroyed the Magazine there, set the Town House on Fire, in which Time there was a Body of our Men collected to the Amount of 500, who gave them Bat- tle, forc'd them to quit their Ground and retreat from Concord to Charlestown, which is 14 Miles; the Attack began at half past 11 o'Clock, A. M. and lasted till Dark. by the best Accounts we can get, they had 101 killed, 165 wounded, 34 missing in all 300. We had 31 killed, and about 100 wounded; This is supposed to be the grandest Battle ever fought in America, the first Brigade consisted of 1200 Men, Grenadiers and light Infantry, commanded by Col. Smith, at 8 o'Clock in the Morning an Express arrived to General Gage, acquainting him with what they had done at Lexington, upon which a second Brigade was order'd out, com- manded by Lord Percy, which made upwards of 2000 pick't Men who had done no Duty sometime, luckily for the first Brigade that the second came up, or else they must infallibly been cut off, for they had expended their Ammunition all to two Rounds.
It is propos'd for the Consideration of all Americans, that the Memories of all such noble spirited Persons, who for the Liberties of this Country shall be so unfortunate as to fall in Battle, shall be honorably perpetuated to Posterity---that their Families shall be immediately and handsomely provided for---their Widows shall have a fixed Annuity for Life, which shall enable them to live as well as in their Husbands Life-time, and that their Children shall be provided for, and educated at the public Expence.
Amidst the general Confusion, we have been able to collect the Articles in the first Page of this Paper, from the London Prints to the 17th of March, which came in Captain Cows, who failed from Plymouth, the 23d of March; in whom came Passengers, the Captains Salter, Ladd, Dunn and Brown. 50 or 60 Sail of Transports were preparing and some ready to proceed to Boston, with about Ten Thousand Troops, and several Men of War.
The Publisher of this Paper has
often called upon his Customers, to discharge what they may be in Arrears; he therefore hopes they will now do it immediately, otherwise he shall be obliged to discontinue it for some Time; even those who owe but for half a Year are desired to pay off.--- The Boston N. w. Papers we hear are all stop't, and no more will be printed for the present, and that must be done here unless the Customers attend to this call.
Oliver Brewster,
RESPECTFULLY begs Leave to acquaint his Friends and the Public, that he has taken the Shop, formerly occupied by Mr. WILLIAM APPLETON Bookseller, in Queen- Street, directly opposite Mr. JACOB SHEAFE, junr. where he has for Sale, a great Variety of summer Goods, at the lowest reduc'd Pri- ces for Cash only. Portsmouth, April 25.
***** A New
Grammar School
Will be opened on Monday the 17th Instant, By JOSEPH STACEY HASTINGS, At his House opposite the Post-Office, Where Children and Youth, will be instructed in Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic: Also, in the English, Latin and Greek Languages, according to the most approved Rules of Grammar.
At which Place are to be Sold, West-India GOODS and GROCERIES, Cheap for Cash.
Portsmouth, April 14. 1775.
A Likely Negro Woman
To be sold very cheap.---Enquire of the Printer.
PORTSMOUTH, Printed by D. FOWLE.
A Few Barrells of choice Philadelphia Flour,
Bar IRON,---TYRE dit.---New RAISINS per Cask,---STONE LIME per Hoghead and Bushell,---To be Sold cheap for Cash By JACOB SHEAFE, junr. in Portsmouth.
§ Barnstead. §
THIS is to notify the Proprietors of the Township of Barnstead, in the County of Strafford, in the Province of New Hampshire, that at a legal Meeting held at Newington, the 28th Day of March, 1775; voted that there be levied and raised on each Propri- etors sixty Acre Lot, ten Shillings; and on each Hun- dred Acre Lot sixteen Shillings and eight Pence lawful Money, equal to two Pence lawful Money per Acre; also voted that the like Sum of two Pence lawful Mo- ney per Acre, be levied and raised on all the other Lands in said Township. The said Proprietors are therefore hereby notified to pay the said Taxes to me at my House in Newington by Tuesday the 15th of May next, or their Lands will be advertised for Sale at public Vendue, as the Law directs.
EPHRAIM PICKERING, Collector. Newington, April 20, 1775.
Northumberland.
THE Proprietors of Northumberland are desired to meet at the House of Capt. Jacob Tilton, Innhol- der in Portsmouth, on Thursday the 11th Day of May next, at 6 o'Clock, P. M. for the following purposes, viz. To chuse a Moderator and other Officers that may be necessary for managing the Affairs of said Township.---To ascertain to each Grantee the Num- ber of his Lot pitched, and to determine on a Method for the Disposal of those Lots that remain unpitched. ---To receive and act on the Report of a Committee chosen, January 2, 1772, to consult whether the sur- vey of the late Township of Stonington be of any Ad- vantage to the Propriety of Northumberland.---To enquire into the State of the Mills in said Township, if kept in Repair, and Attendance given according to contract, if not then, to choose a Committee to take the legal Steps for redressing the Proprietors.---To agree on a Method for paying the Quit Rents.---To vote what Moneys may be thought necessary for the above purposes, and act on any Matters that may ap- pear for the Benefit of said Propriety.
By Order of the Assessors. NATHANIEL TREADWELL, Clerk. Portsmouth, April 17, 1775.
ALL Persons that have any Demands on the Estate of the Hon. THOMAS WALLINGFORD, Esq; deceas'd, are desired to bring in their Claims to ELIZABETH WALLINGFORD, Administratrix on said Estate. Also, those that are Indebted to said Estate, are once more desired to make speedy Payment, otherwise may depend on their Notes and Accounts put in Force immediately without Notice.
ELIZABETH WALLINGFORD.
Somersworth, April 19th 1775.
N. B. TO BE SOLD the HOUSE, LAND, and Privilege for a FERRY, lately occupied by Mr. Timothy Fernald, late of Kittery, deceas'd. For further Particulars, enquire of Elizabeth Wallingford. Somersworth, April 19. 1775.
WHEREAS the Hon. JUDGE of Probate for the County of Rockingham, has been pleased to lengthen out the Commission of Insolvency on the Estate of Samuel Griffith, late of Portsmouth, deceas'd, until the 19th Day of June next.---NOTICE is hereby given, that the Commissioners will attend at the House of Mr. John Stavens, Innholder in Portsmouth, to re- ceive and examine the Claims against said Estate, on Wednesday the 19th of April, and 17th of May, and on Monday the 19th of June, from 5 to seven o'clock P. M.
Samuel Penhallow, John Sparhawk, Joseph Whipple,
Portsmouth, April 13, 1775.
ANY Persons having any Claims against the Estate of Jonathan Sanders, late of Haverhill, Housewright, deceased, are desired to bring in the same to Charles Johnston, and Ezekiel Ladd, Administrators to said E- state. And all Persons indebted unto said Estate, are desired to settle the same immediately, as the Admini- strators are determined to settle the Estate speedily.
Haverhill March 31, 1775.
NOTICE is hereby given, that on Tuesday the second of May next, at 6 o'Clock, P. M. the Residue of that valuable LIBRARY of BOOKS of the Rev. ARTHUR BROWNE, late of Portsmouth deceas'd will be sold by Public Vendue at the late Mansion House of the deceas'd; a Catalogue thereof may be seen at any Time before the said Sale.
Portsmouth, April 12th 1775.