After recommending the several towns in the province to provide their proportion of provisions and to equip and prepare to march at a minutes warning as many men as they think fit. The convention adjourned.

John Wentworth of Somersworth, having been chosen president of the convention, realizing that the people were looking forward with a great deal of interest to the convention which was called to meet at Exeter, on the 17th of May, sent circulars to all of the towns of which the following is a copy:

On the 15th of May, 1775, a meeting was holden in Goffstown of which the following is a copy of the record:

   A true record attest p^r Alex^dr Walker Town Clark.

On the 17th day of May the fourth Provincial Congress met at Exeter, one hundred and thirty-three delegates were present, the largest representation of the province that had ever assembled. Matthew Thornton, Esq., was chosen president, and Ebenezer Thompson, Esq., secretary.

The Congress met and adjourned several times, finally adjourning November 17, 1775, after a session of six months. Moses Kelley delegate from Goffstown was credited with forty-eight days attendance, and allowed a mileage three hundred and fifty miles travel.

On the 20th day of May, three days after assembling, they adopted among others the following resolutions:

   "To raise two thousand effective men including those already in the field."
   "Every member pledges his honor and estate in the name of his constituents to maintain the army."
   "They ask advice and assistance of the Continental Congress."
   "That the Selectmen of the several towns and districts equip the soldiers."
   "They also vote "To set up a Post Office at Portsmouth from which mail should be sent to various towns in the state, to choose a committee of safety, and pass a vote of thanks to those who took the powder and military stores from Fort William and Mary.'"

Among other things we note the following letter from Trueworthy Ladd of Goffstown, N. H., dated the 13th day of May, 1775:

Those loyal to the King became alarmed; the governor made arrangements for a detachment of soldiers from Fort William and Mary. This did not intimidate the patriots as they had seen service, many of them, and were strong in numbers. Governor Wentworth soon became satisfied that his influence in New Hampshire was at an end, and took refuge in the fort. Here he stayed until the same was dismantled and then sailed for Boston. He subsequently returned to the Isles of Shoals which was as near as he thought prudent, and about the first of September adjourned the assembly to April, 1776.

This was the last act of his administration, and with this the British power ended in New Hampshire.

A call was issued May 13, 1775, of the third Hillsborough County Congress to meet at Amherst, May 24, to consider and determine upon the following particulars:

   1st To see if the Congress will appoint a Committee of correspondence to wait upon or join with the Congress in the Province of the Massa. Bay
   2nd To go into some measures for the better security of the internal Polity of this county to prevent declining into a state of nature
   To enforce a strict adherence to the Association of the late Continental Congress

The Congress assembled agreeable to call.

Among other business transacted was: "To ascertain if the Congress acquiesced in the resolves of the late Continental Congress of last October at Philadelphia"; "To see if the several towns in the county have chosen Committees of Safety"' also "To choose a committee to act upon any affair that may come before them." They also sent a letter to the Hon. John Sullivan, brigadier-general of the Continental Army, congratulating him upon his appointment as brigadier-general. Also thanking him for the part he took in securing the powder and munitions of war from Fort William and Mary in Portsmouth Harbor.

A committee was chosen to take possession of the jail, and the Congress a journed to the 4th day of July following, at which time they met at Amherst and the keys of the jail were duly given into the care of the Congress by this committee.

They then chose various committees of men from each town to judge tories, another to exercise the powers of the justices of the peace within the county. They also established a Court of Justice to be held at Amherst. After making arrangements for "securing the internal Polity of the county" the Congress adjourned.

At a meeting legally warned and held in Goffes Town on the 13th day of June, 1775:

   Votted "that there be a committee to inspect over the affairs of said town" (meaning a committee of Inspection and safety).
   Votted "that the Selectmen be three of said committee."
   Votted "that Alex^dr Walker, Cap^t Alex^dr Todd, be a Commitee Conjoined with the three Select men as Inspectors."

This was the first Committee of Safety in the town under the Provincial Congress.

   Votted "to Chuse a man to attend the County Congrass at Amherst on the first Tuesday in July next."
   Votted "that Thomas Shirla be said Delegate."

The British were now completely surrounded in Boston. On the 16th day of June Colonel Prescott threw up a line of fortifications upon one of the Charlestown Hills. It was intended that the fortifications should be on Bunker Hill, but the redoubt was thrown up on Breed's Hill.

When the morning of the 17th of June dawned, General Gage was surprised to find the Provincial troops occupying the fortifications in close proximity to his lines, and he resolved to make an attack at once.

Captain Richards' Company, which marched from Goffstown on the 23rd of April, now formed a part of Colonel Stark's Regiment at Medford. This regiment took a very important part in the engagement of that day. The following is a list of the names of the Goffstown soldiers engaged in the Battle of Bunker Hill:

The following is a list of the losses the Goffstown men sustained:

Stark's Regiment sustained a loss, killed and wounded, of sixty men. The highest of any regiment engaged save one, Colonel Prescott's, which had forty-three killed and forty-six missing.

On account of failure of ammunition the Provincial troops retreated from the field, the British Army occupied Bunker Hill but did not pursue.

On the 3rd of July General Washington took command of the American Army at Cambridge, Mass. Apprehensive that the British might commence an invasion by way of Canada, he concluded to occupy their attention upon their ground. Accordingly a conquest of Canada was planned. A detachment of eleven hundred men, enlisted for that duty from troops in the vicinity of Boston, was placed under command of Col. Benedict Arnold. Their route was from Cambridge by way of the Kennebec River, thence through the forests of Maine and Canada to what is called the Chaudiere River, and thence down this stream to Quebec.

They sailed from Newburyport, Mass., about the middle of September and landed near the present city of Augusta, Me., from thence with boats they proceeded up the Kennebec River carrying their boats past the rapids, sometimes wading in the cold, icy water to their arms. After suffering untold hardships and privations which cannot be expressed, through the wilderness of Maine and Canada, their provisions exhausted, after a march of fifty-three days, no human being met in the wilderness, remnants of the expedition reached Point Levi, opposite Quebec and there established a base of operations for the Conquest of Canada.

Colonel Montgomery was to proceed by Lake Champlain and St. Lawrence River to Montreal and Quebec to co-operate with Colonel Arnold in the reduction of the fortress. Accordingly Colonel Montgomery passed up the lake, and after a siege took St. Johns and the passed on to Montreal, which he captured without difficulty. When Colonel Arnold reached Quebec he expected to meet Montgomery there, but no Montgomery was to be found. Meanwhile a message was sent to Montgomery from Quebec, and he came down the river and joined Arnold, but with only some three hundred men. It was now December with the severity of a Canadian winter upon them. Notwithstanding, on the 31st day of December, in the midst of a blinding snow storm, they made an attempt upon the city of Quebec. Montgomery was killed in the assault and his men retreated. Arnold was badly wounded and forced to leave the field. The command now devolved upon Morgan, who after a time was forced to surrender.

Arnold withdrew outside the city, where five hundred men besieged the city of Quebec all winter. In the spring the American Army withdrew from Quebec and from Montreal, and the expedition to Canada had failed.

Goffstown was represented in the expedition by Timothy Ahern.

In June, 1775, a company of rangers was raised for the defense of the frontier towns on the Connecticut River. Timothy Bedel was appointed captain.

The following July two other companies were raised for the same purpose. The three companies were united, forming a regiment or battalion, and Captain Bedel made colonel. Goffstown had four men in John Parker's Company in Colonel Bedel's Regiment.

They were at the siege of St. Johns on the Sorel River, the outlet of Lake Champlain, and were present at its surrender. They went down the river as far as Montreal, and there remained till the expiration of their term of service, and returned home the last of December the same year. In the meantime reports had reached New Hampshire of the mishap of Arnold, the death of Montgomery, and the universal failure of the expedition. It was thought necessary to raise troops at once to re-enforce General Thomas, now in command of the Canada expedition, and thus save the remnant of the army. New Hampshire with her usual promptness answered the call, and a regiment was raised, and ordered to join the northern Continental Army in New York, re-enforcing our army in Canada, and the same was placed under the command of Col. Timothy Bedel, who had but lately returned with his three companies of rangers. The regiment repaired thence at once and was stationed at a fort in Canada called the "Cedars," situate about forty-five miles southwest of Montreal. Colonel Bedel left the fort, either for the purpose of seeking re-enforcements, or conveying intelligence. The command devolved upon Major Isaac Butterfield, during the absence of Colonel Bedel, who on the 19th of May disgracefully surrendered his force of about four hundred men to the British and Indians, about five hundred in number. After the surrender the prisoners were stripped, and treated in an inhuman and barbarous manner, and some were murdered. They were transported to an Island in the lake, and there kept without shelter, and scant rations for eight days, when they were released upon a cartel. John McClintock and William Kemp of Goffstown were among the number, also Robert Campbell, Josiah Warren and James Caldwell of New Boston. Robert Campbell was the great grandfather of A. M. and H. M. Campbell of Goffstown, and Josiah Warren was the grandfather of the late William P. and Daniel B. Warren of Goffstown. Campbell, Caldwell and Warren, so long as the three lived, celebrated each recurring anniversary of their liberation from the British.

The retreat of our army from Canada caused alarm on the frontier, and a large re-enforcement was needed to check the advance of the enemy, and accordingly it was voted to raise another regiment in addition to the two already in the field for that purpose.

The regiment was raised from the different militia regiments throughout the state according to apportionment. Col. Josiah Wingate was appointed colonel with instructions to repair to Charlestown on the Connecticut River, and there establish a rendezvous, and then proceed to join the northern army. The regiment consisted of about 750 men, and marched to Ticonderoga where they remained until late in the fall. Goffstown furnished eleven men for this expedition. The following named were mustered July 22, 1776, by Moses Kelley in Capt. William Barron's Company out of Col. Daniel Moor's Regiment.

It will be seen that the people of this town had sent deputies and delegates to the Hillsborough County Congress, and the previous Provincial Congresses held at Exeter. Committees of Safety had been chosen, which in a measure had the management of matters pertaining to the liberties of the people. The committee appointed by the Congress of Hillsborough County had taken possession of the jail, and regulated the sessions of the court.

The fourth Provincial Congress which adjourned November 17, ordered a new convention. Accordingly notices were sent out to the various towns to meet in a convention to be held at Exeter December 21, 1775, and the towns of Goffstown and Derryfield were classed together, and the people were notified by the selectmen of both towns.

The warrant issued for that purpose read as follows:

The convention met on the 21st day of December, 1775, at Exeter. Matthew Thornton, Esq., was chosen president; Ebenezer Thompson, secretary; Noah Emery, assistant secretary.

Moses Kelley, delegate from the towns of Goffstown and Derryfield, attended to his duty, and was duly qualified as one of a convention of seventy-six members. Various matters attended to: choosing committees, auditing the accounts, making provisions for the New Hampshire soldiers, providing for the defense of Portsmouth Harbor, the purchase of arms, the warning of the inhabitants of the Isles of Shoals to repair to the mainland, and discussing plans for a future form of government until the 5th day of January, 1776, when the convention voted "That this congress take up Civil Government for this colony."

The Congress assumed the name, power and authority of a House of Representatives for the colony of New Hampshire. There shall be a separate and distinct branch of the legislature by the name of "A Council for this Colony, to be elected as follows: Five in the County of Rockingham, Two in the County of Strafford, Two in the County of Hillsborough, Two in the County of Cheshire, One in the County of Grafton, to continue as such until the third Wednesday in December next."

That a secretary should be appointed by both branches.

That no act or resolve shall be valid unless agreed to, and passed by both branches of the legislature.

That all public offices for said colony, and each county for the current year be appointed by the council and assembly, except the clerk of the courts. That all appropriation bills should originate in the House of Representatives. If the war should continue longer that this year, the council be chosen by the people.

That the general and field officers of the militia be appointed by the two houses, and inferior officers chosen by the companies.

That all civil officers for the colony and each county be appointed except clerks of courts, county treasurers and registers, these to be chosen annually by the people.

That precepts be issued by the council and assemby annually, by the first day of November, for the choice of a council and House of Representatives, to be returned by the third Wednesday of December.

This constitution that was adopted by the authority of the people of New Hampshire is the first that was adopted in any state or colony in the Union.

Twelve of the deputies or representatives including two from Portsmouth, two from Dover, protested against this action, and filed a protest against the present plan of "taking up civil government," and assigned nine reasons why it should not be done, all of which were without effect.

The new government was organized, and proceeded with the management of the affairs of the colony. It may not be amiss to state at this time that New Hampshire in addition to being the first state to adopt a constitution, likewise on the 15th day of June, 1776.

Voted unanimously "That the report of the committee of both houses appointed to prepare a draught of a Declaration of Independence, setting up as an Independent State, be received and accepted, and a copy be sent to our delegates at the Continental Congress."

And by this act she passed the first Declaration of Independence in the United States.

Among the first officers chosen in Hillsborough County was Moses Kelley, high sheriff, and Robert McGregor and Moses Little, Justices of Peace, and on the 8th of November, 1776, Samuel Blodget was advanced from a lieutenant to a captain in the second battalion, all residents of Goffstown. Washington's army had been quartered at Winter Hill since he took command, and on the 30th of November, 1775, General Sullivan, who was in command of the troops at Winter Hill, wrote to the Committee of Safety as follows:

   "By the authority of General Washington I wish to inform you that the Connecticut forces have absolutely refused to remain till the 1st day of January, but will quit the lines on December 6, and we find ourselves obliged to supply their places with troops from New Hampshire and Massachusetts Bay."

The number asked for from New Hampshire was thirty-one companies of sixty-four men each, to serve until January 15, 1776.

The Committee of Safety met and gave orders for enlisting the men, the thirty-one companies were raised and in due time marched to Winter Hill.

The Goffstown Company was No. 28. Joshua Martin, captain; James Smith, lieutenant; William Ayer, second lieutenant, and consisted of three sergeants, three corporals and forty-three privates.

The company remained at Winter Hill until the British evacuated Boston, when they were discharged. It is great misfortune, but no roll of this company has been preserved, and there is no means of ascertaining who they were.

The foregoing is a form of an enlisting order transmitted to Joshua Martin requesting him to enlist the Goffstown company for Winter Hill.

In 1776 Congress had discovered the error of short enlistments, and a more permanent plan was decided upon by the Congress. The three regiments in the field were rearranged and reorganized. Stark's old regiment continued the first, Reid's became the second, and Poor's the third. More stringent provisions were made in regard to the militia, an act was also passed providing for a draft in case an immediate call for soldiers and volunteers was not answered. Samuel Blodget of Goffstown was sutler in General Sullivan's brigade, which was posted on Winter Hill, during the fall of 1775, and spring of 1776.

It is probable that upon the moving of General Sullivan's Brigade from Boston, that Judge Blodget returned to his farm in Goffstown, where we find him in mercantile pursuits in the summer 1776.

Throughout the winter of 1775-76, want of artillery and powder prevented General Washington from doing anything more than simply keeping up the siege of Boston. At length this need was supplied by General Knox, who dragged with ox teams fifty cannon from Ticonderoga to Cambridge, a distance of two hundred miles through a wilderness.

       

ALHN Hillsborough County

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