Most of them passed the winter in the dismal camp at Valley Forge, suffering untold hardship for want of food and clothing. It is said there was not a whole pair of shoes in the army. The suffering of the army during this winter was without a parallel in the war, yet they endured all these hardships, exposures and privations, and there was but few desertions.

In the spring of 1778 the news was received and the hearts of all were gladdened thereby, that France had acknowledged the Independence of the United States, and that help was then on the way.

On the 28th of June Washington's army in which were the New Hampshire regiments, pursuing General Clinton, overtook him at Monmouth, N. J., and a battle ensued. The engagement lasted all day, and the heat was so intense that many soldiers died from exposure. The tide of battle would have turned in favor of the patriots, had it not been for either the cowardice or treachery of General Lee. As it was General Clinton stole away in the darkness of the night and proceeded to New York. In this battle the soldiers of New Hampshire bore a very conspicuous part under the command of Colonel Cilley and Lieutenant-Colonel Dearborn. They behaved with such bravery as to merit the approbation of Washington.

During the summer months of 1778 a combined attack on Newport, R. I., was arranged to be made by the French fleet, and a detachment of the American Army under General Sullivan. Owing to lack of co-operation by the French fleet General Sullivan, whose army was largely composed of New Hampshire troops, retreated in time to escape General Clinton, who came from New York with large reinforcements.

During the year 1779 the Indian depredations in the Wyoming, Mohawk and Cherry Valleys were a source of terror and bloodshed to the inhabitants, on account of a union of Tories and Indians. The massacre of the innocent inhabitants of this section excited the compassion of Congress. They resolved to take this matter in hand at once. General Sullivan was appointed to the command, and the New Hampshire brigade made a part of his force.

In the fearful engagements with the savages, the New Hampshire troops behaved with their usual braveness. It seems a coincidence that the New Hampshire brigade should be ordered to Cherry Valley to restrain the Indians and Tories from further depredation and murder of the innocent inhabitants. Cherry Valley was settled by the second colony which emigrated from the Scotch Irish settlement at Londonderry, N. H. And some of the soldiers in Stark's first regiment were the descendants from a common ancestry of those who were so brutally murdered on the morning of November 11, 1778, in the terrible massacre of Cherry Valley.

Having accomplished the object of the expedition, General Sullivan returned to Eastern Pennsylvania, having lost forty men. He then joined the army in Connecticut, and passed the winter in Newtown.

In 1780 the New Hampshire regiments did duty at West Point, and afterwards went to New Jersey where General Poor died. The next winter was passed at a place called Soldier's Fortune, on the Hudson River. The next year, 1781, a part of them remained in the state of New York, and another part marched to Virginia, and were present at the surrender of Cornwallis, which occurred October 19, 1781. Here the brave Colonel Scammel was killed. In the winter of 1781 and 1782 the first regiment was quartered at Saratoga, and the second on the Mohawk River.

A second reduction of the army took place January 1, 1783, in which the second New Hampshire was consolidated with the first, leaving one full regiment in the service from this state. September 3, 1783, a treaty of peace was signed, and November 3, 1783, the army was disbanded, save such as General Washington designated to remain for honorable service attending the close of the war. For this purpose the first New Hampshire was selected among others. Kidder says in his history of First New Hampshire Regiment: "For some reason the First New Hampshire Regiment which had long before included the remaining officers and soldiers of the second and third, and was therefore the sole representation of the New Hampshire line remained. Why they should have been the last, or at least among the very last to lay down their arms, we are not able to state."

The payrolls show that they were encamped on the Hudson at or near New Windsor during the month of December, 1783, and there is but little doubt they were disbanded January 1, 1784; and assuming that it was a continuous corps from April, 1775, it shows a service of eight years and eight months. Can any other regiment from any state show so long a record?

The first thing of importance that occupied the attention of the people of Goffstown in the spring of 1778 was calling of a special meeting of the inhabitants of Goffstown and Derryfield on the 9th day of February, when a committee was appointed consisting of Robert McGregor, James Marr, Lieut. Enoch Sawyer, Capt. Alexander Todd, William Todd, and Alex^dr Walker to act on the business of the day. And the business of the day apparently was to take under consideration the thirteen articles of the Confederation recently passed upon by the Provential Congress.

The committee evidently attended to their duty and reported as follows:

   "We think this addition should be made to the eighth artickle, that every man in the United States ought to Pay his Equal proportion of this Charge according to his yearly income, Whether by Real Estate, Slaves, Ships at Sea, or in the harbor or personal Estate of whatever Kind."
   Votted "To Equias in all the thirteen articles Excepting the Eighth, within the Confederation."
   Votted to "Except of the eight artickle in what alteration we have made."
   Votted "That the town give the Delegate Instructions towards a new form of government."

The eighth article, as set forth by the Congress, provided for the raising of a revenue for the carrying on of the war, and support of the government upon real estate only, and the proposed amendment offered by the aforesaid committee was one worthy of the consideration of the Provincial Congress. At the annual meeting holden a short time after, among other subjects acted upon were the following:

   Votted "To Samuel Karr and Amos Richards �1 12s. for going to Londendarry with a Desarter"
   Votted "That a Committee of Safety consist of Moses Little Esq^r, James Moor, Tho^s Kennedy."
   Votted "To Releve Cap^t TrueWorthy Ladd his poll Rate for the year 1777."

Capt. Trueworthy Ladd it will be remembered was the man who offered his services by a letter to the Provincial Congress. (Page 121.) At a special meeting held on the 5th day of May voted: "That Samuel Blodget Esq^r be the Deligate to attend at the Convention at Concord on the 10th of June next, for the sole purpose of Forming and Laying a Permanent Plan or System of Government, for the Futer Happyness of the people of this state."

And the committee chosen to give the delegate instructions consisted of Enoch Sawyer, Alex^dr Todd, Robert McGregor, Esq^r, Moses Little, Esq^r, James Moor.

In the month of August of this year it became necessary to pay some attention to the military affairs, and the quota of the town. Accordingly a bounty of 10 pounds for each man was offered for all those who should enlist, and be counted on the quota of the town of Goffstown, and the following is a list of the soldiers of Goffstown in Capt James Aiken's Company, Col. Moses Kelley's Regiment, who served under General Sullivan at Newport, R. I., August, 1778:

During the year 1778 Collins Eaton and Ezra Myrick, both soldiers in the Continental Army, deceased.

Collins Eaton lived where Lorenzo Philbrick now lives on the Mast Road. The next year, 1779, in June, Lieut. Jesse Karr, a son of Capt. James Karr, died in the army, of smallpox. Lieutenant Karr lived on the farm where G. Ernest Whitney now lives.

At the evacuation of Ticonderoga July 6, 1777, Eleazer Emerson was killed. With the commencement of the year 1779, Alex^dr Gilcrest, Enoch Sawyer, Capt. Joshua Martin were appointed a Committee of Safety.

The town voted at the annual meeting: "That Capt. Joseph Little's account for four and one-half pounds of pork, for the wife of John McClintock of �13 3s continental money be allowed"; "That Ebenezer Johnson's accounts for keeping W^m Kemp's child be allowed," John McClintock and William Kemp both being in the northern Continental Army.

To show at this time how the people valued the depreciated currency which was referred to page 130, it was voted: "That six dollars per day a man, six dollars per day pr oxen, three dollars per day for cart or plow be allowed in the highway." Also voted "That further aid be extended to the wife and children of John McClintock."

This year Samuel Blodget begs leave to present to the town of Goffstown his bill for services rendered as selectman of fifty days time, and four hundred and eight-two miles travel, and expense, which he asks the town to accept as a gift; quite a liberal present to the town for that day.

The spring and early summer wore away, about the middle of June there was an urgent call for men, some for the Continental Army, also men to serve for the defense of Rhode Island.

Four men were called to serve in the Continental Army. Accordingly a town meeting was called "to see what method the town will take to procure four men that are now called for to be Inlisted for the army." In response to which the town voted "that there be a com^te to See What mathod they Will take to get four men to go into the Continental army Dureing one year, and if they cannot Procure the men to go them Selves." Voted "that the Com^tee consists of Seven men," the names of only two of the committee are given--Samu^l Blodget, Esq^r, and Co^l Moses Kelley.

This not being a very satisfactory way of filling the quota it was found that only two would serve, consequently since both of the above committee knew something of actual service they concluded not to flinch. The town comes to the rescue and rescinds the vote. They then proceeded.

and then adjourned to the 8th day of July when they met again, and the wife and children of John McClintock were "Vandued."

Capt. Samuel Richards Vandue master to Enoch Eaton for the term of three months for �60, and the town pay the "Doctrin." As John McClintock was in the Continental Army, this was probably an incentive for others to enlist.

The town appointed a committee to examine the state of the town, and to ascertain if possible what each man had done in the war, and make a proper estimate of his service per month according to his poll and estate and Samuel Blodget, Esq^r, Col. Moses Kelley, Alex^dr Gilcrest, Philip Ferrin, Moses Little, Robert McGregor, Thomas Shirla were named as said committee.

   Votted "that these men that Hiered Persons that was allready Listed into the Army should not be allowed for it."

The next business of importance which occupied the attention of our townspeople was the bill of rights and plan of government, and a special town meeting was called, and a committee appointed of fifteen prominent citizens of the town to take into consideration the same.

The committee having taken the same under advisement, through their chairman, Moses Little, Esq^r, reported unfavorable, and a vote was taken, thirty-six voting for rejecting the said plan of government, and no one in favor. Another matter of importance, and one which seriously affected the interests of the people, was the currency.

Each succeeding month the currency depreciated, silver became scarcer, and as a resort, thinking that a convention of wise delegates might plan some way, whereby more stability could be given to the same, a convention was called, at Concord on the 22nd of September, 1779, for this purpose; and likewise to regulate the price of such articles as are bought and sold in the state. And Lieut. Enoch Sawyer was duly elected as a delegate to this convention.

Apparently the convention did not give much stability to the sinking currency, neither did it regulate the price of things. Since in regard to the latter, the townspeople thought best to take the matter into their own hands and after the convention at Concord adjourned another special meeting was called, and a committee of nine men elected "to fix the prises of the artickles on what is bought and Sold in Goffes Town." This committee evidently had about the same success as their predecessors in office, as we fail to find that they made any report to their constituency, and the prices of articles bought and sold continued to fluctuate the same as before.

At this time Samuel Blodget presents a petition to the people of Goffstown asking their signatures thereto, which in due time he lays before the General Court of New Hampshire praying for a representation exclusive of any other town. At the next annual meeting of Goffstown and Derryfield, holden for the purpose of electing representative, Robert McGregor was elected, and a committee appointed to give instructions consisted of Alex^dr Gilcrest, Same^l Blodget, Col Moses Kelley.

At each recurring quarterly period we find that the town did not hesitate to make proper provision for the wives, children and widows of those who were in, or had died in the service. The four men called for had been enlisted, and gone to the army. John Brown, James Hendrick, Daniel Richardson, citizens of Goffstown, and Daniel Andres of Wenham, Mass., but counted on Goffstown quota were each paid a bounty of �60.

Preceding this Seth Wyman and Jesse Walker had each been paid a bounty of �30, and the town in the early part of 1779, enlisted John Sessions and Henry Steward.

FORM OF ENLISTMENT

   "We the Subscribers do hereby severally enlist ourselves in the Service of the United States of America, in the Company under the Command of Captain ----- to continue in that Service three years from the Date of our Entrance, unless sooner discharged and each of us do engage to furnish to and carry with us into the Army a good effective Firearm, with a Bayonet fixed thereto, a Cartouch Box, Knapsack and Blanket, and do hereby promise Obedience to the Officers set over us, and to be subject in every Respect to all the Rules and Regulations what are or may be appointed for the Army of the aforesaid States."

In the early spring of 1780 nothing was apparently done for the first two months of the year, but the country was still at war, and the townspeople realized this, and at the March meeting they began to agitate the matter, anticipating a future call for men, and a committee was appointed consisting of Capt. Joshua Martin, Thomas Shirley and Samuel Blodget to see what the town was entitled to on account of the service of the militia. It may be well to remark here, that service had now been reduced to a sort of standard, and a man must serve a certain time in the army in order that he may be counted on the quota of the town. Another committee was also appointed to investigate and ascertain if possible the total expense that the town had been to in raising, equipping men and carrying on the war to the present time, in order that an equitable adjustment of the same might be made upon the poll and estate, resident and non-resident, and Alex^dr Gilcrest, Capt. Sam^el Richards, Robert McGregor were named as said committee.

Another subject of importance, to which the people at this time turned their attention, was the feeding of the soldiers in the field, and the town made a move to ascertain what method should be taken to supply the continental demand of beef for the army, and they decided to receive bids for the supply of beef.

About this time men were needed to serve on the northern frontier, and the town voted twenty-four bushels of merchantable Indian corn to each of the six months men raised, as a town bounty, also to the eleven last men called the three months men, raised for "Cohas" and the westward, twenty bushels of Indian corn to each soldier, all out of the present crop, and in addition sixty dollars to each soldier last mentioned, provided he goes and actually does his proper duty.

Congress was hard pressed for money, their paper currency was about worthless. The towns who furnished soldiers had heretofore clothed, armed, equipped and paid them a bounty; now they are called upon to furnish beef to feed them. Bids were not forthcoming that were satisfactory to the selectmen, a town meeting was called and the town voted "To allow Plummer Hadley six months service in the continental army, for one quarter part of two yoke of oxen that he should furnish the selectmen."

Also the customary aid was furnished to those who were dependent upon soldiers in the army, and widows who had lost their husbands were exempt from taxation. Early in the spring of 1781 the town was again called upon for soldiers and provisions. They were hard pressed. Many men were away in the army, money was nearly worthless, silver was scarce, it was difficult in some cases to even procure the necessities of life. In the midst of these discouragements the town was called upon to furnish ten thousand pounds of beef as their proportion assessed at the last session of the legislature. The town furnished the beef and they voted "to assess the same upon the polls and estate of the inhabitants of the town to be paid in silver money, corn or grain at the market value."

On the 19th of October, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, Va [Pa?]. The people realized that the last important battle of the Revolutionary War had been fought, yet England was not willing to acknowledge the independence of the United States and we were forced to maintain an army.

One of the first requisites of the town this year was to furnish one thousand pounds of beef and Sam^el Kennedy and Henry Blasdell were appointed a committee to furnish the same. This spring the town was called upon to furnish three men for the army, and the town authorized the selectmen to procure the same which they did, and Caleb Eastman, Benjamin Kittredge and Loudon McGregor filled out the quota of the town. This so far as the records disclose is the last assignment of men Goffstown furnished.

A treaty of peace was signed at Paris September 3, 1783, and the United States of America were duly acknowledged by King George as an independent nation.

The army of the United States was disbanded November 3, 1783, except such as were designated to remain. A proclamation was issued October 18, appointing the second Thursday of December, 1783, as a day of national Thanksgiving on account of the restoration of peace in the United States of America.

Most of the soldiers returned to the civil walks of life, and once more mingled in their peaceful avocations. Nearly all of the inhabitants of the town capable of bearing arms took part in this great struggle. One hundred forty-five individuals served in the army, and by different enlistments filled the places of two hundred and twenty-nine men.

They fought in nearly all the engagements from Bunker Hill to Yorkstown, and distinguished themselves by their valor on several battlefields, and endured the hardships and privations of the camp, the march and the hospital.

The following is a list showing name, rank and service of each Revolutionary soldier:

Ahern, Timothy, private; Capt. Samuel Richard's Co., Col. John Stark's Regt.; enlisted Apr. 23, 1775; Bunker Hill; corporal, Capt. Henry Dearborn's Co., Col. Benedict Arnold's detachment; Canada Expedition.

Andrews, Daniel, private; enlisted July 12, 1779, Col. Moses Kelley's Regt., for one year; the defense of Rhode Island; paid a bounty of $60.

Annis, Samuel, age 29; private; Capt. Samuel Richard's Co., Col. John Stark's Regt.; Bunker Hill; enlisted Apr. 23, 1775, Capt. John Parker's Co.; enlisted Aug. 2, 1775; Canada Expedition. See Annis Genealogy.

Barr, Samuel, private; Capt. John Duncan's Co., Lieut.-Col Moses Kelley's Regt.; enlisted July 1, 1777; alarm at Ticonderoga; time in service 5 days; ordered back from Charlestown, N. H. See Barr Genealogy.

Bell, Jonathan, age 20; private; Capt. Samuel Richard's Co., Col. John Stark's Regt.; enlisted Apr. 23, 1775; Bunker Hill; time in service 3 months, 16 days; Capt. James Aiken's Co., Col. Moses Kelley's Regt.; enlisted Aug 7, 1778; expedition to Rhode Island. See Bell Genealogy.

Bell, John, private; Capt. Samuel McCornell's Co., Col. Thomas Stickney's Regt.; enlisted July 19, 1777; Bennington.

Bell, Joshua, private; Capt. William Barrous Co., Colonel Wingate's Regt., Canada Expedition; likewise Capt. Daniel Livermore's Co., Col. Alexander Scammel's Regt.; discharged for disability Apr. 1, 1779; on pension list 1789; physical wreck and idiotic as a result of service. See Revolutionary Rolls, Vol. XVI, page 357.

Brown, John, private; Col. Moses Kelley's Regt.; enlisted July 12, 1779, one year; paid a bounty of 60�.

Black, Edmund, private; Capt. William Boyce's Co., Colonel Reynold's Regt; enlisted Sept. 17, 1781.

Buzwell, John, private; Capt. Jonas Kidder's Co., Col. Moses Nichol's Regt.; enlisted July 5, 1780, 3 months, 20 days; West Point.

Bean, John, private; Capt. Samuel Richard's Co., Col. John Stark's Regt.; enlisted Apr. 23, 1775; 3 months, 16 days; Bunker Hill.

Blodgett, Samuel, captain; 8th Company, 2nd Battalion, Nathan Hale, Col.; enlisted Nov. 7, 1776; Col. Enoch Poor's Regt.; enlisted Feb. 21, 1777; bounty 20�; Ticonderoga. See Blodgett Genealogy.

Blodgett, Caleb, ensign; Capt. Samuel Blodgett's Co., Col. Enoch Poor's Regt.; enlisted May 14, 1777; bounty 20�; lieutenant and quartermaster, Col. George Reid's Regt., 1781.

Blake, Timothy, sergeant; Capt. Samuel Richard's Co., Col. John Stark's Regt.; enlisted Apr. 23, 1775; 3 months, 16 days; Bunker Hill.

Butterfield, Peter, corporal; Capt. Samuel Richard's Co., Col. John Stark's Regt.; enlisted Apr. 23, 1775; 3 months, 16 days; Bunker Hill. See Butterfield Genealogy.

Butterfield, John, sergeant; Capt. James Aiken's Co., Col. Moses Kelley's Regt., enlisted Aug. 7, 1778; 23 days; expedition to Rhode Island. See Butterfield Genealogy.

Bradbury, Jacob, private; Capt. Samuel Richard's Co., Col. John Stark's Regt.; enlisted Apr. 23, 1775; 3 months, 16 days; Bunker Hill.

Clark, Ward, private; 7th Company, Capt. Benjamin Stone, Col. Alexander Scammel's Regt.; enlisted, Mar. 21, 1777; bounty 20�; Ticonderoga.

Carr, Thomas, private; Capt. Samuel Richard's Co., Col. John Stark's Regt.; enlisted Apr. 23, 1775; 3 months, 16 days; Bunker Hill.

Carr, Jesse, lieutenant; Capt. Samuel Richard's Co., Col. John Stark's Regt.; enlisted Apr. 23, 1775; 3 months, 16 days; Bunker Hill. Died June, 1779, while serving in the army at Ticonderoga.

Carr, James, corporal; Capt. Samuel Richard's Co., Col. John Stark's Regt.; enlisted Apr. 23, 1775; 3 months, 16 days; Bunker Hill.

Carr, Benjamin, private; Capt. Samuel Richard's Co., Col. John Stark's Regt.; enlisted Apr. 23, 1775; 3 months, 16 days; Bunker Hill.

Cunningham, Alexander, private; Capt. Jonas Kidder's Co., Col. Moses Nichols' Regt.; enlisted June 5, 1780; 3 months, 19 days; West Point. See Cunningham Genealogy.

Coston, Ebenezer, private; Capt. James Aiken's Co., Col. Moses Kelley's Regt.; enlisted Aug. 7, 1778; 23 days; expedition to Rhode Island.

Dinsmore, John, private; Capt. James Aiken's Co., Col. Moses Kelley's Regt.; enlisted Aug.7, 1778; 23 days; expedition to Rhode Island. See Dinsmore Genealogy.

Dunlap, Samuel, private; Capt. Samuel McConnell's Co., Col. Thomas Stickney's Regt.; enlisted July 19, 1777; 2 months, 8 days; Bennington.

Davis, Joseph, private; Capt. Jonas Kidder's Co., Col. Moses Nichol's Regt.; enlisted July 5, 1780; 3 months, 19 days; West Point.

Davis, Jonathan, private; Capt. Jonas Kidder's Co., Col. Moses Nichol's Regt.; enlisted July 5, 1780; 3 months, 19 days; West Point.

       

ALHN Hillsborough County

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