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CHAPTER XIX

CHELMSFORD.[1] -- EARLY PATRIOTS. -- EARLY MEANS OF PROTECTION FROM THE ENEMY. -- OLD GARRISONS. -- THE PATRIOT PREACHER. -- STORY OF HENRY S. PERHAM. -- POSITIVE ACTS OF THE, CHELMSFORD PATRIOTS. -- RELIEF TO BOSTON SUFFERERS, --LEXINGTON ALARM. -- MR. GEORGE SPAULDING TELLS HIS GRANDFATHER'S STORY. -- PATRIOTS TOO MUCH IN HASTE TO STOP FOR PRAYER. -- JOURNAL OF REVEREND EBENEZER BRIDGE

      CHELMSFORD is one of the trio of towns which received the seal of incorporation on May 29, 1655; Concord had preceded them by twenty years, and Woburn by thirteen years. Previous to this date Woburn and Concord were the nearest to this settlement; but subsequently Billerica was the nearest neighbor, and Groton, the other of the three, was not far away. But civilization had pushed its way into this wilderness before the towns were granted a corporate existence. The men who first took action towards a settlement of the tract "ly


[1] This town included Lowell for many years after the Revolution, and the footprints of the early patriots in that now busy city will be traced in this connection.

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ing on the other [west] side of Concord River "were from Concord and Woburn; and their names have been continued in the town through all the years of the history of Chelmsford, and they are honored among the early and later patriots.
      As it was a frontier settlement, it was soon found expedient to take precautions against Indian attacks, although they had lived at peace for a score of years with the Wamesits, or Pawtuckets, who were their near neighbors. But during that general uprising, King Philip's war, the settlers in Chelmsford were not entirely exempt from trouble, yet they suffered much less than many frontier towns. Some years before these hostilities had begun, the Chelmsford men took precautions peculiar to the time. Divine worship was their chief concern, and they naturally adopted measures to prevent being attacked and overcome while assembled at the meeting-house on the Sabbath. The following appears upon the records: --

      25 the 5 moth, 1671. It is ordered by the selectmen For Severall Considerations espetialy for the preseruation of peace, That with in one month after the Date hear of Eury every malle person with in our towne above the Age of fiveteen years shall provid a good Clube of fouer or five foote in lingth with a Knobe in the end, and to bring the same to the metting house ther to leave the Same vntill vntill ocation fore use of it be (found, etc.)

The name of the Rest By

SAMUEL ADAMS,                         Clerke.

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      Other precautions followed, such as the erection of a strong house on an eminence now known as Robins Hill. Several garrisons were built in 1675; and their identity is not entirely obliterated, as we shall see in our circuit of the town in quest of the footprints of Chelmsford patriots.
      This town had been making a noteworthy record for one hundred and twenty years before the Revolution burst upon the Colonies. During the greater portion of this time the people had been in more or less military service, and were not unprepared for the struggle for independence. New people had joined the first settlers; and their descendants, with those of the pioneers, had been wisely guided by devout pastors, three of whom had done their work and been laid to rest, and a fourth, Rev. Ebenezer Bridge, was settled as the pastor in 1741. These clergymen had been closely identified with the military interests of the town, according to the custom throughout the Colonies. The fourth minister's journal bears witness to his faithfulness in this direction; and his Artillery Election Sermon of June 1, 1752, is largely devoted to showing the consistency of military life with the profession and practice of Christianity.
      Rev. Mr. Bridge had been in service in the town thirty-four years when he was called upon to take a stand with the king or against him. This must have occasioned many a severe struggle in his honest breast; for he was intimately associated

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with the government officials, and enjoyed their society in Boston as well as at his own hearthstone. His love for the king may be inferred from the following entry: --

      Dec. 31, 1760. Heard with certainty of the death of King George the 2nd and of the accession of George the 3rd. The king was proclaimed at Boston yesterday, sermon and procession, etc., to-morrow.
      January 4, 1761. Preached sermon on the death of King George 2nd, and the accession of George 3rd to the British throne.

      Every act of the Chelmsford minister evinced his patriotism and proves his social standing. He notes under date of

      June 24, 1763. Dined at Col. Stoddard's with his Excellency, the Governor, and Hon. Mr. Bowdoin and others and their ladies.

      He records: --

      May 15, 1765. Dined at Capt. Barrons with Col. Phipps, Mr. Lechmere, Major Vassal, and their ladies, upon invitation, supped at Col. Stoddard's. with Secretary Oliver and lady. They lodged at my house by reason of Col. Stoddard having plastered his chamber.

      With what awe the common people must have viewed these scenes, when the gilded coaches arrived from Boston and Cambridge, and rolled up to the Colonel's door, and from them alighted the officials of the king, in rich and brilliant cos-

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tumes, together with their puffed and powdered ladies!
      In April, 1771, he notes: --

      Fast Day. Lieut. Governor Oliver attended service with us.

and in the same year he records a visit to Dr. Ellis and Governor Hutchinson, the latter of whom received him "very graciously."
      Had we no other evidence than the parson's own diary, we should be convinced that he at first was inclined to favor the existing institutions, and adhere to the Crown. This appears in his entry at the time of the riotous opposition excited by the passage of the Stamp Act. No doubt his indignation was strengthened by the severe treatment of his personal friend Oliver. His entry on August 30, 1765, is --

      Every day we hear ye news from Boston of ye mobish doings there in which first insurrection they hanged Secretary Oliver in effigy, and then burned him; burned the Stamp Office, etc., rifled his dwelling. . . . All this is owing to ye Stamp Act.

      September 1, 1766, the pastor makes record of a town meeting, in which it was voted that the damage to the sufferers in the late insurrection on account of the Stamp Act should not by their consent be paid by the Province.
      The sympathies of the Chelmsford minister being with Francis Bernard, the governor, he was

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invited to preach the election sermon, and did so on May 27, 1767. The country parson, doubtless flattered by the honor, expressed himself strongly in his attachment to the mother country, and was duly complimented by the friends of the government who sat at meat with the officials. Entertainment at the Province House at this time must have been an agreeable change from the Parson's burdens in his parish, where he found it difficult to live within his limited salary. He was not unused to seeing negro slaves in his parish, but not such a retinue of both sexes as waited and tended in the governor's family.
      The Chelmsford minister makes a record of having

      Visited Col. Stoddard & discoursed with his mulatto servant, Hagar, who seemed to feign herself ill.

      He frequently recorded baptisms of negro infants, and funeral services over some of the race then family slaves.
      What influences may have been brought to bear to convince the Chelmsford minister of his duty as a patriot when the king proved unfaithful to his subjects may not be known; but his journal shows him to have been intimately associated with the patriot preachers, Revs. Daniel Emerson of Hollis, N.H., Joseph Emerson of Pepperell, and William Emerson of Concord, Mass. He was also associated with Rev. Jonas Clark of Lexing-

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ton, and other ministers of the same standing. It is sufficient that Rev. Mr. Bridge, after the publication of the Hutchinson letters in this country, became an ardent supporter of the liberties of the Colonies.[1]
      Says Mr. Perham, the town historian, "The position of the people of the town in respect to the grievances under which the Colonies suffered was in the highest degree creditable to them. While they firmly adhered to their rights as Englishmen, there is not the remotest suggestion of a desire to sever their connection with the existing government."

      They did not hesitate to instruct their representative, Colonel Stoddard, after the passing of the Stamp Act, --

      "This being a time when, by reason of several acts of parliament, not only in this province, but all the English Colonies of this Continent, are thrown into the utmost confusion and perplexity; the stamp act as we apprehend not only lays an unconstitutional, but also an insupportable, tax upon us,


[1] In 1772 a number of Hutchinson's letters written to the British Cabinet were found. They revealed the fact that he was urging them to enforce their plans against the liberties of the American Colonies. The General Court, upon knowledge of this, voted to impeach him, and requested his Majesty to remove the governor from office. Hutchinson, when informed of this, dissolved the assembly, and at length became so obnoxious that he was superseded by Governor Gage, whose name is familiar to every patriot. Hutchinson died in England in 1780.

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and deprives us, as we humbly conceive, of those rights and privileges to which we are entitled as free born subjects of Great Britain by the royal charter; wherefore we think it our duty and interest at this critical conjuncture of our public affairs, to direct you, sir, our representative, to be so far from countenancing the execution of the aforesaid stamp act, that you use your best endeavors that such measures may be taken and such remonstrances made to the King and Parliament, as may obtain a speedy repeal of the aforesaid act, and a removal of the burden upon trade."

      Says Mr. Perham, "Our people continued to thus firmly adhere to their principles, and on January 22, 1773, instructed their representative, Mr. Simeon Spaulding, at some length."

      "Sir, as the present aspect of the times is dark and difficult, we do not doubt but you will cheerfully know the sentiments and receive the assistance of those you represent. The matters that may now come under your cognizance are of great importance. The highest wisdom, therefore, prudence and decision, are evidently necessary. We would earnestly caution you by no means to consent to any rash, passionate plan of action, which will not only sully the dignity, but finally prove the utter destruction of the cause we pretend to support. We hope those little animosities that involve persons, not things, may be utterly banished, and that every determination will be found in the nature of a free state, and that therefore every annexed [blank space] to each part may be religiously preserved.
      "Of course, you will be careful not to trample on majesty, while you are firmly but deacently pleading the liberties of the subject. In fine, we wish you that wisdom which is from above, and we pray you that your conduct in this important crisis may be such as the coolest reflection will ever justify."

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      The act for closing the port of Boston brought out the people; and in a town meeting on May 30, 1774, they again put themselves on record against the act, and in sympathy with the people of Boston. They chose a Committee of Correspondence, --Jonathan William Austin, who had come from the office of John Adams in Boston, and settled as a lawyer in town; Captain Oliver Barron; Mr. Samuel Perham, who was tilling the acres now cultivated by his great-grandson; David Spaulding; Benjamin Walker; Deacon Aaron Chamberlin; Captain Moses Parker; Samuel Stevens, Jr.; and Simeon Spaulding.
      They concluded their action of that May day by declaring, "In freedom we're born, and in freedom we'll die." Each onward step was carefully taken by the Chelmsford patriots, and there were no halting or backward movements. In September, 1774, they sent Simeon Spaulding to represent them at Salem, while Mr. Austin and Samuel Perham were made delegates to the first Provincial meeting at Concord. They had their Committee of Inspection to prevent the purchase and sale of goods imported from Great Britain; and they also voted to equip the Alarm List with implements of war, and to raise and discipline fifty minute-men.
      While their hearts and hands were full at home, they did not forget the suffering people in the blockaded port. The following letter affords unmistakable evidence of this fact: --

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BOSTON, Octo. 3d, 1774.

      Sir, -- To commiserate the Afflicted, to sympathize with the oppressed Sufferers, to reach out the bountious hand for the Comfort, Relief & Support of the Distressed, are sacrifices well-pleasing and acceptable to God thro Christ our Savior.
      Our Worthy Friends and Brethren of Chelmsford have in this way done honour to the Gospel of our divine Redeemer and by so doing have greatly honour'd themselves. We have an evidence hereof in the very kind Donation of Forty Bushels of Rye from the patriotic Inhabitants of that Town: it has been received and housed at the Granary and shall be disposed of agreeable to the benevolent Intent of the generous Donors.
      It affords us great satisfaction to find that the Conduct of this much abused Town meets with their approbation; we greatly value it; and trust that by the same gracious directing and supporting hand. Hand, which hath brought us hitherto, we shall not be left to do anything which may incur a forfeiture of that Affection and esteem. How can ye help us at such a time as this more effectually than by carrying our Cause daily to the God of all Grace and imploring his Mercy and Favour for Us. They are inclusive of all Good.
      Your Invitation to make your Houses our Homes is very engaging should we at length be forced out of these once peaceful Habitations, we think ourselves very happy that we are like to be so well provided for; but should we be obliged even to remove off fifteen times the distance of Chelmsford, yet the Consciousness of a Cordial Attachment to the invaluable civil and religious Liberties of our Country, which we believe to be the Cause of truth and Righteousness, would yield us content and Satisfaction far superior to that which those can experience who are ungratefully seeking to "build their greatness on the Country's Ruin." With grateful Acknowledgements, I am, Sir,

Your truly obliged Friend, & Servt.,

DAVID JEFFRIES,                   Per Order of the Committee of Donations.

      MR. JONATHAN WILLIAM AUSTIN.

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      In addition to this donation of the autumn of 1774, together with the offer of their homes to any who desired to move to the town, this patriotic people gathered a flock of sheep from the various farms, and sent them during the winter of 1774-5 to the relief of the sufferers who remained in Boston. In my journey about this town I met several people, who, at the same hearth-stones where they gather their families, have heard their grandparents tell of making their contributions from their flocks to the sufferers.
      Mr. Simeon Spaulding was the town's agent for delivering contributions. He was a yeoman of prominence and influence, living on a portion of the ancestral homestead. He never shrank from duty, and was ever ready for patriotic service. Besides representing the town in various legislatures and congresses, he was the colonel of a regiment commissioned February 14, 1776. He was succeeded on the farm by his son, Deacon Noah Spaulding, whose daughter, Julia Ann, married John C. Dalton. Their son, Charles H. Dalton of Boston, while at the old home, rescued many valuable papers from a destructive hand, among them the letter already quoted. Through the courtesy of. Mr. Dalton I am enabled to give these facts to my readers.
      Weekly drillings and ordinary cares so absorbed the farmers of this town that the early spring of 1775 was upon them before they hardly realized

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it. They not only kept an eye out to their country's interest, but plied themselves with all diligence to the welfare of their families, and the distressed from Boston who had accepted their invitations. The musket, well scoured, stood at the bedside, or hung over the fireplace, and the well-filled cartridge-box had a convenient place near by. A bountiful wood-pile had been prepared at the door. The sheep and cows, "well wintered," were cropping the early sprouts, and the plough was turning the fresh soil.
      Suddenly an alarm was heard. A familiar voice shouted, "The Regulars are coming!" In a moment the scene changed. The husband, father, and son, with a few hasty farewells, are gone; the munitions of war are not to be seen in the home; the plough is still in the furrow; and the wife, mother, and daughter, more than double their burden in assuming the care of the farm.
      "From these farms came more than a hundred resolute, determined men. Theirs were not acts of men eager for war, nor did they display the caution of timidity. Their language was not the language of men eager to achieve glory by deeds of arms; but the time for words had passed, the time for action had come."
      Mr. George Spaulding said, in repeating his grandfather's story, "We rallied at the alarm-post, a bowlder agreed upon by previous arrangement, and made hasty preparations for our march.

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Parson Bridge was on hand, and wanted us to go into the meeting-house and have prayers before we left town; but some were on horseback, and some on foot, and all more or less anxious to get started. In fact, Sergeant [later Captain] Ford, who came from East Chelmsford [now Lowell] in charge of a squad, replied to the good parson, that he had more urgent business on hand, and hastened on with his men. There was but little military order observed by us. We went off in squads as soon as convenient. One company of sixty-one men was under the command of Captain Oliver Barron, and the other of forty-three men was under the command of Colonel Moses Parker. We reached Concord in time to have a part in the pursuit of the retreating redcoats. We had our first shot at them at Merriam's Corner, and more at Hardy's Hill. Captain Ford, who was at this time sergeant in Captain Barron's company, was prominent on the Hill. He was an old fighter of the French and Indians, and knew how to handle his musket to an advantage. He claimed to have caused the death of five of the enemy on Lincoln soil. [See "Beneath Old Roof Trees."] We continued in the pursuit, determined on redressing our wrongs. Captain Oliver Barron and Deacon Aaron Chamberlin were wounded that day."
      Doubtless my young patriot readers are anxious to know the attitude of Rev. Mr. Bridge as revealed in his own journal. A few entries are

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introduced to show the pastor's course of proceeding when patriotism was evinced by adhering to the king: --

      1755, Sept. 15. A general muster of companies through the Provinces to raise men to reinforce army at Crown Point. Spent evening at Parker's with officers, & this day the news came of the engagement between Gen. Johnson's army & the French & Indians, in which Johnson's army came off conquerors, having taken the French General, & killed 700 officers & men, & taken and wounded many. The battle was on the 8 Sept. instant -- a signal mercy. Though at the same time we are called to mourn the loss of divers brave officers and soldiers to the number of about 120 or 130.
      Sept. 25. Visited the wife of Jona. Barron, as I did yesterday towards night, upon a flying report of her husband being killed in the battle agt. the enemy on the way to Crown Point.
      26. Visited Mrs. Barron this morning upon the acct. of her hearing more news of her husband being killed, & discoursed with her. Prayed at Parker's with a company going off to Crown Point, Captain Butterfield of Dunstable.
      27. Visited Widow Parker upon a flying report of her son being killed in the fight under Gen. Johnson, so upon the same acct. visited wife of Jacob Parker.
      30. Visited Mrs. Barron, who this day is certified of the death of her husband in the late battle with our enemies in the way toward Crown Point, by an extract of a letter of Maj. Nichols (to his wife), who also was wounded in the same engagement. I discoursed with her again, & endeavored to comfort her.

      Lieutenant Barron was in the successful siege of Quebec, and upon his return presented his minister with a silver cup, a trophy brought from

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there; but he lost his life in the campaign against Crown Point in 1755. Two other Chelmsford soldiers perished at the same time, viz., Jacob Parker and James Emery.
      In the following year came the unsuccessful campaign against the same place, when four men of Chelmsford lost their lives, viz., Nathaniel Butterfield, Simeon Corey, James Dutton, and Isaac Parker. Clergymen were required to be furnished with military equipments. The Chelmsford pastor makes record on July 8, 1757, of a call from Colonel Stoddard, who asked him if he was furnished with arms and ammunition according to law.
      Through all these sorrows we find the pastor having a personal interest in the sufferers, and in the general results. In 1758, Rev. Mr. Bridge records: --

      Spent the evening at Parker's, whose company met to appoint Bayonet men under the new law.

      He also gives an account of Benjamin Byham and others going to the war. It seems that it was customary for troops passing through a town to halt for prayers, etc. Mr. Bridge has recorded:
      Prayed with troops which came from Newbury, Rowley, &c., on their way to the Forts; also at Lieut. Proctor's with the same.

      The rejoicing at the completion of the French war is seen in the following: --

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      Col. Stoddard's whole house was illuminated on account of the taking of Quebec. 16 Oct., 1759, was the day appointed by the government to be observed.
      25th Oct., 1759. Thanksgiving on acct. of the reduction of Quebec. Preached from Psalm 98-1. At night Col. Stoddard and others visited me; also brother John from Boston, who fired us a half doz. Sky Rockets.
      August, 1760. Visited Lieut. Jona. Spaulding and Ensign Jona. Harwood, each of them lately bereaved of a son in the army at Crown Point.

      This faithful pastor's journal is evidence of his service on occasions more cheerful, such as "raisings," "huskings," and the like, in his own parish, also "barbecues," "ordinations," etc., in other towns. While weeping with his sorrowing neighbors, he is called to marry a couple, and receives as his fee, "a guinea & a pair of kid gloves for self & wife."
      After the King Street massacre of 1770, Reverend Mr. Bridge wrote: --

      Bad news this day or two from Boston, the soldiers having killed four persons and wounded others.

      Under date of April 19, 1775, he wrote: --

      The Civil war was begun at Concord this morning! Lord direct all things for his glory, the good of his church and people, and preservation of the British Colonies, and to the shame and confusion of our oppressors.
      April 20. In a terrible state, by reason of ye news from our army. The onset of ye British was begun at Lexington, was carried on at Concord, where some were killed on both

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sides. They ingloriously retreated soon and were followed by our men down to Cambridge, before night. Five captives were carried through this town for Amherst. A constant marching of soldiers from ye towns above toward ye army as there were yesterday from this town and the neighboring towns. We are now involved in a war which Lord only knows what will be the issue of, but I will hope in His mercy, and wait to see His salvation.
      April 21. I sent provisions to the army as did many more. 'Tis a very distressing day, soldiers passing all day and all night.

      Sergeant Ford, upon returning from service in response to the Lexington alarm, proceeded immediately to raise a company. His patriotic zeal inspired others; and in ten days he was joined by fifty-seven men, and on May 19 he received his commission as captain.
      The part taken by the Chelmsford soldiers in the battle of Bunker Hill was most creditable. The companies belonged to the Twenty-seventh Regiment, of which their former townsman, Ebenezer Bridge, was colonel. John Ford, captain of one of the companies, distinguished himself in this connection.
      "He volunteered to carry from Cambridge to Bunker Hill a message from General Ward. To do this he must pass over Charlestown Neck in the range of British guns, at the imminent peril of his life. He had orders from General Ward to dismount from his horse at the Neck and cross on foot, in order to escape observation. But he ran

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the risk, and passed and repassed on horseback. While at Bunker Hill he warned General Prescott that from the movements of the enemy it was evident that they were preparing to attack the Americans upon the hill, and urged the necessity of immediately casting up breastworks and redoubts.
      "When the preparation for the battle began, the gallant captain, who had no taste for inactivity, obtained permission from General Ward at Cambridge to withdraw his company privately, and march directly to the scene of action to re-enforce the troops. They marched across Charlestown Neck, which was being raked by cannon from the British ships, and proceeded down Bunker Hill, where they were met by General Putnam, who ordered Captain Ford, with his company, to draw into the line the cannon which had been deserted by General Callender, and left at the foot of the hill after the first attack. The captain at first remonstrated on the ground that his company were ignorant of the management of artillery, many having never seen a cannon before; but finally obeyed, and moved with the cannon and the general himself to the rail fence, which they reached just before the battle began.
      Captain Knowlton with Connecticut troops, and Colonel Stark with New Hampshire troops, were also stationed at this part of the defence. The right wing of the British army, under Gen-

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eral Howe, was directed against this point for the purpose of turning the American flank, and cutting off a retreat from the redoubt. As the enemy advanced to the attack, the artillery, manned by a portion of Captain Ford's company, opened upon them with great effect, some of the shots being directed by General Putnam himself. The muskets were ordered to reserve their fire till the enemy were within eight rods."
      An old grave-stone in the burying-ground at Chelmsford tells how a soldier from that town disobeyed orders.

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
MR. JOSEPH SPAULDING,
WHO DIED JULY 31, 1820, AEt. 64.
IN HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE WHICH GOD WHO CANNOT LIE HATH
PROMISED TO BELIEVERS IN CHRIST.

He was among the brave asserters and defenders of the liberties of his
country at Bunker Hill, where he opened the battle by firing
upon the enemy before orders were given & after enjoy-
ing for many years the blessings of civil &
religious liberty in common with others

He sank to rest With all his country's honors blest.

      The Chelmsford men were among those who used their fowling-pieces with deadly effect; and the enemy were obliged to retreat for a time, "leaving on the ground," as General Stark related, "where but the day before the mowers had swung the scythe in peace, the dead, as thick as sheep in a fold." During the entire engagement, Cap-

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tain Ford and his men bore an honorable part. Thirteen of the company were wounded. Ten Chelmsford men were in Captain Benjamin Walker's company, and did good service. Captain Walker was wounded, taken prisoner, and died of his wounds in a jail in Boston. Lieutenant-Colonel Moses Parker met a similar fate.[1]
      The first report of this battle was received in Chelmsford by way of Billerica on the evening of the 17th. The alarm-guns were fired, great excitement prevailed, and before morning some of the wounded returned to their distressed families. Under that date, Rev. Mr. Bridge writes: --

      "A terrible time this in relation to our army, in battle with our oppressors at Charlestown. The whole town on fire. The armies engaged on Bunker's Hill. At night we saw a fire from Chelmsford."
      On the following day the parson writes: --

      The armies at Charlestown still engaged, and news flying with respect to the slain and wounded. This is a day big with distress and trouble. Our enemies are those who were our brethren of the same nation, and subjects of the same king, and all for the sake of a wicked and corrupt ministry, a deluded, a devilish, a venal parliament."


[1] "During the evening and night after the battle, the air trembled with the groans of the wounded, as they were borne over the Charles, and through the streets of Boston to hospitals, where they were to waste away from the summer heat, and the scarcity of proper food." --BANCROFT.

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      Rev. Mr. Bridge's journal furnishes us with glimpses of later service of Chelmsford soldiers, and of his own patriotic acts.

[Photo- "Chelmsford Monument (Revolutionary)"]

      June 30, 1776. Read a resolve of the General Court relative to raising men to go to Canada, and notified the people to appear with arms, etc.
      July 2. The town again in confusion. Companies met to draw out men for Canada.
      July 5. More hurry about raising soldiers. Col. Cummings appointed General but resigned.
      July 22. Two of the British officers, prisoners at Duns-

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table, visited me. (They may have expected sympathy from the parson, formerly known to be a loyalist.)
      July 23. Capt. Ford and his company marched off in order to join our northern army. At his desire I went to the meeting-house previous to their marching, sang the 18 Psalm, and prayed with them and gave them a word of exhortation. Part of two other companies of soldiers on their march from the lower towns came into town towards night and lodged in town.
      Capt. Ford was again out with his company to re-enforce the northern army in Sept. of 1777, and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne and the northern army in the following month.
      July 25. Much company and much confusion by reason of the soldiers passing through.
      July 26. Early in the morning I prayed in the meeting-house with Capts. Fay and Bancroft of Woburn and Reading and their respective companies upon their march to join the northern army.
      Sept. 1. Read the Declaration of Independence of the U. States of America in public congregation agreeable to the order of the council of this State, and when I had done added 'Zion heard and was glad, and the daughter of Judah rejoiced because of the judgment of the Lord.'
      Sept. 8. Was sent for and went to Parker, Bills, or Wm. Parkers, his child sick, he in the war, prayed with them.
      Sept. 19. Visited David Spaulding upon his receiving the news of his son David in the army at Ticonderoga -- he dies of small pox.
      Sept. 24. Visited Willard Byam ill at his fathers. Jonas Dutton ill at his mothers, both came home from the army, prayed with each family.
      In the morning went to the meeting-house and prayed with a company of soldiers going off toward New York. They are to go under command of Zach. Wright of Westford.

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Opposite the burying-ground, and on an attractive common, stands a unique granite monument on which is read: --

IN HONOR OF THE TOWNSMEN OF CHELMSFORD WHO SERVED
THEIR COUNTRY IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION, THIS
MONUMENT IS ERECTED BY A GRATEFUL POSTERITY.

ERECTED 1859.
Let the children guard what the sires have won.
JOHN BATES, Died in Army at Cambridge
DAVID SPALDING, JR., Died in Army at Ticonderoga;
PELATIAH ADAMS, killed at Cherry Valley;
NOAH FOSTER, shot at capture of Burgoyne;
HENRY FLETCHER, killed at White Plains;
LT. COL. MOSES PARKER and CAPT. BENJ. WALKER,
Wounded at Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775.
Died Prisoners in Boston, July 4, and Aug. 1, '75;
LT. ROBERT SPALDING, Died at Milford, Ct., '76.

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