58. A Woman at the War
BY MRS. ABIGAIL ADAMS
(1775)[157]
BRAINTREE, Sept. 14, 1774.
IN consequence of the powder being taken from Charlestown, a
general alarm spread through many towns and was caught pretty soon
here. The report
reached here on Friday, and on Sunday a soldier was
seen lurking about the Common, supposed to be a spy, but most likely
a deserter.
However, intelligence of it was communicated to the other
parishes, and about eight o'clock, Sunday evening, there passed by here
about two hundred men, preceded by a horsecart, and marched down to
the powder house, from whence they took the powder, and carried it
into the other parish and there secreted it.
I opened the window upon their return. They passed without
any noise, not a word among them till they came opposite this house,
when some of them perceiving me, asked me if I wanted any powder. I
replied, No, since it was in so good hands.—The reason they gave for
taking it was, that we had so many Tories here, they dared not trust us
with it.[158]
They had taken Vinton the officer in their train, and upon their
return called upon him to deliver two warrants for summoning juries.
Upon his producing them, they put it to vote whether they should burn
them, and it passed in the affirmative. They then made a circle and
burnt them. They then called a vote whether they should huzza, but, it
being Sunday evening, it passed in the negative.
They called upon Vinton to swear that he would never be
instrumental in carrying into execution any of these new acts. They
were not satisfied with his answers; however, they let him rest a few
days; afterwards, upon his making some foolish speeches, they
assembled to the amount of two or three hundred, and swore vengeance
upon him unless he took a solemn oath. Accordingly, they chose a
committee and sent it with him to Major Miller's to see that he
complied; and they waited his return, which proving satisfactory, they
dispersed.
This town appears as high as you can well imagine, and, if
necessary, would soon be in arms. Not a Tory but hides his head.
The church parson[159] thought
they were coming after him, and ran up garret; they say another jumped
out of his window and hid among the corn, whilst a third crept under
his board fence and told his beads.
I suppose you have had a formidable account of the alarm we had
last Sunday morning. When I rose, about six o'clock, I was told that the
drums had been some time beating, and that three alarm guns were
fired; that Weymouth bell had been ringing.
I immediately sent off an express to know the occasion, and
found the whole town in confusion. Three sloops and one cutter had
come out and dropped anchor just below Great
Hill.[160] It was difficult to tell their
designs; some supposed they were coming to Germantown, others, to
Weymouth. People, women, children, from the iron-works, came
flocking down this way; every woman and child driven off from below
my father's; my father's family flying.
Dr. Tufts is in great distress, as you may well imagine, for my
aunt had her bed thrown into a cart into which she got herself, and
ordered the boy to drive her to Bridgewater, which he did.
The report which they heard was that three hundred had
landed, and were upon their march up into town. The alarm flew like
lightning, and men from all parts came flocking down, till two
thousand were collected. But, it seems, their expedition was to Grape
Island for Levett's hay. There it was impossible
to reach them, for want of boats; but the sight of so many persons, and
the firing at them, prevented their getting more than three tons of hay,
though they had carted much more down to the water.
At last a lighter was mustered, and a sloop from Hingham,
which had six port holes. Our men eagerly jumped on board, and put
off for the island. As soon as the British perceived it, they decamped.
Our people landed upon the island, and in an instant set fire to
the hay, which, with the barn, was soon consumed;—about eighty tons,
it is said. We expect soon to be in continual alarms, till something
decisive takes place.
Our house has been, upon this alarm, in the same scene of
confusion that it was upon the former. Soldiers coming in for a
lodging, for breakfast, for supper, for drink, &c. Sometimes
refugees from Boston, tired and fatigued, seek an asylum for a day, a
night, a week. You can hardly imagine how we live; yet
"To the houseless child of want
Our doors are open still;
And, though our portions are but scant,
We give them with good will."
I wish you were nearer to us; we know not what a day will bring
forth, nor what distress one hour may throw us into. Hitherto I have
been able to maintain a calmness and presence of mind, and hope I
shall, let the exigency of the time be what it will. Adieu, breakfast
calls.
Since I arrived here I have really had a scene quite novel to me.
The brig Defence, from Connecticut, put in here for ballast. The
officers, who are all from thence, and who are intimately acquainted at
Dr. Lothrop's, invited his lady to come on board, and bring with her as
many of her friends as she could collect.
She sent an invitation to our friend, Mrs. Warren, and to us.
The brig lay about a mile and a half from town. The officers sent their
barge, and we went. Every mark of respect and attention which was in
their power, they showed us. She is a fine brig, mounts sixteen guns,
twelve swivels, and carries one hundred and twenty men.
A hundred and seventeen were on board, and no private
family ever appeared under better regulation then the crew. It was as
still as though there had been only half a dozen; not a profane word
among any of them. The captain himself is an exemplary man. Harden
(his name) has been in nine sea engagements; says if he gets a man
who swears, and finds he cannot reform him, he turns him on shore, yet
is free to confess, that it was the sin of his youth.
He has one lieutenant, a very fine fellow, Smelden by name.
We spent a very agreeable afternoon, and drank tea on board. They
showed us their arms, which were sent by Queen Anne, and everything
on board was a curiosity to me. They gave us a mock engagement with
an enemy, and the manner of taking a ship.
The young folks went upon the quarter deck and danced.
Some of their Jacks played very well upon the violin and German flute.
The brig bears the
Continental colors, and was fitted out by the Colony of Connecticut. As
we set off from the brig, they fired their guns in honor to us, a
ceremony I would very readily have dispensed with.
[[157]]
Mrs. Adams, wife of John Adams, later
President of the United States, wrote these three letters to her husband
while he was at the Congress in Philadelphia She lived at Braintree
(now Quincy), near Boston.
[[158]]
The Tories were those who took the British
side.
[[159]]
Episcopal clergyman.
[[160]]
In Boston Harbor.
[[161]]
Mrs. Adams often called herself Portia. She
was thought to be like the wife of Roman Brutus.
