Militia

By Michael Hill

Militia is a historical fiction set in the revolutionary war era in Marlborough, Massachusetts. The story begins in 1769 in colonial New England, at a time when Patriots and Tories changed from neighbors to enemies. William Mitchell is an orchard farming minuteman who struggles with the rigors of war and maintaining his home life. His story highlights the actual men from the Massachusetts, Militia who responded to the alarm at Lexington. Their fight will take them to Bunker Hill, Saratoga and Monmouth until it finishes at the Battle of Rhode Island. His military exploits parallel the brave men from his community, as seen through the eyes of a young private who advances to the leader of a guerrilla fighting unit. He signed up as a loyal Patriot defending his home and concludes his story as a representative for Massachusetts that is assigned to the ratification of the US Constitution.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 10, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543418651

Michael Hill

Michael Hill is research supervisor at the North Carolina Office of Archives and History. He is editor of the Guide to North Carolina Highway Historical Markers and The Governors of North Carolina.

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Copyright © 2017 by Michael Hill.

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-5434-1866-8

                eBook            978-1-5434-1865-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 05/09/2017

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Contents

Chapter 1: Tories And Patriots

Chapter 2: Spies Among Us

Chapter 3: Forming The Militia

Chapter 4: Lexington Alarm

Chapter 5: Bunker Hill

Chapter 6: Declaration Is Signed

Chapter 7: Battles Of Saratoga

Chapter 8: Confusion At Monmouth

Chapter 9: Regiments Unite

Chapter 10: The Constitution

Chapter 11: Returning Home

Appendix

This book is dedicated to my grandmother

Edna Kimball Hill

For inspiring me to write and filling my youth with wonderful stories of our ancestors.

Special thanks to:

Sue Taylor Nalls and Donna Taylor Hill

For your editing and encouragement in this manuscript.

Also to:

Paul Brodeur, Marlborough Town Historian

For assisting with your insightful research of Marlborough during the revolutionary war era.

Chapter 1

TORIES AND PATRIOTS

1769, Colonial Marlborough Massachusetts

As a colonial soldier, William Mitchell had vowed to defend his home against all enemies, whether British oppressor or Tory neighbor. For several years, the residents of the town of Marlborough anguished the thought of a British occupation, and laid the responsibility to protect the town solely on him and his fellow minuteman who vowed to be ready in a moment’s notice. The men in town lived in a constant state of preparedness knowing that at any time they might be called to fight the British regulars if they approached the town or an uprising from their neighbors. The Tories maintained their loyalty to the dreaded, oppressive and unreasonable King in England while the rest of them were branded as rebels. The mood of the entire town could best be described as a cast iron pot of boiling water about to explode at any moment.

William was a twenty six year old husband, father and orchard farmer who was willing and able to defend what he had earned since finishing his schooling almost fourteen years ago. His wife Doll, was his devoted young wife who supported his efforts and believed he was defending against tyranny. She enjoys each day that she spends caring for their home and two young sons, while sharing his concerns about their loyalist neighbors. They felt that the constant bickering in town was simply a reflection of a growing concern between the Patriots who call Marlborough home, and those who claim the king’s oppressive taxes and unrealistic demands being placed on them is warranted.

After making his daily apple deliveries, William made his way east on the Post Road to his home which is located in the northeast section of Marlborough, in the colony of Massachusetts. His home is only a short distance from the road which has a constant flow of traffic from businessmen traveling through town as well as the route for mail delivery between Boston and York City. Approaching the entrance to his farm always put a smile on his face because he would soon be reunited with his family and for the chance to ride up the path, seeing rows of apple trees on both sides. He owns a twenty-seven acre apple orchard, which were widely known as the best in all of the colony for baking in pies, mixing into cider and for eating one at a time. He could readily recall his mother who would insist on the local apples for her pies and would not accept any substitutes. The orchard was his biggest crop and had afforded him a good standing in the community among other business owners. He was able to supply apples to most of the Marlborough residents and often sell apples as far as Boston for cider production. Marlborough was a town with several taverns and good hard cider had become a staple, however, Boston took it to the next level. The residents of Boston had a great taste for cider, which was great for his business.

He rode past the edge of his apple orchard and into the clearing as he could now see his home. It was a typical colonial style, two story home with a small front porch. To the right of the house was a short walk to a neatly kept barn with stalls for four or so horses as well as other animals and a large loft for hay storage. It also had a small paddock area which abuts the lean-to where he kept the wagon during the winter months, and a good size clearing out back for the animals to graze in the summer months. On clear days, especially in winter, he could see across the orchard from the hay loft window. He could see travelers approaching town by way of the Post Road and those coming up his road toward the home.

His children were playing outside as he rode up to his home and they quickly ran to greet him, forcing him to stop and hug them before reaching the house. He could see that they had been playing outside for quite some time, since they were covered in dirt from head to toe. He immediately dismounted from his horse and greets them with a hug and kiss for each of them. His older is a somewhat shy boy who loves his mother and looks like her too. Although he looks like her side of the family he acts more like his father. The younger son is the very outgoing and social one who enjoys visitors and visits to town. They are both quick to welcome him home and announced to their mother that he has arrived. She comes to the door to welcome him, offering a quick kiss as she explains that dinner is almost ready. Therefore, he doesn’t insist on much of her time, because he can smell her good cooking. He walks to the barn and removes the saddle off Dobbins his mare and fetches her some hay and water before making his way back to the house.

Their home was quite modest with a front room that held a table and chairs with a large fireplace that warms the whole house. The fireplace was made of stone that had several iron hooks for holding his wife’s large cooking pots. The table could sit six people which leaves a few spots for his wife’s family when they visit and a small woven rug to cover the hard wood planks on the floor. His wife has her food preparation area set up to her liking and does not take kindly to anyone messing with her things. Beyond the kitchen area is a sitting room and two bedrooms on the first floor. The stairway in the back leads to other bedrooms upstairs that his two boys will enjoy as they get older. On the wall near the bottom of the stairs hung his prized possession. It is a small hand drawn genealogy tree that outlines the Mitchell family dating back to their coming to the colony in sixteen hundred twenty on the Mayflower boat. It was created by his father who had willed it to him after he passed.

Hello Doll, he said, which was his affectionate term for his wife that he announced as he entered the kitchen. What’s cooking? I am starving.

Stew and biscuits, she replied while continuing to prepare the meal as it simmered over the open fireplace.

Sounds great, he replied as he hung up his hat and walked toward his chair to relax. I just came from Benjamin Sawin’s place and he said the town festival this fall will be renamed the Marlborough Apple Festival, which should mean a greater demand for our Mitchell family apples!

That’s nice William, she responded without much interest in his story and continued to prepare the meal. Would you go call the boys inside to clean up? It’s almost ready to eat.

I sure will, he replied as he realized that the sooner they were ready, the sooner he could eat.

He hollered out to his sons, Boys, come and get cleaned up for dinner. Mom said it’s almost ready.

Already? his younger son answered with disappointment, knowing that he had to finish playing. We just got started.

And tell your brother to come inside as well, he replied as he made his way to the wash basin to clean up for the meal.

Doll had brought the food to the table and began pouring the stew into each of their bowls as she said, Boys, be careful this stew is hot and I don’t want any foolishness at the table or any spills. So tell me William, what are they doing with the festival again?

Still happy with the news he answered her, The town festival this year will be renamed, the Marlborough Apple Festival, which should result in a large demand for our apples this year, or at least I hope so. Benjamin and his father suggested the name change since apples are what we do here in Marlborough.

Did anything happen in town today that should concern us? She said hesitantly and paused for a moment from her dinner preparations.

Mostly just talk, he said, knowing that she was speaking about tensions between families in town who were very vocal about what is happening in Boston. Most residents in town have become consumed with meetings to discuss the ‘Boston situation’ as it had come to be known. The meetings have brought about dissension in the town between William and his friends, and the others who feel an obligation to agree with every new law or tax that comes their way.

I did talk with Timothy Bigelow while getting some blacksmithing done and he gave me an earful about what has been happening in Worcester, he continued while trying to hide some of his concern in front of the boys. He said that two men have recently showed up in town and have been acting quite suspicious. They have been nosing around some of the farms in the area and asking questions about Marlborough as well.

Questions about Marlborough! she blurted out in surprise, What were they asking?

Well, don’t jump to conclusions yet, we are unsure why they were asking, but it was questions about how our residents feel toward the events that are taking place in Boston.

Well aren’t you concerned that they have been asking about our town, she responded with disgust. I’ll bet they are from Boston probably sent here by that… Governor Hutchinson!

I am concerned, but we have to deal with the facts and not act on suspicions, he said hoping to alleviate her immediate concerns. I plan to ask around tomorrow when I am in town to see if this was a fluke or that we should be expecting an alarm. As a soldier, he knew to expect an alarm which would notify them of potential danger. If the alarm was sounded, he was expected to arrive in town within minutes.

The next morning after feeding the animals William loaded the wagon with several bushels of apples to take to market. He rode into town early to get a good start on his daily work and demonstrate his enthusiasm toward his customers. After he finished his route, he was now able to offer some assistance to the Marlborough Apple Festival committee in their planning. The committee consisted of several families who have been involved with the festival in past years, mainly the Sawins, Barnes, Brighams and Howes which have gotten along fairly well. There were also a few other families who forced their way onto the committee that year. These families were the ones that stirred up contention toward town affairs and felt obligated to speak boldly in favor of the new taxes from England, they had become known as the Tories! Most of the town’s citizens agreed that taxes were a part of life, but these families were not business owners and therefore didn’t have to pay most of the new taxes so they didn’t feel their effects.

William stopped in to see his good friend Benjamin Sawin at their family tavern in town. Benjamin had been taking over the operations of the tavern due to his father’s failing health, which stemmed from injuries he received while serving in the French and Indian War. Walking in, he noticed Benjamin, busy as usual, carrying a crate of bottles and organizing the back room of the tavern.

Hi William, be with you in a minute, he said as he continued carrying a crate and set it down in the back room. As he placed the crate down, the sound of clanging bottles could be heard across the room as he proceeded to holler to his sister, Phoebe, come down here and help me unload these crates, father needs them put away tonight. Phoebe gave him her usual response which was to burst out with a big sigh that was typical for a ten year old girl who had other things on her mind and very little interest in work. Benjamin returned to the room and proceeded to ask what brought William to town.

I want to make a trip to Boston to sell some apples, William started, But, the cost is so high for me to do it by myself. I know that you occasionally travel to buy malt and other ingredients from your cousins in Boston, and I was hoping I could tag along and possibly split the travel costs with you.

I guess so, Benjamin replied. We don’t usually have much to bring into the city, we mainly need the space coming home.

Right! William blurted out. If you have the room going into the city, we could load up my apple crates. After making the apple deliveries and we are returning home, you will have space on the wagon for your malt. What do you think?

That might work, he responded. Can you be ready next week? We usually go in on Mondays. Just then they heard a commotion in the street, which drew both of them out front onto the porch. They could see a group of neighbors yelling at each other and seemed to be arguing over something important. They moved a little closer and were able to hear that a Tory family who lived next door to the Sawin home had begun an argument with another family across the street. They heard shouting and name calling, however, they could not make out what had happened since they missed how the argument started. They listened for a few moments trying to understand what had happened. It must have had something to do with the festival since one woman was waving her arms around while screaming and began throwing apples at the other family. After a few minutes and about a half-dozen good apples were destroyed, both families left and ended the argument with saying, You just wait until the next meeting and I tell everyone about this! and a few other derogatory remarks. William looked at Benjamin as he rolled his eyes and they both shook their heads and went back inside.

So tell me, Benjamin, William began, How is it that your family and the Howes, who have competing taverns in the same town can get along, but others in this town, cannot?

Just then Munning, who was Benjamin’s father came in after witnessing the same commotion next door and said, This town, like most of the entire colony, is divided right down the middle. You are either a loyalist to the crown or a rebel. There is no middle ground. And hello to you, William.

Hello Munning, William responded as he watched him move slowly toward the back room. He seemed to be in such pain whenever he walked or had to move very far. He wasn’t much for complaining about his ailments or issues concerning his business. He was a peaceful man who kept his focus on the tavern and town meetings which enabled him to act as a mediator.

March 1770,

It happened while William and Benjamin were on their first trip to Boston in many months. The trips into Boston were a big help to William’s business, enabling him to transport his apple cider into Boston and it helped Benjamin get his malt home from Boston for his ale. Business was good even though the growing season hadn’t started yet for the orchard. Selling apples during the harvest was the most profitable, however, the boys in Boston loved his cider just as much. Benjamin was also able to connect him with his cousin, John Adams, who in turn introduced him to his cousin, Sam Adams, who was well known in Boston and had good connections with the locals. On that particular trip, they were caught up in the middle of the worst shooting he had ever experienced. Being emotionally shaken from the experience they made their way home as soon as they could the next morning.

The church house was warm from the fire place and the crowd that had gathered to discuss the shooting into a crowd of citizens from the royal guardsmen. The meeting was held in the church building on the west end of town and William was asked to address the whole town, relaying what he heard and saw a few nights before, while in Boston. The weather outside was chilly and damp with the mood inside being quite somber. Many of the citizens lifted their heads only momentarily to greet the final few neighbors that entered late; although, no one was overly cheerful. William struggled to keep his attention in the meeting, as his mind pondered what happened less than forty-eight hours ago.

The entire town was seated as he walked up front slowly and turned to face the audience which was wide-eyed and listening intently.

Hello everyone, he began "I have been asked to inform you all of what I witnessed in Boston two evenings ago. Both Benjamin Sawin and I were in town on a business trip and stayed the night because our cargo wasn’t ready in time the first night. We had finished eating and visiting, then were about to go to our rooms when we heard the shots. We were only two streets away as the shooting began! After hearing the shooting, we ran toward the noise to see if we could be of any assistance. We heard shots that we later learned were fired from the soldiers’ muskets which echoed through the streets. Then we heard what seemed to be screams from those who had been injured. As we arrived, the firing had turned into a barrage of shooting from a line of British soldiers into the crowd. One shot after another and the only thing louder than the shots were the screams and a panicking crowd that scrambled and began ducking for cover. After what seemed to be an extended period of musket fire, the shooting had stopped and I saw the bodies lying in the cold snowy streets with people scrambling to help them. As we approached, both Benjamin and I were in shock over what we were seeing, and then I felt as though I couldn’t move or didn’t know what to do. I wanted to help, but I didn’t know how or where to begin. I noticed the blood as it puddled underneath the bodies and the lifeless look on each of their faces