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Moses Brown was born in Waltham, Massachusetts in 1748 and graduated
from Harvard College in 1768 with a degree in Law. He moved to Beverly
in 1772 after marrying into the town’s Thorndike family, and
joined the Thorndike merchant operations. In July 11, 1775, at the
age of 27, he was appointed captain of a 42-man company of coast watch
militia, enlisted until the end of the year. In the fall of 1775,
Brown’s company constructed fortifications on Woodberry’s
Point (now Lynch Park) and Paul’s Point (now Hospital Point)
in Beverly.
In December 31, 1775, Colonel John Glover’s 21st Massachusetts
Provincial Regiment was disbanded at Cambridge Camp, and on January
1, 1776, Glover was given recruiting orders to form the 14th Continental
Regiment, to serve for one year in the Continental Army. During the
first two weeks of January, Col. Glover supervised the building of
barracks on Fish Flake Hill in Beverly, where his new regiment could
serve as guards for General Washington’s schooner fleet and
their captured prize vessels. On January 14th, Glover began calling
for recruits, and on that day, Moses Brown was given a captain’s
commission. Several of the men from Brown’s coast watch company
enlisted with him, as well as a number of other Beverly men.
In February, Brown’s company constructed an entrenchment and
platform at Tuck’s Point. This “sand-bank battery”
was laid out with four embrasures for cannons, though only two were
available for mounting at the time. |
Brown’s company left Beverly with the rest of the 14th
Continental on July 19, 1776, when the regiment marched south to join
the Continental Army around New York, ultimately serving in the Battles
of Long Island, White Plains, and Trenton (Brown’s men were
some of the famous troops rowing Washington across the Delaware).
This orderly book, now in the collection of the Beverly Historical
Society, contains entries from January 15 through May 11, 1776, and
the roll of non-commissioned officers and privates was actively updated
through July 16. The book itself is 6.5” by 8” and is
sewn together with three hemp threads. Two different handwritings
appear in the book. The first, writing entries from January 15 through
March 10, is a neat and even hand, with excellent spelling and grammar.
It is quite possible that this is the hand of Moses Brown himself.
From March 12 onward, a less “educated” hand writes the
entries. Spelling becomes more phonetic, and the writing is more uneven.
This perhaps was the result of the appointment of a company orderly.
After leaving the army with the rest of the 14th Regiment in December
of 1776, Captain Brown returned to Beverly and resumed a life of business.
His privateering and mercantile partnership with brother-in-law Israel
Throndike was lucrative, and Brown was able to retire in 1800 at the
age of 52. He died in June of 1820. |
THE ORDERLY
BOOK
Capt Brown’s
14th Regt
[written on the cover]
Camp at Beverly Jany 15, 1776
Regimental Order
It is the Colls Orders that no Commissiond Officer or Soldier leave the
Camp under any pretence whatever, without leave first had from the Captain
or commanding Officer of the Company to which he belongs, and this to
extend for longer time than six hours, and when the Circumstances of any
Non-Commissiond Officer or Soldier is such as it is necessary to indulge
him or them with a furlough; they are to apply to the Commanding Officer
of the Company to which they belong, who will return his or their Names
to the Coll. Or Commanding Officer of the Regt. And no Comding Officer
of any Company will return the Names of any of his Men for a furlough
until those absent are returned; at which time they are to return the
furlough they went out upon to the Commanding Officer, who will take care
to keep them on file that every Man will have an Opportunity of going
home in turns; and if it appears by the furlough so returned that the
Person has abused the Lenity of his Officer by staying over the Time given
him in said Furlough, without giving Reasons to the Satisfaction of the
Commanding Officer of the Company to which he belongs, the Person so offending
shall be confined to the Main Guard until further Orders. And it’s
expected that all Commissiond, Non-Commisd Officers & Soldiers pay
due attention to this Order.
It’s further ordered that the Regt be paraded hours of Nine oClock
in the Morning and at 4 oClock in the afternoon, at which time the Roles
will be called and if any Soldiers are absent without giving Reasons to
the satisfaction of his Commanding Officer; he or they so offending shall
be delt with agreeable to the Rules & Regulations of the Continental
Army, and punished accordingly. And it’s expected that every Commissiond
& Non- Commissiond Officer be upon the parade at the time before mentioned,
and whereas there is no Sergeant-Major yet appointed, the Officer who
is to mount Guard will take care and see that the Men who is to be under
his Command be warned the day before, that that Guards may be punctually
relieved at ten oClock before noon; the Main Guard to consist of one Subaltern
Officer, two Sergeants, two Corporals & twenty Rank & file, to
be disposed of as follows; viz. One Sergeant, one Corporal, six Rank and
file at the outer Fort at Woodbury’s Point, one Sergeant four Rank
& file on board the Ship at the head of Capt Bartletts Wharf, who
is to guard sd Ship. The Main Guard is to be kept at Tuck’s house
where the Officer commanding will remain (with one Corporal & ten
Rank & File) who is to see that a Centry is kept at the watchbox there
provided for that purpose, who is to challenge & hail all Boats or
Vessels coming in or going out of this harbour, and if it appears that
the Boats or Vessels so hailed were coming from or going to the Man of
War now at Anchor before this harbour, he is to order her to bring too
& come on Shore; and should any Boat or Vessel so hailed refuse to
answer or come on shore after haling three times, the Centry is to fire
a Gun over her, if she persists he will fire a second Gun before her fore
foot; if she does not then bring too, he will then endeavour to fire into
her & alarm the main Guard, the Officer of which will immediately
send an Express to the Commanding Officer of the Regt. The same orders
are to be given to the Sergeant commanding the Outer post.
It is requested that the commanding Officer of each Company see that the
foregoing Orders be coppied into their respective Orderly Books, and that
no Non-Commissd Officer or Soldier may plead Ignorance, these Orders to
be read at the head of the Regt for Eight Days successively.
The man-of-war mentioned as being at the mouth of the harbor was the
Royal Navy’s HMS Lively on blockade duty. Woodberry’s Point,
the location of the Outer Fort, a small entrenchment mounting two field
cannons, is now known as Lynch Park. Bartlett’s Wharf was located
where the eastern building of the Tuck’s Point condominiums now
stands.
Bartlett’s Wharf was the property of Beverly merchant Captain William
Bartlett, General Washington’s prize agent for the port. As agent,
it was Bartlett’s duty to record and store all captured ships and
cargoes, then auction any non-military cargo, the money going to the treasury
of the Continental Congress. Bartlett soon discovered that the goods belonging
to the captured vessels in the harbor were in far more danger from thieves
within Glover’s Regiment than they ever were from the British. To
stem the thefts, Bartlett tied one of the larger ships to the end of his
wharf and loaded it with all the captured material. Colonel Glover ordered
a daily guard at Bartlett’s wharf, but even that did not completely
eliminate the thefts. In a letter from Cambridge headquarters to Col.
Glover and Capt. Bartlett, General Washington expressed his dismay at
the regiment’s misbehavior.
Camp at Beverly Jany 18, 1776
Regimental Orders
It is hereby Ordered and directed that the Captains make a return of the
Number of Men in each of their respective Companies, also the recruiting
Officers, the Number inlisted by them, on Friday Morning 10 oClock, that
the strength of the Regt may be known and a return made to Head Quarters
the day following. This to be a standing Order until otherwise Ordered.
Head Quarters Beverly Jany 20, 1776
At a Court of Enquiry held at Coll. Johonnott’s Head Quarters, by
Order of Coll. Glover of the 14th Regt. To enquire into the Complaint
of Benj Beckford Sail-Maker exhibited against Benj Mumford & Moses
Bennett Soldiers in the 14th Regt for Theft & Abusive Language.
Capt. Wm Courtis President
Capt. Thos Grant
Lieut. Gibbs
Lieut. Williams
Lieut Graves Members
The Court then proceeded to examination and found the complaint to be
groundless with regard to the charge and it is the unanimous Opinion of
the Court the above Prisoners be dismissd from their Confinement. The
Commanding Officer of the Regt approves the sentence & orders the
Prisoners to be released immediately. Wm Courtiss, President, John Glover,
Coll.
Benjamin Beckford sold his Beverly wharf and warehouse to John Glover
in 1774, and leased back the top floor of the warehouse as a sail loft.
Beckford made and repaired sails for each of Washington’s armed
schooners sailing from Beverly. Benjamin Mumford and Moses Bennett were
both from Marblehead. Mumford was charged with another crime three days
later (see the next book entry), and ordered to be court-martialed. There
is no reference to this court-martial ever being held, so it might be
assumed that Mumford was allowed to “resign” the service prior
to trial. It is likely that the 14th Regiment was well rid of him.
The “Lieut Graves” listed as a member of the court was William
Graves of Beverly, Brown’s former lieutenant in the 1775 coast watch
company, and commissioned as lieutenant in Brown’s company of the
14th Regiment.
Camp at Beverly Jany 23, 1776
Regimental Orders
That a Court of Enquiry be held at Capt Brown’s tomorrow 10 oClock
before Noon to examine into a complaint of Mr. Hemps against Benj Mumford
Soldier in the 14th Regt for stealing his Pocket-Book with Money and other
valuable Papers.
Capt. Courtis President
Capt. Grant
Lieut. Archibald
Lieut. Orne
Lieut. Stacey members
The Court upon mature Consideration of the Evidence are Unanimously of
Opinion that said Mumford be brought before a Court Martial. Wm. Courtis
President
The Commanding Officer approves the judgment of the Court of Enquiry &
Orders the Prisoner to be confind for to stand Tryal. John Glover Coll.
Head Quarters Beverly Jany 25, 1776
It is Coll’s Orders that the Captains see that the Soldiers under
their Command be disciplined twice a day at least, and that they keep
their Arms clean and fit for Use, also to divide them into Messes of Six
Men each, and to visit their Barracks three times a week & order them
to be swept clean, and that the Soldiers keep themselves Neat & Clean,
shave once a Week at least – as their Health & Reputation much
depends on this, it’s expected this Order is punctually obeyed.
And it is further ordered and directed that the Non-Commissnd Officers
& Soldiers attend divine Service at the house of publick Worship,
and that no one will presume to go to the house of God in an indecent
rude or disorderly manner, or behave so while their, on penalty of being
punished therefore agreeable to the Nature of his Offence, and in order
to encourage and stimulate the Soldiers, Commissioned Officers will set
the Example by going themselves.
Col. Glover meant by “disciplined” that the soldiers should
practice the manual of arms and marching twice a day. The barracks mentioned
was a temporary wooden structure located on the east side of Beverly’s
Fish Flake Hill overlooking the outer harbor, near what is now known as
Independence Park. The nearest house of worship to the barracks was the
First Parish Church, now the First Church Unitarian on Cabot Street. Both
Rev. Willard of the First Parish and Rev. Hitchcock of the Second Parish
received financial compensation from the Continental Army for service
as regimental chaplains. There must be a good story behind the order that
no one should behave “in an indecent rude or disorderly manner”
at church.
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 1, 1776
Regimental Orders
That the Captain or Commanding Officer take receipts from the men of their
Company that have or may hereafter Receive Arms &c from the Colo or
Commanding Officer of the Regt. & make Return of the Names & the
number of Arms already Received tomorrow 11 oClock before noon at which
time they will call at the Col Quarters & give him a receipt for the
Arms respectively drawn by each Company.
And in Order to encourage the Men to learn the Art Military and to be
good Soldiers, there will be given out to the Captains or Commanding Officers
25 New Guns, with bayonets, pouches, & 12 Rounds to Each which are
to be lent to those men of this Company who will take the best Care &
are likely to make good use of them – and should any Guns, bayonets,
pouches or Ammunition so Given out be damaged waisted or lost, thro Carelessness
or neglect, the persons Chargd & Convicted thereof shall make good
all such damages & suffer such other Punishment, agreeable to the
nature of his Offence – NB. Good Soldiers will be noticed by his
Officers & may Expect to Receive every Reasonable indulgence they
can wish – On the Contrary all idle refractory, mutinous fellows
will be punished with severity but it is hoped that none of this Character
will be found in the 14th Regt.
Head Quarters Beverly 3 Feby
Parole Washington Countersign Ward
Officer of the day tomorrow Lieut Clarke
Officer to morrow of the main Guard Ensg Wormstead
Regimental Orders
Application having been made to the Col by Capt Roach for assistance to
bring up a Schoonr from Manchester lately taken into the Continental Service
– Orderd that a Subaltern Officer one Sergeant, one Corporal, Eighteen
Rank & file be detached with their Arms, Ammunition, & one days
Provn for the purpose aforesaid. –
The Captains with their Officers are directed to call on all the Men by
them inlisted to Repair & forthwith to Join their Respective Companies,
should any Non Commissiond Officers or Soldiers neglect to Join their
Corps within four days next after having been calld upon, they will be
deemd as deserters & tried Accordingly.
The 21 men detached from Beverly Camp to Manchester were assigned
the task of making the schooner Hannah (about to be renamed the Lynch)
floatable after the severe pounding she took from the battle with the
HMS Nautilus in Beverly Harbor, October 10, 1775. A few weeks after the
battle, the Hannah was towed to her owner’s (Col. John Lee’s)
wharf in Manchester, where she promptly sank and by February was encased
in ice. It took the combined efforts of the detachment, five ship carpenters,
and four days to get the Hannah/Lynch back to port agent William Bartlett’s
wharf. The ship would need another month of work and over £400 to
make her serviceable before sailing under command of Captain Roach as
the Continental schooner Lynch.
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 4 1776
Parole Lee Countersign Putnam
Officer of the day tomorrow Capt Glover
Officer of the Main Guard tomorrow Ensg Clarke
Regimental Orders
It is requested of the Captains or Commanding Officers of each Company
that an exact return be made of the number of men in each Company to the
Quartermaster, on the morning of each day Provisions is drawn that every
man may have his proper allowance and in Season – particular Care
must be taken that no more provisions is drawn than is agreeable to the
number of men in Camp – the QM Sergeants whose business it is will
see that the Barracks are kept Clean & Sweet the victuals properly
Cook’d &c. and although it is the particular duty of the Quarter
master Sergeants to see this done, it is equally necessary of the Duty
of every Officer to look into this matter as the health of the men much
Depends upon it. The Fife & Drum Major are to make a Return of the
Number and name of those the have under their Care teaching the Fife and
drum that the Vacancys (if any there be fill’d up – it is
requested they may be brought forward as fast as possible & in Order
thereto they are to practice three times a day at least -.
It is with Astonishment the Col sees & it gives him pain to mention
it – that many of the Regimental Orders are not Attended to &
in particular the Order of the 25 Jany Respecting disciplining the men
&c. as it is of the last Importance that the men be good soldiers
& which nothing Can reflect more honor on the Officers Commanding
them – its hoped the Order before mention’d will be punctually
Obey’d.
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 5 1776
Parole Gates Countersign Heath
Officer of the day tomorrow Lieut Orne
Officer of the Main Guard tomorrow Ensign Reed
Head Quarters Beverly 6 Feby
Parole Cambridge Countersign Roxbury
Officer of the day tomorrow Capt Swasey
Officer of the Main Guard tomorrow Ensg HawkesHead Quarters Beverly Feby
7 1776
Parole United Countersign Colonies
Officer of the day tomorrow Lieut Archibald
Officer of the Main Guard tomorrow Lieut Lee
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 8 1776
Parole America Countersign Liberty
Officer of the day tomorrow Capt Brown
Officer of the Main Guard tomorrow Ensg Allen
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 9 1776
Parole Massachusetts Countersign Virginia
Officer of the day tomorrow Capt Courtis
Officer of the Main Guard tomorrow Lt Courtiss
Regimental Orders
It is requested that each Capt. Provide himself with an Orderly Book in
which is to be entered the Names of the Men of his Company, the Day they
enlisted, the Day they joined the Regt. With the Numbers of Miles Travel,
that an exact return may be made to Head Quarters when called for. Also
to coppy all General & Regimental Orders, the Orders of the Day, &c.
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 10 1776
Parole Lynn Countersign Marblehead
Officer of the day tomorrow Capt Bubier
Officer of the Main Guard tomorrow Ensg Hawks
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 11 1776
Parole Philadelphia Countersign York
Officer of the day tomorrow Capt Grant
Officer of the Main Guard tomorrow Lt Graves
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 12 1776
Parole Quebec Countersign Georgia
Officer of the day tomorrow Lt Clark
Officer of the Main Guard tomorrow Ensg Foster
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 13 1776
Parole Carolina Countersign Connecticut
Officer of the day tomorrow Capt Glover
Officer of the Main Guard tomorrow Lt Stacey
At a Regimental Court Martial held at the house of Capt. Moses Brown by
order of Coll. John Glover on a complaint of Capt. Wm. Bartlett exhibited
against Andrew Smith a Soldier in the 14th Regt for attempting to stab
his dog with his Bayonet & Ill Using sd Bartlett.
Capt. John Glover President
Lieut Lee
Lt Fosdick
Capt Brown
Lt Orne
Lt Williams Members
The Court is of Oppinion that as the Prisoner had received some Injury
from the Dog a few hours before he attempted to stab him, in some measure
alleviates the Crime, but for the Ill Treatment of Capt. Bartlett, the
Court thinks Proper he should ask Capt. Bartletts Pardon at the head of
the Regt. – John Glover, President.
The Coll. Approves of the Sentence and orders it to be executed tomorrow
morning.
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 14 1776
Parole Newport Countersign Port
Officer of the day tomorrow Lieut Orne
Officer of the Main Guard tomorrow Ensg Wormstead
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 15 1776
Parole Newberry Countersign Port
Officer of the day tomorrow Lt Archibald
Officer of the Main Guard tomorrow Ensg Reed
Officer for Pickett for tomorrow night Ensg GetchellHead Quarters Beverly
Feby 16 1776
Parole Salem Countersign Gloucester
Officer of the day tomorrow Capt Lee
Officer of the Main Guard tomorrow Lt Lee
Officer for Pickett for tomorrow night Ensg Allen
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 17 1776
Parole Pitt Countersign Barre
Officer of the day tomorrow Capt Brown
Officer of the Main Guard Lt Lee
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 18 1776
Parole Derby Countersign Drake
Officer of the day tomorrow Capt Bond
Officer of the Main Guard Lt Courtiss
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 19 1776
Parole Wooster Countersign Arnold
Officer of the day tomorrow Capt Courtis
Officer of the Main Guard Ensg Hawks
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 20 1776
Parole Schyler Countersign Quebec
Officer of the day tomorrow Capt Bubier
Officer of the Main Guard Ensg Foster
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 21 1776
Parole Worcester Countersign Waltham
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lt Williams
Officer of the Main Guard Ensg Jones
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 22 1776
Parole Falmouth Countersign Portsmouth
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lt Tyler
Officer of the Main Guard Lt Graves
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 23 1776
Parole Beverly Countersign Ipswich
Officer of the day tomorrow Lt Clark
Officer of the Main Guard Ensg Foster
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 24 1776
Parole Andover Countersign Haverhill
Officer of the day tomorrow Capt Swasey
Officer of the Main Guard Lt Stacey
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 25 1776
Parole Gloucester Countersign Cape Cod
Officer of the day tomorrow Lt Bubier
Officer of the Main Guard Lt Wormstead
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 26 1776
Parole Gloucester Countersign Cape Cod
Officer of the day tomorrow Capt Bond
Officer of the Main Guard Lt Clark
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 27 1776
Parole Burk Countersign Wilks
Officer of the day tomorrow Capt Brown
Officer of the Main Guard Ensg Reed
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 28 1776
Parole York Countersign Wells
Officer of the day tomorrow Lt Clark
Officer of the Main Guard Lt Courtiss
Regimental Orders,
The Commanding Officer of each Company is requested to make a return of
the Number of Men in their respective Companys, the time inlisted, the
Town or place from whence they came the Number of Miles Travel, the day
they joined the Regiment, with their Age, Complection & Heighth Saturday
morning Role-calling a coppy of which is to be enter’d in their
Orderly Book.
Head Quarters Beverly Feby 29 1776
Parole Salem Countersign M-Head
Officer of the day tomorrow Lt Archibald
Officer of the Main Guard Eg Getchel
Head Quarters Beverly March 1, 1776
Parole London Countersign Holland
Officer of the day tomorrow Capt Swasey
Officer of the Main Guard Ensg Foster
Head Quarters Beverly March 2, 1776
Parole Dorchester Countersign Chelsea
Officer of the day tomorrow Lt Bubier
Officer of the Main Guard Ensg Jones
Regimental Orders,
The Coll has been inform’d that the soldiers upon Guard frequently
leave the Guard, & are seen strolling about the Streets for several
hours together, which is contrary to Orders, and may be attended with
fatal Consequences while the Enemy is so near. Hopes no charge of this
kind can or will be brought against any Officer command a Guard. To prevent
such disorders & neglect of Duty for the future, it is hereby ordered
that no Officer, Non-Commission’d Officer, or Soldier, leave the
Guard (to which he is appointed) untill relieved, under any pretence whatsoever.
The Mess Mates of those Soldiers that are on Guard will take care to cook
for them and see that they have their dinners in Proper season, they having
their Breakfasts before they march off. The Officer commanding on board
Ship at Capt Bartlett’s Wharf is to be very carefull of the Interest
there, that nothing may be embezzel’d or wantingly destroyed as
he must be answerable therfor; It is therefore his Interest as well as
his honor that this Order be carefully attended to.
It seems that despite Captain Bartlett’s efforts, and the presence
of a guard detail, thefts of Continental stores were still taking place.
The way the order was worded almost sounds like Colonel Glover suspected
that some of the guards were responsible.
It must have been quite a sight, seeing those men supposed to be on guard
actually sightseeing through the town. The men had clearly not yet learned
the discipline of being soldiers.
Head Quarters Beverly March 3, 1776
Parole Boston Countersign Attack
Officer of the day tomorrow Capt Glover
Officer of the Main Guard Lt Lee
Note the interesting parole and countersign. It shows that although
Glover’s men were in Beverly, they still knew what was happening
in Cambridge Camp. March 3rd was the day the troops in Cambridge were
preparing to fortify Dorchester Heights.
Head Quarters Beverly March 4, 1776
Parole Countersign
Officer of the day tomorrow Lieut Williams
Officer of the Main Guard Ensg Allen
Regimental Orders,
The Coll. Requests that the Capt of Commanding Officers of each Company
make a return of the Number of Arms in their respective Companys, and
by whom supplied tomorrow 11 oClock before Noon at which time he will
attend and take Receipts for those Ald [meaning allotted maybe?]
out by him.
Head Quarters Beverly March 5, 1776
Parole Ipswich Countersign Hamlet [the 18th century name for the town
of Hamilton]
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Lee
Officer of the Main Guard Ensg Hawks
Head Quarters Beverly March 6, 1776
Parole London Countersign Ireland
Officer of the day tomorrow Lt Orne
Officer of the Main Guard Lt Stacey
Head Quarters Beverly March 7, 1776
Parole Dorchester Countersign Chelsea
Officer of the day tomorrow Lt Tyler
Officer of the Main Guard Ensg Wormstead
Head Quarters Beverly March 8, 1776
Parole Lord Mayor Countersign Wilks
Officer of the day tomorrow Capt Grant
Officer of the Main Guard Lt Graves
Officer for fateague Ensg Clarke
Head Quarters Beverly March 9, 1776
Parole Nineteen Countersign Lords
Officer of the day tomorrow Capt Brown
Officer of the Main Guard Ensg Reed
Head Quarters Beverly March 10, 1776
Parole Nineteen Countersign Lords
Officer of the day tomorrow Capt Brown
Officer of the Main Guard Lt Courtiss
Head Quarters Beverly March 11, 1776
Parole Countersign
Officer of the day tomorrow Lt Clark
Officer of the Main Guard Ensg Getchell
At a Court of enquiry held at Capt Brown’s by Order of Coll. Glover
on a Complaint of Mr. John Lovett against Sergeant Griffin and others
of Capt Swasey’s Company for stealing a certain Number of Cabbages.
Capt. Grant President
Lt. Tyler
Lt Williams
Lt Lee
Capt Swasey
Capt Bond
Capt Lee Members
The Court are of the Opinion that the Charge against Sergeant Griffin
is not supported, but as there is some Circumstances appearing against
Mark Roe, a soldier in the 14th Regt, are of the opinion he should be
brought to tryal by a Court Martial. The Coll. Approves of the Sentence,
and orders Court-Martial to set tomorrow 10 oClock to try said Roe and
any other Prisoners brought before them; the Court to set at Capt Brown’s
where all Evidences are desired to attend.
After this entry, the handwriting changes to a less elegant hand.
Spelling takes a turn for the worse as well. Perhaps Captain Brown obtained
the services of an orderly sergeant to keep his company book.
Head Quarters Beverly March 12 1776
Parole Pencelvania Countersign Pheledfy [Pennsylvania and Philadelphia
perhaps?]
Officer of the day tomorrow Lt Archebel
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Ensig Foster
Head Quarters Beverly March 13 1776
Parole New York Countersign Lee
Officer of the day tomorrow Capt Swacey
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Lt Lee
Head Quarters Beverly March 14 1776
Parole Shurlyer Countersign Qubeck
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lt Bubier
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Ens Foster
Head Quarters Beverly March 15 1776
Parole Harrison Countersign Lyncth [Continental Congress members Harrison
and Lynch both served on the committee for marine affairs]
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Glover
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Ens Hawks
Head Quarters Beverly March 16 1776
Parole Putnam Countersign Boston
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Speakman
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Ens Jones
Head Quarters Beverly March 17 1776
Parole Plymouth Countersign Porchmouth
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lt Williams
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Ens hawks
Head Quarters Beverly March 18 1776
Parole Virjinia Countersign Norfork
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lieutenant Orne
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Ensg Wormstd
It is the Commanding officer orders that no Officer Nor Soldier be absent
more than a mile From Camp till the Colls Return & that the Troop
beat at Eight oClock in the morning for the future.
Head Quarters Beverly March 19 1776
Parole Westford Countersign Maldin
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Bond
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Lt Stacey
At this point in the orderly book are two entries of
unknown date…
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lt Munson
Officer of the main Gard to morrow L Watts
Head Quarters Beverly March
Parole Charleston Countersign Ruttledge
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lt Graves
Officer of the main Gard to morrow E Getchl
Head Quarters Beverly April 1 1776
Parole Countersign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lt Williams
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Lt Lee
Head Quarters Beverly April 5 1776
Parole Countersign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Glover
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Lt Lee
Head Quarters Beverly April 6 1776
Parole Maryland Countersign Virginia
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Grant
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Ens Foster
Head Quarters Beverly April 7 1776
Parole Roxbury Countersign Dorchester
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lt Orne
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Ens Allen
Head Quarters Beverly April 8 1776
Parole Suffolk Countersign Albany
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Swasey
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Lt Nimblett
Head Quarters Beverly April 9 1776
Parole Countersign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Curtis
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Ens HawksHead Quarters Beverly 10 Day
1776
Officer of the Day to morrow
Parole Manley Countersign Salem
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Bond
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Ens [writing illegible]
Head Quarters Beverly April 11
Parl Countersign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lieutenant Archable
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Lt Jones
Head Quarters Beverly April 12 1776
Parole Countersign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Brown
Officer of the main guard to morrow Lt Graves
Head Quarters Beverly April 13
Parole Countersign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Captain Spekman
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Ens Reed
Head Quarters Beverly April 14 1776
Parole Nahant Countersign Lynn
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Lee
Officer of the main Gard to morrow En Wormstead
Head Quarters Beverly April 15 1776
Parole Providence Countersign Newport
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lt Graves
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Lt Wallis
Head Quarters Beverly April 16 1776
Parole Countersign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Glover
Head Quarters Beverly April 17 1776
Parole Countersign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lt Munson
Officer of the main Gard to morrow En Gatchell
Head Quarters Beverly April 18 1776
Parole Ipswich Countersign Rowley
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lt Williams
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Lt Curtis
Head Quarters Beverly April 19 1776
Parole Concord Countersign Lesenton
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Grant
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Lt Lee
Head Quarters Beverly April 20 1776
Parole Barbados Countersign Princeton
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lt Nimblett
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Lt Watson
Head Quarters Beverly April 21 1776
Parole Newbury Countersign Provincetown
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lt Orne
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Ens Allen
Head Quarters Beverly April 22 1776
Parole Countersign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Swasy
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Ens [writing illegible]
Head Quarters Beverly April 23 1776
Parole Countersign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Curtis
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Leiut Jones
Head Quarters Beverly April 24 1776
Parole Countersign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lt Nimblett
Officer of the main Gard to morrow Ens Hawks
Head Quarters Beverly April 25 1776
Parole New London Countersign Amboy
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Bond
Officer of the main Guard to morrow Lt Graves
Head Quarters Beverly April 26 1776
Parole Countersign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Lee
Officer of the main Guard to morrow Ens Reed
Head Quarters Beverly April 27 1776
Parole Countersign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Speekman
Officer of the main Guard to morrow En Wormstd
Head Quarters Beverly April 28 1776
Parole Countersign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Lee
Officer of the main guard to morrow Lt Watts
Head Quarters Beverly April 29
Parole Countersign
Officer of the Day main tomorrow Lieutenant Graves
Officer of the main guard to morrow Ens Foster
Head Quarters Beverly April 30
Parole Countersign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Glover
Officer of the main guard to morrow Ens Gatchl
Head Quarters Beverly May 1 1776
Parole Countersign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lieutenant Munson
Officer of the main guard to morrow Lt Walton
Head Quarters Beverly May 2 1776
Parole Detroit Countersign Cowes
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Grant
Officer of the main guard to morrow Lt Curtis
Head Quarters Beverly April 3 1776
Parole Nobleton Countersign Kendermook
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lieutenant Orne
Officer of the main guard to morrow Lt Lee
Head Quarters Beverly April 28 1776
Parole Countersign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Lee
Officer of the main guard to morrow Lt Watts
Head Quarters Beverly May 4 1776
Parole Littleton Csign Groton
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Swasey
Officer of the main guard to morrow Ens Allen
Head Quarters Beverly May 5
Parole Lunenburg Csign Suthburg
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Bond
Officer of the main guard to morrow Ens Reed
Head Quarters Beverly May 6
Parole Deadham Csign Milton
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Curtis
Officer of the main guard to morrow Ens Clark
Head Quarters Beverly May 7 1776
Parole Csign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Capt Speekmen
Officer of the main guard to morrow Lt Graves
Head Quarters Beverly May 8 1776
At a Regimental Court martial held at Capt Browns By order of Capt Glover
To try such Prisoners as Shall be Brought Before them.
Capt Courtiss President
Lieutenant Lee
Ensg Gatchel
Ensg Foster
Capt Grant
Capt Glover
Capt Brown Members
Benj Parker Brought Before the Court and Chargd with Disertion, Pled guilty.
As the Prisoner has ben ill-advissed and Influenced by one Capt Edgell
of Woburn Who has used many artifices to detain him, the Court therefore
is of the opinion that he shall only Forfit all his Wages be severly reprimanded
by the Commanding officer and pay the charges for bringing him to Camp.
Stephen Collsial [?] brought before the Court and Charged with
Disobedience of orders plead Guilty the Court orders the prisoner be sent
back to the main guard and fed only Bread and Water till Sunday Night
next. The Coll. Approves the Sentence Wm Courtiss President & orders
it to take tomorrow at the head of the Regiment.
Head Quarters Beverly May 8 1776
Parole Csign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lt Clark
Officer of the main guard to morrow Ens Wormstd
Head Quarters Beverly May 9
Parole Csign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lt Williams
Officer of the main guard to morrow Lt Wattes
Head Quarters Beverly May 10
Parole Csign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lt Nimblett
Officer of the main guard to morrow Lt Jones
Head Quarters Beverly May 11
Parole Csign
Officer of the Day tomorrow Lt Graves
Officer of the main guard to morrow
The daily entries end here. Three pages are torn out and missing.
___________________
At the end of the book is found three pages of company
rolls. The column heads are labeled with (from left to right):
Names; Rank; Time of Enlistg; Time of Joining ye Regt.; Travel Miles;
Heighth Ft––I; Nation; Complection; Years Age; Guns by whom
Supplied; Bayonets; No Cartridges & Pouches wt.; Price; Town belong
to.
The columns labeled bayonet, pouches, and price have no numbers on any
of the pages, so will be left out of the chart below. The “Do”
mark stands for ditto and means that the entry is the same as the one
above.
Statistical analysis of available information
Age
Of those men with ages listed in the roll, the average age for Captain
Brown’s company was just under 25 years.
12 are between 16 and 20
11 are between 20 and 25
13 are between 26 and 30
5 are between 31 and 34 (one brave soul is 54!)
Height
It is a common misconception that men of the 18th century were considerably
shorter than those t
oday. Almost half of Captain Brown’s company measured between 5’8”
and 6’0”. The majority of those listed at 5’5”
or under are teenaged boys.
5’1” – 2 members of the company
5’2” – 2
5’3” – 4
5’4” – 4
5’5” – 4
5’6” – 9
5’7” – 6
5’8” – 9
5’9” – 6
5’10” – 3
6’ – 1
Muskets
Of those listed, 19 brought their own muskets when enlisting, while 26
were issued muskets on the expense of the Continental Congress
.
Town of Origin
39 of those listed in Brown’s company came from Beverly, 3 from
Salem, 1 from Marblehead, 1 from Newport RI.
Race
One member of Captain Brown’s company, Esop Hale, is listed as a
black, and was most likely either a slave belonging to the Hale family
(having their permission to enlist), or a free black formerly a slave
of the Hales.
Officers of 14th Continental Regiment mentioned in the orderly
book
Colonel John Glover
Captain Nathaniel Bond
Captain Moses Brown
Captain Bubier
Captain William Courtis (Curtis, Courtiss)
Captain Thomas Grant
Captain John Glover, Jr.
Captain William Lee
Captain Speakman (Speekman, Spekmen)
Captain Swasey (Swasy)
Lieutenant Archibald
Lieutanant Bubier (son of Capt Bubier?)
Lieutenant Clarke (Clark)
Lieutenant Courtiss (son of Captain Courtiss?)
Lieutenant Fosdick
Lieutenant William Graves
Lieutenant. Gibbs
Lieutenant Jones
Lieutenant Lee
Lieutenant Munson
Lieutenant Nimblett
Lieutenant Joshua Orne
Lieutenant Stacey
Lieutenant Tyler
Lieutenant Williams
Lieutenant Watts (Watson, Walton)
Ensign Allen
Ensign Clarke (Clark)
Ensign Foster
Ensign Getchell (Getchal)
Ensign Hawkes (Hawks)
Ensign Jones
Ensign Reed
Ensign Robert Wormstead |
