in the region. The purpose was to destroy, not to pillage, and the work
of destruction was systematically conducted. The torch was applied
only to structures devoted to manufacturing or mercantile purposes, but
no attempt was made to prevent the spread of the flames to private
houses. In their march of fifteen miles from Clarke's Point to Sconticut
Neck, they accomplished a thorough work of devastation, the British
commander reporting to his chief that he had carried out his orders "in
the fullest manner." Five years later Stephen Peckham, Jabez Barker
and Edward Pope, selectmen of Dartmouth, reported to the General
Court that the value of property destroyed exceeded one hundred and
five thousand pounds, or over a half million of dollars.

This was the only time that a hostile military force landed in New
Bedford, and the raid is one of the few occurrences of signal importance
in the history of the town. Eye-witnesses found eager listeners ; old men
related to children the events of that fateful night ; and yet for over half
a century the recollections of these eye-witnesses were not reduced to
writing. But fortunately an efficient and able scribe compiled a collec-
tion of greatest value because of its accuracy and completeness. He was
the first and only investigator who appreciated the value of seemingly
trivial facts, and with commendable patience he wrote down the narra-
tives of the old men, giving numerous minute details which other his-
torians had not deemed of any importance. That historian, Henry How-
land Crapo, in 1839-40 compiled the statements of eye-witnesses and
participants in the occurrences they related, his extended interviews with
the old men of his day having great historic value. Only a few minor
corrections have been necessary, and these appear in the notes ; but the
bulk of the statements has been found to be in exact accord with con-
temporary public records. This reflects the greatest credit, not only
upon the accuracy of the narrators, but the scrupulous care of the writer
who elicited the facts and committed them to paper.

Although Mr. Crapo seems to have considered the Macomber narra-
tive entitled to great weight in two particulars it has been criticised :
First, as to the English troops landing on Sconticut Neck ; second, that
Isaac Howland's house could not have been burnt, because it was a brick
house and stood across the end of Pleasant street, on the north side of
Union, and was standing until modern times.

In order that the landmarks and localities may be understood, notes
have been inserted in brackets. It should be kept in mind that the narra-
tives were written in 1840 and the word "now" refers to that year:

Dartmouth in the British Raid of 1778.*

Statement of John Gilbert of New Bedford in relation to the burning
of Bedford Village by the British in 1778; and, also, in relation to the

•Compiled by Henry Howland Crapo in 1839-40



NEW BEDFORD 19

number, location, owners, etc., of the dwelling houses and other build-
ings, including those destroyed at that time.

Said Gilbert was 75 years of age the i6th of September, 1839; was
born in 1764, and consequently was about 14 years of age at the time of
the attack. He is a man of extraordinary memory, of quick comprehen-
sions, very intelligent, and has resided in New Bedford since he was four
years of age. His statement is in substance as follows:

On the 5th of September, 1778, in the afternoon, the British fleet
arrived off Clarks Point. It consisted of two frigates, an i8-gun brig and
about 36 transports. The latter were small ships. The two frigates and
brig anchored opposite the mouth of the Acushnet river and a little
below the point. The transports were anchored outside the Great ledge
and opposite the mouth of the cove. The troops, including light-horse
artillery, etc., were landed in barges. The landing was completed a little
before night, near where the present almshouse is situated, and the troops
arrived at the head of Main (now Union) street about dusk. A part of
the troops were wheeled to the right and passed down Main street for
the purpose of burning the town, whilst the remainder continued their
march to the north on County street. There was not at this time more
than fifteen able-bodied men in the place, every person that could leave
having gone to reinforce the American army in Rhode Island, where at
that very time they were engaged, their cannon being distinctly heard
here.

I was at this time an apprentice to Joseph Russell, the father of
Abraham, etc., and had been sent for a horse to carry mv mistress to
some place of safety. On my return she had gone, as also the goods from
the house, but Peace Akins was there (a connection of the family), whom
I was directed to carry with me. The house stood at the present corner
of County and Morgan streets, and a little within the fence on the south-
east corner of Charles W. Morgan's lot (the present William S. Reed's
dwelling house). By this time the British had appeared in sight. I was
upon the horse by the side of the horse block, urging Mrs. Akins to be
quick in getting ready. She, however, made some little delay bv return-
ing into the house for something, and before she had time to get up
behind me four light-horsemen passed us, but without paying us any
particular attention. Whilst the head of the British column was passing
us and whilst Peace was in the very act of getting upon the horse, a
soldier camp up and, seizing the horse's bridle, commanded me to get
off. I made no reply, but by reigning the horse suddenly round,
knocked him down, which left me perfectly at liberty and headed to
the north. The troops occupied nearly the whole of the road, leaving,
however, a small space on the west side between them and the wall.
Through this open space I attempted to pass by urging my horse at the
top of his speed, but before I had gone five rods a whole platoon was
fired at me. without hitting either myself or horse. These were the first
guns fired by the British since their landing. The troops now opened
from the centre to close the space next the wall, which reduced me to
the_ necessity of passing through the centre of the remaining platoons.
This I efifected without injury, in consequence of the speed of my horse
and being so mixed up with the troops as to prevent their firing. About
twenty feet in advance of the leading platoon were placed two men with
fixed bayonets, as a kind of advance guard. Thev were about six feet



20 NEW BEDFORD

apart, and as I advanced from the rear they both faced about and pre-
sented their pieces, which I think were snapped at me, but they did not
fire. I passed through between them and made my escape, turning up
the Smith's Mills road; I went to Timothy Maxfield's, about i>< miles,
and stayed all night. (Smith Mills road was Kempton street, Rockdale
avenue and the Hathaway road. Timothy Maxfield's house was on the
north side of the Hathaway road near the junction with Kempton street).

I afterwards learned that upon leaving Peace Akins on the horse
block some British officers rode up and assured her that if she remained
perfectly quiet nothing should injure her. She remained in this situation
until the troops had passed and the officers left her. when she went over
the east side of the road into a field of pole-beans, and thence traveled.

The four horsemen that first passed us on the horse block went
into the house and plundered two men whom they found there, the goods
have been already conveyed back. These men were Humphrey Tallman
and Joseph Trafiford, who worked for Joseph Russell

As I passed up the Smith's Mills road, and about one-quarter of a
mile from County street, I met William Haydon and Oliver Potter, both
armed with muskets, who inquired where the main body of the British
then were. I told them they were nearly square against us. Upon
receiving this information they cut across the woods, etc., as I was
afterwards told, and came out a little in advance of the British and near
the west end of the present North street. The woods were ver^- thick
on the west side of County street at this place, and under cover of
night and these woods Haydon and Potter fired upon the British and
killed two horsemen. This I was told by Haydon and Potter, and also
by the .American prisoners on their return home, who saw them put
into the baggage wagon. One was shot.

A few minutes after these men were shot Abraham Russell, Thomas
Cook and Diah Traflford, all being armed, were discovered by the British
attempting to leave the village by coming up a cross-way into County
street. When at the corner of this way with County street, or nearly so,
they were fired upon by the British and all shot down. Trafiford was 21
years of age lacking 14 days, and was in the employment of Joseph Rus-
sell, with whom I then lived. He was shot through the heart and died
instantly, after which his face was badly cut to pieces with the sabres of
the British. Cook also worked for said Russell, by the month ; he was
nearly 40 years of age. He was shot through the leg and also through
the bowels, the latter bullet passing through his bladder. He died about
daylight next morning. Russell was about 40 years of age. He died
about ID o'clock the next morning, at the house of said Joseph Russell,
where they were all carried after remaining all night in the road where
they were shot. Russell and Cook were buried in Dartmouth (as stated
by Macomberl ; Trafiford was buried on the hill by the shore, a little
north of the old ropewalk in this town. This was a sort of potter's field,
where sailors were buried : the land was owned by Joseph Russell. (The
rope walk stood on the land now Morgan's lane and extended from the
shore west to Acushnet avenue).

A company of artillery consisting of about 80 privates had been sent
from Boston for the protection of the place. The building occupied by
them as a barracks was the "poor house," which stood near the present
site of Philip Anthony's dwelling house. It was a long, low building,



NEW BEDFORD 21

and has since been pulled down. (This lot was on the southeast corner
of Sixth and Spring streets). The company was commanded by Captain
James Gushing, of Boston. Joseph Bell, of Boston, was first lieutenant ;
William Gordon, of Boston, second lieutenant, and James Metcalf, third
lieutenant. The latter was mortally wounded by the British during the
night at Acushnet. This company, although stationed here, had a short
time previous to the landing of the British been called to Rowland's
Ferry to aid the Americans against the British in Rhode Island. But
during the day of the landing Lieutenants Gordon and Metcalf had
returned with a part of the company and one piece. As the British
advanced they were under the necessity of retreating. They had a yoke
of oxen of Joseph Russell's to draw their cannon.

The officers of this company had their quarters at and boarded with
Mrs. Deborah Doubleday, a widow, in the house in which Judge Pres-
cott's office now is, which was then owned by Seth Russell, father of the
late Seth and Charles. After Metcalf was wounded he was brought down
to this house, where I saw him the next day. I think he lived three days.
(Prescott's office was on the west side of North Water street in the build-
ing next north of the corner of Union). I was at his funeral — he was
buried on the hill by the old meeting house at Acushnet, "under arms."

The evening of the British attack was clear and moonlight. The
sloop "Providence" was very often in here, and I was frequently on
board of her. She was commanded by John Hacker, of New York (since
a pilot through Hell Gate), was sloop-rigged, and I think about 100 tons.
She brought in the prize "Harriet of London," which was burnt on the
south side of Rotch's Wharf, below where the sail-loft now is. This was
the wreck recently taken up on the bar. She also took and brought in
prize the British armed brig "Diligence," of 18 guns and commanded by
John Smith, of Liverpool. The engagement was off Sandy Hook and
lasted five glasses (2^ hours). The "Providence" had two men killed —
the sailing master, James Rodgers, of Connecticut, and the steward.
Church Wilkey, of Fairhaven (north part). Don't know the number
killed on board the brig. She was subsequently repaired here and
manned, fitted, etc., as an American cruiser. She was with the squadron
in the Penobscott and was there blown up by the order of the American
commandant, as was the "Providence." The crew of the brig was landed
here, but I do not know where they went to.

McPherson's Wharf was at Belville, and was burnt by the British,
together with some vessels laying there. A brig called the "No Duties
on Tea" was burnt at this wharf. She drifted down the river after her
fastenings were burnt off and finally sunk just at the north of "Dog Fish
Bar" and abreast of the Burying Ground Hill. Several other small ves-
sels were burnt at this wharf and sunk ; they were afterwards got up.

An armed vessel sunk on the west side of Crow Island (which is
opposite and near to Fairhaven Village). She was afterwards got up.
Her guns were got up by some persons diving down and fastening ropes
to them upon which they were hoisted up. Benjamin Myrick was
drowned in diving down for the purpose of fastening a rope to the last
one. There were only two wharves in the village of any consequence.
The largest was Rotch Wharf (the present Rotch's Wharf), the other
was Joseph Russell's Wharf (now Central Wharf).

[John Gilbert has been employed in the merchant and whaling serv-



22 NEW BEDFORD

ice '^ince 21 vears of age. His parents resided in Boston. He was left an
orphan. His father was lost in a vessel out of Boston, which was never
heard of. He was brought to New Bedford at the age of 4 years and
bound an apprentice].— Note by H. H. Crapo.

Privateering — There were no privateers owned and fitted from New
Bedford. They were all owned in Boston, Connecticut and Rhode Island,
and rendezvoused here.

A large sloop called the "Broom" frequently came in here. She was
commanded by Stephen Cahoon, of Rhode Island, and mounted 12 guns.

•'The Black Snake," a long, low, black schooner, frequently came in
here. She was owned in Connecticut and mounted eight carriage guns.
Don't know the name of her captain. ^

An Indian burying place occupied the present site of the Merchants
Bank and Hamilton street. It was a burying ground both before and
after the war. It was a high hill, composed of rock covered with a few
feet of earth. When the hill was cut down the bones were put into a
box and interred in the Friends' burying ground by William Rotch, Jr.
The Friends' burying ground was on the shore at the foot of Griffin
street.

Gilbert says "on the day the British landed they commenced carting
goods about the middle of the afternoon, and carried them on to a piece
of cleared land, containing about one acre, which was situated in the
woods west of the jail and surrounded on all sides by swamp, heavy
wood and thick copse. Many others carried goods to the same place.
After moving all the goods I was sent for a horse to the pasture west of
where the jail now stands."

Elijah Macomber's Account of_ Raid— Account of the burning of New
Bedford and Fairhaven by the British troops on the evening of the 5th of
September, 1778, as given me bv Elijah Macomber, formerly of Dart-
mouth, now resident in New Bed'ford, December 6, 1839; said informant
being in good health, and sound mind. He was 85 years of age on the
14th day of Mav last, and consequently more than 24 years of age at the
time, being born May 14, 1754. He was in the fort at Fairhaven on said
5th day of September, where he served as a private from March, 1778,
to December following.

The substance of Mr. Macomber's statement is as follows :

The fort below Fairhaven Village was garrisoned at the time by
Captain Timothy Ingraham, Lieutenant Daniel Foster and thirty-six
non-commissioned officers and privates, making a total of 38 men. There
were eleven or twelve pieces of cannon mounted in the fort, and about
twenty-five casks of powder in the magazine, twenty casks having been
procured a few days previous from the commissary store in New Bed-
ford, which was kept by Philip and Leonard Jarvis, brothers.

About I o'clock p. m. Worth Bates (Timothy Tallman, William, etc.,
knew this man), who lived at a place on the Bedford side called McPher-
son's Wharf at Belleville, and who had that day been out fishing, landed
at the fort in his boat and informed the captain that a British fleet was
in the bay and nearly up with the point. In a few moments they made
their appearance by the point. The larger ship sailed up the river and
anchored ofif abreast the fort. About one-half or more of the smaller
vessels anchored off Clark's Point and the remainder dropped in to the



NEW BEDFORD 23

east of the larger vessels and commenced embarking troops in a small
cove, a short distance to the east of the fort, behind a point of woods and
under cover of the guns of the larger vessels. The fleet consisted of 36
sail. Immediately upon discovering them three guns were fired from the
fort to alarm the country, and a despatch sent to Howland's Ferry, where
a part of the American army then was, for reinforcements. The debarka-
tion of the British troops commenced about 2 o'clock, both to the east-
ward of the fort, and at Clark's Cove. A company of artillery from Bos-
ton, consisting of about 60 men, under the command of Captain

Cushman, was stationed at the head of Clark's Cove, which upon the
landing of the British fell back, and retreated to the head of the Acushnet

river. Metcalf was first lieutenant of this company and was shot

during the night at Acushnet Village. William Gordon, of this town, was
second lieutenant, and was taken prisoner by the British, but made his
escape before they arrived at the head of Acushnet. The troops con-
tinued to debark from the transports lying to the east of the fort until
night, but neither their movements nor those landed at the cove could
be seen from the fort.

Not long after dark the detachments from the cove commenced the
work of destruction. The first buildings discovered in flames were the
rope walks and the distillery belonging to Isaac Rowland (father of the
late Isaac Rowland, Jr.). Soon after all the stores, warehouses, some
barns and dwelling houses, together with every vessel they could get at
were in flames. There were a large number of vessels in the harbor at the
time, — a large English ship having been brought in a prize by the French
a few days previous and then lying at Rotch's Wharf, as well as several
others a short time before. Every vessel was burnt, excepting those
lying in the stream, which they could not get at, and a small craft some-
where up the river. The number of vessels destroyed was 70. Among
the dwelling houses burnt was Rotch's and Isaac Howland's, Sr.

A little before 9 o'clock or between 8 and 9, and after some of the
vessels which had been set on fire on the Bedford side and their cables
and fastenings burnt off had drifted down towards the fort, the detach-
ment which landed on the east side advanced upon the fort from the east-
ward. Two guns were then fired at the fleet, and after spiking the guns
the garrison retreated to the north, leaving their colors flying. The
British supposing the fort to be still garrisoned opened a heavy fire upon
it with their artillery, which soon ceased upon not being returned. The
garrison were at this time ranged along a low wall a short distance to
the north of the fort, waiting to discover the exact position of the army
in order to make their retreat successfully. They were soon discovered
by the British who fired upon them and wounded a man by the name of
Robert Crossman. A ball passed through one wrist and across the other.
A hasty retreat was then commenced and the enemy not knowing the
exact position and strength of the Americans did not make a vigorous
pursuit. The whole garrison with the exception of the wounded man and
two others, John Skiff and his father, who were taken prisoners, suc-
ceeded in making their escape to the woods at some little distance north
of Fairhaven, where they lay through the night and until the British had
passed them from the head. Before the fort was evacuated a train of
powder was placed from the magazine to the platform. The British upon
entering after destroying the ramrods, sponges, etc., applied a slow match



24 NEW BEDFORD

to the magazine which communicating with the train left by the garrison
was blown up sooner than was intended, destroying one man at least,
the fragments of whose gun, cap and accoutrements were afterwards dis-
covered near by. After burning the barracks, guard house, etc., the
detachment moved north, destroying vessels, stores, etc., and formed a
junction with the detachment from the west side somewhere towards the
head of Acushnet, after which they marched down towards the fort.
They were out all night. The next'day they reembarked near the fort.
The leading platoons of the detachment on the west side of the river
fired upon three men, who were armed, near the house of Joseph Rus-
sell (father of Gilbert, Abraham and Humphry), two of whom were shot

down. These men were Abraham Russell, about 40 years of age ;

Cook, a young man who lived with him, and Diah Trafford, about 23
years of age. The British advanced rapidly upon them with charged
bayonets. They begged for quarter which was refused. Russell was
killed immediately, his head being entirely cut to pieces with cutlasses.
Cook died about daylight, his bowels were ripped open. Trafford (this is
the uncle of Joseph Trafford, the continental) was shot through the leg
and severely wounded in the abdomen by bayonet thrusts. He died the
next day about 10 o'clock, after making some statements relative to their
death. They were all carried into Joseph Russell's house in the morning.

Mr. Macomber says he saw these men lying where they were
attacked the next morning before they were taken up. The sun was up
and he was on his way home, the garrison forces having dispersed for a
few days until reinforcements should arrive. These men were carried
over to Dartmouth and buried on the farm of Jediah Shearman (whose
wife was sister to the said Abraham Russell, a few rods north of the
house, where their graves may now be seen. The farm is now owned by
Philip Gidly, who purchased it of Samuel Barker. Traflford married
Macomber's sister.

The prisoners taken stated when they came back that the troops
which landed on the east side were delayed some hours in consequence
of their light-horse artillery becoming entangled in a marsh which lay
at the head of the cove where they landed. This accounts for their delay
in making an attack upon the fort.

On the night following the general attack a number of barges were
discovered coming up the river which were fired upon and driven back
by the force which by this time had assembled at Fairhaven, a detach-
ment having, I think, arrived from Howland's Ferry, and a body of
militia from Middleborough, making several hundred. It was supposed
that their object was plunder and that the expedition was not ordered by
any of the general officers.

William Bliss says he was serving at that time at the ferry. Says
troops were sent for, but they could not be spared and none went. Says
he moved to New Bedford about 1800.

Mr. Macomber further states that he returned to the fort in two or
three days, as did also the rest of the garrison ; that he entered the fort
on the first of March for ten months and stayed until December, complet-
ing said term.

Also, that William Tallman's father was taken prisoner and he
thinks prisoners were taken at Acushnet Village.

Also, that the American prisoners on their return reported that the



NEW BEDFORD 25

whole force of the British was about 5,500. This, I presume, includes the
number attached to the several vessels.

Also thinks the detachment on the west side must have nearly
reached the head of the river before the fort was evacuated.

Also, that both detachments had artillery and he heard light horse-
men, too.

Also says Obed Cushman was here with the militia next day ; says
he was in the sloop "Providence" awhile, who was all cut to pieces dur-
ing her last cruise.

Mr. Macomber further says that Isaac Rowland, Sr., stated his loss
in shipping to be $6,000.

He thinks the following privateers were owned, fitted and sailed

from here: Sloop "Providence" { Stoddard's father was in her),