Cousin Jeduthan at the Siege

Dind (dined) with Genl. Putnam. . .& then went to Genl Washing. in the Evening. ~ from Jeduthan's diary

Cousin Jeduthan's diary continued

Our cousin Jeduthan Baldwin (3C7X) began his journal writing career while serving in the final French and Indian War. We wrote of his exploits in that war in our "Cousin Jeduthan Baldwin" post. Twenty years after the French and Indian Wars ended, Jeduthan dusted off his old diary and continued recording his experiences, this time for a brand new war. We know from a letter he wrote to a friend, that Jeduthan was in Cambridge as early as June 1775 helping with fortifications on Breed's Hill. At that time, he hadn't begun the new posts in his journal.

In December of 1775, we find Jeduthan still in Cambridge working as an engineer for the Continental Army. At that time, the British continued to maintain their fragile hold on Boston proper. Jeduthan's first new diary post was written on the 8th of December when he "Bought Cloth for Great coat." On the 12th, he began working on fortifications at Lechmere Point on the Charles River. From that spot, Washington and his generals were hoping hoping to bombard a few passing British ships, if possible.

(1) Lechmere Point

Cousin Jeduthan's diary posts from December 1775 until the British evacuation in March of 1776 give a good picture of a soldier's life under constant bombardment:

Dec. 14: workt on leachmor point went in the afternoon to Dochester point to See the machine to blow up Shipping, but as it was not finished, it was not put into the water.

Dec. 17: . . .it was Very Foggy in the fornoon, & when the Fog cleared away we had a Very havey fire from the Ships, & from Boston but thro' Divine goodness we Recd but little damage. Abel Woods was wounded in the Crotch or thigh.

Dec 19: . . .a No of Shot & Shells were thrown from Bunker Hill & from Boston at us & at Coble Hill, many of the Shot lodgd in our Brest work & some of the Bombs Brok high in the are (air) & 2 near our works, but no Michief done this day.

Many of Jeduthan's posts indicate that he definitely had blood blue enough to hobnob with and receive favors from generals.

Dec. 23: ...wore Genl. Putnam's great coat.

Dec 25: a Very cold Day. Dind with Genl. Putnam. . .& then went to Genl Washing. in the Evening.

Dec. 26: Laid a platform for the Great Morter Wort at the bridge. . .Dind with Genl. Washington & Lady.

Jan 15: Worked at Lechmor point it was a Raw cold Day and Snowd some. . .Recd an order from Genl Putnam for wine, the order as follows, viz:

To Commisery Avery Sir

Deliver Col Baldwin fifteen Gallons of Wine, which is necessary for health & comfort, he being every Day at the works in this Cold Season

Cambridge Jany 12, 1776

Israel Putnam M.G.

Note: Evidently Cousin Jeduthan was very generous with his wine stores, sharing them with wounded soldiers.

While Jeduthan doesn't mention it in his journal, he was clearly unhappy with his rank and the compensation he received for his service in the army. On January 21st 1776, he wrote a letter to John Adams pleading his case. He begins with his service in the final French and Indian War.

Sir

Pleas to allow me the freedom of informing your Honour that in the year 1755 in August, I Received a Captains Commission in Col. Brown' Regiment and marched with my Company . . thro the woods to Fort Edward, and to Lake George. Soon after I got there I was employed in building Fort Wm. Henry. . .In Decr. . .I inlisted a Company in Col. Bagleys Regiment, and tarryed thro' the winter and Spring to finish the Fort, and Garrison it. . .After I arived at Fort Edward I was Sent to Halfway Brook, to build a Stockade Fort there. . .When we came before Ticonderoga, I had the direction in throwing up Som brestwork at that place. After we had got possession of this place, I was ordered to Crownpoint where I was employed as a director and Overseer. . .in building that large Fort. . .I have Served as an Engineer in the present Army before Boston, was at the Leying out the works on Charlstown Hills, was in Charlstown the whole of that memorable Day 17th June, (Bunker Hill) gave all the assistance I was able, went directly to Prospect Hill, had the direction of the work there, and then to Sewels Point in Brookline. I have had the principal direction and over Sight, Since the 17th of June in laying out and raising the works in Cambridge Cobble Hill, and at Lechmer Point all which I have done without having an Establishment equal to the Service.

It has been proposed that I should have a Regiment, but this was objected too, for it was, said, that I could be of more Service in the Army as an Engineer. Now Sir, all I request is Rank and pay Equal to my Service, which I Submit to your Honour' Consideration. I am Sir your' and the Publick' most Obedient Very Humble Servant, Jeduthun Baldwin

General William Heath also wrote to Adams, putting in the good word for Jeduthan:

Dear Sir

. . .I would beg to recommend to your Consideration the Services of Colonel Jeduthan Baldwin. . .He Cannot receive. . .more than Six pounds per month, which he thinks to be so Inadequate to his Services that he Informs me He must Quit the Army unless Some further provision Can be made for him. He is Constantly in Business even in this Severe Season and the works at Cobble Hill and Lechmeres Point which you have Seen. . .were laid out and Compleated under his Direction. I wish you would mention the matter to His Excellency (George Washington). . .That you would Use your Influence in Congress, that he may have an adequate reward.

Thus far I think it my Duty to endeavor to obtain Justice for a Servicable and Faithfull man. . .

Even with Heath's endorsement, Adams and the Congress did nothing for poor Cousin Jeduthan. He was soon forced to appeal directly to a higher power, none other than "His Excellency" George Washington, as we will see in a future post.

heading toward the British evacuation of Boston

Though the British wouldn't leave Boston until March, 1776, Jeduthan's post on Jan 29 indicates that they may already have had their sights set away from Boston: "...heard that 22 Companies of Regulars wer gone to New York."

Still, the Americans decided to give the remaining British a little push. American held Dorchester Heights, a hill with "commanding views of Boston and its harbor," was recognized by both the Americans and the British as a strategically important location.

Feb 14: at day Break I arose by the light of 4 fires Shining into my Chamber windows, Supposed to be housen in Boston set on fire by our people, but. . .were informed that a 2 Detachments of Regulars. . .10 or 1200 in all, landed at Dotchester point and attempted to take our guard, but were disapinted & they set fire to 8 or 10 Housen...& retreated.

(1) Boston (2) Dorchester Heights (3) Cambridge

The Americans began stepping up fortifications at Cobble Hill and Roxbury as a diversion for their planned fortifications at Dorchester heights. The hope was to either force a battle or drive the British out of Boston.

Mar 1: at Roxbury Laying Platforms for Cannon & 2 for Morters.

Mar 4: . . .went upon Dotchester Hill in ye afternoon the army Came on at dusk with 280 carts & wagons with the materials for the fortifications. 6 works thrown up this night at different places on the Hills & hight ground a very Great work for one Night

Mar 6: workt. this day at Dotchester point genl. Washington, Putnam with othere Genl. officers was Down to See us. Raisd 2 Barraks.

Dorchester Heights by Louis S. Glanzman

The American fortifications at Dorchester, it seems, were the final nail in the coffin for the British in Boston:

Mar 10: At Do (Dorchester), 30 Ships under Sail at once going down, a great Stir in Boston geting Stough (stuff) on bord the ships & by all appearance prepairing to depart. . .

And depart they did. After the British evacuation of the city, General Washington immediately left for New York where he rightly imagined the British were headed. Cousin Jeduthan would be going along for the ride:

Mar 13: Recd. orders for to go to New York...

Mar 14: at Cambridge. Recd. a Warrant for 116 of Dollars for Service as Engineer in the Continentall army to the 14th of March Inclusive. went to Roxbury Dind at Genl. Wards (4C10X), with Revd. Mr. Saml. Baldwin (3C7X) (Jeduthan's 2nd cousin) Recd. a Very friendly Letter from Mr. John Adams Esqr. of the Congress at Philidelphia. . .bought a Horse & Saddlebaggs. . .

Note: The "very friendly Letter from Mr. John Adams Esqr." did not, unfortunately, include the pay raise and rank Jeduthan had been looking for.

By March 17, the Brtitish had completely evacuated the city and the siege of Boston was over. The Patriots once again swarmed into their beloved city and Cousin Jeduthan was on his way north to help General Washington with much needed fortifications for the city of New York.

Our relatives in the Boston siege and at Dorchester Heights

Uncle Abraham Stickney (5U) Billerica

Captain Jonathan Stickney (3C7X) Billerica

The first man killed at Bunker Hill was from Cousin Jonathan's company.

Lt. Jeremiah Ballard (1C8X) New Salem

Jeremiah was later a delegate to the Contitutional Convention in 1787

Samuel Wyman (3C7X) Concord

Samuel was in our cousin Captain Solomon Kidder's (1C7X) company. Samuel later fought at White Plains, NY where he was wounded.

Levi Wyman (3C7X) Woburn

Levi later joined the Continental Army in early 1779. He was reported deserted in

September, 1779 and August 1780. He again deserted from West Point in 1781.

John Richardson (3C7X) Waltham and Jonathan Greenleaf (6C6X) Medford

Both John and Jonathan's companies marched at the specific request of General

Washington at the time of taking Dorchester Heights

Eliphalet Adams (3C8X) Suffield

Dane Ballard (2C7X) Salem

Philip Ballard (2C7X) Montague, MA

Winslow Brigham (4C7X) Northborough

Jacob Crosby (4C9X) Billerica

Enoch Greenleaf (4C7X) Woolwich

Lt. Moses Greenleaf (5C6X) Newbury

James Haseltine (2C8X) Lunenburg

Ensign Samuel Haseltine (4C8X) Haverhill

William Haseltine (2C8X) Fitchburg, MA

Elijah Hildreth (2C8X) Dracut

Samuel Hill (3C7X) Billerica

Abijah Richardson (5C6X) Westford

Addison Richardson (3C7X) Woburn

Bartholomew Richardson (4C7X) Woburn

Ebenezer Richardson (3C7X) Lynn

Edmund Richardson (3C7X) Reading

Lt. Jeduthan Richardson (5C6X) Woburn

Lt. John Richardson (3C8X) Woburn

Jonathan Richardson (3C7X) Middleton, MA

Fifer Matthew Richardson (4C7X) Woburn

Moses Richardson (5C6X) Roxbury

Phineas Richardson (2C8X) Woburn

Zebulon Richardson (4C7X) Woburn

Joseph Stickney (4C7X) Newburyport

Samuel Stickney (4C7X) Newburyport

Abijah Wyman (3C7X) Templeton

Daniel Wyman (4C7X) Lancaster

Francis Wyman (4C6X) Lunenburg, MA

Lt. John Wyman (3C7X) Cambridge

Jonathan Wyman (2C7X) Marlborough

Solomon Wyman (3C7X) Woburn

William Wyman (5C6X) Woburn