History of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1667-1917; - citizen hylbom blog

Historical Address 87
days. In the expedition of Gen. Sullivan on Rhode Island,
Col. Carpenter's regiment of Rehoboth and Swansea men
distinguished themselves for their bravery, Benjamin Smith
of Swansea being wounded by a bursting shell.
Another of the local leaders in this struggle was Col. Peleg
Slead, one of the largest land owners of the town, who was
called to fill many important offices of town and State, and
who proved himself an ardent friend of his country's cause.
He died Dec. 28, 1813, at the age of eighty-four, and is buried
in the cemetery on his homestead farm, not far from Swansea
village. (See Sketch.)
On a muster roll dated Sept. 16th, 1777, eight Swansea
men are returned as enlisted for the present war in Col. Henry
Jackson's regiment, which was probably in service on the
Hudson. On the 19th of June, 1778, ten men were drafted for
nine months from their arrival at Fishkill, and about the same
time three for nine months from their arrival at Springfield.
April 10th, 1778, the General Court having ordered 2,000
men to be raised to recruit the State's fifteen battalions of
Continental troops for service either in Rhode Island or on the
Hudson, twenty-six Swansea men were sent to Col. William
Lee's regiment. In 1779, twelve Swansea men were in Continental
regiments on duty in Rhode Island. During this year
one-seventh part of the male population was ordered under
arms in the national service. Swansea was behind on its quota
only three men, few towns showing a better record. 1780 and
1781 saw other men in small numbers enlisted for three years
or the war.
Thus, with constant drafts for men and money, the war
wore on to its triumphant close in 1783, when the people had
the joy of knowing that the last British soldier had left our
shores, and that through great sacrifice in blood and treasure
Independence was secured.
Ship Building
One of the earlier industries of the colonies was that of
ship building.
For several years the immigration of shipwrights was encouraged,
and special privileges were given them, such as
exemption from the duty of training, and from the taxation of
property actually used by them in their business. These inducements
brought hither a number of good carpenters. In 1694 a
sloop of forty tons burden was built in Swansea, and in 1697 a
ship of seventy-eight tons. In the early part of the last cen-