History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

I
1775.] REVOLUTION—PRISONERS OF WAR—TORIES. 375
Military Matters in
Northampton.
Duriiig tliis year mucli was undertaken by
i\-^q patriotic citizens of this town to perfect
themselves in military exercises. Several
companies were formed and much time spent in drilling.
The most favorable ground for this purpose seems to have
been upon the plain, near the Bridge Street cemetery.
Among certain papers, undoubtedly in the handwriting of
Major Hawley, has been found an agreement, ^ drawn up
May 20, 1775, for the formation of a military company, as
well as a "MSS. address, which was apparently the speech
made by the major to the volunteers. This agreement
stipulated that the company should continue in force for
three months from the first of June ensuing, and the men
were to "appear upon every Monday and Thursday, in
every week, at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, upon the plain
near the burying ground," " every one well accoutered with
firelock clean and in good order." It contained the following
signatures: — Enos Kingsley, William Pomeroy, Hollister
Baker, Stephen Hubbard, Joseph Clarke, Amasa
Clap, Thomas Stearns, Luke Lyman, Samuel Wright,
Elisha Lyman, Samuel Hunt, Asahel Pomeroy, Thomas
Craige, Joseph Lyman, Moses Kingsley, Seth Clap, Medad
Clarke, Simeon Guilford, and John Strong.
Of the above named men, nineteen in number, the names
of one half will be found upon the muster-rolls of companies
that saw active service. The company, if one was
formed at that time, evidently did not enter the army
as a whole, but its members joined different organizations
as the war progressed, and calls were made for soldiers.
Mr. Hawiey-s Address.
In the addrcss by Major Hawley appears
the following paragraph —
:
" We have seen within the compass of a year two companies formed
in this town for the sole purpose of learning the military art. The first
evaporated or came to nothing by reason of a defect in its first institu-
tion and the second is gone to defend their comitry. A third I hope will
be formed which will not labor under the difficulties and defects of the
first, without countenance or patronage ; nor fall short of the second
in point of dexterity, good order and discipline."
1 Thanks are due to Mr. Chas. L. Shaw, of New York, for copies of the above documents.