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

CHAPTER XXIX.
REVOLUTION—WESTHAMPTON—REV. SOLOMON WILLIAMS.
A Contribution for In January, 1778, a large committee was
the Soldiers. appointed to "go from one house to another
through the town, and see what they could
collect (by donation) of such things as they judged would
be serviceable to the soldiers," and forward all such contributions
to Albany, as soon as convenient, to be distributed
to the soldiers from Northampton. What may have
been the result of that canvas is not stated. During the
same month the sum of £108.8.2 was allowed a number of
persons for bread furnished the British prisoners, who
marched through the town on their way to Boston. The
amount was paid to four constables, who were to deduct
the same from the tax bills of those who provided the
bread. This must have been for provisions delivered to the
Hessian soldiers, captured at the battle of Bennington.
Nine Month's Men. Two thousaud soldiers werc called for in
April to serve nine months, to fill up the
Continental battalions. The previous requisition of one
seventh of all the male inhabitants over sixteen years of
age, was not sufficient to keep the quota of Massachusetts
up to the desired number. Northam^jton was required to
furnish thirteen men.
Bounty Money and In May the towii voted to raisc by tax thir-
Requisitions for tccu hundred dollars to pay the bounties.
At the same time an order was issued to enlist
thirteen hundred men for the North River, and two
hundred for Rhode Island. They were to serve eight
months after arriving at the place of rendezvous. On the
412