Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

232 GENEALOGICAL NOTES OF BARNSTABLE FAMILIES.
for what reason I am unable to say, probably on account of the
differences in political sentiments which then prevailed, already explained
in the account of parties in Barostable. According to
military usuages, when they passed through the lines, the soldiers
should have presented arms. Instead of extending to them this
token of respect, due to them as superior officers, every soldiei',
was received, as it
at a given signal, clubbed his musket. This ||
was intended, as a token of disrespect, as an insult from the
officers and soldiers of the Company to their superiors. Col.
Otis turned to Capt. Samuel Crocker, and said in a defiant tone,
"The Croekers are at the bottom of this." "You lie, sir," was
the response. Col. Otis immediately raised his cane and struck
Capt. Crocker a severe blow, which he returned. The spectators
interfered, but before they were parted several blows were interchanged.
Simultaneously, Col. Freeman made the same charge
against Cornelius Crocker, Jr., who had gone or was going into
his house. Col. Freeman followed him into the west room and
made three passes at him with his cutlass. Fortunately neither
of them took effect ; but some one called out that Col. Freeman
had cut down Nell Crocker, at which Elijah Crocker rushed from
the ranks into the house, and, with fixed boyonet, swore he would
revenge the blood of his uncle. Dr. Samuel Savage was stand
ing in the doorway, and grasping the bayonet, turned it on one
side, and with the assistance of others in the house, prevented
young Crocker from executing his threat.
One or more of the blows aimed by' Col. Freeman at Cornelius
Crocker, Jr., took effect on the "summer-beam" of the house,
and the deep incision made therein showed the force with which
the blows were struck. These marks remained till the house was
taken down, about fifty years ago, and were often examined by
visitors. 1tf>
The difficulty between Col. Otis and Capt. Crocker was satisfactorily,
adjusted and settled. That between Col. Freeman and
the Croekers never. The only palliation for the offence is, it was
done hastily and in a moment of uncontrolable excitement, caused
by a palpable insult to him as a man and an officer. There is no
other excuse—it cannot be justified—a man's house is his castle,
his sanctuary, and he that invades it, without legal authority,
commits an outrage on the rights of others. The tory proclivi-
ties of Cornelius Crocker, Jr., did not warrant Col. Freeman in
II Clubbing Arms. I am profoundly ignorant of military terms, and cannot say whether
this is a teclinical or cant phrase. I am told that it ii the reverse of shoulder arms,—that
the breach is elevated across the shoulder, and the muzzle grasped as a club is held.
Note.—Attention has been called to the statement found on page 224 which says of
Benjamin Crocker, "He probably married for his third wife in 1759, Annie Handy of Sandwich."
Ibis is rendered inprobable, by the fact that the inscription upon their gravestones
in the burying-gi-ound at Marston's Mills represent liim as dying in 1785, and his
wife, Bathsheba, in 1808, surviving him twenty-three years. S.