CHAPTER XIII.

THOMAS ALLEN.

HIS BIRTH AND EDUCATION.-SETTLES IN PITTSFIELD.-TAKES DECIDED PART WITH THE COLONIES.-IS MADE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY AND CORRESPONDENCE. HIS LABORS.-HIS INTEREST IN THE CONQUEST OF TICONDEROGA.-NEW AND INTERESTING LETTER TO GEN. SETII POMEROY.-HELPS TO FURNISH KNOX WITH AN OX-TRAIN TO CARRY CANNON TO BOSTON.-Joins the ARMY AS CHAPLAIN.-HIS DIARY AT THE BATTLE OF WHITE PLAINS.-GOES TO TICONDEROGA. HIS ADDRESS TO THE SOLDIERS, WHEN MOMENTARILY EXPECTING AN ATTACK FROM BURGOYNE.-LEAVES THE ARMY IN DISGUST AT THE RETREAT.-RALLIES THE MILITIA TO THE AID OF STARK, AT BENNINGTON.HIS INTERVIEW WITH HIM.-SUMMONS THE ENEMY TO SURRENDER, AND IS FIRED AT.-FIGHTS IN THE RANKS.-FIRST OVER THE BREAST-WORK.-HIS CARE FOR THE WOUNDED.-RETURNS TO IS PARISH.-DIALOGUE WITH A PARISHIONER.-"PUTS OUT THE FLASII."-GOES TO GEORGIA AFTER HIS BROTHER'S WIDOW.-VOYAGE TO ENGLAnd after an INFANT GRANDCHILD.-PRAYS WITH AND ADDRESSES THE CREW IN EXPECTATION OF AN ATTACK.-HIIS CONDUCT IN THE SHAY'S REBELLION.-HIS STATESMANSHIP.-IIIS DEATH.

SOME of the clergy who were deeply engaged in the Revolution kept a record of the stirring scenes through which they passed, and left letters and documents that are still preserved with religious care by their descendants, and which have a priceless value in the eyes of the historian. The pleasure of perusing them, however, is sadly diminished by the regret they awaken, that so much similar material has been lost, through accident, want of proper care, or appreciation of its true worth.

The descendants of the subject of the following sketch are among the fortunate few who possess such

documents and memoranda saved from the wreck of

the past.

Among the patriotic clergymen of New England none occupies a higher rank than Thomas Allen, of Pittsfield, who was born in Northampton, January 17th, 1743. An uncle, whose name he bore, having bequeathed to him a sum sufficient to provide for his cducation, he commenced his studies early in life, and at nineteen graduated with high honor at Cambridge. He was only twenty-one when he was ordained pastor of Pittsfield, then a frontier town on the western borders of Massachusetts. He was the first minister ever settled in the place, which was then a rude collection of log huts, with the exception perhaps of half a dozen framed houses.

In 1768 he married the daughter of Rev. Jonathan Lee, of Salisbury, Conn., by whom he had twelve children, many of whose descendants at this day shed lustre on the State that gave them birth. He was of middle height and slender frame, yet strong and active, and capable of great endurance. His frank, open countenance was lit up by a keen and piercing eye. Ardent in his feelings, hating wrong, and scorning oppression, he became deeply enlisted in the cause of the Colonies, from the commencement of the struggle for redress of grievances, while his zeal and ability made him the leader in all the measures taken to resist the encroachments of the mother country. Hence, in June 1774, when the selectmen of the town called a town meeting, and seven men were appointed a standing committee of safety and correspondence, he was chosen

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chairman. This position brought him into correspondence with the leading patriots of the State, and in the commencement of the Revolution was one calling for great activity and labor. Though earnest and eloquent in his appeals, he was a man of deeds rather than words, and gave his time and energies to the carrying out of practical measures.

When the expedition against Ticonderoga was being organized, he took a deep interest in it, and wrote letters to Seth Pomeroy, at Cambridge, not only keeping him informed of what was going on in the western part of the State, but suggesting plans of future action. He helped to unravel plots against the patriots, caused some to be sent to jail, and drove others with "hue and cry" out of the region. He traveled over into New York, bringing back the disaffected, and stirring up rebellion on every side.

The conquest of Canada, at this time, seemed to occupy the attention of military leaders almost as much as the defence of our sea coast; and Ticonderoga and Crown Point being regarded as the key to it, their capture became of vital importance. It was necessary, however, that any expedition against them should be conducted with great secrecy, or reënforcements from Canada would be hastened down to garrison them more effectually. Mr. Allen thus refers to the expedition that was finally set on foot :

"GENERAL POMEROY :

"PITTSFIELD, May 4th, 1775.

"SIR-I have the pleasure to acquaint you that a

number of gentlemen from Connecticut went from this place last Thursday morning, having been joined by Col. Easton, Capt. Dickinson, and Mr. Brown, with forty soldiers, on an expedition against Ticonderoga and Crown Point, expecting to be reënforced by men from the grants above here, a post having previously taken his departure to inform Col. Ethan Allen of the design, and desiring him to hold his Green Mountain boys in actual readiness. The expedition has been carried on with the utmost secrecy, as they are in hopes of taking the forts by surprise. He expects they will reach those forts by Saturday next, or Lord's day at the farthest. The plan was concocted at Hartford, last Saturday, by the Governor and Council, Col. Hancock, Mr. Adams, and others from our Province being present. Three hundred pounds were drawn immediately out of the treasury for the aforesaid purpose, and committed to those gentlemen who were here. We earnestly pray for success in this important expedition, as the taking of those places would afford us a key to all Canada. There is, if the accounts are to be depended upon, not more than twenty soldiers at each fort. There are a large number of cannon, and I hear four as excellent brass cannon as we could wish. Should success attend the expedition, we expect a strong reënforcement will be sent from the western part of Connecticut, to keep those forts, and to repair and fortify them well.

We have had much work here of late with the tories. A dark plot has been discovered of sending names down to Gen. Gage, in consequence of which, and the

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critical situation of the times, we have been compelled to act with vigor, and have sent Mr. Jones and Graves to Northampton goal, where they now lie in close confinement, and have sent a hue and cry after Maj. Stoddard and Mr. Little, who have fled to New York for shelter. We hope it will not be long before they are taken into custody, and committed to close confinement.

"Our tories are the worst in the Province-all the effect the late and present operations have had upon. them is, they are mute and pensive, and secretly wish for more prosperous days to toryism. As to your important operations, sir, you have the fervent prayers of all good men that success may attend them. I hope God will inspire you with wisdom from above in all your deliberations, and your soldiers with courage and fortitude, and that Boston will speedily be delivcred into your hands-the General thereof, and all the king's troops-that that den of thieves, that nest of robbers, that asylum for traitors and murderers, may be broken up, and never another red coat from England set foot on these shores.

"I have been concerned, lest General Gage should spread the small pox in your army. May heaven protect your army from his wicked wiles. May you be shielded, sir, in the day of battle, and obtain a complete victory over those enemies of God and mankind. I have but one observation to make, which I have often made, upon the histories I have read, and then I must put an end to this tedious epistle-it is this: seldom