An American Family History

"[L]iberty must at all hazards be supported.
We have a right to it, derived from our Maker.
But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us,
at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood."

At a Meeting of the Alarm List and Training Band of the Foot company [infantry], in Topsfield, on the 5th of December, 1774 to choose officers for the said Company, (agreeable to the advice of the Provincial Congress), voted, Mr. Stephen Perkins, chairman; voted, Mr. Joseph Gould. Captain.

The Day being Spent, a Motion was made for said Meeting to be adjourned to the next Morning, 9 o'clock; the Question was put and passed in the Affirmative and accordingly said Meeting was adjourned to said Time.

December 6. Said Alarm List and Training Band met according to adjournment, a Motion was made said Company to be divided into two distinct Companies; the Question was put and accordingly they were divided into two Companies: the first Company voted Mr. Joseph Gould. Captain; Mr. Samuel Cummings, Lieutenant; Mr. Thomas Moore, Ensign; and all the other Officers by a great Majority. The second Company voted Mr. Stephen Perkins, Captain; Mr. Samuel Dodge, Lieutenant; Mr. David Perkins, Ensign; and all the other Officers by a great Majority." (Essex Gazette, Dec. 27, 1774.)

On April 19, 1775 the two companies of the Topsfield militia left their plows in midfurrow and galloped off to Lexington and Concord to help drive the Redcoats back to Boston. They did not see active service on that day, however, as they arrived after the battle was over.

February 13, 1777, the town voted to give eight pounds to those who volunteered to serve three years in the American army in addition to what Congress granted. A month later the amount was raised to eighteen pounds. 

In May, 1778, a rate of one hundred and twenty pounds was assessed to defray the charges of clothing for the Topsfield soldiers in the continental army.

In 1780, the town voted to purchase eight thousand four hundred and forty pounds of beef for the army. In 1777, a committee was formed to look after the soldiers' families if need be.

South Ward Company
A muster Roll of Capt. Joseph Gould; Company of the Militia whereof John BakerEsq. is Coll. who marched on the 19th day of April last past in consequence of the Alarm made on that Day by the English Troops. Topsfield, December 26, 1775. The company marched 6O miles and saw a service of 3 to 5 days. Capt. Gould was paid £ l-6-5, while the privates received about 12s 19 ¾d. as an average."