Fort Ticonderoga is located on Lake Champlain in northeastern New York. It is about 120 miles from Keene, New Hampshire. Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys, joined by Benedict Arnold, attacked Fort Ticonderoga at dawn on May 10, 1775. They surprised and easily captured the sleeping British garrison, and seized a large stash of cannons and other armaments from the fort. This was the first significant American victory of the Revolutionary War. It raised moral and it gave the Continental Army greatly needed artillery.

Fort Ticonderoga was a key point of access to both Canada and the Hudson River Valley. Colonel Ashley’s militia regiment from southwestern New Hampshire, was available on a minutes notice to march to its defense.

John Chamberlain, Increase Chamberlain, Calvin Chamberlain and Silas French served in this militia. These men witnessed and fought for the birth and establishment of a new nation, the United States of America.

Increase Chamberlain is the son of Thomas, and is Spencer Chamberlain’s uncle. Silas French of Keene, New Hampshire is the father of Millie French Chamberlain. Therefore, he is a direct descendant of all of Spencer Chamberlain’s family.

Who was Lieutenant John Chamberlain?

John Chamberlain is on the record as serving in the Revolutionary War. However, Westmoreland historical records had confused the two different John Chamberlains as though they were the same person, (Chapter 10). It was troubling that I could find no direct proof of which John Chamberlain served.

So, was Lieutenant John Chamberlain the son of Thomas or of Henry?

Henry’s son has been given credit (at least since the 1920s) as Westmoreland’s John Chamberlain who served in the Revolutionary War. However, I didn’t want to take anything for granted. There were two troubling facts: 1- Henry’s son  John, (Eunice Edson’s husband), died in 1822 at the age of 80, yet no war pension records for him can be found. 2- His tombstone is engraved, “Mr. John Chamberlain”. Why would his family add the prefix “Mr.” if he had been a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary war?

On the other hand, the resolution of March 14, 1776 required all males twenty-one years of age or older to sign a pledge of their lives and fortunes. All males of age in Westmoreland either signed or were on the list of  those who refused. This record shows that only one John Chamberlain lived in Westmoreland at that time.

Westmoreland birth records for the children of John Chamberlain and Eunice Edson during this period establishes that John, the son of Henry, was a resident in Westmoreland. This confirms that Lieutenant John Chamberlain is the son of Henry.  John the son of Thomas apparently did not live in Westmorland during the war.

Lieutenant John Chamberlain is the son of Henry Chamberlain and Susannah Hinds. He is the husband of Eunice Edson. Calvin Chamberlain is Henry’s youngest son.

The British evacuate Boston

March 2, 1776 The Americans used the 57 cannons captured from Fort Ticonderoga to fortify Dorchester Heights, across the harbor from Boston, Massachusetts.

March 14, 1776 The General Congress passed a resolution that all town’s Committee of Safety “require all males above twenty-one years of age to sign a declaration, to pledge their lives and fortunes to oppose the Hostile Proceedings of the British Fleets and Armies against the United American Colonies.”²

March 17, 1776 The eight month siege of Boston ended. George Washington watched from his position in Dorchester Hieghts as General Howe and the British peacefully evacuated Boston. Washington’s artillary from Fort Ticonderoga, compelled the British to leave Boston and sail to their stronghold at Halifax, Nova Scotia.³

May 19, 1776   The British captured Colonel Timothy Bedel’s at a place called “The Cedars” about 45 Miles southwest of Montreal. Henry and Ebenezer Chamberlain were privates in Bedel’s regiment. Eight days later, they exchanged the American prisoners for British soldiers captured during the Canadian campaign.^1,2

June 3, 1776  In Westmoreland, 130 men signed the congressional petition of March 14. Henry Chamberlain (most likely the father), John Chamberlain (the son of Henry), Thomas Chamberlain, Jedediah Chamberlain, Increase Chamberlain and Isaac Chamberlain signed the petition. Six did not sign including Job Chamberlain.²

Henry’s sons Henry and Ebenezer Chamberlain were away in the army. Calvin Chamberlain did not sign because he was under the age of 21. Thomas’ sons Josiah, Joshua and John Chamberlain were not on the list. Apparently, they were not residents of Westmoreland at that time. Silas French signed the petition in Keene.

The declaration of Independence

July 4, 1776 The Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia and the news was received with great rejoicing and celebration through out the land. A drum roll from town to town published the event over the next 14 days. That declaration brought great encouragement and powerful motivation to the patriots. Their objective now was clear. They will establish a new nation of their own that will governed under democratic principles.

The question was, would they live in freedom? Or, as conquered rebels? They must win the war! The alternative would be unthinkable. There could be no more powerful incentive to endure the current hardships and deprivation.¹

The First Celebration of the Fourth of July

Silas French and Sarah Blake heard the news of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and immediately joined in a patriotic celebration with the citizens of Keene, New Hampshire. They assembled at the town green where a liberty pole had been erected, and for which a flag had been provided. Unfortunately, they had no halyards and there was no way of fastening the flag to the top of the pole.  An announcement was made: “To any man brave enough to climb the pole and secure the banner this Spanish silver coin shall be your reward.” A nine year old boy stepped forward. “I would like to try,” he said.

The crowd was stunned and amused, but no one was willing to allow such a small child to run the risk. However, a proud father spoke out, “That’s my little Alec. He’s a cool-headed boy and can be trusted to get’er done.” With that reassurance, he was allowed to make the attempt.

Several large men gathered around to give the small standard bearer a boost, and little Alec Hutchinson began his climb. He succeeded in taking it up near the top where the pole was so slender that it began to bend under his weight. With courage and coolness he averted the pending danger and attached the flag. He then descended amid the applaud of the multitude and received the promised compensation.⁴

Colonel Ashley’s regiment sent to reinforce General Gates army

October, 1776 Colonels Ashley and Bellows marched from Cheshire county to reinforce General Gates, each with six companies of militia. Many men from Keene were in this campaign including  Silas French. We do not know the movement of these troops. However, they received a letter of thanks from General Gates at the close of the campaign:

Ticonderoga Nov. 9th 1776.

To Colonel Ashley & Colonel Bellows commanding the Regiments of Militia from the County of Cheshire, in the State of New Hampshire.

GENTLEMEN-I return you, and the officers & soldiers of the Regiments under your command, my sincere thanks for the Spirit and Expedition both you & they have shewn in marching upon the first alarm, upwards of one hundred & fifty miles, to the support of this important pass, when threatened with an immediate attack from the Enemy’s Army. I now dismiss you with the Honour you have so well deserved.

I am, Gentlemen your most obed. Humble Serv.,

Horatio Gates.¹

New Hampshire turns to God during “hard times” of war

December 1776 The people seriously felt the painful effects of the war on their prosperity. An attempt to relieve the situation by issuing paper money, made by both the Continental congress and the state legislature, was a lamentable failure. Lack of faith in its stability caused continual depreciation of its value. Prices of commodities in the newly issued paper money sky rocketed.

The legislature made a futile attempt to control the laws of trade by fixing prices. This, of course, resulted in shortages of goods. It was almost impossible to procure suitable tools and implements, or to have existing ones repaired, to accomplish the work of farm and family. Also, many of the men were in the army making the raising and gathering of crops extremely difficult. These were indeed “hard times.”¹

The Northern Continental Army had been experiencing monumental hardships for several months. Small pox sorely afflicted the men and many died. Dysentery and “putrid fever” had also broken out among those troops. Other units avoided sending them reinforcements or making other contact with them to avoid contagion. Colonel James Reed suffered so severely from sickness that he became totally blind.¹

Alarm was spreading through New England with the appearance of the British fleet off the coast with the apparent intention of landing troops. However, the army was in such a deplorable condition at this time that marching orders were never delivered.¹

December 13, 1776  A “Day of Solemn Fasting and Humiliation” was observed which had been appointed by the New Hampshire legislature.  In fasting and humility they turned toward God, with the invocation: “God save the United States of America.”¹

Cheshire County Militia called to aid Army at Ticonderoga

May 3, May 1777 Urgent appeals continued to come in from Gen. Schuyler, Gen. Wayne and others to call on troops to save Ticonderoga. The state committee of safety sent orders to the three colonels of militia in Cheshire county, “to raise as many of your Militia as possible and march them to Ticonderoga.”¹

May 5 1777  Express riders rode through the state bearing the news of an impending attack by the British Army upon Ticonderoga. This prompted General Folsom to call on portions of the western New Hampshire militia to march immediately to the aid of the American Army. Captain Waitstill Scott led the First Company of Colonel Ashley’s regiment. This company included Westmoreland’s Lieutenant John Chamberlain and privates Increase Chamberlain and Calvin Chamberlain.²  Two days later, May 7, they connected with a company from Keene, which included Private Silas French. They then began on their march of 120 miles to Fort Ticonderoga.¹

 

 

 

 

 

Ashley’s regiment goes home

About May 20, 1777 Colonel Ashley’s regiment arrived at Fort Ticonderoga. However, the alarm had subsided. Therefore, they headed home and the army discharged the unit between June 17 and June 24th, 1777.¹

The British make new plans

June 17, 1777 The British made plans to separate New England from the rest of the colonies. British General John Burgoyne and his army would march South from Canada to Albany where he would meet and join up with General Howe and his forces who would march north from New York City.³

June 20, 1777 General Burgoyne’s British invasion force assembled at the St. Lawrence River to begin their southern advance. He was in command of an army of 7700 redcoats with 42 fine brass artillery pieces. Also, the British used thousands of their Indian allies as instruments of terror. Reports of the strength and rapid advance of his army reached the states causing great fear of an imminent attack by an irresistible force of regular troops and savages.^1,3

Ashley’s orders, return to Ticonderoga

About June 24, 1777 Colonel Bellow’s and Colonel Ashley’s regiments had barely returned home when another express rider arrived with the news from General Gates that Burgoyne had actually arrived and was within a few miles of Ticonderoga.²

June 29- July 5, 1777  Colonel Ashley’s regiment of about 400 men, along with some other regiments were again ordered to Fort Ticonderoga. Henry Chamberlain was in this group. After traveling about 80 miles to Otter Creek, about 2/3 of the way to the Fort, they met a courier. He told them it was a another false alarm. So, they again changed direction and headed toward home. They traveled about 40 miles south (to Charlestown, NH), when they were overtaken by yet another express rider carrying orders to again change direction and march “with all speed for Ticonderoga.”^1,2

The Fall of Ticonderoga

July 6, 1777 British General Burgoyne placed a cannon on Mount Defiance and forced Ticonderoga under command General Arthur St. Clair to evacuate. General St. Clair gave up with little resistance.⁵

July 7, 1777 The regiments from Westmoreland and Keene were again about three miles from Otter Creek when they met the American army from Ticonderoga in retreat and therefore, headed for home once again.¹

The battles of Saratoga

July 23, 1777 – British General William Howe, who was scheduled to meet up with General Burgoyne at Albany, changed his plans. He decided instead to sail toward the Chesapeake Bay and invade the patriot capital of Philadelphia.³

September 19, 1777  In the first battle of Saratoga, British General John Burgoyne achieved a small victory over American forces led by Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold. However, his victory was costly and the battle weakened his troops. Meanwhile, General George Washington sent two brigades of Continentals from the Hudson Highlands. This raised Gates’s strength to about sixty-five hundred men.⁶

October 7, 1777 Burgoyne attempted another assault on the Americans at Bemis Heights. He had fortified his camp and waited for reinforcements from New York which never came. Benedict Arnold, Ignoring orders from General Gates to remain in his quarters, led an attack that captured key strong points and forced the British to retreat to Saratoga (modern Schuylerville). Reinforcements from General Washington had now finally arrived and surrounded Burgoyne.⁶

October 17, 1777 General Burgoyne’s army of 5,700 hundred men were forced to surrender to General Horatio Gates militia. This was a major victory for the American forces and the turning point of the war. The decisive victory convinced the French government to formally recognize the colonist’s cause and enter the war as their ally. If British General William Howe had followed through with the plan to meet Burgoyne, rather than occupy Philadelphia, the Continental Army likely would have fallen.^3,6

Marriage of Silas French and Sarah Blake

December 8, 1777 Silas French, age 25, married Sarah Blake, 20. They had known each other through out the war and probably had grown up together. According to family tradition, she supplied Silas with needed ammunition when she melted down the lead weights of the family clock and ran them into bullets. At the time of their marriage, the country was in poverty but the tides of war had turned and the future looked bright.

“Our first national Thanksgiving”

December 18, 1777  The Continental Congress designated this day, and the people heartily observed it as “a day of thanksgiving and praise to God”, It was our first national Thanksgiving.¹

The war rages on four more long years, until…

October 19, 1781  General Cornwallis formally surrendered with his full contingent of 8,000 troops at Yorktown. The British army was decimated the war was virtually over.³

April 19, 1783  Washington declares an end to fighting on the eighth anniversary of the beginning of the war.⁷

September 3, 1783 The final peace treaty between Britain and the United States was signed in Paris.⁷

A new Chamberlain generation is born

March 24, 1786 Millie French is born, the fourth child and third daughter of Silas and Sarah French. Also, about this time, somewhere in the wilds of New England, a baby boy is born to John Chamberlain and an Indian named Winona, They named him Spencer Chamberlain.

“We the People”

September 17, 1787 The constitution of The United States of America was created. It was ratified on June 21, 1788.

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” – Preamble to the Constitution

March 4, 1789 The Constitution became the supreme law of the land. The framers of the constitution, through negotiation and inspiration, wisely separated and balanced governmental powers. This plan was to safeguard the interests of majority rule and minority rights, of liberty and equality, of the federal verses state governments and of small states verses large states. The new government was a representative republic made up of thirteen separate democracies.

The new nation was far from perfect. There was still the slavery issue and other problems which had been inherited from the society of the time. Now, however, it was up to “we the people” to solve these problems and to “form a more perfect Union”.

There is no longer a king or ruler. With the Constitution as our law, “We the People” are in charge. Our leaders and representatives are now a reflection of the integrity of those who elect them. Only by governing on principles of honesty and righteousness can we continue to “secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.”

April 6, 1789 The House and Senate met in joint session and counted the electoral votes for the first president and vice president of the United States of America. They unanimously elected  and certified George Washington and John Adams.⁷

April 30, 1789 George Washington took the oath of office in New York City and became the first President of the United States of America.

George Washington’s covenant with God

 In his inaugural address, Washington gave credit to God for the establishment of a free and independent United States of America:

“Every step, by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency.” And that we as a free people are therefore, “bound to acknowledge and adore (His) invisible hand.” 

Washington then made a covenant with God that “the sacred fire of liberty” may be preserved by a nation that observes “the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained”.⁸

To be continued….  Chapter 14- Spencer Chamberlain’s Indian Mother Winona. 

© Copyright Dennis D. Chamberlain, The Chamberlain Story, 2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the written content of this site without express and written permission from the author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that credit is given to Dennis D. Chamberlain and direction to  www.thechamberlainstory.com.

References:

1- S. G. Griffin, M. A., A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF KEENE, Keene, NH, Sentinel Printing Co., 1904
2- History of Westmoreland, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, www.nh.searchroots.com
3- American Revolution Time Line for Kids, mrnussbaum.com/revolution/
4- S. G. Griffin, M. A., A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF KEENE, Keene, NH, Sentinel Printing Co., 1904, Based on the story by Col. Rush C. Hawkins of New York in his biographical sketch of Rev. Aaron Hutchinson.
5- The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga www.history.com
6-  http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-saratoga
7- https://www.nps.gov/vafo/learn/historyculture/upload/timeline
8- Dan Hormandl, George Washington’s Covenant with God,  https://lessonsfromthefounders.wordpress.com/