A large format printed form document for a regiment that was called out by the Governor of NH, anticipating British naval forces landing near or at Portsmouth, New Hampshire in the fall of 1814.
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Description
1814 Pay & Subsistence Account For Ensign Elijah Huntley & Servant. This large printed form document is dated 18 November, 1814 for Elijah Huntley, an ensign of the 2nd (Steele’s) New Hampshire Detached Militia. The pay period is from the 2nd of October to 16 November, 1814, including regular pay, travel home, clothing, subsistance, and half pay of a private servant. During this time Huntley was posted at Portsmouth, NH.
The document further states the Huntley was mustered into service by Captain James M Warner. The paymaster was Jacob Cutts. Ensign Elijah Huntley signs having received $67.62.
Size is 12.5 x 15 inches.
Very good condition for its age, staining, and some same tears on the edges, and in folds.
“During the summer of 1814, British war vessels layoff the New Hampshire coast, and captured and burned many coasting vessels. There was great alarm at Portsmouth and other New England ports, and the excitement spread throughout the states. In New Hampshire, Gov. Gilman, “yielding to the demands of the people,” ordered detachments from twenty regiments of militia to march immediately to the defence of Portsmouth. Two days later he ordered the whole militia force of the state, infantry, cavalry and artillery, II to hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment’s warning;” and directed seventeen companies from the regiments on the eastern border of the state to march at once to Portsmouth. The orders were obeyed with alacrity, whole companies volunteering where only detachments were called for. At Portsmouth, the troops were organized into a brigade under Brig. Gen. John Montgomery of Haverhill, consisting of five regiments and one battalion of infantry, and one battalion of artillery.
Lt. Col. John Steele, of Peterboro, commanded the Second regiment, with John H. Fuller, afterwards a prominent citizen of Keene, adjutant. Capt. James M. Warner of Acworth, commanded one of the companies, composed almost wholly of Cheshire county men. Among them were Josiah Colony, Jehiel Day, Zebadiah “Keys,” George Metcalf, Isaac Miller, Jr., and Asa Wares, Jr., and this unit left from Keene starting for Portsmouth about the 17th of September, 1814. At Portsmouth, the governor took command in person. British cruisers layoff the harbor with the intention of destroying the navy yard and Portsmouth, but finding a large force, well stationed for defence, they abandoned their plan and left this part of the coast.! In November, 1814, the troops were discharged, without pay, and most of them had to beg their way home; but the Cheshire county men were paid in December, at Sumner’s tavern in Keene.” (extracted from History of the Town of Keene, NH.)
Apparently, Huntley at least was paid in November according to the document. This bit of info was taken from the Keene History as well, and suggests that Elijah Huntley, may have been the son of Brigadier General Huntley of Alstead….“In October, 1810, there was a brigade muster here of the Sixth, Twelfth and Twentieth regiments. Brig. Gen. Huntley of Alstead and Maj. Gen. Whitcomb of Swanzey were the reviewing officers. “
Additional information
| Weight | .5 lbs |
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