Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/458

 S6Q THE HISTORY OF BARRINGTON. April 4, 1778. "Voted and appointed Josiah Humphrey, Jr. Sergt. to Inlist and keep up a Sergt. guard agreeable to the late Resolve of the Committee of War to the Town Clerk Directed." April 29, 1779. " Voted and allowed Capt. Philip Traffern the Sum of ^5.0.0 for Service Done in Recruiting." A few letters of the Revolutionary period will show the spirit of the soldiers in the field, in front of the foe, in the opening scenes of the long struggle. As stated, Captain Matthew Allin of Barrington, commanded a company of Rhode Island Militia, some of whom were Barrington men, at Boston, in the contest that drove General Howe from Massachusetts. The following letters were written to his brother Captain Thomas Allin, and his wife, Mrs. Bathsheba Allin, in Barrington : Rhode Island Camp, ^ Governor Barnard Seat, > RoxBURY, June 13th, A. D. 1775. ' To Captain Thomas Allin, Loving Brother : — I Re- ceived your letter and was very glad to hear that you and all our friends are well and that you under value yourself as to write to me. I hope these Lines will find you and your wife and all your family well as they leave me. Brother (Samuel) Viall is well and all my Company Except William Andrews ; he has been Very poorly for some time but is now getting better so that I am in hopes he will Be able for Duty again very soon. We hear that there are four hun- dred light horse Come over and a number of troops but how many I don't know. We Expect a Battle Very soon and I Long for the Time to Come : when they landed their horses they were seen to take twelve Dead horses out of the hold. Sir, as to what you wrote to me about Major Gray there is no truth in it at all, but I shall not pretend to clear the matter up but if Mr. Childs will Let you know