Reverend Noah Alden
Noah Alden is my maternal 7th great grandfather
and the great grandson of Mayflower passengers John and Priscilla (Mullins)
Alden. Noah was born in 1725 in
Middleborough, Massachusetts to John and Hannah (White) Alden. Noah was the 13th and last child
born to the couple. Noah would also live
in Stratford, Connecticut and Bellingham, Massachusetts. He was 50 years old in 1775 and living in
Bridgewater, Massachusetts as the Revolutionary War officially began. To better understand my ancestor’s
involvement in the Revolutionary War I also need to understand what was
happening around him at the time:
- 19 April 1775 marked the ‘Shot heard round the world’ as the
battles at Lexington and Concord happened in Massachusetts.
- 15 June 1775 The Second Continental Congress established the
Continental Army and George Washington was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief
of the new army. By the end of 1775 any
hope for a peaceful reconciliation was gone.
Local skirmishes in Massachusetts turned into an organized,
continent-wide military struggle for independence.
- 17 June 1775 was the first major battle at Bunker Hill. The battle actually occurred at Breed’s Hill
(adjacent to Bunker Hill) overlooking Boston.
The British would eventually win the battle after the colonists ran out
of gun powder. The British suffered high
losses and this battle proved to the world that the raw colonial militia could
stand toe-to-toe with the finest military in Europe. The Colonists were organizing for War.
What part did Noah play in the developments occurring around
him?
Initial research yields:
From the Daughters of the American Revolution website:
This is great information and a good place to start but what
else can I learn about Noah and his participation in the Revolutionary War?
First of all, I seem to have conflicting information between
the Military information and the DAR website.
Hmm… Did my 7th great grandfather at the age of 50+ serve in
the Milita? I guess it was possible but
why wouldn’t it be listed in the DAR information? After further investigation I find that Rev.
Noah Alden in the military records is probably my 6th great great Uncle Noah Alden born in 1755 who was the son of Rev. Noah Alden born in 1725.
Can I locate information that confirms what is listed on the
DAR website?
Massachusetts towns elected delegates to meet at Cambridge to draft a new state constitution. First, I find Noah’s name on a list of Delegates to Massachusetts
State Convention:
That's very interesting but what can I learn about Rev. Noah’s participation in the
State Convention?
On 22 March 1779 Rev. Noah Alden was
elected to attend the Massachusetts state constitutional convention. From the town records for Bridgewater,
Plymouth County:
- “Voted, that Mr. Noah
Alden be and hereby is chosen a Delegate to represent this Town in Convention
to be held at Cambridge for the purpose of forming a Constitution or Frame of
Government for this State.”
Delegates were elected by their towns and had to be a
trusted and respected citizen. The 1779-1780
Constitutional Convention was the second constitutional convention held in
Massachusetts to draft a new state constitution following the state declaring its
independence in 1776. The convention’s proposal was principally
drafted by John Adams (also a descendant of John & Priscilla Alden). It
served as a model for the United States Constitution, which was written in 1787
and became effective in 1789. Adams's
draft proposed that the people of Massachusetts were to govern themselves
through three separate and balanced branches of government; he called for a
"government of laws, and not of men."
From the History of the Town of Bellingham, Massachusetts 1719-1919 by Partridge:
- “Aug 6 1779 To Mr Noah Alden Sir you being chosen By the
Inhabitants of this Town [Bellingham] to Represent them in a convention at
Cambridge next September for the sole Purpose of forming a Constitution for the
Massachusetts we your Constituants Claim it as Our Inherent right at all times
to Instruct those that Represent us But more necessary on such an Important
Object which not only So Nearly Concerns ourselves But our Posterity. we Do in
the first place instruct you Previous to your Entering upon the framing of a
form of Government you See that Each part of the State have Properly Deligated their
Power for Such a Purpose and that a Bill of Rights Be formed where in the
Natural Rites of Individuals Be Clearly ascertained that is all Such Rights as
the Supream Power of the State Shall (have) no authority to Controal, to be a
part of the Constitution that you use your Influence that the Legislative Power
consist of a Senate and House of Representatives, the Representatives to Be
Annually Chosen from the Towns as they were in the year 1776. that the
Constitution be so framed that Elections be free and frequent, most likely to
Prevent bribery Corruption and Influence that the Executive Power be So Lodged
as to Execute the Laws with Dispatch . . . the Senators to be annually Chosen
by the people That the holding the Court of probate . . . in but one town in
the County as hereto fore . . . has been a grievous burden to us . . . that
Each Incorporated Town may have power to hold a Court of Probate . . . and
record Deeds in the same Town. We further Instruct you that when you have Drawn
a form of government you cause a fair Coppy thereof to be Printed . . . that
the Convention Adjourn to some futer Day and the Coppy be laid before your
several Towns for their Consideration and Amendment to be returned to the
Convention. That the Judicial be So established that Justice may be impartially
Demonstrated without Enormous Expense that the Right of Trial by Jury be kept
Sacred and Close . . . that Statutes of Old England nor any foreign Law be
adopted . . . that a County Assemble be Established to Grant County Taxes in
each county and settle all the county Matters.”
The convention met in September 1779. The Bill of Rights, Article III, Religious
Rights, required the most discussion, lasting about two weeks. After a free general debate Rev. Noah Alden,
a humble Baptist elder, was chosen as the chairman of this special committee of
seven. The discussions and debates of
the draft of Article III was adopted at the convention without much change and
remained in force until 1833.
16 June 1780 Massachusetts approved the state constitution. The Constitution of the United States was adopted in Massachusetts in 1788 by one hundred and eight-seven Yeas and one hundred and sixty-eight Nays. There were over twenty Baptists in the convention of which two-thirds voted against the constitution, as forming too strong a government. Rev. Noah Alden was one of them. I wonder if his religious beliefs were the main reason for his decision or if the journey and struggles of his great grandparents John and Priscilla (Mullins) Alden to America also played a part in his decision?
Massachusetts not only refined the American system of
constitution-making, but produced the longest and most detailed constitution of
the Revolutionary era.
Noah Alden did not have military service but did have
civil/political service and was definitely part of the Revolutionary era to
create independent state governments.
This service indicated civic leadership status, community prominence and
direct involvement in government formation. I would
classify Noah as a “Patriot” of the American Revolution! Noah would live another 14 years after the
end of the Revolutionary War.
Note: I find it interesting that Noah Alden and John Adams
served together at the convention. John Adams was the principle writer of the State Constitution. Did
they know of their family connection? I
wonder how their involvement in the fight for independence and the decisions
they made were influenced/shaped by their Mayflower ancestors John and
Priscilla (Mullins) Alden who arrived on the shoreline of Massachusetts 155
years earlier?
Now I also have information about Noah Alden Jr. born 1755 in
order to document his service in the Revolutionary War for a future story. I wonder how many of Noah’s four sons
actually served? I know of at least two
of them serving in the Milita-Noah Jr and Israel.
If you have any corrections or additions or stories to share, I look forward to hearing them.
