Arthur Noble
Encyclopedia
Arthur Noble was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the colonial militia of the British Province of Massachusetts Bay
. He is best known for his role in military actions in Nova Scotia
during King George's War
(the North America
n theater of the War of the Austrian Succession
). He was killed in the Battle of Grand Pré
.
, and immigrated to Boston, Massachusetts c. 1720 with the Lithgow family
, being a close associate with Robert Lithgow. Both families entered the colonial militia and helped to ward off numerous attacks of French and Indians along the banks of Casco Bay
and the Kennebec River
during the War of the Austrian Succession
and the conflicts that led to the French and Indian Wars
. On December 14, 1725, Arthur Noble married Sarah Macklin.
to be raised for the expedition to reduce the Fortress Louisbourg
, one of the strongest forts in New France
. Within fifty-six days, the New England provinces raised 4,300 men for the Louisburg Expedition. Waldo was made Brigadier-General and gave about a fourth of his command in charge to Col. Noble. The fall of Louisburg on June 17, 1745 heightened the fears of the French that they might lose all of Canada.
“being bound on an expedition against the enemies of the King of Great Britain,”. He made his last will, which was proved in the spring of 1747. In it, he named as heirs his brothers, Francis and James, his daughter, Sarah (Noble) Lithgow, and his son Arthur II. He left a large estate, his personal property having been valued at about £8,000.
After the fall of Louisbourg, this set the stage for the battle of Minas. The arrival of French troops in the Minas Basin
at the top of the Bay of Fundy
, and their subsequent establishment at Beaubassin
, suggested to the Governor of Nova Scotia, Maj. Gen. Paul Mascarene
, that the fortification of Grand-Pré was in danger. Thus, he petitioned Governor William Shirley
of Massachusetts
, for additional troops to be sent to Nova Scotia
so that the French troops could be driven away and British authority could be affirmed. At Shirley's recommendation, it was resolved to send a reinforcement of five hundred troops, the units being divided into two divisions of 250 men. The first division was led by Captain Morris, who arrived on December 24, 1746. The second division, led by Noble, arrived a month later. The troops were then quartered among the people of Grand-Pré, stationed in twenty-four houses. They considered themselves perfectly secure during the severe months of winter, and did not take basic security precautions.
French intelligence reported the arrival of these New England reinforcements. Nicolas-Antoine Coulon de Villier was assigned by de Ramezay to carry out a preemptive strike against Morris and Noble's men. The French Canadian force totaled six hundred troops, who were divided into ten divisions, each consisting of twenty-eight Canadians with an accompaniment of Indians. Coulon's own company had the strength of seventy-five men. The French army was about a mile and a half from their destination, when the attack was planned by Coulon, who knew precisely the New England troop's disposition.
At two in the morning, on February 11, 1747, the French army left their bivouac
, advancing through snow that had been falling for thirty hours, so that in certain areas, it was four feet (over one meter) deep. A raging storm of unusual severity had taken the night. It was so stormy that many of the New Englander troops were convinced that attack was impossible, thus deterring an active watch. It was three o’clock in the morning when the French army reached assault position. Owing to the thick falling snow, they were unseen until close upon the New England sentries. Despite the storm, their Acadian
guides were unerring in leading the French Canadian army to the houses where the English troops were posted.
It was reported that some shots were initially fired to alarm the others. However, Coulon's assault was so swift, the doors of the houses they attacked were easily forced opened, surprising Noble's troops in their beds. Colonel Noble was killed early in the action, "fighting in his shirt", then mortally wounded by a musket ball to his forehead. Coulon was struck by a musket ball to his left arm leaving him faint from loss of blood. He was forced to retire his command to the chevalier de La Corne
. He never recovered from that wound, and died from complications arising out of surgery to amputate that arm on April 3, 1750.
The men offered what resistance was possible, however, it was ineffective. At five in the morning the attack ceased. So complete was the French Canadian surprise attack that six officers, including all of the Noble brothers, were killed along with 70 of their men, 60 were wounded, and 54 taken prisoner. Of their enemy’s casualties, only six Canadians were killed and fourteen wounded.
At early daylight, La Corne sent a flag of truce to ask for an English surgeon to tend to one of their seriously wounded captains, since the French surgeon was absent with Coulon. This demand allowed hostages to be freed with hostilities being suspended until the surgeon's return. Thus, a truce was proposed at nine o’clock. The English were not prepared for the harsh winter conditions, not even having snow shoes. Therefore, it was impossible for them to advance. Even the French were greatly fatigued and attempted no offensive movement. According to William Kingsford, had the New England troops been accustomed to fight under such circumstances, and placed in the position to do so, the probability is that the French Canadians would have been exterminated. However, since the New England troops were powerless, unable to move a yard from the beaten path, the truce was accordingly accepted.
, then just a small plantation of thirty able-bodied men. Arthur's son, Arthur II inherited most of the territories, and established part of the settlement as Nobleborough
to commemorate his father and his uncles who died in the Louisbourg Expedition or at Grand Pré.
The American Irish Historical Society recognized the heroism of at least two Noble brothers: "Thus died two of the most heroic soldiers of Irish birth and extraction [Arthur and James Noble], who took part in the Louisburg expedition. Both died, like so many other distinguished Irishmen, on the field of honor, in the defense of the rights of their adopted country."
Arthur Noble was survived by three children:
Province of Massachusetts Bay
The Province of Massachusetts Bay was a crown colony in North America. It was chartered on October 7, 1691 by William and Mary, the joint monarchs of the kingdoms of England and Scotland...
. He is best known for his role in military actions in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
during King George's War
King George's War
King George's War is the name given to the operations in North America that formed part of the War of the Austrian Succession . It was the third of the four French and Indian Wars. It took place primarily in the British provinces of New York, Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, and Nova Scotia...
(the North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n theater of the War of the Austrian Succession
War of the Austrian Succession
The War of the Austrian Succession – including King George's War in North America, the Anglo-Spanish War of Jenkins' Ear, and two of the three Silesian wars – involved most of the powers of Europe over the question of Maria Theresa's succession to the realms of the House of Habsburg.The...
). He was killed in the Battle of Grand Pré
Battle of Grand Pré
The Battle of Grand Pré, also known as the Battle of Minas, was a battle in King George's War that took place between British and French forces near present-day Grand-Pré, Nova Scotia in the winter of 1747 during the War of the Austrian Succession...
.
Early life
He was born in Enniskillen, IrelandEnniskillen
Enniskillen is a town in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is located almost exactly in the centre of the county between the Upper and Lower sections of Lough Erne. It had a population of 13,599 in the 2001 Census...
, and immigrated to Boston, Massachusetts c. 1720 with the Lithgow family
William Lithgow (judge)
Hon. William Lithgow was a judge for the Court of Common Pleas of Lincoln County, when Maine was under the jurisdiction of the Province of Massachusetts Bay...
, being a close associate with Robert Lithgow. Both families entered the colonial militia and helped to ward off numerous attacks of French and Indians along the banks of Casco Bay
Casco Bay
Casco Bay is an inlet of the Gulf of Maine on the southern coast of Maine, New England, United States. Its easternmost approach is Cape Small and its westernmost approach is Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth...
and the Kennebec River
Kennebec River
The Kennebec River is a river that is entirely within the U.S. state of Maine. It rises in Moosehead Lake in west-central Maine. The East and West Outlets join at Indian Pond and the river then flows southward...
during the War of the Austrian Succession
War of the Austrian Succession
The War of the Austrian Succession – including King George's War in North America, the Anglo-Spanish War of Jenkins' Ear, and two of the three Silesian wars – involved most of the powers of Europe over the question of Maria Theresa's succession to the realms of the House of Habsburg.The...
and the conflicts that led to the French and Indian Wars
French and Indian Wars
The French and Indian Wars is a name used in the United States for a series of conflicts lasting 74 years in North America that represented colonial events related to the European dynastic wars...
. On December 14, 1725, Arthur Noble married Sarah Macklin.
Louisbourg expedition
Noble was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of Col. Waldo’s RegimentSamuel Waldo (merchant)
Brigadier-General Samuel Waldo was a wealthy merchant, land speculator, soldier and political figure in Massachusetts.He was born in Boston, the son of Jonathan Waldo and Hannah Mason. In 1722, he married Lucy Wainwright...
to be raised for the expedition to reduce the Fortress Louisbourg
Fortress of Louisbourg
The Fortress of Louisbourg is a national historic site and the location of a one-quarter partial reconstruction of an 18th century French fortress at Louisbourg, Nova Scotia...
, one of the strongest forts in New France
New France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
. Within fifty-six days, the New England provinces raised 4,300 men for the Louisburg Expedition. Waldo was made Brigadier-General and gave about a fourth of his command in charge to Col. Noble. The fall of Louisburg on June 17, 1745 heightened the fears of the French that they might lose all of Canada.
Battle of Grand Pré
In November 1746, Noble headed to GeorgetownGeorgetown, Maine
Georgetown is a town in Sagadahoc County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,020 at the 2000 census. Home to Reid State Park, the town is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area...
“being bound on an expedition against the enemies of the King of Great Britain,”. He made his last will, which was proved in the spring of 1747. In it, he named as heirs his brothers, Francis and James, his daughter, Sarah (Noble) Lithgow, and his son Arthur II. He left a large estate, his personal property having been valued at about £8,000.
After the fall of Louisbourg, this set the stage for the battle of Minas. The arrival of French troops in the Minas Basin
Minas Basin
The Minas Basin is an inlet of the Bay of Fundy and a sub-basin of the Fundy Basin located in Nova Scotia, Canada. It is known for its extremely high tides.- Geography :- Boundary :...
at the top of the Bay of Fundy
Bay of Fundy
The Bay of Fundy is a bay on the Atlantic coast of North America, on the northeast end of the Gulf of Maine between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with a small portion touching the U.S. state of Maine...
, and their subsequent establishment at Beaubassin
Beaubassin
Beaubassin was the first settlement on the Isthmus of Chignecto, Nova Scotia, which was Acadian. The area is now known as the Tantramar Marshes. Beaubassin was settled in 1672, the second Acadian village to be established after Port Royal. The village was one of the largest and most prosperous in...
, suggested to the Governor of Nova Scotia, Maj. Gen. Paul Mascarene
Paul Mascarene
Paul Mascarene was a Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia from 1740 to 1749. He had an extensive military career throughout his life, during the events of British and French conflict that led to the Seven Years' War.-Biography:...
, that the fortification of Grand-Pré was in danger. Thus, he petitioned Governor William Shirley
William Shirley
William Shirley was a British colonial administrator who served twice as Governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay and as Governor of the Bahamas in the 1760s...
of Massachusetts
Province of Massachusetts Bay
The Province of Massachusetts Bay was a crown colony in North America. It was chartered on October 7, 1691 by William and Mary, the joint monarchs of the kingdoms of England and Scotland...
, for additional troops to be sent to Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
so that the French troops could be driven away and British authority could be affirmed. At Shirley's recommendation, it was resolved to send a reinforcement of five hundred troops, the units being divided into two divisions of 250 men. The first division was led by Captain Morris, who arrived on December 24, 1746. The second division, led by Noble, arrived a month later. The troops were then quartered among the people of Grand-Pré, stationed in twenty-four houses. They considered themselves perfectly secure during the severe months of winter, and did not take basic security precautions.
French intelligence reported the arrival of these New England reinforcements. Nicolas-Antoine Coulon de Villier was assigned by de Ramezay to carry out a preemptive strike against Morris and Noble's men. The French Canadian force totaled six hundred troops, who were divided into ten divisions, each consisting of twenty-eight Canadians with an accompaniment of Indians. Coulon's own company had the strength of seventy-five men. The French army was about a mile and a half from their destination, when the attack was planned by Coulon, who knew precisely the New England troop's disposition.
At two in the morning, on February 11, 1747, the French army left their bivouac
Bivouac
Bivouac may refer to:* Bivouac Peak, a mountain in the Teton Range, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA* A military camp** Bivouac shelter** Bivouac sack, or "bivy sack" or bivy bag, an extremely lightweight alternative to traditional tent systems...
, advancing through snow that had been falling for thirty hours, so that in certain areas, it was four feet (over one meter) deep. A raging storm of unusual severity had taken the night. It was so stormy that many of the New Englander troops were convinced that attack was impossible, thus deterring an active watch. It was three o’clock in the morning when the French army reached assault position. Owing to the thick falling snow, they were unseen until close upon the New England sentries. Despite the storm, their Acadian
Acadian
The Acadians are the descendants of the 17th-century French colonists who settled in Acadia . Acadia was a colony of New France...
guides were unerring in leading the French Canadian army to the houses where the English troops were posted.
It was reported that some shots were initially fired to alarm the others. However, Coulon's assault was so swift, the doors of the houses they attacked were easily forced opened, surprising Noble's troops in their beds. Colonel Noble was killed early in the action, "fighting in his shirt", then mortally wounded by a musket ball to his forehead. Coulon was struck by a musket ball to his left arm leaving him faint from loss of blood. He was forced to retire his command to the chevalier de La Corne
Louis de la Corne, Chevalier de la Corne
Louis de la Corne or Louis Chapt, Chevalier de la Corne was born at Fort Frontenac in what is now Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and began his career in the colonial regular troops as a second ensign in 1722 and was made full ensign five years later.He married in 1728 and began investing heavily in...
. He never recovered from that wound, and died from complications arising out of surgery to amputate that arm on April 3, 1750.
The men offered what resistance was possible, however, it was ineffective. At five in the morning the attack ceased. So complete was the French Canadian surprise attack that six officers, including all of the Noble brothers, were killed along with 70 of their men, 60 were wounded, and 54 taken prisoner. Of their enemy’s casualties, only six Canadians were killed and fourteen wounded.
At early daylight, La Corne sent a flag of truce to ask for an English surgeon to tend to one of their seriously wounded captains, since the French surgeon was absent with Coulon. This demand allowed hostages to be freed with hostilities being suspended until the surgeon's return. Thus, a truce was proposed at nine o’clock. The English were not prepared for the harsh winter conditions, not even having snow shoes. Therefore, it was impossible for them to advance. Even the French were greatly fatigued and attempted no offensive movement. According to William Kingsford, had the New England troops been accustomed to fight under such circumstances, and placed in the position to do so, the probability is that the French Canadians would have been exterminated. However, since the New England troops were powerless, unable to move a yard from the beaten path, the truce was accordingly accepted.
Legacy
Both Arthur and his youngest brother, James, owned tracts of territory throughout the Walpole Settlement in the District of MaineDistrict of Maine
The District of Maine was a legal designation for what is now the U.S. state of Maine from American independence until the Missouri Compromise on March 4, 1820, after which it gained its independence from Massachusetts and became the 23rd state in the Union...
, then just a small plantation of thirty able-bodied men. Arthur's son, Arthur II inherited most of the territories, and established part of the settlement as Nobleborough
Nobleboro, Maine
Nobleboro, founded in 1788, is a town in Lincoln County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,626 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000,...
to commemorate his father and his uncles who died in the Louisbourg Expedition or at Grand Pré.
The American Irish Historical Society recognized the heroism of at least two Noble brothers: "Thus died two of the most heroic soldiers of Irish birth and extraction [Arthur and James Noble], who took part in the Louisburg expedition. Both died, like so many other distinguished Irishmen, on the field of honor, in the defense of the rights of their adopted country."
Arthur Noble was survived by three children:
- Sarah (b.1726), who married Hon. William LithgowWilliam Lithgow (judge)Hon. William Lithgow was a judge for the Court of Common Pleas of Lincoln County, when Maine was under the jurisdiction of the Province of Massachusetts Bay...
. - Lt. James (b.1728), who died at eighteen from a severe fever.
- Arthur II (b.1737), who married Mary Goffe.
See also
- Massachusetts National GuardMassachusetts National GuardThe Massachusetts National Guard was founded as the Massachusetts Bay Colonial Militia on December 13, 1636, and contains the oldest units in the United States Army. It is currently headquartered in Milford, Massachusetts and commanded by Major General Joseph C...
- Province of Massachusetts BayProvince of Massachusetts BayThe Province of Massachusetts Bay was a crown colony in North America. It was chartered on October 7, 1691 by William and Mary, the joint monarchs of the kingdoms of England and Scotland...
- Prince Edward IslandPrince Edward IslandPrince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
, one of the launching points of attack - New Minas, Nova ScotiaNew Minas, Nova ScotiaNew Minas is a village located in the eastern part of Kings County in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley. As of 2001, the population was 4,300.New Minas borders the town of Kentville to the west and the unincorporated community of Greenwich to the east. The town of Wolfville, Nova Scotia is further...
Sources
- History and genealogy of the family of Thomas Noble, of Westfield. By Lucius Manlius Boltwood, 1878
- Volume 2 of The History of the State of Maine: From Its First Discovery, A. D. 1602, to the Separation, A. D. 1820. By William Durkee Williamson, 1839
- The history of Canada, Volume 3 By William Kingsford, 1889
- An account of the descendants of John Bridge, Cambridge, 1632 By William Frederick Bridge, 1884
- The Journal of the American Irish Historical Society, Vol. 19, 1920