Moses Gerrish was graduated at Harvard College in 1762, and reputed a man of considerable ability.  Enoch Gerrish, perhaps a brother of Moses, was a farmer in Lancaster who left his home, was arrested and imprisoned in York County, and thence removed for trial to Worcester by order of the council, May 29, 1778.  The following letter uncomplimentary to these two loyalists is found in Massachusetts Archives (cxcix, 278).

Sir.  The two Gerrishes Moses & Enoch, that ware sometime since apprehended by warrant from the Council are now set at Libberty by reason of that Laws Expiring on which they were taken up.  I would move to your Hon’rs a new warrant might Isue, Directed to Doc’r.  Silas Hoges to apprehend & confine them as I look upon them to be Dangerous persons to go at large.  I am with respect your Hon’rs. most obedient Hum.  Ser’t.

     JAMES PRESCOTT.

     Groton 12 of July 1778.

     To the Hon’e Jereh.  Powel Esq.

An order for their rearrest was voted by the council.  Moses Gerrish finally received some position in the commissary department of the British army, and, when peace was declared, obtained a grant of free tenancy of the island of Grand Menan for seven years.  At the expiration of that time, if a settlement of forty families with schoolmaster and minister should be established, the whole island was to become the freehold of the colonists.  Associated with Gerrish in this project was Thomas Ross, of Lancaster.  They failed in obtaining the requisite number of settlers, but continued to reside upon the island, and there Moses Gerrish died at an advanced age.

Solomon Houghton, a Lancaster farmer in comfortable circumstances, fearing the inquisition of the patriot committee, fled from his home.  In 1779, the judge of probate for Worcester County appointed commissioners to care for his confiscated estate.

Ezra Houghton, a prosperous farmer, and recently appointed justice of the peace, affixed his name to the address to General Gage in 1775, and to the recantation.  In May, 1777, he was imprisoned, under charge of counterfeiting the bills of public credit and aiding the enemy.  In November following he petitioned to be admitted to bail (see Massachusetts Archives, ccxvi, 129) and his request was favorably received, his bail bond being set at two thousand pounds.

Joseph Moore was one of the six slave-owners of Lancaster in 1771, possessed a farm and a mill, and was ranked a “gentleman.”  On September 20, 1777, being confined in Worcester jail, he petitioned for enlargement, claiming his innocence of the charges for which his name had been put upon Lancaster’s black list.  His petition met no favor, and his estate was duly confiscated. (See Massachusetts Archives, clxxxiii, 160.)