NEWHALL, ONESIMUS, - son of Ebenezer and Mrs. Mary (Newhall-Cheever) Newhall, and great-great-grandson of the first Thomas Newhall, was born in South Lynnfield, October 12, 1756, and baptized in the Second Parish Church, October 17. He was eighteen years old at the time of the Lexington alarm, but probably did not go with Captain Bancroft's company, having received the alarm too late. He enlisted May 4, 1775, in the company of Captain Ezra Newhall, Colonel John Mansfield's 19th regiment, and signed an order for advance pay at Cambridge, June 8, 1775, his company at that time being in camp at Winter Hill. During the latter part of the battle of Bunker Hill, his regiment was ordered up to reinforce General Putnam and General Prescott, but halted at Cobble Hill, for reasons given elsewhere, and consequently did not participate, although it was under fire from the Glasgow frigate [ 390 ] lying in the harbor. He served through the siege of Boston, spending the winter and spring in camp. On November 4 he received an order for a bounty coat for having enlisted for eight months. About June, 1776, he enlisted as a private in Captain James Prentiss's company, Colonel Samuel Brewer's regiment, and marched by way of Skenesborough to Ticonderoga, where he served until January 1, 1777, when he was discharged with pay for 240 miles' travel to his home in Lynnfield. June 11, 1777, he enlisted in Captain Joseph Hiller's company, Colonel Jonathan Titcomb's regiment, and marched with a considerable company of Lynn men to Providence to reinforce tbe army under General Joseph Spencer. He was in the battle which followed, and was discharged at Pawtuxet. After the Rhode Island campaign he again enlisted as a private in Captain Cleveland's company, Colonel Hughes's regiment, for eight months, and served under General Rufus Putnam on the North River. He was discharged at Fishkill, and walked home for the second time. In 1779, having tired of the land service and being allured by the profits accruing from privateering, he shipped as a mariner in the frigate "Warren," under command of Commodore Saltonstall. In July the famous Penobscot expedition was undertaken, in which the "Warren" joined. While waiting, inactive, at the mouth of the Penobscot, Sir George Collyer appeared with five English vessels and captured the entire American fleet. Mr. Newhall was obliged to jump overboard and swim ashore to escape. He soon engaged again on a privateer in the capacity of a gunner, and, while in the act of levelling his piece, was wounded by a grapeshot which entered his mouth, passed out under his ear, and struck his shoulder. The enemy's ship was taken. Although his wounds were severe, he recovered, and again entered a privateer, was captured, and taken to Newfoundland. Soon exchanged, however, he continued in the naval service until the close of the war. Onesimus Newhall was twice married, his first wife dying in 1786. His second wife was Lydia --. He had six children, Ebenezer, Samuel, Seth, Sarah, Mary, and Lucy. In 1785 he removed to New Ipswich, N.H., where he followed the occupation of farming. On June 17, 1825, the corner-stone of Bunker Hill Monument was laid, General Lafayette and many other distinguished men being present. The State of Massachusetts extended an invitation to all survivors of [ 391 ] the battle to be present, offering mileage and a bounty of $3 to all who should accept. A considerable number of venerable men responded to the invitation, and received marked attention from the great concourse of people present on the occasion. Among others Onesimus Newhall, then nearly seventy years of age, journeyed from his New Hampshire home, and was one of the three Lynn men who was present. His name was included in the official list of survivors printed by the Commonwealth. In his last days he applied for a pension, but before it was granted he died, April 16, 1833, at the age of seventy-six. He is buried in the Centre Cemetery at New Ipswich, N.H., where a slate stone marks his grave. The pension was paid to his children. NEWHALL, SOLOMON, - probably son of Samuel and Katherine (Stone) Newhall, was born about 1725; married Lois Howard, of Lynn, August 26, 1751. Was the only Solomon likely to have been in the war. Private in Captain Rufus Mansfield's 4th Lynn company which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, two days; also in Captain Samuel King's company during the summer of 1775, doing seacoast duty; also at West Point in Captain Addison Richardson's company, Colonel Wade's regiment, from July 12, 1780, to October 10, 1780 . N EWHALL, TIMOTHY, - son of Ezra (not the colonel) and Elizabeth (Pecks) Newhall, was born March 26, 1765; married February 25, 1793, by Rev. Jesse Lee, to Eunice Curtain, daughter of John and Martha Curtain. Their children were Timothy, Eunice, Benjamin C., Sally, George, and Louisa. Timothy Newhall was a farmer, tall, and of a dark complexion, and lived on Essex Street, near the present Odd Fellows' Hall. He died May 3, 1839, aged seventy-four, and his wife, Eunice, died September 29, 1831. Both are buried in marked graves at the top of the hill in the old Eastern Burial Ground. In his deposition made for a pension in 1832 he gives the following account of his Revolutionary service: - "Late in the autumn of 1778 or winter of 1779, being then about fourteen, through the influence of Mr. James Rich, now deceased, I obtained a place on the Brig Tyrannicide of Boston, in the naval service of the U.S. She mounted fourteen four pounders, and was [ 392 ] manned by more than 100 men commanded by Capt. Hallet. Cathcart
was 1st lieutenant. I immediately went on a cruise to Bermuda. In a few
days fell in with brig 'Revenge,' a privateer from Bristol, boarded her
and captured her after a fight of two hours. Revenge carried 14 six and
four pounders. During action nine men were killed and 17 wounded on the
privateer. Tyrannicide lost one man who died from wounds. One McGruff, an
Irishman, lost his leg. I was present with the surgeon and saw him
amputate McGruff's leg and an English sailor's likewise. Beachem, mate of
the Tyrannicide, was lost while returning from the prize, by sinking of
his boat. Action began about sunset and continued about four glasses, two
hours, During the action it was my business to supply cartridges. The man
who died of his wounds was carried into Boston and was buried there. I
shipped again in the same vessel and shortly after her return from
Bermuda, went in a second cruise in her. Capt. Cathcart then
commanded her. He sailed from Boston at the same time as Brig
'Hazard' and in company with her. While together they took two wood
coasters belonging to New Bedford, and carried them into that place and
received from the owners some sheep as a present. Sailed from there and
took an English privateer, a sloop from New York and two prizes belonging
to her. Shortly after, the Tyrannicide and Hazard fell in with and
took a ship of twenty-four guns and a brig of twelve. Ship's cargo
consisted of rice, indigo, and tobacco. Brig laden with wine. Same evening
took a brig from New York bound for Lubec with cargo of salt. Then
returned to Boston. Went out again with large fleet for Penobscot-the
Warren, frigate Hector, Charming Sally, and Black Prince, also the Hazard
and sloop Providence. Remained at Penobscot till an English fleet came
from New York and chased the state's vessels up the river. Next day the
American vessels came to anchor, were left and set fire by their crews.
James Rich and John Proctor, of Lynn, now deceased, sailed in same vessel.
Fleet destroyed at Penobscot about middle of Aug., 1778." - United States
Pension Records.
The pension which was allowed gave him $20.78 per year and $51.95 back pay. In the Massachusetts rolls he is rated as a cabin-boy on the "Tyrannicide." His name is also given in a list of prisoners committed to the old Mill Prison in England, taken on the ship "Jack," in July, 1780; committed December 25, 1780. [ 393 ] NEWHALL, THOMAS, - son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Hodgman), and brother of Nathaniel, Joseph, and Jedediah, was born January 21, 1750. He married, first, December 2, 1772, Sally Lewis, possibly daughter of John and Abigail, born November 15, 1753; second, November 27, 1806, Sally Hudson, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Moulton) Hudson, born in the old house on Tower Hill, next to the Burrill School, December 27, 1782; died of consumption, December 20, 1857, at the age of seventy-four. Thomas owned the land from Boston Street to Raddin's station. Was a tall man, whose occupation was that of shoemaking. He built the house on Boston Street, later occupied by Elias Clough, and died there, March 15, 1821. He was buried in the old tomb in the old Western, but was removed to Pine Grove Cemetery, and placed in the Gardner lot. A marker and stone now mark his grave. He was a private in Captain Rufus Mansfield's 4th Lynn company which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775, and is credited with two days' service. His grand-daughter, Susan Clough, living in 1903, stated that his leg was broken on the day of the battle of Lexington. NEWHALL, WILLIAM, - son of Increase and Susanna (Soudan) Newhall, was baptized in Marblehead, January 15, 1749; married by Rev. John Treadwell, September 16, 1774, to Elizabeth Stocker, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Mansfield) Stocker, born September 9, 1754. The following Revolutionary service is likely to be that of this William, although it cannot be positively so stated. It seems, however, probable that he was in the company of which his father was corporal. Drummer, Captain Ezra Newhall's company of minute-men which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, twenty-one days; also private, Captain Addison Richardson's company, Colonel John Mansfield's regiment; order for advance pay signed by him, dated Cambridge, June 8, 1775; enlisted May 18, 1775, served until January 1, 1776; bounty coat ordered at Winter Hill, October 27, 1775; also private, Captain Joseph Hiller's company, Colonel Jonathan Titcomb's regiment; pay-roll dated camp at Providence, July 6, 1777; arrived at destination July 11, 1777; also detachment from same company which remained in camp with Lieutenant John Watts after Captain Hiller's roll was made up; service from June 11, 1777, to August 11, 1777, two months, six days, including six days' travel home from Rhode Island. [ 394 ] NEWHALL, WILLIAM, - son of Amos and Margaret (Southwick) Newhall, was
born in Lynnfield, February 9, 1750; married by Rev. Nathan Holt, July 21,
1768, in Danvers, to Elizabeth Newhall, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth
(Hodgman) Newhall. He died June 5, 1823, and is buried in a marked grave
in South Lynnfield. The record on the stone says, "A Revolutionary soldier
who fought for the freedom of his country." His wife died February 9,
1839, and is buried by his side. His Revolutionary service can only be
conjectured. It is probable that he served in companies nearest
Lynnfield. The following is possible: -
Private, Captain Gideon Foster's company,
Colonel Mansfield's regiment; receipt for advance pay signed by Newhall,
Cambridge, June 14, 1775; enlisted May 8, 1775; service, three months as
private, Captain John Baker's company, Colonel Mansfield's regiment,
commanded by Hutchinson; bounty coat, Winter Hill, December 25, 1775;
also private, Captain Stephen Wilkins's company, Colonel
Wigglesworth's regiment; pay abstract for travel allowance from
Albany home sworn to January 15, 1777; 210 miles' travel allowed said
Newhall.
Private, Captain Zadock Buffinton's company,
Colonel Samuel Johnson's regiment; enlisted August 19, 1775;
discharged November 30, 1777, at Cambridge; service, three months, twelve
days, in Burgoyne campaign.
NEWHALL, WILLIAM, - son of Josiah and Hannah (Newhall) Newhall, was born May 22, 1751, brother of Micajah, Joel, ,Josiah, and John, all soldiers; married by Rev. John Treadwell, September 2, 1773, to Martha Mansfield, daughter of Robert and Mary (Rann) Mansfield, born March 27, 1753. Possibly the William who was sergeant in Captain William Farrington's 2d Lynn company which marched on the Lexington alarm; may have seen other service, but it is impossible to distinguish it on the rolls. His children were Nathaniel, William, Robert, Josiah, Frederick, Mary, and Sarah. Died January 13, 1805, and his wife died April 10, 1822. Both were buried in the old Western Ground, but were transferred to Pine Grove in the Dr. Gardner lot. His home was "adjoining the road leading to fresh marsh," according to his will. NEWHALL, WILLIAM, - There were four of this name in the Revolution from Lynn, and it is impossible to distinguish with any accuracy from [ 395 ] the rolls the particular service of each man, and, inasmuch as the births of only three have been found either in the Lynn records or the Newhall Genealogy, it is not known where the fourth was born or died. The fourth service noted is that of a William in Captain Rufus Mansfield's 4th Lynn company which marched on the Lexington alarm; service, two days. NEWMAN, DAVlD, - son of John and Sarah Newman, was born in Lynn, April 25, 1741. He appears as having served in the French and Indian War, in the company of Captain Moses Parker, in 1761 and 1762. He served with Captain David Parker's company at the Lexington alarm, and on May 5, 1775, enlisted in Captain Ezra Newhall's company, Colonel John Mansfield's regiment, receiving advance pay at Cambridge, June 8. His enlistment was for eight months, and on November 4 he received the customary order for a bounty coat, dated camp at Winter Hill. He spent the winter with his company at the latter place, and entered Boston when it was evacuated by the British. In the summer of 1776 he marched with his company to New York, going by way of Norwich, from which place the journey was completed by water. After spending a night at Fort Independence the company proceeded to Fort Washington, where it arrived at the end of the battle of November 16. Newman was in the retreat across the Jerseys with Washington. At Trenton he fell sick, and with five other Lynn men was ordered to Philadelphia by General Putnam. There he was quartered in the house of a Tory who had left, but was badly neglected, lying on the hard floor, sick unto death. Finally, two women came and ministered to the wants of the men, but too late to save the life of Mr. Newman, who died in the month of December. Ralph Lindsey and Ephraim Twist also died, and all three were buried in unknown graves in the city of Philadelphia. David Newman's wife, Elizabeth, died January 2, 1816, and is probably buried in the old ground at Saugus Centre. His children were John, Hannah, Elizabeth, Eli, Mary, Rebecca, and Susanna. NEWMAN, THOMAS, - In 1754 Thomas Newman willed to his son Thomas his dwelling-house. Undoubtedly of Lynn, as one of that name is given in Dr. Gardner's ledger as living in 1796, but nothing has been found concerning him. The Revolutionary record is as follows: - Private, Captain Miles Greenwood's company, Colonel Jacob Gerrish's regiment of guards; enlisted November 11, 1777; service to [ 396 ] February 2, 1778, two months, twenty-two days; roll dated camp at
Winter Hill; also private, Captain Addison Richardson's company, Colonel
Wade's regiment; entered senice July 12, 1780; discharged October 10,
1780; service, three months, eleven days, induding twelve days' (220
miles) travel home; regiment detached from Essex County militia to serve
for three months.
NEWMAN, WILLLAM, - married by Rev. Benjamin Prescott, August 20, 1761, to Jemima Wallis, of Danvers. Private, Captain Gideon Foster's company, Colonel John Mansfield's regiment; receipt for advance pay signed by him at Cambridge, July 4, 1775; also private, same company and regiment; muster-roll dated August 1, 1775; enlisted May 12, 1775; service, two months, twenty-four days; also Captain John Baker's company, Colonel Mansfield's regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Israel Hutchinson; Company return dated October, 1775; order for bounty coat dated Winter Hill, December 12, 1775. - Mass Rolls. NICHOLS, ELISHA, - appears on a return of men raised to serve in the Continental Army from 1st Essex County regiment, sworn to by John Flagg, first military officer of the town of Lynn; residence, Lynn; joined Captain Childs's company, Colonel John Greaton's regiment; term three years or during the war; also private, Captain Abijah Childs's company, Colonel John Greaton's regiment; Continental pay accounts for service from May 4, 1777, to February 1, 1778; reported deserted; also same company and regiment; year not given; mustered by Colonel Barber, muster-master. - Mass. Rolls. NORWOOD, DAVID, - private, son of Thomas Norwood, Jr., was born in Lynnfield, April 16, 1755. At the time of the Revolution he lived in the venerable house known as "Willow Castle." With his brother William he responded to the Lexington alarm, being a member of Captain Bancroft's company. With his brother also he went to Danvers, and enlisted, May 8, 1775, in the company of Captain Gideon Foster, then being formed. He marched with it to Cambridge as third sergeant. On July 4, he signed a receipt for advance pay, and on the 16th he appears on a list of men who were on guard at Prospect Hill. His company was in the regiment of Colonel John Mansfield, which was halted at Cobble Hill during the battle of Bunker Hill. In the fall he was transferred to the company of Captain John Baker, then under Colonel [ 397 ] Israel Hutchinson, who succeeded Colonel Mansfield. He went into camp at Winter Hill, received an order for a bounty coat, and remained until the British evacuated Boston. No record has been found concerning him after this time. Tradition says that he disappeared after the winter of 1776 and was not heard from for many years, but that he finally appeared one day at his old home in Lynnfield. It is further said that his brother William did not recognize him, and demurred at a stranger's thus entering the place. NORWOOD, WILLIAM, - son of Thomas Norwood, Jr., was born in Lynnfield, January 6, 1758. He was a brother of David, mentioned above. His military service was identical with that of his brother, with the exception that he served as a private. He died in Lynnfield, April 27, 1819, and is buried in the old burial-ground at Lynnfield Centre. A marble stone and bronze marker of the S. A. R. were placed at his grave in 1904. NOURSE, AARON, - born March, 1753, is supposed to have been a brother of James Nourse whose service is given below. He was married April 4, 1787, by Rev. Nathan Holt, to Rebecca Ashton, and was killed July 12, 1818, by falling from a load of hay. Rebecca died October 31, 1822. The following is given by Mr. Wellman, of Lynnfield, concerning him: "Another of the veterans of Lynnfield was Aaron Nourse. His native place was in the north part of the town, and the Danvers railroad now passes directly over the spot where he was born. He was, as I remember him, an honest, industrious, hard laboring man. He had three children, but none of his posterity are living. His regiment was once in pursuit of the retreating foe when he came to a dead British soldier on the ground with his gun by his side, a much better one than that which he was carrying. In a case like this he seemed to think that 'exchange was no robbery', for he took the dead soldier's gun and left the one he was carrying." He was pensioned in 1818, and died the same
year. The Revolutionary record is as follows: -
List of men raised to serve in the Continental Army from 1st Essex County regiment, dated Lynn and sworn to at Salem by John Flagg, [ 398 ] first military officer for the town of Lynn; residence, Lynn; joined
Captain Winship's company, Colonel Putnam's regiment; term three years or
during the war; also private, Colonel Putnam's regiment; Continental
Army pay accounts for service from March 1, 1777, to December 31,
1779; also Captain John Williams's company, Colonel Putnam's 4th
regiment; return dated Albany, February 9, 1778; mustered by John Cushing;
also Continental Army pay accounts for service from January 1 to December
31, 1780; also descriptive list dated West Point, January 10, 1781;
Captain Whipple's company, Colonel Rufus Putnam's 5th regiment; rank,
private; age, twenty-seven years, seven months; stature, 5 ft. 10 in.;
complexion, dark; hair, light; eyes, blue; residence, Lynn; enlisted March
l, 1777, by Lieutenant Stocker; enlistment during war; also Captain
Job Whipple's company, Colonel Putnam's regiment; muster-rolls for
January, February, and March, 1781, dated West Point; also late Captain
Whipple's company, Colonel Putnam's regiment; muster-rolls for April,
1781, dated West Point; reported on furlough until April 7, 1781. - Mass.
Rolls.
NOURSE, JAMES, - was born February 7, 176l; lived on Salem Street, Lynnfield, until after the war, when he moved to the corner of Maple and Chestnut Streets, Lynn. He was a shoemaker, tall, straight, and well-proportioned, and a direct descendant of Rebecca Nurse, of Danvers. Among his descendants are Sylvester H. Nourse, of Lynn, and John D. Lindsey, lawyer, of New York City. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Mansfield. She was born May 10, 1763, and died December 14, 1853, aged ninety years. He died in Lynn April 19, 1819, at the age of sixty-eight. Children, John, Edmund, Lucy, Robert, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Mary, James, and Robert. The story of his military service, taken from state and pension records, is particularly clear and full, and is here given in its completeness: - Private, Captain Nathaniel Cushing's company, Colonel Joseph Vose's 1st regiment of Massachusetts Continental infantry. This regiment, having been reorganized and recruited for the war, March to May, 1777, proceeded to join the main Continental Army under General Washington, then in New Jersey, but halted at Peekskill, N.Y., where Major-General Israel Putnam commanded in the middle department, and [ 399 ] assigned it on June 15, 1777, to Brigadier-General Jedediah Huntington's brigade, and in July transferred it to the brigade of Brigadier-General John Glover. It was ordered north to reinforce the Northern Army, and embarked in sloops at Peekskill, July 27, arriving at Albany July 29, 1777. Marching thence to join Major-General Philip Schuyler and the Northern Army, Glover's brigade joined it at Saratoga on August 1, and fell back with it to Stillwater, on August 3, and finally took post at Van Schaick's Island, at the junction of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, on August 15, 1777. There Glover's brigade was inspected on September 1, and reported to be pretty well clothed and their arms "in such order as does honor to the officers commanding them." The Northern Army having advanced, Glover's brigade was in the battles of Stillwater and Saratoga, and the affair of Fish Creek (October 11, 1777) and the capitulation of General Burgoyne's army at old Fort Hardy. Pursuant to Major-General Gates's orders of October 21, 1777, Glover's brigade marched to Albany, where it was quartered in the barracks from October 26 until ordered, on November 7, to proceed south to join General Washington. While in barracks in Albany, Private Nourse was furloughed in November on account of sickness, a heavy fever and bad sore on the leg. The brigade joined the main Continental Army at Whitmarsh, and went into winter quarters at Valley Forge, where Nourse undoubtedly joined in the spring of 1778. The brigade was in the battles of Monmouth, and marched thence to White Plains, N.Y., where it was placed in a division under the Marquis de Lafayette, and ordered to Rhode Island to report to Major-General Sullivan for the contemplated movement against Newport. The brigade served at the siege of Newport and battle of Rhode Island, August 29, 1778, and then took post at Providence, where it remained until ordered by General Washington, in orders of June 30 and July 7, 1779, to rejoin him in the Highlands on the Hudson. The brigade marched by way of New London, Norwalk, and New Haven, and at Ridgefield found orders from General Washington, dated West Point, July 23, 1779, to remain there. It went into quarters at that station for the fall and winter of 1779-80. The brigade then went to West Point, and Captain Cushing's company was in the neutral ground, near Kingsbridge, in May, 1780, and had a fight with Finicoe's Rangers. It was in the main army in the Jerseys in June, 1780, and at West Point in September, 1780, [ 400 ] and during the winter and spring of 1780-81. On August 19, 1781, it was at Dobb's Ferry, and four days later at Peekskill. On November 12 of the same year it marched on a foraging expedition into the neutral ground, via North Castle, White Plains, Mamaroneck, and Crowpond. The winter of 1781-82 was passed in cantonments at New Windsor on the Hudson, and in September, 1782, was at Verplanck's Point with the main army and in the operations against New York. In the winter of 1782-83 the brigade was
again in cantonments near New Windsor, and here on June 11, 1783, Nourse
was furloughed, and permitted to take his musket and march with a proper
complement of officers to Massachusetts to await the definite peace. On
November 3, 1783, he was honorably discharged from the service.
This record of James Nourse's term of
service has been taken from the record in the Bureau of Pensions,
Department of the Interior, except date of the final discharge, which is
incorrect in the Pension Office, since the men enlisted for the war were
furloughed on June 11, 1783, and not then discharged.
ORGAN, ISAAC, - name spelled "Orgin" on the gravestone, was the son of a Tory of the strongest type, living in Boston. He was born in 1761, and it is said that it was in listening to the British drums in Boston that he became himself expert in the use of the sticks. Upon the opening of the war, he enlisted, and was promptly disowned by his father. He married Elizabeth Hallowell, December 3, 1792, and had children, Eliza C., Isaac, Isaac, Harriet, and Martha. His home after the war was in the old house on Strawberry Avenue,
known as the old Johnson house, built in 1710. His grandson, Isaac Waitt,
remembers him as a short, thick-set man, as did also William Hudson,
who spoke of him as the most famous drummer of his day in Lynn. Mr. Hudson
heard him many times speak of his experiences in the army, and relate
particularly the fact of beating "taps" at the execution of Major John
Andre, and that the general sentiment was that Andre's sentence was very
harsh. The fame of Orgin as a drummer went far and wide. At Marblehead at
general muster, Colonel William Mansfield once made the remark, "Old Uncle
Isaac is not here," and, upon being asked how he knew, replied, "Because I
can tell his drum." At that moment another drum
[ 401 ]
was heard which Colonel Mansfield immediately recognized as that of Uncle Isaac. He was a powerful man, and his drumming was in keeping. He was also a man of quick temper, and is said to have thrown his arm out of joint three times, throwing stones at his cows. He died of jaundice, May 29, 1831, aged seventy, and is buried near the centre of the old Western Burial Ground. His wife, Elizabeth, died October 13, 1846, at the age of eighty-one, and is buried at his side. The War Department gives the following: "Drummer, Major Robert Oliver's 3d Mass. Battalion, commanded by Colonel John Greaton. He enlisted in March, 1779, and his name last appears on the roll for June, 1780. He was promoted to be drum major, January 27, 1780." His application for a pension reveals some other items of interest. He was pensioned under the act of 1818 from January 30, 1819, at $8 per month, $41.57 back pay. Elizabeth, his widow, was pensioned September 22, 1838, at $108 per year, with $270 back pay. He made oath in 1820 that he was worth $350 and had an income from cooking business of only $180 per year. He said that his pay in the army was 40s. a month. In 1820 he was a domestic in a large tavern in Boston, attending upon the tables in the day and cleaning boots and shoes at night. October 4, 1823, he made oath at the Probate Court at Salem that he enlisted for three years or during the war, in Captain Williams's company, Colonel Greaton's regiment, at Lynn, and continued to serve for six and a half years, being honorably discharged at New Windsor on the declaration of peace. This is corroborated by the Massachusetts rolls, which give the additional fact that during a part of this time, at least, while he was credited to the town of Lynn, his residence was given as Boston. PAPPOON, or PEPPOON, RICHARD, - son of Richard and Elizabeth (Ivory) Pappoon, was born September 17, 1736; married February 5, 1767, by Rev. Nathaniel Henchman, to Mary Newhall; children, Content, Ruth, Solomon, William, and Mary. He died in 1808, letters of administration being granted on his estate July 20, 1808. The land which he owned was situated on the "town's common," and, according to Mr. William Hudson, consisted of land now occupied by the Unitarian and St. Stephen's Churches and extending back to Summer Street. A marker and stone in the old Western Burial Ground mark his grave. Appears in a list of six months' men raised by the t.own of Lynn for [ 402 ] service in the Continental Army in 1780; marched June, 1780;
discharged December 13, 1780; service, five months, twenty-eight
days; also private, Captain Miles Greenwood's company, Colonel Jacob
Gerrish's regiment of guards; enlisted February 3, 1778; discharged, April
3, 1778; service, two months, one day; also descriptive list of men raised
to reinforce Continental Army for term of six months, agreeable to
resolve of June 5, 1780; age, forty-four years; height, 5 ft. 8 in. ;
complexion, dark; residence, Lynn; arrived at Springfield, July 13, 1780;
marched to camp same day under command of Captain Thomas Pritchard;
returned as received of Justin Ely, commissioner, by
Brigadier-General John Glover, at Springfield, July 13, 1780.
Private,Captain Samuel King's company; enlisted July 14, 1775; service, six months, two days. Receipt dated Salem, September 22,1775. PARKER, DAVID, - captain of the 1st Saugus company, was probably son of David Parker and Mary Upham, who were married in Malden, September 5, 1740. David, the father, died October 5, 1760. No records of births in his family were recorded until 1748, when his son Silas was born; but it is certain that David was born at Malden in 1744. The following very complete sketch of him was written by Benjamin F. Newhall, of Saugus, in 1760: "Passing south along the narrow highway which then extended from the Newhall tavern towards Boston, the aspect of the country at once became changed. Instead of cultivated fields on both sides of the highway, the traveller at once found on his right hand a frowning rock hill, covered with a dense growth of pine and cedar, and on his left the deep, dark recesses of "No Man's Swamp." The first building that attracted attention after passing the tavern was the long, low blacksmith's shop of Major David Parker. Here the clang of the hammer and anvil resounded daily before the American Revolution was thought of. His house near by stood close to the ledge of rocks in the rear. The site of the house was upon an old Indian burial-place, and no doubt but the hones of many of the original children of the forest rested beneath it. It was probably the largest blacksmith shop in Lynn at the time. Being near to the Newhall tavern, the half-way house between Boston and Salem, it secured thereby a large amount of business. Major Parker was an industrious, enterprising mechanic and devoted himself to business with becoming zeal for many years. He held an honorable rank among the people [ 403 ] of his adopted town and was early honored with the office of captain of the militia of the West Parish, the largest company in Lynn. This advancement was made prior to the Revolution. His courage and bravery at the Battle of Lexington led immediately to his promotion as major, which rank he held for many years after the war. Major Parker was a man of great benevolence of feeling, kind and affable to strangers, generous to a fault. He pursued the business of blacksmith up to about the time of his death. His son Richard succeeded him in the business." Captain Parker was twice married. He came to Lynn from Malden in the summer of 1766, with his wife Elizabeth and child Elizabeth, and was warned out of town by Thomas Cox, constable, in accordance with the custom of the times. Later he served in the battle of Lexington with the same constable. He was married, October 20, 1777, by Rev. Mr. Roby, to Mary Hunnewell, of Charlestown, daughter of Richard and Mary (Kidder) Hunnewell, born July 9, 1742. His children were Elizabeth, David, William, Mary, Richard Hunnewell, Ebenezer, Sarah, and Susannah. May 26, 1773, he was one of the petitioners to the General Court to set off Saugus as a separate parish. The petition being granted be became a member of the new church and was for some years clerk. On February 14, 1776, he was chosen major by the House of Representatives, and was attached to Colonel Timothy Pickering's 1st Essex County regiment. It does not appear that Major Parker saw active service after the battle of Lexington, but undoubtedly he served in the home guard. His wife, Mary, died August 14, 1798. His last days were spent in Malden, where his death occurred February 8, 1810, and he is buried in the old Bell Rock Cemetery. His grave, near the wall, on the north side, is under a spreading maple and is marked by a slate stone. The old house in which he lived in Saugus was torn down about 1875. PARKER, NOAH, - return of men raised in Essex County for the Continental service, agreeable to resolve of December 2, 1780; also descriptive list dated Hutts, New Boston, May 15, 1782; Captain James Tisdale's 4th company, 3d Massachusetts regiment; age, thirty-three; 5 ft. 6 in.; complexion, dark; eyes, blue; yeoman; residence, Lynn; enlisted June 5, 1782, for three years; also private, Captain Tisdale's company, Colonel John Greaton's 3d regiment; muster-rolls for September and October, 1782, also January and February, 1783; also [ 404 ] same company, Colonel Michael Jackson's 3d regiment; muster-rolls for
August and September, 1783; balance of term of enlistment unexpired,
nineteen months, twenty-nine days; reported on major-general's barge; also
accounts current showing clothing charged to men belonging to Captain
Tisdale's company.
PARSONS, EBENEZER, - was born in Leicester, Mass., March 13, 1762, and came to Lynnfield to live with his grandfather, Ebenezer Bancroft. He was married November 18, 1787, to Abigail Smith, daughter of Jonathan and Mercy (Hawkes) Smith, and lived in Lynnfield until his death. He was a farmer and inn-keeper, and is described as a large man, who always wore his hair in a queue. In his last days he suffered a stroke of paralysis and became bent and broken. He was present at the laying of the corner-stone of the Revolutionary soldiers' monument in Peabody, April 14, 1835. Died April 17, 1843, aged eighty-one. His wife, Abigail, or Nabby, died May 16, 1849, aged eighty-four, and is buried by his side in the Lynnfield West Ground. He was a pensioner under the law of 1818, at the rate of $8 per month from, April 14, 1818. Dropped from the rolls May 1, 1820, but restored later at the rate of $80.10 per year. He appears on a list of six months' men raised by the town of Lynn for service in the Continental Army during 1780; also descriptive list of men raised to reinforce the Continental Army for the term of six months, agreeable to a resolve of June 5, 1780; aged eighteen years; height, 5 ft. 10 in.; complexion, light; residence, Lynn; arrived at Springfield July 10, 1780; marched to camp July 11, under command of Captain George Webb; returned as received of Justin Ely, commissioner, by Brigadier-General John Glover, at Springfield, July 11, 1780. The length of his first term of service is not known, but that he re-enlisted for six months in 1780 is shown by the following copies of documents in possession of his grandson, Ebenezer Parsons: - LYNN, July 4, 1780. "wee do hereby Engag & promise to Ebenezer Parsons of Lynn, being an inlisted souldier in the Continental army for six months to deliver him thre cows [ 405 ] at the End of the sd six monthas in Lieu of his six months wages, he delivering his six months wages or money Equal thereto to us or Either of us, the sd cow to be as good as cows are one with another that is to say midling Cows. JOSEPH GOWING
THOMAS TOWNSEND JOHN PERKINS." Discharge : - " Ebenezer Parsons, a soldier in Col. E. Putnam's reg. Discharged the service, the Issuing Commisiariat will furnish you with provisions on your march home. ENOCH PUTNAM, Col Comdt." WEST POINT, Dec. 6. 1781. PARROTT, BENJAMIN, - private, was probably born about 1745, but no record of his parentage has been found. It is supposed that Daniel and Marstin Parrott, who were in the Revolution, were his brothers. The family came to Lynn after 1700, and settled in the easterly section of the town, where they ever afterward remained. He was married by Rev. Mr. Treadwell, August 21, 1766, to Mrs. Elizabeth Ingalls. His children were James, Benjamin, Rufus, Hannah, Nathaniel, and William. His home was upon Chestnut Street, opposite the present Howard Street, but the house was torn down many years ago. He was a private in Captain Farrington's company, and responded to the Lexington alarm. In this company was Edward Ireson, whose widow he later married, her father, Samuel Ingalls; and Joseph Richards, whose daughter married his son Benjamin. It can thus be seen how thoroughly this little company was recruited from "Wood End" and how closely allied by kindred ties were its members. After the death of his comrade, Edward Ireson, in 1801, he married, May 2, 1802, the widow, Mrs. Hepzibah (Ingalls) Ireson, daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Lewis) Ingalls, born in Lynn in 1757. His son James married her sister. He became one of the original members of the Second Methodist Episcopal Society, and owned a pew in the church (St. Paul's). Mr. Parrott was instantly killed, September 30, 1811, by being thrown from his cart, which was heavily loaded. He is interred in the old Western Burial Ground, where a marble stone and bronze marker of the S. A. R. were erected at his grave in 1904. His wife died December [ 406 ] 7, 1828, aged seventy-one, and a slate stone marks her grave in the Eastern Burial Ground. PARROTT, DANIEL, - was born in 1737, but no record appears in the Lynn records. It is known that he served as a corporal in Captain Israel Davis's company at the capture of Louisburg in 1745. He was married in Lynn by Rev. Mr. Henchman, March 1, 1763, to Rebecca Ingalls, daughter of Nathaniel and Tabitha (Lewis) Ingalls, born in Lynn, December 20, 1732. Daniel Parrott did duty in Captain Farrington's company on the 19th of April, 1775, and also joined the Continental Army in the summer of 1779, having volunteered for the term of nine months. At the end of his enlistment the British were menacing the defences of the Hudson River, and General Washington made an appeal to the various states for recruits. Lynn decided to raise a company of thirty-one men to reinforce the army, and Parrott was one of the number drafted. At this time he was described as being forty-three years of age, 5 ft. 7 in. in height, and of a ruddy complexion. He left Lynn, June 27, 1780, and was received in camp at Springfield, July 13, 1780, by Brigadier-General John Glover. From Springfield he marched to the Hudson, where he was stationed near West Point. General Glover was a member of the court-martial which tried Major Andre, and the Lynn men who went out at this time were present at the execution of that officer. Daniel Parrott served until December 13, 1780, when he was discharged, and allowed pay for 220 miles' travel home. He died in Lynn, August 5, 1810, and is buried in the old Western Burial Ground in a grave marked bya marble stone and marker of the S. A. R, erected in 1904. PARROTT, JOHN, - One of this name, supposed to be from Lynn, was captured at the fall of Quebec, December 31, 1775. He was in Captain Thayer's company. The Lynn records have a John Parrott, born 1748, died August 7, 1832, aged eighty-four. PARROTT, MARSTIN, - Two of this name are borne on the rolls in Lynn, one serving as a private in the company of Captain Ezra Newhall, and the other in that of Captain William Farrington, both on the 19th of April, 1775. There may have been a mistake on one of the rolls or there may have really been two of the same name who served. The name is found in the list of Captain Samuel King's company of seacoast guards [ 407 ] which served for six months. The death of Marstin Parrott is noted about May 1, 1833, aged seventy-eight, in New Haven, Conn. PAUL, WILLIAM, - probably born in Lynn in 1759. Return of men raised to serve in the Continental Army from 1st Essex County regiment, sworn to at Salem by John Flagg, first military officer of the town of Lynn; engaged for Lynn; term during the war; also list of men mustered by Nathaniel Barber, muster-master, for Suffolk County, dated Boston, March 16, 1777; Captain Allen's company, Colonel Wigglesworth's regiment; also private, Captain Allen's company, Colonel Calvin Smith's regiment; Continental Army pay accounts for service from January 1, 1780, to December 31, 1780; also descriptive list dated West Point, January 29, 1781; Captain John K. Smith's company, 6th Massachusetts regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Smith; rank, private; age, twenty-two; stature, 5 ft. 7 in.; complexion and hair, light; eyes, light; residence, Lynn; enlisted June 10, 1777, by Captain E. Smith; enlistment during war; also private, Captain Peter Claye's light infantry company, commanded by Captain John K. Smith prior to May 1, 1781; Lieutenant-Colonel Calvin Smith's 6th regiment; also assignment dated October 21, 1783, signed by said Paul, making over to Henry Foye, for value received, all wages due or to become due to said Paul, late soldier in Captain John Kilby Smith's company, 6th Massachusetts regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel William Hull; also return, probably 1783, of men entitled to gratuity of $80, agreeable to act of Congress of May 15, 1778, for service during war. - Mass. Rolls. PELSUE, JOHN, - private in Captain Bancroft's Lynnfield company at the alarm of April 19, 1775. He was probably the son of William Pelsue, of Salem, born in Salem, June 16, 1738. That he was a stranger in Lynnfield is evident. No other person of the name appears in either town or parish records. He is mentioned once only in the latter, when it was voted March 28, 1778, "to give John Plelso an order for 9 shillings for his being overtaxed." Nothing further has been learned of him. PERKINS, CAPTAIN JOHN, - son of William and Sarah Perkins, was born May 10, 1740, and died September 4, 1823, aged eighty-three. He lived in Lynnfield, in the old house, still standing, in a good state of preservation, known as the "Perkins place," which has been in the family name about two hundred years. He married Eunice Waters, of Danvers, in- [ 408 ] tentions published September 10, 1766. She died August 16, 1827, aged
eighty-four, and is buried at his side in the old ground at Lynnfield
Centre. He seems to have been a man of prominence in his day, the records
showing him to have been clerk of the town ih 1769, 1774, 1775, 1783, 1784
and 1789, town treasurer from 1792 to 1804, selectman, 1783, 1784, 1787,
1789. He joined the Lynnfield church with his wife, November 3, 1771, and
was chosen deacon, September 16, 1796.
He appears among a list of officers of the Massachusetts militia, as first lieutenant in the 6th company of the 1st Essex County regiment, commissioned April 26, 1776; also in a list of officers as first lieutenant in Captain John Upton's 6th company, Essex County regiment, commissioned April 26, 1776, dated Lynn; also commissioned October 30, 1776, appears among a list of officers as captain in Captain John Perkins's 6th company, Colonel Timothy Pickering's regiment, commissioned in Council, October 30, 1776. PERRY, THADDEUS, - son of John and Sarah (Price) Perry, was born in Lexington, Mass., December 26, 1730. In 1764 he came to Lynnfield, and was warned out of town by Constable Joseph Gowing, who was afterwards lieutenant in the same company in which Mr. Perry served as private. He married Rhoda Green, daughter of Deacon Daniel Green, of Reading. His children were Nathan, Daniel, Benjamin, George, John, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Rhoda, Ruth, Alice, and two whose names have not been preserved. In 1772 he was chosen constable, but appears not to have been prominent in town or parish affairs. He was a private in Captain Bancroft's company at the Lexington alarm, serving the usual two days. In 1777 he enlisted as a private in Captain Jesse Wyman's company, Colonel Josiah Whitney's regiment, and served two months on an alarm in Rhode Island. He was discharged July 10, 1777, at Point Judith. From records on file, which cannot be clearly placed, he probably saw further service during the war. He died in Lynnfield, February 5, 1806, aged seventy-six, and is buried in the old burial-ground at Lynnfield Centre. A stone and marker of the S. A. R. were placed at his grave in 1903. Note. - A Thaddeus Perry, of Lynn, and Anna Haywood, of Andover, were married in Andover, March 29, 1769. POOL, CAPTAIN JOHN, - was descended from John Poole, who came to this country about the year 1632. He was born June 10, 1735, and was the [ 409 ] son of Timothy and Elizabeth Poole. He married, first, Sarah Townsend, of Reading, August 29, 1762, and his children were Sarah, John, Susanna, Isaac, Thomas, Sarah, and James; married, second, Mrs. Susanna Smith, of Reading, November 1, 1767. His home was in the ancient house which stood where the gate-house of the water-works is located in North Saugus. When the new pond was made, the house was torn down, and no trace remains. Little is known of Captain Pool. He held minor positions in the town, being constable in 1766, fence-viewer in 1771, surveyor of highways in 1781, and warden in 1791. He died May 1, 1798. The homestead consisted of seventy-five acres of land, situated in Saugus and Lynnfield, together with house and barn, all valued at $1,560. He is buried in the old cemetery at Saugus Centre, and the grave is marked by a marble stone and the bronze marker of the S. A. R. On the 24th of April, 1776, he was chosen captain of the 2d company, 1st Essex County regiment, and was commissioned two days later. On September 30 of that year his company of fifty men were drafted from Brigadier-General Michael Farley's regiment, to march to Horseneck on an alarm. His company was in Colonel Coggswell's regiment, which reached White Plains just after the battle, the company having been engaged in scouring the woods. It then marched to North Castle, where it remained until its discharge, January 1, 1777. He was second lieutenant in Captain Addison Richardson's company, Colonel Jacob Gerrish's regiment; engaged October 14,1779; discharged November 22, 1779; service, one month, twenty days, at Claverack; regiment detached from Essex County militia to reinforce army under General Washington. PORTER, AMOS, - was a private in Captain Parker's Saugus company at the Lexington alarm; but, aside from his two days' service at that time, nothing is known of him. He may have been the son of Joseph and Mary Porter, born in Danvers, November 24, 1742; married Anna Bradstreet, December 10, 1763. PORTER, EBENEZER, - probably Lynn, appears on a receipt for advance pay dated Cambridge, June 8, 1775; enlisted May 4, 1775, for eight [ 410 ] months; bounty coat, Winter Hill, November 4, 1775; Captain Ezra Newhall's company, Colonel John Mansfield's regiment. POTTER, BENJAMIN BURRILL, - son of Benjamin and Hannah (Brown) Potter, was born February 1, 1758. Private, Captain Joseph Hiller's company,
Colonel Jonathan Titcomb's regiment; arrived at destination June 11,
1777; discharged August 11, 1777, two months, six days, including travel
home; also private, Captain Miles Greenwood's company, Colonel Jacob
Gerrish's regiment of guards; enlisted November 11, 1777; service to July
3, 1778, at Cambridge.
Appears on a list of prisoners on brig "Haskett & John," taken May 3, 1781; committed July 7, 1781; residence, Lynn. PRATT, AMOS, - son of Thomas and Lydia (Lynde) Pratt, was born in Malden, April 11, 1734. He was married April 30, 1761, by Rev. Joseph Roby, to Sarah Upham, of Lynn. He first resided in his native town, where his daughter, Sarah, was born, May 19, 1762. In March, 1763, he removed to Lynn, settling in Saugus. In October of that year he was officially warned out of town, according to the custom of the times. He remained, however, and erected his home on the Melrose road, about one hundred rods eastward from it. Mr. Benjamin F. Newhall says: "It was a small, one-story house, with out-buildings, and surrounded with beautiful trees. Deacon Pratt, for he afterwards attained to that dignity, was a small but very active man. He never let the grass grow under his feet. Neatness and order reigned supreme all about his retired and romantic home. Smooth flat stones paved the way to the well, barn, and out-buildings. Every piece of woodwork was scoured and kept clean, for paint was practically unknown in those days. He was for many years one of the deacons of the old West Parish Church and was a highly exemplary man." Amos Pratt responded to the alarm of April
19, 1775, in the company of Captain David Parker, but saw no further
service in the war. He died in March, 1821, leaving a small estate. His
family soon dispersed, the house fell into decay, and has
disappeared. He is buried in the old Saugus cemetery, and a stone and
marker of the S. A. R. were erected to his memory in 1903.
PROCTOR, JOHN, - A John, son of William and Elizabeth (Ricker) Proctor, was born in Lynn, November 4, 1754; married Mary Newhall, Febru- [ 411 ] ary 17, 1774; also married Joanna Tarbox, January 7, 1779. There was a son, Joseph. Seaman, brigantine" Freedom," September 10, 1777, to April 1, 1778, Captain John Clouston. Probably on "Rambler." Also seaman, brigantine "Tyrannicide," Captain Allen Hallet; enlisted February 1, 1779, to April 30; also marine, ship "Protector," December 18, 1780, to May 9, 1781, four months, twenty-one days, Captain John F. Williams; also on roll December 11, 1782. See also Timothy Newhall, who says that he sailed in the Penobscot expedition with John Proctor. PROCTOR, JOHN, Jr., - son of Joseph and Annis Proctor, was born in Marblehead; baptized May 3, 1747; lived in Swampscott; married by Rev. Mr. Roby, December 12, 1792, to Anna Brown. He died December 20, 1819. Appears as a landsman on frigate "Boston," Samuel Tucker commander; entry, December 4, 1778; also appears on ship "Lyon"; also on another from Marblehead. Also private, Captain Samuel King's company; enlisted July 14, 1775; service, six months, two days, for defence of seacoast; also private, Captain Zadock Buffinton's company, Colonel Samuel Johnson's regiment; enlisted August 19, 1777; discharged November 30, 1777, at Cambridge; service, three months, twelve days. RAMSDELL, ABEDNEGO, - son of Noah and Mary (Batten) Ramsdell, was born in Lynn, September 11, 1750. His father's home was on Marblehead Lane where it makes a sharp bend in entering the town of Swampscott. The house stood upon the easterly side of the road, and has long since disappeared. Abednego Ramsdell was married March 10, 1774, by Ebenezer Burrill, Esq., town clerk, to Hannah Woodbury, probably of Newburyport. His nearest neighbor was Theophilus Burrill, whose home is still standing on Essex Street, Swampscott, and beyond the latter lived Joseph Richards and his brothers. Tradition has handed down an interesting story of how two of these young men started for the battle of Lexington. They were members of Captain Farrington's company of militia, but had risen early that morning and gone to the seashore for the purpose of shooting black ducks. In their absence the alarm reached town that the regulars were out, and most of their neighbors had gone in haste with the company. Abed- [ 412 ] nego Ramsdell and Joseph Richards had killed some ducks and were returning, when they were met by the father of the latter, who gave them the exciting news that there was trouble "up country" and that they had better go. It is asserted that they immediately threw down the ducks, and set off in haste for the scene of the conflict. Judge James R Newhall, in the History of Lynn, says that Mr. Ramsdell was warned by a woman as he left town that she had had a presentment that he would not return. He replied that he was going in a good cause, and that, if he fell, he would take a redcoat with him. It is said that the last time he was seen in Lynn he was running through the town with his stockings fallen over his shoes Gradually he was joined by others along the road who were going in the same direction, and these men decided to place themselves under the lead of one of the older men. Hurrying along, they fell in with a considerable number of men whose objective point was the Boston road to Concord, and at about noon they learned the full particulars of the morning's fight, and that a large force of British was on the road beyond. They arrived in the town of Menotomy some time during the early part of the afternoon, there meeting the Lynn men who had preceded them. Mr. Ramsdell took position at the Jason Russell house, and was awaiting the vanguard of the British troops when they arrived at about five o'clock. While engaged in firing at the main column in the road, he was fired upon in the rear by the flank guard and killed. The hardest fighting of the day took place around this old farm-house, which still stands a survivor of the battle. Twelve men were laid out in the parlor that afternoon, killed by British musket-balls and bayonets. Mr. Ramsdell was buried in the field in the rear of the house. In 1848 his body was removed to the cemetery at Arlington, where a monument was erected over the common grave of the men who had been killed at the Jason Russell house. Abednego Ramsdell had two brothers, Shadrack and Mesheck, both of whom served in the Revolution. His three sisters, Rachel, Mary, and Hannah, all married Revolutionary soldiers. RAMSDELL, EBENEZER, - raised for six months' service, and passed muster October 25, 1780, at Camp Totoway; discharged December 13, 1780; service, five months, twenty-eight days, travel, 220 miles, included. - Mass. Rolls. [ 413 ] RAMSDELL, JACOB, - son of John and Rebecca (Hazletine or Hazleton), was born March 7, 1745-6; married Elizabeth Collins, September 13, 1770, by Rev. John Treadwell; children, John, Bethia, Betsey, and Jacob. In the probate records a certificate appears, filed by his widow Elizabeth, March 31, 1806, which says that her husband, Jacob, went away ten years previous and had not been heard from. He was a seaman, and left four children. Appears as a private in Captain Ezra Newhall's company which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, twenty-one days; also as lieutenant in Captain Lindsey's company, Colonel Benjamin Ruggles Woodbridge's regiment, dated August 1, 1775; enlisted May 12, 1775; service, eighty-one days; also appears in a petition addressed to the Council at Watertown, dated Cambridge Camp, October 2, 1775, signed by Colonel Woodbridge, asking that said Ramsdell and others be recommended to General Washington for Continental commission, they having failed to be commissioned by the Provincial Congress. - Mass. Rolls. RAMSDELL, JAMES, - probably son of Timothy and Margerity, born January 10, 1733; married June 26, 1755, to Meribah Johnson. Was evidently in the regiment with Henry Hallowell, inasmuch as the latter mentions him as being on the march through New Jersey. Private, Captain Moses McFarland's invalid corps at Boston, for service from January 1 to December 1, 1780; enlistment during the war; also first appears as private in Captain Daniel Galeucia's tenth company, Colonel Benjamin Ruggles Woodbridge's regiment; enlisted June 16, 1775; order for bounty coat dated Malden, October 25, 1775; also list of men raised to serve in the Continental Army from 1st Essex County regiment, dated Lynn, February 16, 1778; term three years; joined Captain Williams's company, Colonel Greaton's regiment; also private, Captain Joseph Williams's company, Colonel John Greaton's regiment, for service from February 26, 1777, to December 31, 1780; reported invalided in 1780. - Mass. Rolls. He was paid a bounty of £14 by the town of Lynn, March 1, 1778. Accounts of Greaton at State House. RAMSDELL, JAMES, Jr., - parentage, unknown. A James, Jr., died in Marblehead, September 14, 1814, - a seaman. Appears on a list of men raised to serve in the Continental Army [ 414 ] from 1st Essex County regiment, dated Lynn, February 16, 1778, and sworn to at Salem by John Flagg, military officer of the town of Lynn; joined Captain Joseph Winship's company, Colonel Greaton's regiment; also appears on Continental Army depreciation roll of men who served three years from January, 1777, to 1780. Descriptive list dated West Point, January 25,1781; Colonel Greaton's 3d regiment; age, twenty-one years; stature, 5 ft. 6 in.; complexion, light; hair, dark; eyes, blue; residence, Lynn; enlisted January 1, 1777, by Lieutenant Tuttle; enlistment during war. - Mass. Rolls. RAMSDELL, KIMBALL (KYMBAL), - married Mary Ramsdell, probably daughter of Noah and Mary (Batton) Ramsdell, born January 4, 1741. His own parentage is unknown. His children were Mary, Lucy, Joseph, Rachel, Kimball, Rachel, Lucy. Hc was a soldier in the French and Indian War, but appears only in Henry Hallowell's list as having been in the Revolution. RAMSDELL, MESHECK, - son of Noah and Mary (Batton) Ramsdell, was born March 14,1747; married March 2,1768, to Sarah Young, daughter of Thomas and Martha Young, born June 20, 1748. He was living in Lynn in 1790, according to the census of that year, but the date of his death is unknown. Private, Captain Rufus Mansfield's 4th Lynn company which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, two days. - Mass. Rolls. RAMSDELL, NATHAN, - perhaps son of Joseph and Rachel, born in Malden, March 18, 1745. Private, Captain Rufus Mansfield's 4th company which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, two days; also private, Captain Joseph Hiller's company, Colonel Jonathan Titcomb's regiment; service on an alarm at Rhode Island from May 5, 1777, to July 5, 1777. Mass. Rolls. RAMSDELL, NATHANIEL, - son of Nathaniel and Joanna (Downing) Ramsdell, was born November 5, 1730; married by Rev. Nathaniel Henchman, December 4, 1755, to Tabitha Ramsdell, daughter of Ebenezer and Tabitha, born July 26, 1726; children, Joanna, Eunice, Ebenezer, Gideon, William, Reboah. He was living in Lynn in 1790, according to the census of that year. Appears as a matross on pay abstract of Captain Winthrop Gray's [ 415 ] company, Colonel Thomas Craft's regiment, for advance pay and blanket money; residence, Lynn. - Mass. Rolls. RAMSDELL, NEHEMIAH, - private, Captain Erza Newhall's company of minute men which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, twenty-one days; also private, Captain Joseph Hiller's company, Colonel Jonathan Titcomb's regiment; arrived at destination June 11, 1777; service to August 11, 1777, two months, six days. - Mass. Rolls. RAMSDELL, NEHEMIAH, - was probably born about 1717. He married May 9, 1737, Susannah Gross, and had four children, Susanna, Nehemiah, Elizabeth, and Harrison. His second wife appears to have been Deliverance Smith, whom he married November 24, 1747, and by whom he had two children, Anna and Rhoda. Rhoda married Thomas Kilby Hudson, a soldier of the Revolution. Mr. Ramsdell was one of the oldest members of Captain Farrington's company, being over fifty-five years of age at the time of the Lexington alarm. His son Nehemiah served in the company with him, and still another Nehemiah served in the company of Captain Ezra Newhall. He took little part in the affairs of the town, serving only as tithing-man in 1767. His death occurred in 1782, letters of administration being granted on his estate December 4 of that year. His wife died November 6, 1797. He is buried in the old Western Burial Ground, where a marble gravestone and a bronze marker of the S. A. R. were erected in 1904. RAMSDELL, NEHEMIAH, Jr., - son of Nehemiah and Susanna (Gross) Ramsdell, was born in Lynn, December 10, 1739. Little is known of him. He appears to have been married by Rev. Mr. Treadwell, February 12, 1778, to Anna Attwill. He served with his father in Captain Farrington's company on the 19th of April, 1775, meeting the British at Menotomy. Inasmuch as there were three of the same name borne on the muster-rolls to the credit of Lynn, it is impossible to distinguish which one performed service in the Rhode Island campaign. In the summer of 1777 a large company was raised in Lynn for the expedition against the British who were about Narragansett Bay, and a Nehemiah Ramsdell was one of the number, enlisting June 11, 1777, and serving until August 11, when he was discharged and returned to Lynn. [ 416 ] Letters of administration were granted upon his estate October 19, 1807. A bronze marker and marble gravestone were erected to his memory in the old Western Burial Ground in 1904. [ 417 ]
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