History of the town of Northfield, Massachusetts : for 150 years, with an account of the prior occupation of the territory by the Squakheags : and with family genealogies, Part 39

Author: Temple, J. H. (Josiah Howard), 1815-1893; Sheldon, George, 1818-1916
Publication date: 1875
Publisher: Albany, N.Y. : J. Munsell
Number of Pages: 680


USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Northfield > History of the town of Northfield, Massachusetts : for 150 years, with an account of the prior occupation of the territory by the Squakheags : and with family genealogies > Part 39


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May 25. Capt. Melvin with eighteen Men, who went out after the Enemy, came to the Lake a little South of Crown-Point ; saw two Canoes about 50 or 60 Rods from the Shore, going to Crown- Point (these doubtless were the In- dians who were drove from Hoosuck the Week before). Capt. Melvin and his Company shot 50 or 60 Guns : The Indians made a great Lamentation whilst they were shooting at them : Crown Point immediately took the Alarm ; fired their Cannon : And that Night our Men perceived the Enemy had got before them in their Way Home. Capt. Melvin took a contrary course, when he


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come across their Track, so that he escap'd them, 'till he came on West-River on the 31st of May ; they laid an Ambush on the Bank of the River, where they were satisfied Capt. Melvin would come between them and the River ; Providence so ordered it that Capt. Melvin stop'd within a few Rods of the Muzzles of the Enemies Guns ; they fired on him : Our Men jump'd up the Bank, and fired at them ; some of our Men that were in the Rear made up the River ; our Men fired some Time at them, and suppose they killed several of the Enemy. Six of our Men were killed, viz. Joseph Petty, John Howard, Jobn Dod, Daniel Man, Isaac Taylor, & Samuel Severance. Capt. Melvin and his Men came in, all but Six, at different Times at Fort Dummer. This was a Surprizing Stroke, and struck a great Damp into the Spirits of our Men who had Thoughts of going into their Country ; when they found how far the In- dians would pursue them to get an Advantage upon them.


June 16. A large Body of the Enemy Way-laid the Road between Col. Hinsdell's Fort and Fort Dummer : Thirteen of our Men going from Col. Hins- dell's to Fort Dummer, were shot upon ; three were killed on the Spot. Some time after, the Bones of a Man were found where they lodged the first Night : Joseph Richardson, Nathan French, and Jobn Frost were killed on the Spot. The Man that was kill'd where they Lodg'd the first Night is supposed to be William Bickford ; the rest were taken Captive, except three who made their Escape in the Fight.


June 26. As Capt. Humphrey Hobbs was passing with a Scout of forty Men from Number Four to Fort Sbirley, they were pursued by One Hundred and fifty of the Enemy : and West of Fort Dummer, as our Men stop'd to eat some Victuals, their Guards being out, and the Man set to watch their back Track discovered the Enemy, who gave the Alarm. There immediately began a very hot Fight : The Enemy rushed on very violently ; but our Men stood their Ground and gave them a warm Reception : The Fight lasted four Hours, in which Time three Men were killed, viz. Samuel Gunn, Ebenezer Mitchel & Ely Scot ; & three very dangerously wounded, viz. Samuel Graves, who was Shot in the Head, and Some of his Brains came out ; Daniel Me' Keney had his Thigh broke ; and Nathan Walker had his Arm broke and the Bullet lodged between the Bones of the Arm . Ralph Ryce was slightly Wounded : Capt. Hobbs shot the last Gun at the Enemy, and is supposed to have killed the Chief Indian who encouraged them in the Fight. After the Enemy were drawn off, Capt. Hobbs brought off his dead and wounded Men ; came about half a Mile, and buried. his Dead as well as he could in the dark : The next Day he bro't his Wounded into Fort Dummer, and the next Day to Northfield. The Enemy doubtless lost many ; they went off without Shouting, and when some Captives saw them about a Week after, they looked very sorrowful. This was a very manly fight ; and all will grant our Men quitted themselves like Men, who Need not to be ashamed.


July 3. A Number of Indians came to the Upper- Asbuelot, and kill'd eleven Cattle. About the same Time a Fort of ours was taken at Lunenburg ; two


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Soldiers were killed ; a Man and Woman and five Children were taken Captive, but are since returned.


July 14. The Enemy that fought with Capt. Hobbs having been as far as West River, and left Part of their Company, returned and Way-laid the Road between Col. Hinsdell's-Fort and Fort-Dummer ; and as seventeen Men were going to Fort-Dummer, were shot upon. Serjeant Thomas Taylor commanded the Men to fight them ; but the Enemy rushed upon them, killed two Men on the Spot, and wounded two more whom they carried about a Mile and killed. . The Men killed were Joseph Rose, Asael Graves, - Billings, and Chandler : Nine were taken Prisoners, viz. Serjeant Thomas Taylor, Thomas Crisson, John Henry, - Lawrence, - Walker, Daniel How, Jun. - Edghill, Daniel Farmer, and Ephraim Powers. Four escaped ; one of whom was badly wounded, but is since recovered.


July 23, A small Party of the Enemy came to Northfield, and Way-laid the Town-Street ; and as Aaron Belden was going from one Fort to another a little before Sun rise, they shot him down and scalp'd him ; and run off into the Woods before any Body was really apprized what was the Matter. Thus bold and daring had the Enemy grown, before the Cessation of Arms.


August 1. A Large Body of the Enemy came to Fort-Massachusetts, and laid an Ambush. The Dogs made a Rout, which made the Men sensible that the Enemy were there. Capt. Williams and the Officers were consulting how to go out, and come upon them in their Ambush ; but a few Soldiers ran out without Orders near where the Dogs barked : The Enemy arose some few of 'em and fir'd which caused the Captain and his Men to rush out ; one of the Enemy call'd to the Captain to come along : Our Men went so far, that the Ambush arose partly behind them nearer the Fort : Our Men stood and fired several Times a piece without any Thing to shelter them from the Bullets, and retreated firing, to the Fort : In the Fight Lieutenant Hawley was shot thro' the Legg, Ezekiel Wells had his Thigh broke, but is almost recovered ; one Abbot was shot thro' the Body, who died in a Day or two ; we have heard considerable Spoil was done upon the Enemy. A Cessation of Arms being heard of in Canada, put a stop to the Enemy's coming out.


REMARKS.


The following Remarks are easy and natural from the preceeding History.


Ist. What a great Difference there is between our managing a War, and our Enemies: The most we do is to defend our selves at Home ; but they are for an offensive War. And it is true if they have any, they must have this ; for a defensive War they can have none with us : For not a Man of ours has seen a French Settlement all this War, except such as were carried Captive or went with a Flagg of Truce.


2ndly. It is a rare thing we can obtain an Indian Scalp, let us do what Spoil we will upon them ; so careful are they to carry off and conceal their Dead : For at Fort Massachusetts, where it is probable near sixty have been killed,


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Doolittle's Narrative.


never have been found more than three Scalps, which shows us that our Men will not venture out after the Enemy on any Scalping Act whatsoever : Our Men will not venture their Lives and Service on such uncertain Encourage- ments ; if they should be much greater than ever they have been. The like is demonstrated at Number Four, where they have killed so many of the Enemy, never a Scalp could be recovered.


3dly. We may observe, Of how much Importance the Enemy judge those two Forts at Number Four and Hoosuck, to be to us. Hence their repeated Endeavours to destroy them ; which they would not do, were they not advan- tageous to us, and in their Way in coming upon us .- And it shows how much it must encourage our Enemies, for us to give up either of them.


4thly. We may observe, How safely the Enemy can draw off, when they have done Mischief. I think but one Instance has there been all this War of our pursuing, and overtaking the Enemy to do any Spoil on them, and there are many Reasons for it: One is, that no Body may move 'till an Account is sent to the chief Colonel ; and then Men must be mustered, which takes so long a Time that there is no possibility of our taking them. Another Reason is, that we never have Men near, equipp'd to pursue them in the Woods ; and when they have gone a few Miles in the Woods, they are discouraged and return Home.


5thly. It is observable, That the continual changing of Schemes renders all Measures for the War unsuccessful. Before any one single Scheme is tried, it is flung up, and nothing ever prosecuted to Advantage : There is scarce any one Scheme of more than six Months continuance.


6thly. We may observe, That when the Province have voted any Number of Men for a particular Service ; by that Time the Commissary can furnish the Men with their Provisions, their Time is expired ; and this was the Case the Summer past : It took the greater Part of the Summer to supply the Garrisons with Provisions ; they were so scarce: And the Soldiers who were designed as Scouts towards Crown-Point, were a good Part of their Time employed in guarding Provisions to the Forts.


7thly. It is observable to all who know the State of these Frontiers, That there is not due Provision made to furnish Men out on any Occasion after the Enemy. There is neither Bread nor Meat, Shoes, Blankets, &c., that a Number of Men may take on any sudden Occasion. They have their Bread to bake, their Meat to cook, and other Things to get ; when they sliould be on their March : And so long as this is the Case, the Enemy never need fear our annoying of them when they have distressed us.


8tlily. It is observable, That all this War we have never kept Men in the Woods towards Crown. Point to discover their large Bodies coming down upon us, and give Notice of an approaching Enemy : So that they come securely Week after Week upon us ; yea, we have since found that the Enemy have camp'd several Months within thirty or forty Miles of Fort-Dummer.


9thly. Another Thing observable, Is the great Temptation Soldiers have to be unfaithful in the Service. For there is no Distinction made, as to their Wages, between a Soldier posted in an Old Town, one in a Garrison, and one


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marching in the Woods ; who when he is in the Woods, wears out as many Clothes as his Wages will procure, besides all his Hardships and Sufferings. Soldiers therefore choose to Lodge in the Garrison ; and think hard if they must be kept in the Woods, when others have as much Pay in Old Towns, who eat and lodge well.


lothly. We differ much from the French with Respect to the War. They will not give Men Commissions, 'till they have been out in the War and done some Spoil on their Enemies. If the like Method was practised with us ; there would be fewer Commissions, and more it's probable would be done on the Enemy, in order to obtain them : But so long as no Regard is had to this in promoting of Men, we can't expect Men will exert themselves as they ought to do.


I Ithly. The Reader may observe, How much the People in the Western- Frontiers, must be distress'd by the War; and how falsely they judge, who think the War is an Advantage to them. Their Case is most distressing : The repeated Alarms take them off from their Business Day after Day for forty or fifty Miles together. And the Reader is to observe, that in the preceeding History there is no mention of great Numbers of Times of the Enemy being seen and shot at, both in the Night and Day Time ; and of their setting open Gates, and turning Creatures into Fields to devour Crops. It was not the de- sign of the Author to give you an Account of the People's Losses ; but of the Mischief done : If any envy the Inhabitants in the Frontiers their Portion, they may come and take their Lot with them.


12thly. It ought to be observed, That great Injustice is done the Inhabitants in the Frontiers in pressing them out of their Business, into the Province Ser- vice, either to follow the Enemy or convoy Stores, and not rewarding them suitably. They are sent out Day after Day with their Horses, and have not balf so much per Day as they must give a Man to labour for them in the mean Time.


Lastly, We may observe, That in this War, as we encreased our Number of Men in our Forts or Scouts, the Enemy have increased their Numbers ; and the longer the War continued, the oftner they came, and the more bold they grew : Which shows us what we must expect, if the War breaks out a-new : Especially at this Time, when there is no Provision made for Men in our Frontiers.


FAMILY


GENEALOGIES.


ABBREVIATIONS.


1., aged. abt., about. A. C., Amherst College. Amh., Amherst. b., born. bapt., baptized. B. C., Bowdoin College. bef., before. Ber., Bernardston. Bratt., Brattleboro, Vt. cap., captured. cn., child, children, or church. d., died. dau., daughter. D. C., Dartmouth College. Dfd., Deerfield. dis., dismissed.


fr., from. Gfd., Greenfield. Had., Hadly. Hart., Hartford, Conn.


Hfd , Hatfield.


H. C., Harvard College. Hins., Hinsdale, N. H. M. or m., married. Mont., Montague. Nhn., Northampton.


Nfd., Northfield.


per., perhaps. prob., probably. pub., published. res., resides or resided. rem., removed. Rev. sol. revolutionary soldier.


rep. representative. s. son. s. p., without issue. Spfd., Springfield. · sett., settler or settled. sol., soldier. Sfd., Sufield, Conn. Sund., Sunderland. unm., unmarried. Vern., Vernon, Vi. War., Warwick. W. C., Williams College. Wfd., Westfield. Weth., Wethersfield, Conn.


wid., widow. Winch., Winchester, N. H. Winds., Windsor, Conn.


FAMILY GENEALOGIES.


EXPLANATIONS.


In the record of families, the dates following the names of the children, are dates of birth unless otherwise designated ; the figures in brackets which follow these dates, refer to the margin, and indicate the place where the child appears as the head of a family, and no child is again referred to, unless such figures follow the record of its birth.


The date after the names of persons having no families, and transient residents, is that of the year in which they are first found in Northfield.


Between January Ist and March 25th, double dates are copied, whenever they occur.


ABBOT, SAMUEL, 1773.


1. ALEXANDER, JOHN, from Scotland to Winds., bef. 1644, bringing sons, George (2), John, and Thomas, [Family tradition.]


2. GEORGE, s. of John (1), b. in Scotland ; rem. fr. Winds. to Nhn., 1655 ; an Engager, and settler, in Nfd., 1673 ; d. May 5, 1703.


He m. March 18, 1644, Susanna, who d. May, 1684.


Ch. : John, July 25, 1645 (3).


Daniel, Jan. 12, 1650, set. in Sfd. where he Abigail, m. June 16, 1663, Thomas d. abr. 1684-


Webster.


Nathaniel, Dec. 29, 1652 (4).


'Child, d. 1647. Sarah, Dec. 8, 1654, m. July 6, 1678, Samuel Curtis of Nhn.


Mary, Oct. 20, 1648, m. Sept. 23, 1670, Micah Mudge. Child, Nov. 4, 1656, d. same day.


3. JOHN, s. of George (2), b. 1645 : an Engager, and settler in Nfd. 1673 : he ret. to Nhn. where he d. Dec. 31, 1733.


He m. Nov. 18, 1671, Sarah, dau. Samuel Gaylord of Winds. She d. Nov. 3, 1732, a. 81.


Ch. : John, Jan. 24, 1673, d. s. p. Jan. Sarah, Feb. 7, 1688 ; m. June 26, 1716, 24, 1748-9. Eleazer Holton.


Nathaniel, Apr. 6, 1676, m. Dec. 3, 1707, Thankful, March 29, 1691, m. Jan. 2, 1734-


Abigail Searle. He d. Nov. 28, 1725. 5, Gideon Hale, of Arlington, N. H., and Samuel, Nov. 6, 1678, d. s. p. 1763. Nhn. Joseph, Oct. 16, 1681 (5). Elizabeth, Oct. 5, 1694, m. Nov. 15, 1733, John Summers of Arlington, and Nhn.


Ebenezer, Oct. 17, 1684 (6).


Elizabeth, d. Jan. 8, 1701.


4. NATHANIEL, s. of George (2), b. 1652 ; at Nfd. in the Second and Third Settlements ; was under Capt. Turner, at the Falls Fight, May 19, 1676, and one of the few who lived to receive a share in the township granted by


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History of Northfield.


the Gen. Court in 1737 to " the survivors of the fight, and the heirs of those who have died." He rem. late in life, to Had., where he d. Oct. 29, 1742. He m. June 20, 1679, Hannah, dau. Samuel Allen, of Nhn.


Ch. : Hannah, Oct. - , d. Oct. 27, 1680. Ruth, Feb. 22, 1691. Thankful, Jan. 9, 1693-4.


Hannah, Sept. 26, 1681, m. May 10, 1703, Samuel Boltwood, of Had.


Mindweil, m. Feb. 11, 1706-7, Daniel Porter.


Sarah, m. Nov. 10, 1715, Joseph Smith, of Had.


Abigail, m. July 24, 1718, Jonathan Smith, of Had.


Thomas, April 9, 1696, drowned April 24, 1725 "a little below the mouth of Miller's river," while on the return from a scout to the lakes ..


Daniel, Jan. 14, 1699, d. Jan. 15, 1701-2.


5. JOSEPH, s. of John (3), b. 1681 ; rem. fr. Dfd. to Nfd. about 1716; was of Winch. 1737-43 ; Nfd. again, 1748-58, about which time he rem. to Had., where he d. Sept. 30, 1761. He was a sol., and cap. at the sack- ing of Dfd. Feb. 29, 1704 ; but made his escape the first night. He was allowed by the Gen. Court 4£ 14s. for his losses in this affair.


He m. May 28, 1705, Margaret, dau. Philip Mattoon.


Ch. : John, 1706 (7).


Elizabeth, Feb. 8, 1717.


Joseph, 1709 (8).


Philip, Sept. 29, 1712 (9).


Aaron, Feb. 12, 1714.


Rachel, Oct. 14, 1715.


Experience, Feb. 3, 1721. Amos, April 5, 1724.


6. EBENEZER, S. of John (3), b. 1684 ; came to Nfd. fr. Weth., carly under the Third Settlement. He filled many important offices in town and was dea. of the church 40 years. He saw much service in Ralle's war, serving as ens. under Capt. Thomas Wells, and as lieut. under the famous Capt. Benj. Wright. March 9, 1744-5, he was commissioned lieut., in the expedition against Cape Breton ; was at the capture of Louisburg, June 17, where Sir William Pepperrell gave him a capt's commission July 13. In 1746, he served under Gov. Shirley in the expedition for the reduction of Canada. In 1748, aliho' then 64 yrs. old, he was leader of a company ranging the woods in search of Indians. For account of other services, see his petition below.


To his Excellency Gov. Shirley.


The petition of Ebenezer Alexander, shoes that he ever since the taking of Deerfield, in Queens Anne's war, has been in the service of the Province, in that, and all the wars since to this time ; that he was an officer at the reduction of Cape Breton, where he had the good fortune to take a French captive :


That in October last, between Northfield, and Ashuelot, he had the good fortune to wound a French officer, who came out with, and headed a party of Indians from Canada, and were designed to fall on our frontiers ; but by reason of said French officer being wounded, and afterwards surrendering himself, this design was somewhat prevented, for they did not appear there afterwards. [See ante, page 253.]


That in all the services aforesaid, he has endeavored to the utmost of his power to serve faithfully and he hopes to satisfaction.


That he has never received any gratuity, saving his wages; he prays your Excellency's just consideration of the premises, and that you would be pleased to make him such grant as in your wisdom you shall think proper.


Oct. 3, 1747.


EBENEZER ALEXANDER.


Oct. 4, 1747, ordered that the said E. Alexander be allowed 25£ out of the public treasury. WM. SHIRLEY.


Thankful, Oct. 11, 1719, m. 1753, Joseph Hawley, of Amh. his (2d) wife.


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Family Genealogies.


He d. Jan. 22, 1768.


He m. Oct. 10, 1709, Mehitable, dau. Henry Buck, of Weth. She d. March 6, 1767, a. 83, after a union of 57 years.


Ch. : Elias, July 25, 1710 (10). Simeon, May 26, 1722 (12).


Ebenezer, abt. 1715 (II). Thomas, May 30, 1727 (13).


Anna, 1720, m. Sept. 20, 1738, Samuel Taylor.


7. JOHN, s. of Joseph (5), b. 1706; tailor ; sol. under Capt. Kellogg at Fort Dummer many years, to which place he removed his family 1733, and later to Fort Hinsdale, where he was killed by the Indians, July 22, 1755. Wife unknown.


Ch. : John, born at Ft. Dummer ; one of the Joel, 1741, a soldier in 1759. earliest settlers of Bratt.


8. JOSEPH, s. of Joseph (5), b. 1709 ; was a soldier at Fort Dummer for many years ; settled at Arlington, N. H., before 1737, but probably served through the French and Indian wars to the conquest of Canada. He rem. to Hadley between 1743 and 1748 ; alive 1775.


He m. 1736, Mary Mighills ; and (2), Experience ; who d. in Whately, Jan. 27, 1799, a. 72.


Ch. : Mighills, Sept. 6, 1737; (called Aaron, May 13, 1748. Miles); set. in Sund .; Rev. sol. Joseph, Apr. 19, 1750 (14).


Rachel, 1739, d. Sept. 8, 1740. Experience, Feb. 5, 1753.


Joel, 1740. Sol. from E. Had., 1757. Eunice, Aug. 25, 1757.


Rachel, March 18, 1741-2, d. Oct. 6, 1775. Thankful, Jan. 6, 1761.


Mary, May 22, 1743, prob. m. David Smith, of Mont. [H. W. Taft.]


Eliakim, Dec. 12, 1766.


9. PHILIP, S. of Joseph (5), b. 1712 ; of Winch. 1743 ; rem. to West- moreland, N. H., 1755, and thence to Putney, Vt., where his son Aaron was born, who is said to have been the first white child born in that town. He m. Abigail.


Ch. : Abigail, Jan. 10, 1744. Lucy, March 11, 1749. Aaron, April 6, 1746. Susanna, bapt. Feb. 3, 1751. Philip, Oct. 26, 1755.


Rhoda, " 18, 1747.


10. ELIAS, s. of Ebenezer (6), b. 1710; blacksmith ; rem. to Arlington, N. H. about 1736 ; was at Fort Dummer, 1730 ; saw much active service in the frontier wars ; as lieut., was in the expedition to Nova Scotia in 1755, when Acadie was taken and the inhabitants transported to the English colonies. [See his letter ante, page 289.] He m. Ruth.


Ch. : Elijah, Feb. 10, 1733 (15). Elias, 1739, soldier in the French wars. Elisha, Jan. 25, 1735, d. March 6, 1751. Seth, abt. 1746 (16). Joel.


11. EBENEZER, s. of Ebenezer (6), b. abt. 1715, dea. ; settled in Arlington, afterwards Winchester, N. H., abt. 1737 ; d. July 29, 1788.


He m. Abigail Rockwood.


Ch. : Abigail, July 30, 1738, d. Dec. 23, John, bapt. at Fort Dummer, Aug. 24, 1748 1739.


(19).


Reuben, Feb. 17, 1739-40 (17). Anne, July 12, 1753, m. Oct. 15, 1770, Dr. Theodore Watkins, of Winch.


Asa, Oct. 17, 1742 (18).


Abigail, Aug. 30, 1745, m. Henry Foster, of Winch.


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History of Northfield.


12. SIMEON, S. of Ebenezer (6), b. 1722 ; a mechanic ; lieut .; d. Feb. 19, 1851.


He m. Sarah, dau. Nehemiah Howe, who d. April 26, 1788, a. 63. (2), bef. May, 1792, Mehitable Sheldon.


Ch. : Mehitable, May 22, 1745, m. March Isabella, April 2, 1759, m. Oct. 27, 1790, Lt. Saml. Patrick, Windsor, Vt.


9, 1770, Ebenezer Janes.


Martha, Jan. 3, 1746-7, d. Nov. 23, or 26, 1761.


Freedom, Feb. 12, 1761, m. Nov. 27, 1782, Joseph Clarke.


Sarah, July 20, 1750, m. May 12, 1770, Samuel Holton.


Joel, Nov. 1, 1762, d. Dec., 1766.


Eliphaz, March 8, 1764 (23).


Elisha, Dec. 8, 1752 (20).


Martha, April 29, 1766.


Caleb, July, 1755 (21).


Simeon, April 8, 1757 (22).


Hannah, March 29, 1768, m. Feb. 8, 1795, Bethial Cross, Orford, N. H.


13. THOMAS, S. of Ebenezer (6), b. 1727, capt .; dep. sheriff. For many years a leading man in town affairs, holding many offices of trust and honor. March 28, 1758, he was authorized to beat his drum for volunteers in the Canada expedition, in which he served as ensign. For a journal of his march see ante, p. 303. His petition below gives an account of honorable service in the revolution.


" Petition of Capt. Thos. Alexander, to Gen. Court, etc., assembled May 27, 1778.


The Pet. of Thos. Alex., of Nfd., state of Mass. Bay.


Whereas, your pet'r marched with a Co., under his command in Col. Porter's Reg., about March 6, 1776, and after a very long and tedious march, arrived at Quebec about the last of April, and in a short time after, the army was obliged to retreat from Q. in wh. retreat your petr. as well as the rest of the army passed thro. unparalleled scenes of danger, hardships, and distress and arr'd at Ticonderoga about the Ist of July, where he with his Co. continued until Nov. 18, when be with those of his company who survived and were able marched for Albany, and from thence to New Jersey and joined Gen. Washington's army the beginning of Dec. where they continued until the last of Dec. when the time came which they were engaged expired, but by the request of the inhabitants they were desired by the General to stay 15 days longer and they in compassion to the people, consented to stay that term of time, at the expiration of which, they were discharged, and your petr. on his return homeward near Peekskill met with an unhappy fall upon the ice, whereby one of his hips was greatly hurt, and the bone dislocated, which confined him there some time and occasioned very extreme pain and much cost to get home, and since his return has been at considerable charge in ap- plying to surgeons for relief of his lameness by means of said fall ; but yet remains very much of a cripple, and fears he ever shall.


Therefore your petr. most humbly prays that your honors would consider his circumstances, and graciously grant unto him what you in your wisdom shall judge reasonable and equitable for the damage he has sustained in serving his country, and in duty bound shall ever pray. Your Honors most Humble Servant,


THOS. ALEXANDER.


A pension was granted Sept. 23, 1779.


He d. March 23, 1801.


He m. Dec. 11, 1754, Azubah, dau. Azariah Wright. She d. Aug. 12, 1811, a. 75.


Ch. : Eldad, Oct. 2, 1755 (24). Lydia, Sept. 11, 1766, m. Feb. 14, 1788, Asahel King, of Sharon, Vt.


Medad, July 15, 1757 (25).


Thomas, Aug. 27, 1759, d. unm. at an George, June 2, 1768, d. June 7, 1768.


advanced age ; rev. sol.


Quartus, June 10, 1761 (26).


Lavina, Dec. 27, 1762, m. Moses Root, Linden, Vt.


Silvia, Nov. 16, 1764, m, Dr. Gideon Ry- ther, Bernardston.




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