USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynn > Lynn in the Revolution, Part II > Part 5
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There have been several smatl skirmishes since Sunday, but think it needless to write any particulars, as you will see an account of them in the newspapers. It is but seldom an opportunity to write presents. Have received but one letter from you yet. I fear Sukey will forget me. I am, after present- ing duty to father & mother love to Eben & Molly your
constant and loving Husband
Joux FLAGG.
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DR. JAMES GARDNER
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Lynn in the Revolution
Whether or not the wife and daughter came back to Lynn in two weeks, it is certain that the war did not cease in two months. On August 22, 1774, Dr. Flagg had been chosen a delegate to the Ipswich convention, called to take such action as might be necessary to pre- serve the rights of the colonies. On February 14, 1776, he was chosen by the House of Representatives a lieutenant-colonel in Colonel Tim- othy Pickering's Ist Essex County regiment of Massachusetts militia. and was commissioned the same day. Soon after he was chosen as the first military officer of the town of Lynn, and it was he who swore to the enlistment of a large number of Lynn soldiers.
In 1776, 1778, 1781, 1782, and 1783 he was a member of the Con- mittee of Correspondence, Inspection, and Safety of the town of Lynn, the most important committee created during the war, by order of the Provincial Congress. He also served as treasurer of the town in 1780, 1781, 1782, 1783, and 1784. During the entire Revolution, while he did not see active service in the field, he was steadfastly attending to his military duties at home, sending recruits to the front, caring for families of soldiers away in the war, and watching the interests of the colonies. Dr. Flagg was a commissioned justice of the peace, settled the estates of many of his neighbors, and served as guardian, appraiser. legal adviser, and bondsman for them. He was a man of means,-a fact which is shown by his will on file in the probate records at Salem.
In 1793 Dr. Flagg began to languish in health, and died on the 27th of May of that year. He was buried in the old Western Burial Ground. where a large slate stone recounts his virtnes at length :-
"This monument is erected to the memory of John Flagg, Esq., in whom remarkable temperance, uniform prudence, unaffected modesty, affectionate humanity and diffusive benevolence shone conspicnous among the virtues which graced his character, endeared him to his family and his friends, and secured him the respect and love of all who had the happiness to know him.
" As a physician, his skill was eminent, and his practice extensive and successful.
" To death whose triumph he had so often delayed & repelled but could not entirely prevent, he at last submitted on the 27th of May. 1793, in the 50th year of his age.
"Heav'n now repays his virtues and his deeds
And endless life the stroke of death succeeds."
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Dr. Flagg was a stout man, of commanding presence and a true type of the old school gentleman. A silhouette of him has been preserved in the family, and is reproduced in the first part of this work through the kindness of Mrs. Bennett, of Richmond. This is the only known likeness of a Revolutionary soldier of Lynn who died before 1800.
Ilis daughter Susannah married Dr. James Gardner, his successor. She died in Lynn, February 3, 1806. Dr. Flagg's wife died November 28, 1834, aged eighty-seven, and is buried in an unmarked grave at his side.
There are now living (1904) in different parts of Virginia seventeen of Dr. Flagg's descendants, none of whom bear his surname.
A bronze marker of the S. A. R. was erected at his grave in 1903.
FLEMING, MICHAEL .- From Hutchinson's Orderly Book he is found to be a sailor; age, thirty-five; height, 5 ft. 6 in .; complexion, light; and hair and eyes, light.
From the Massachusetts rolls his name is found in a return of men raised for the Continental service, agreeable to the resolve of December 2, 1780; engaged May 1, 1781, for the term of three years for the town of Lynn.
FLINT, WILLIAM,-private. It has been impossible to find the record of the birth of this man, who is placed in the Lynnfield company, but was probably not a native of Lynnfield. He was married by Rev. Joseph Roby, June 5, 1770, to Sarah Larrabee. His name is borne on the roll of Captain David Parker's Saugus company, but, as in the case of Thomas Hadley, this is probably an error. His home was in South Lynnfield, and he responded to the alarm of April 19, 1775, with- out doubt in the company of Captain Nathaniel Bancroft. He was killed at Menotomy with Abednego Ramsdell, Daniel Townsend, and Thomas Hadley, and is buried in the cemetery at Arlington, Mass., where a monument erected by the town in 1848 bears his name with that of others. His widow died October 12, 1813, aged seventy-eight.
In 1776 Edward Johnson, then representative to the General Court, obtained an allowance of two pounds, six shillings, for the use of Sarah Flint, wife of William Flint, killed at Menotomy.
FLORENCE, CHARLES,-son of Charles and Mary (Kilby) Florence, was born in Lynn, May 1, 1758. His father came from the Isle of Jersey, was a sea captain, and according to Thomas T. Stocker. his great- grandson, of East Saugus, he was lost at sea.
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Charles florence
Charles Florence, the son, was one of the three men mentioned in the Ilallowell narrative who left Philadelphia for Lynn about January 1, 1777. He had been sick for two months, and was unfit for travel in the dead of winter, and, although he set out with Mr. Hallowell and Stephen Coats, he soon gave out, and it is not known when he succeeded in reaching home. His service in the war is given in the Massachusetts rolls, and a letter written from Williamsburg, Va., in May, 1780, is published in the first part of this work. It is said that another letter was received from him, which was written from St. Pierre, Martinique, dated Septem- ber 9, 1781, and that he was never heard from again.
The following is his service: Private, Captain Ezra Newhall's con- pany, Colonel John Mansfield's 19th regiment; order for advance pay dated Cambridge, June 8, 1775, signed by said Florence and others; also muster-roll dated August 1, 1775; enlisted May 6, 1775; service, three months, two days; also Captain Newhall's company, Colonel John Mansfield's 19th regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Israel IIutehinson; company return dated October 6, 1775; order for bounty coat or its equivalent in money dated Winter Ilill. November 4, 1775; also list of men raised to serve in the Continental Army from Ist Essex County regiment, dated Lynn, February 16, 1778, and sworn to at Salem by John Flagg, first military officer for the town of Lynn; residence, Lynn; engaged for the town of Lynn; joined Captain Goodale's com- pany, Colonel Rufus Putnam's regiment; term three years or during the war; also Continental Army pay accounts for service from March 14, 1777, to December 1, 1779, and from January 1, 1780, to May 7, 1780; also private, Captain John Williams's company, Colonel Rufus Putnam's regiment; return for gratuity approved April 22, 1779 .- Mass. Rolls. FLORENCE, THOMAS,-son of Charles and Mary (Kilby) Florence, was born February 7, 1754, brother of Charles noted above. Ile was married by Rev. John Treadwell, Feb- Thomas Florence ruary 8, 1781, to Mary Hudson, dangh- ter of Moses and Catherine Hudson, born February 5, 1754, died Decen- ber 19, 1783. Ilis only son was Charles, born December 19, 1783. After the death of his wife he lived with this son and died September
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5, 1826, in the pleasant little Florence homestead, still standing on Lincoln Avenue, East Saugus.
Thomas Florence could speak French. was a man otherwise of some- what superior education for his day, an'l in consequence was commonly called "Sir Thomas." He was well remembered by his grand-daughter, Mrs. Susannah (Florence) Tuttle, who was living in 1903, at the age of eighty-one. Some years ago Benjamin F. Newhall, in a series of personal sketches, described the home of Thomas Florence, saying that it was a few rods south of the residence of Solomon Brown, and that the small house, still standing upon the side of the ledge, was of prac- tically the same appearance as when built sixty years before, further adding: "Thomas Florence was a hero of the American Revolution, and as a soldier did honorable service in the cause of the country. He was a gardener by trade, and for many years after the war was in the employ of Landlord Newhall. He purchased about an acre of land upon the side of the rocky hill, and cultivated every spot of the same which was unoccupied by porphyry ledges. His well cultivated garden in the nooks of the sunny side of the hill always attracted considerable attention. His house descended first to his son Charles and then to his grandson Charles."
In 1818 he appeared before the Probate Court of Essex County, and stated that he was a resident of Saugus, a cordwainer. Enlisted in 1775 as a private for eight months in Captain Ezra Newhall's company of the 27th regiment, commanded by Colonel John Mansfield. Just before his time expired, he enlisted again in 1776, for one year more. After serving in the same, was honorably discharged on the field by Colonel Hutchinson in New Jersey, January 1, 1777. Colonel Frederic Breed says that he (Breed) was an officer in the company with Florence.
Thomas Florence stated that he was sixty-six years old at the time he made his application for a pension, that he was weak and infirm and could do but little labor. He served under General Lee, and was later in the War of 1812. His claim was allowed from April 4 1818, at $8 per month, and $88.23 back pay was given him. He was stricken from the roll in 1820.
The Massachusetts rolls also give additional service in Captain Goodale's company, Colonel Putnam's regiment. from February 16, for
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three years or during the war. He is buried in the old Western Burial Ground, just at the left of the front gate, near the Hudsons. A marker and stone mark the spot.
FLYNN, JOHN .- Nothing is known of this man except the very full service which is given in the Massachusetts rolls, as follows :-
Private, Captain Daniel Whiting's company, Colonel Jonathan Brewer's regiment; company return dated October 6, 1775; also list of men raised to serve in the Continental Army from 1st Essex County regiment, dated Lynn, February 16, 1778, and sworn to by John Flagg. first military officer for the town of Lynn; residence, Lynn; engaged for the town of Lynn; joined Captain Greenleaf's company, Colonel Francis's regiment; term three years or during the war; also descrip- tive list of men raised to reinforce the Continental Army for six months, agreeable to resolve of June 5, 1780; returned as received of Justin Ely, Commissioner, by Brigadier-General Glover at Springfield, July 13. 1780: age, forty-nine years; stature, 5 ft. 4 in .; complexion, light; engaged for the town of Lynn; marched to camp July 13, 1780, under command of Captain Thomas Pritchard; also private, Captain Will- iam Watson's (6th) company, 3d Massachusetts regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Mellen; muster-roll for December, 1782; also order for wages for February, 1783, dated cantonment, near Windsor: also muster-rolls for March and April, 1783; balance of enlistment unexpired, ten months, twenty-two days; also Captain Watson's company, 3d Massachusetts regiment, descriptive list; age, forty-nine years; complexion, dark: hair, gray; occupation, barber; stature, 5 ft. + in .; residence, Lynn; engaged for town of Lynn; enlisted April 16, 1781; discharged July 10, 1783; enlistment three years; reported re- ceived clothing at various times between December 29. 1782, and June 22. 1783.
FOLSOM, PETER .- Letters of administration for one of this name were asked for November 11, 1795. from Beverly. Said Folsom, a mariner, left an infant child, but no other relatives. Ilis estate amounted to $185.91 .- Probate Records.
Descriptive list of officers and crew of the ship "Junius Brutus." commanded by Captain John Leach, sworn to at Salem, June 15, 1780; age, twenty-six years; stature, 5 ft. 7 in .; complexion, light: residence. Lynn .- Mass. Rolls.
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FORTUNE ---
List of men raised to serve in the Continental Army from 1st Essex County regiment, dated Lynn, February 16, 1778, and sworn to by John Flagg, first military officer for the town of Lynn; residence, Lynn; en- gaged for the town of Lynn; joined Colonel Brewer's regiment; term three years or during the war; reported a negro .- Mass. Rolls.
FOSTER, ANDREW,-was born in Lynn, July 12, 1751. He married, first. Sarah Thissel, and, second, Bethia Knowlton, of Ipswich. He was a member of Captain Bancroft's company, and saw active service April 19, 1775. During the fight he was wounded by a bullet which has since been in the possession of his family for many years.
FULLER, DAVID,-according to the church records of the Third Parish. was baptized September 30, 1750, his father being also "David." Nothing further is known of him except that he was with Captain Parker's Saugus company at the Lexington alarm.
FULLER, JONATHAN,-private, Captain Rufus Mansfield's (4th) company, which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775, to Concord; service, two days; also private in Captain Ezra Newhall's company, Colonel John Mansfield's regiment; muster-roll dated Angust 1, 1775; enlisted June 4, 1775; service. two months, two days .- Mass. Rolls.
FULLER, JONATHAN .- private Captain Ezra Newhall's (Lynn) company of minute-men, which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, two days; also Captain Ezra Newhall's company, Colonel Mansfield's regiment; order for advance pay dated Cambridge, June 8, 1775, signed by said Fuller and others; also Captain Newhall's company, Colonel John Mansfield's (19th) regiment, commanded by Lieutenant- Colonel Israel Hutchinson; company return dated October 6, 1775 .- Mass. Rolls.
FULLER, PETER .- On June 22 Thomas Fuller and son Potter (possibly the above Peter), who had come from Salem, were warned out of Lynn by the constable. The similarity of the names is at least suggestive that the unusual name of " Potter" might have been written "Peter" on the Saugus roll. On the other mnster-rolls on file in the archives the name is given as "Potter." Assuming that the two names should be one, Private Fuller, after the Lexington alarm, enlisted, May 3. in Captain Ezra Newhall's company, Colonel John Mansfield's regiment, receiv- ing advance pay at Cambridge, June 8. After the retirement of Colonel
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Mansfield he still continued in the service under Lieutenant-Colonel Israel Hutchinson, of Danvers. The following November he received an order for a bounty coat, and spent the winter in camp at Winter Hill. He was discharged from service after the evacuation of Boston. Re- enlisted again in Captain Robert Dodge's company, Colonel Ebenezer Francis's regiment, and marched in the fall of 1776 to Dorchester Heights, where he was encamped for some time. Here his service ends, in so far as the records are concerned.
He is buried in the old Western Burial Ground, near the South Com- mon Street side. A marble stone and bronze marker of the S. A. R. were placed near the spot in 1903.
GALEUCIA, CAPTAIN DANIEL,-Born in Norton, Mass., August 1, 1740; died in Lynn, December 9, 1825. The name Galeucia is spelled in several ways in the records, and there would seem to be some obscurity in regard to the marriages of Captain Daniel. That there were two Daniels, father and son, is certain, and according to Mr. Warren A. Galeucia, of South Peabody, a descend- Daniel youshine ant of the Revolutionary soldier, it appears that the latter married three times and had eight children. The first marriage recorded in Norton, Mass., gives Daniel "Gallusia," married December 28, 1768, by Rev. Nathan Holt, to Hannah Lindsey, of Danvers. The second marriage, probably, was that recorded in the Lynn records as taking place May 5, 1782. This was to Elizabeth Lindsey, but whether she was a sister of Hannah is not known. Mr. William Hudson, a descendant of the soldier through Martha Norton Galeucia, states that Captain Daniel was a son-in-law of Captain Eleazer Lindsey, who was cashiered, and that he took the place of the latter upon his removal from command. This would seem to in- dicate that Hannah or Elizabeth, or both, were daughters of Captain Eleazer Lindsey. The third marriage would seem to be that, July 26, 1812, between Daniel Galeucia and Mrs. Elizabeth (Tarbox) Thomas, given in the Lynn records as "Eliza Thomas." Two other marriages recorded are probably those of his son Daniel.
The farm of Captain Galeucia was the land now owned by John L. Shorey, and there he died in his eighty-sixth year. Those who remem- hered him in his latter years described him as a tall, fine-looking man,
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though somewhat bent, with white hair which fell over his shoulders. At the age of seventy-five he hung himself in the old barn, but was dis- covered before it was too late. Upon recovering consciousness, he is said to have asked for water and to have remarked, "I believe now I shall live out my appointed time."
For a time Captain Galeucia owned the old house which stood at the corner of Franklin and Boston Streets.
From his first burial-place, back of Brown's Pond, his remains were removed to a tomb near the Peabody end of the pond. From thence, with five others, he was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery, South Pea- body, and a stone suitably inscribed, together with a marker of the S. A. R., was placed at his grave by the Peabody Historical Society.
The following is the Revolutionary service of Captain Galeucia: Lieutenant, Captain E. Lindsey's company, Colonel Woodbridge's regi- ment; list of men who received advance pay for one month in 1775, at Cambridge, for engaging in the eight months' service; also lieuten- ant, Captain Eleazer Lindsey's company, Colonel Samuel Gerrish's regiment; return dated July 21, 1775, signed by Galeucia; also lieuten- ant in command of Captain Lindsey's company, Colonel Ruggles Woodbridge's regiment; muster-roll dated August 1, 1775; engaged May 12, 1775; also captain, 10th company, Colonel Woodbridge's regi- ment; company return (probably October, 1775) .- Mass. Rolls. Cap- tain Galeucia was evidently made captain of his company when Cap- tain Lindsey was cashiered for neglect of duty.
GOLDTHWAITE, BENJAMIN,-son of Major Benjamin and Charity (Edwards, Crafts) Goldthwaite, was born in Boston in 1743, and was descended from Thomas, the emigrant ancestor. Benjamin Goldthwaite was married in Saugus by Rev. Mr. Roby, May 3, 1767, to Lois Boardman, daughter of John and Eunice (Cheever) Boardman, of Cambridge. He lived for a time in Malden, was Berg ~ Golo Tinwant by occupation a heel-maker. May 28, 1770, he bought a farm of fifteen acres and buildings in Malden. When the war broke out, he was enrolled a member of Captain Parker's Saugus company, in which were many of the relatives of his wife. After the battle of Lexington he sold his farm in Malden and moved to Boston, where for some years he kept a tavern on Back Street. In 1796, he was
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living on Margaret Street, according to the Boston directory of that date. Ilis children, all by his first wife, Lois, were John, Lois, Esther, Eunice, Ezekiel, Sally, and Hannah. His wife Lois died in 1812, and he married, second, April 9, 1812, Elizabeth Wadsworth Barrett, daugh- ter of Joseph and Ruth (Smallidge) Barrett, of Boston, born in 1772.
Mr. Goldthwaite's home in Malden was probably near the Saugus line, for he appears to have been associated with that parish, being clerk of the same in 1777, and previously serving as tithing-man. His father, Major Benjamin, of Boston, was a captain in the Louisburg expedition, served through the French and Indian War, rising to the rank of major and then colonel. His brother Jacob was a captain in the Revolution from Stoughton.
Benjamin Goldthwaite died in Malden, July 26, 1835, aged ninety- one. His wife Elizabeth died in Malden, December 10, 1845, at the age of seventy-three. Their gravestones may be seen in the Salem Street cemetery, Malden.
GOTT, CAESAR, also "Cuff."-In a descriptive list probably of 1780, he is noted as aged seventeen; five feet, eight inches tall; black and a laborer.
Return of men raised for Continental service, agreeable to resolve of December 2, 1780; engaged May 17, 1781; engaged for town of Lynn: term three years; also private, Captain Jeremiah Miller's company, Colonel Joseph Vose's regiment; muster-roll for June and July, 1781, dated Phillipsburgh; reported on command at West Point; also muster- roll for August, 1781; also September and November, 1781, reported sick at New Windsor; also list of men belonging to 1st Massachusetts brigade, returned as sick in hospital at New Windsor; dated Decem- ber 24, 1781; also private, Captain Jeremiah Miller's company, Colonel Josepli Vose's regiment; muster-rolls for January and February, 1782, dated York Huts; enlisted April, 1781 .- Mass. Rolls.
GROWING, DANIEL,-son of Gideon and Elizabeth, was born May 26, 1759; married April 24, 1781, by Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth, to Hannalı Butler, of Danvers. He died probably in 1782, as letters of administra- tion were asked for October 7 of that year, in which his wife Hannah is mentioned.
Another Daniel Gowing married Mercy or Martha Bower, according to the Lynn records, December 25, 1764. It is impossible to tell which
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of these was the Revolutionary soldier. The military record is as fol- lows: -
Private, Captain Gideon Foster's company, Colonel John Mans- field's regiment; muster-roll dated August 1, 1775; enlisted May 9. 1775; service, two months, twenty-seven days; also Captain John Baker's company, Colonel Mansfield's regiment, commanded by Lieuten- ant-Colonel Israel Hutchinson; company return probably October, 1775.
Also receipt for advance pay signed by said Gowen and others, dated Cambridge, July 4, 1775; order for bounty coat or its equivalent in money, dated camp at Winter Hill, October 27, 1775 .- Mass. Rolls.
GOWING, JAMES,-private, probably son of Samuel Gowing, was baptized in Lynnfield, August 8, 1736. He served in the French and Indian War, having been in Captain Newhall's company, Colonel Plaisted's regiment, which marched towards Springfield, August 15, 1757, on the way to relieve Fort William Henry. He served at the Lexington alarm with the Lynnfield company. In the accounts rendered by the British of losses incurred on the 19th of April, twenty-six men are reported as missing. These men were undoubtedly taken prisoners. among whom can be quoted Lieutenant Goold, who was later exchanged for Josiah Breed, of Captain Rufus Mansfield's company. On the muster-roll of Captain Nathaniel Bancroft's company a note indicates that James Gowing was detailed to go to Ipswich jail with a number of prisoners. For this service he was given three days' pay, more than that received by any member of his company. It should be remembered that Townsend, Flint, and Hadley were killed, and Monroe, Foster. and Wellman wounded, all Lynnfield men. It would also seen that their comrades won distinction by taking British prisoners.
James Gowing appears on the town records as warden in 1776, but nothing further is known of him.
GOWING, JOHN,-sergeant in Captain Ezra Newhall's company of minute- men which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, twenty- one days.
The above is the only record of this man which has been found. He was probably of Lynnfield and the John Gowing who married Mrs. Lydia Bryant, September 12, 1775.
GOWING, JOSEPH,-first lieutenant, son of Thomas and Sarah (Hawkes) Gowing, was born in Lynnfield, May 7, 1730. There were four of
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OLD CHURCH, LYNNFIELD CENTRE
Lynn in the Revolution
Joseph Journy
the name of Gowing in the Revolution from Lynnfield, and the name was very prominent in the Second Parish, yet little has been preserved of the family records. Joseph was probably brother of John and per- haps of Daniel. In 1766 he was an ensign of the 3d company of Lynn militia, 1st Essex County regiment. In 1771 he was captain. In 1774, he was chosen captain of the new company of minute-men, but gave way to Deacon Nathaniel Bancroft, who had previously served in that capacity in 1767. Joseph Gowing was married, March 2, 1763, by Rev. Benjamin Adams, to Mrs. Deliverance Gowing. His only military service was at the time of the Lexington alarm. It was from his house, the "Joseph Gowing Tavern," that the company mustered on the morning of April 19. Near by in the old meeting-house was stored the stock of powder for the company. The Gowing Tavern was burned on the night of June 18, 1896.
Joseph Gowing held the town offices of field-driver, fence-viewer, warden, surveyor of highways, treasurer of the parish, selectman, and assessor. He was called "Captain" in his later years. He died October 30, 1811, and his wife died April 17, 1806. Both are buried in the old cemetery at Lynnfield Centre, where a marble stone and bronze marker of the S. A. R. were placed at his grave in 1904. It is curious to note that, while the family was at one time very prominent in the town, but one stone in the old burial-ground bears the name of Gowing.
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