USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynn > Lynn in the Revolution, Part II > Part 9
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IRESON, JOHN,-son of John and Hepzibah (Zibiah Ingalls in the records) was born in Lynn, July 20, 1758. His father's home on Fayette Street, just north of Olive Street, was an ancient building taken down in 1873. He was a direct descendant of Edward Ireson, one of the first settlers of Lynn. He was a member of Captain Farrington's company, and the story of his participation in the fight of April 19, 1775, is told in the chapter devoted to that event. Together with his brother Edward, he was awakened early that morning by the firing of a musket under his window, and at once set off with his neighbors for the scene of conflict, His grandson, Samuel S. Ireson, living in 1903 at the age of eighty-two. stated that he ran a good part of the way, his company making very quick time to Menotomy. He carried an old flint-lock musket and cartridge-box, which were preserved for many years after the war.
In the early summer of 1777 the British were in possession of a por- tion of Rhode Island, and it was thought that they were to march upon Boston. A considerable number of troops were raised in Massa- chusetts, and among them nearly an entire company from Lynn, under Colonel Jonathan Titcomb and Captain Joseph Hiller. It left Lynn in June, and arrived at Providence June 11, where it remained nntil August 11, when it was discharged. Jolin Ireson was a private in this company. Upon the arrival of the captured army of General Burgoyne at Cambridge he enlisted as a private in Captain Miles Greenwood's company, Colonel Jacob Gerrish's regiment of guards, and was sta- tioned at Winter Hill, where he served until April 2, 1778. He then enlisted as a private in Captain Simeon Brown's company in the same regiment, and served until July 12, when he was transferred to Captain Samuel Huse's company and served until December 14, when he was discharged. During this time he was clerk of his regiment, and an inter- esting memorandum in his handwriting is on file at the Pension Office at Washington. It is a list of cartridges given out to the various com-
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panies from the time of the arrival of the British army at Cambridge until the end of the following February, and is reproduced herewith.
On July 12, 1780, Ireson again enlisted, and was assigned to the army of General Washington, then in camp in the vicinity of West Point. At this time he was commissioned as a sergeant in Captain Addison Richardson's company, Colonel Wade's regiment. Not long after his arrival on the Hudson the treason of Arnold became known. Sergeant Ireson often related the story of the capture of Major André, and was able to describe Arnold from personal knowledge. He was present at the execution of André and the memories of that day have been handed down to the present generation. On October 10, 1780, he was finally mustered out of the Continental service, and was given an allowance for twelve days' travel (240 miles) back to Lynn, where he arrived footsore and weary after his long journey.
He was married in Lynn, January 1, 1789, by Rev. Obadiah Parsons, to Sarah Sargent, daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah (Jenks) Sargent, born August 9, 1758. His home was on Essex Street where Sheridan Street now enters it, and his farm extended back to "Rock Pasture," so called. The old house, pulled down about 1850, had an immense chim- ney and a twelve-foot fireplace. His children were John, Nathaniel, Benjamin, and Samuel Jenks.
In his latter years Sergeant Ireson applied for a pension, but the claim was not adjusted before his death, which occurred in Lynn, September 20, 1822, at the age of sixty-four. On March 4, 1843, his wife Sarah was pensioned at the rate of $71.45 per year.
John Ireson had a striking personal appearance, was very tall, with face smooth-shaven, and always carried an ivory-headed cane. Ile is buried in the Eastern Burial Ground, together with his wife, who died October 10, 1844, at the age of eighty-six. Ilis grave is marked with a marble gravestone and a bronze marker of the S. A. R. placed there in 1904. JACOBS, BENJAMIN,-was born in 1753. In the "Reminiscences" of Mr. Ben- jamin F. Newhall, written many years ago, the following is found re- garding Benjamin Jacobs: "Those who can go back many years to the early part of the century will remember Benjamin Jacobs, familiarly known as ' Uncle Ben.' He was for a long series of years an attachment to Landlord Newhall's tavern. As an ostler, his services became indis- pensable. No one could please the travelling public like Uncle Ben.
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Early and late he was ever ready, and always in his place. Ile lived to a good old age, and died in the early part of the century."
The inventory of his property, dated April 21, 1807, is somewhat curious. The whole amounted to $10.25. Items: one pair large silver buckles, $1.50; best great-coat, $1.75; large hat, seventy-five cents; one pair small-clothes, seventy-five cents; two vests, seventy-five cents. No disposition seems to have been made.
The Revolutionary service was for somewhat over a year, the first pay-roll being dated December, 1779, for service at Rhode Island, and the last dated December, 1780, for service at the northward. During this time he is described as a private, engaged for the town of Lynn, twenty-seven years of age, 5 ft. 8 in. tall, of a ruddy complexion. He was in the brigades of Generals Glover and Patterson.
JACOBS, JOHN,-was a servant in the employ of Mr. Ephraim Breed, who was also a Revolutionary soldier. Jacobs was in the Revolutionary War, and served faithfully until its close. He died July 6, 1811, of a sunstroke, while in the employ of Mr. Breed. It had been a very hot day, and the men had been mowing on the marsh all the forenoon. They were returning to dinner, when Jacobs fell from the dyke and died within a short time.
This man was in the Continental service during nearly the entire war. The date of his first enlistment was July 6, 1775, and from that time until the final cessation of hostilities he served in various places, doing guard duty around Boston for the first eight months of the war, for which he received the usual bounty coat or its equivalent in money, and following Washington through the Jerseys in 1776. Ile was in the Burgoyne campaign in 1777, at the surrender of Cornwallis in 1781, and from that time until May 3, 1783, he served in guarding the forts along the Hudson.
JAMES, BENJAMIN .- Little that is authentic can be given of this man. He may have been the son of Benjamin and Mary, born June 6, 1759. The Revolutionary record found is as follows: list of men belonging to Captain Lindsey's company who took the oath in Middlesex County, July 6, 1775, required by Congress to be taken by the Massachusetts army; also Captain Eleazer Lindsey's company, Colonel Samuel Gerrish's regiment; receipt for advance pay signed by said James and others, dated Malden, August 3, 1775; also private Captain Eleazer
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Lindsey's company, commanded by Lieutenant Daniel Galeucia, Colonel Ruggles Woodbridge's regiment; muster-roll dated August 1, 1775; enlisted May 16, 1775; service, two months, fifteen days; also Captain Daniel Galeucia's company, Colonel Woodbridge's regiment; company return dated probably October, 1775; also order for bounty coat or its equivalent in money dated Malden, October 25, 1775.
JARVIS, ENOCH,-matross, Captain Samuel Trevett's company, Colonel Richard Gridley's regiment; muster-roll dated June 21, 1775; enlisted May 9, 1775; service, one month, fifteen days; also private, Captain Francis Symond's company. Colonel John Glover's regiment: mus- ter-roll dated August 1, 1775; enlisted June 4, 1775; service, two months, two days .- Mass. Rolls.
JEFFREY, JOSEPH, Jr.,-private, son of Joseph Jeffrey, was probably born in Reading about 1740. His father was a soldier in the French and Indian War, having served under Captain Moses Hart, of Saugus. on the Maine frontier from 1760 to 1763. Joseph, Jr., first appears on the Lynnfield records in 1761. He was married by Rev. Mr. Roby. July 9, 1768, to Abigail Berry, of Sangus, born 1748, and lived in the house later known as the Tarbell place, still standing in South Lynn- field. Ile was in the Lynnfield company on April 19, 1775, but saw no further service in the war. His wife died January 12, 1797, and is buried in the old cemetery at Wakefield, where a slate stone marks her grave. He was married, second, in Danvers, by Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth, November 14, 1799, to Sally Russell, of Danvers. The date of his death has not been found, but he is supposed to have died in Wakefield, and is probably buried near his wife.
JOHNSON, BENJAMIN, Lieutenant,-son of Joseph and Ann Johnson, was born in Lynn, November 21, 1741. His father was one of the most respected residents of Lynn, a descendant of one of the very early set- tlers, and a man well-to-do in the community. Benjamin was married by Rev. John Treadwell, January 5, 1764, to Lydia Richards, daughter Benje Johnson of John and Lydia (Phillips) Richards, born January 5, 1744. Her brothers. Joseph, John, and William, served in Captain William Farrington's company under her husband. She died October 9, 1773, aged twenty-nine. Ile married January 27, 1774, Lydia Breed, daughter of Theophilus
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Lynn in the Revolution
and Martha (Newhall) Breed, born August 17, 1746. She died March 23, 1776. He was married, third, in Weston, Mass., September 29, 1776, by Rev. Samuel Woodward, to Rachel Roberts, of Weston.
Upon the formation of Captain Farrington's company he became lieutenant, and marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775. He did not take part in the war which followed, and his company was broken up after the battle of Lexington. He was a patriotic citizen, however, and in 1778, 1781, 1782, and 1783 was a member of the Committee of Correspondence, Inspection, and Safety, serving thus in a creditable manner the cause of the patriots. At the conclusion of the war he served in the year 1784 as selectman. His home was upon Market Street where Exchange Hall now stands. A shoe manufacturer for many years, he did considerable business for those days. On a visit to Baltimore about 1790 he met Rev. Jesse Lee, who was beginning his exposition of the doctrine of the new sect of Methodists. Mr. John- son invited Mr. Lee to come to Lynn. The invitation was accepted, and the first meeting for worship was held in Mr. Johnson's house, December 14, 1790, and on February 20, 1791, the first Methodist church in New England was formed, now the First Methodist Epis- copal Society of Lynn. Its formation was followed by a wholesale transfer of the members of the First Congregational Society to the new faith, until only five male members were left in the pioneer church.
The children of Benjamin Johnson were John Legree, Benjamin, Joseph, Holton, and Rachel. He died November 12, 1810, and was buried in one of the tombs formerly existing in the old Western Burial Ground. His wife, Rachel, who died August 22, 1811, aged fifty-nine, was buried beside him. Upon the removal of these tombs their re- mains were transferred to the Holton Johnson lot on Acacia Path, Pine Grove Cemetery. Here a marble stone and bronze marker of the S. A. R. were erected in 1903.
Mr. Johnson's will, on file at Salem, discloses the fact that he became the richest of all the soldiers who were accredited to the town of Lynn during the Revolution. It notes "a mansion house on Market Street, and land to the corner of Marblehead Road (Essex Street)." His real estate amounted to $13,348, and his entire estate to $24,856. Among other items are mentioned 149 ounces of silver plate. The old mansion house was torn down about 1845.
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JOHNSON, EDWARD,-the first private named on the Lexington alarm roll of Captain Farrington's company, was the son of Jonathan and Sarah (Mansfield) Johnson, born in Lynn, August 16, 1722. Ile was descended from the earliest settlers in Lynn. His home was upon the Boston road, between the present Waverly and Bulfinch Streets, and the man- sion house still stands, although much Edward Johnson altered in appearance. Like other members of his family, he was taught the trade of a cabinet-maker, and fol- lowed it for many years in its different branches. He was the first and only chair-maker in Lynn, and in his will he described himself as a " ship- joiner." Ile was married by Rev. Mr. Henchman, October 3. 1744, to Bethia Newhall, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Potter) Newhall, born in Lynn, October 1, 1720. In 1709 his father built the house still standing (1903) on Strawberry Avenue, known as the Isaac Orgin house, and it is probable that Edward occupied it for a time. Upon the death of his father he established himself in the homestead on Boston Street.
Mr. Johnson was chosen clerk of the market for a great many years, and served as warden and wood-sealer in 1766. Like most of his neigh- bors, he was a member of the company of Captain Farrington, and, although fifty-three years of age, served on the 19th of April. 1775. This was his only service as a soldier. In May of that year he was unanimously chosen the first representative in the Provincial Congress which sat at Watertown, May 31. Dr. Emerson, of Salem, also a member, always stopped at the Johnson house on the way to Congress, and the two men generally went to the meetings together. On June 28 he was appointed chairman of a committee to station troops in Essex County. July 4, he was made chairman of a committee to examine the accounts of those persons who were empowered to pro- cure arms for the Continental Army. Two days later he was again honored with the chairmanship of a committee to answer a letter from the Congress of New Hampshire. The next day he was made chair- man of a committee to procure stores in which to deposit fish for the use of the army. On the 19th of July the form of government was changed to a General Assembly, and in this new body Mr. John- son again represented the town of Lynn. Ihis associates were the most distinguished men of the times, including Hancock. Adams,
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Gerry, and General Lincoln. On July 28 he was appointed upon a committee to obtain two hundred narrow axes and place them in the hands of General Washington for the use of the army. Mr. Johnson continued to serve upon committees during the session. He was re- elected to the General Assembly of 1776 and 1777, and he discharged with fidelity and care the duties which devolved upon him. During the exciting events which accompanied the siege of Boston Mr. John- son was always at his post and faithfully represented his town.
Edward Johnson had ten children, six sons and four daughters. Three of his sons, Edward, Joseph, and William, served in the Revo- lution, the first being in the company with his father on the 19th of April, 1775. Most of his sons later went to Salem, where they were employed in the erection of some of her finest residences.
The death of Edward Johnson occurred in Lynn, January 28, 1799, at the age of seventy-six. He is buried in the old Western Burial Ground, at the right of the main path, near the entrance. A large slate stone marks his grave, at which a marker was erected in 1903. His wife died January 8, 1787, aged sixty-seven, and is buried at his side. His homestead consisted of sixty acres of land, with dwelling, shop, and barn, all of which he willed to his children. Many descend- ants are still represented in the best families of Lynn.
JOHNSON, EDWARD, Jr.,-private, son of Edward and Bethia (Newhall) Johnson, was born in Lynn, Angust 7, 1751. His father was one of the most important and influential men of the town, and was a mem- ber of the Provincial Congress in 1774. His home was on Boston Street, between the present Waverly and Bulfinch Streets, and the old mansion, although much altered, is still standing (1903). Private Johnson served in Captain Farrington's company, April 19, 1775. Soon after the battle of Bunker Hill it was thought advisable to guard the seacoast of Essex County, inasmuch as it was feared that the Brit- ish might devastate it. Edward Johnson, Jr., enlisted July 14, 1775, in Captain Samuel King's company, and was commissioned second lieutenant. This company was stationed at both Salem and Lynn, and Lieutenant Johnson had been on duty six months when the com- pany was disbanded. the war having moved south and the danger being over. Ilis brothers Joseph and William were in the war. Noth- ing is known of Lieutenant Johnson's subsequent life.
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JOHNSON, HOLTON,-(called "Captain") was the son of Samuel and Ruth (Holton) Johnson, born in Lynn, September 27, 1745. He was mar- ried February 18, 1768, by Rev. Mr. Treadwell, to Ruth Lindsey. Their children were Ruth, Elizabeth, Betty, Holton. He was on the Committee of Correspondence, Inspection, and Safety in 1781, 1782, 1783, and representative to the General Court in 1782. Living in Lynn in 1790, but the date of his death is unknown.
JOHNSON, JAMES, son of Samuel and Ruth (Holton) Johnson, was born March 22, 1738; married February 21, 1760, to Rebecca Hooper; married, second, to Sarah Ilawkes, November 26, 1761. He was in the French and Indian War, on the Maine frontier, and died October 24, 1816. His Revolutionary service was as follows :-
Return of men raised to serve in the Continental Army from Ist Essex County regiment, sworn to at Salem by John Flagg, first military James Johnson officer for the town of Lynn; joined Captain Brown's company, Colonel Bigelow's regiment; term, three years; also sergeant, Captain Joshua Brown's company, Colonel Timothy Bigelow's regiment: Continental Army pay accounts for service from April 10, 1777. to December 31. 1779; reported as serving fifteen months, ten days, as sergeant, seventeen months, ten days, as private: also sergeant, same company and regi- ment; muster-roll for Jannary to August, 1777, dated Van Schaick's Island; appointed April 10, 1777; also same company and regiment, re- turn dated February 3, 1778; residence, Lynn; enlisted for the town of Lynn; mustered by Suffolk County; also private, same company and regiment; pay-roll dated February, 1779, sworn to at Providence; also Captain Brown's company, Colonel Timothy Bigelow's regiment; mus- ter-roll for March and April, 1779, sworn to at Providence .- Mass. Rolls. JOHNSON, JOHN,-appears in Hallowell's list. A John, son of George and Rebecca (Dennis) Johnson, was baptized in Marblehead, Sep- tember 28, 1746. It is not known whether this is the right man.
Private, Captain Samuel Iluse's company, Colonel Jacob Gerrish's regiment of guards; enlisted November 12, 1777; service to April 4, 1778, at Winter Hill .- Mass. Rolls.
JOHNSON, JOSEPH,-probably son of Edward, and born January 8, 1753.
He lived on the Common, and died January 17, 1826, according to
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Richard Pratt. His wife was probably Rebecca Ingalls, daughter of Jacob, Sr., and Anne, born December 30, 1759; and his children, Polly, Samuel, Rebecca, Betsey, and Jacob Ingalls. Ifis wife died December 26, 1820.
The following is the Revolutionary service: Receipt given to Holton Johnson, dated December 20, 1776, signed by Johnson and others, for wages for sixty-seven days' service on board the brig "Ann"; also sea- man, brigantine " Ann," Amos Mansfield, master; engaged December 19, 1776; discharged April 14, 1777; service, three months, twenty-five days, on voyage from Salem to Baltimore; roll dated Boston .- Mass. Rolls. JOHNSON, PHARAOH,-son of Nehemiah and Lydia (Newhall) Johnson, was born September 16, 1756; married Lydia Sawyer before 1782; children, Lydia, Mary, David, Humphrey Sawyer, and Francis. His Revolutionary service is given only as follows: Receipt given to IIolton Johnson, dated Lynn, December 20, 1776, signed by said Johnson for wages for six days on the brig "Ann."
JOHNSON, TIMOTHY .- A Timothy, son of William and Elizabeth, was born in Reading, November 12, 1743. A Timothy, son of William, from Reading, was warned out of Lynn in 1751.
Revolutionary service: Private, Captain Ezra Newhall's company of minute-men who marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, seventeen days; also Captain Ezra Newhall's company, Colonel John Mansfield's regiment; order for advance pay signed by said Johnson and others, dated Cambridge, June 8, 1775; also private, same com- pany and regiment; muster-roll dated August 1, 1775; enlisted May 6, 1775; service, three months, two days; also Captain Ezra Newhall's company. Colonel Mansfield's regiment, commanded by Lieutenant- Colonel Israel Hutchinson; company return dated October 6, 1775; also order for bounty coat or its equivalent in money dated camp at Winter Hill, November 4, 1775 .- Mass. Rolls.
JOHNSON, WILLIAM,-son of Edward and Bethia (Newhall) Johnson, was born October 13, 1754, brother of Joseph and Edward, Jr. The family tradition is that he died on board a ship in Boston Harbor during the war. Little is known concerning him. The service given in the Massachusetts rolls is as follows :-
Captain Enoch Putnam's company, Colonel John Mansfield's regi- ment; order for advance pay signed by said Johnson and others, dated
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('ambridge, June 8, 1775; also private, Captain Enoch Putnam's com- pany, Colonel Mansfield's regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Israel Hutchinson; company return dated October 6, 1775; also order for bounty coat or its equivalent in money dated eamp at Winter Ilill, October 7, 1775; also private. Captain Ezra Newhall's company of minute-men which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, twenty-one days; also muster-roll dated Angust 1, 1775; enlisted May 10, 1775; service. two months, twenty-seven days.
KEFF (probably KEEFE) MICHAEL,-list of men raised in Essex County for the term of nine months from the time of their arrival at Fishkill; returned as mustered by Henry Rutgers, Jr., deputy muster-master, dated Fishkill. Angust 1, 1778; residence, Lynn; engaged for the town of Lynn; arrived at Fishkill July 4, 1778. Mass. Rolls.
LACEY, SAMUEL,-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 Lacey. Mass. Rolls.
LAITH, EBENEZER,-probably son of Ebenezer and Elizabeth, born in Woburn, May 5, 1749; married by Rev. Mr. Roby to Elizabeth Lar- rabee, April 16, 1771. She was living in 1800, evidently widow of Ebenezer, the date of whose death is unknown.
The following is the Revolutionary service found in the Massachusetts rolls: Private, Captain Ezra Newhall's company of minute-men which marched on the alarm of April 19. 1775; service, two days; return dated Boxford, December 8, 1779, of men mustered by John Cushing. muster-master for Essex County, to join the Continental Army for the term of nine months. agreeable to resolve of June 9, 1779; engaged for town of Lynn; 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 Laith; also descriptive list of men raised in Essex County in 1779 to serve in the Continental Army, Captain Stocker's company; age. thirty-one years; stature. 3 ft. 8 in .; complexion, light: engaged for town of Lynn; delivered to Lieutenant John Grace; also Captain .laphet Daniels's company, Colonel Thomas Nixon's (6th) regiment: entered service September 23, 1779; discharged June 23, 1780; term nine months.
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The following service accredited to Ebenezer Laithe, of Marble- head, should without doubt belong to the Lynn man: Private, Cap- tain Joseph Ililler's company, Colonel Jonathan Titcomb's regi- ment; pay-roll dated camp at Providence, July 6, 1777; arrived at destination June 11, 1777; also detachment from Captain Hiller's company, which remained in camp under command of John Watts after Captain Hiller's roll was made up; service from June 11, 1777, to August 11, 1777, at Rhode Island, including travel home .- Mass. Rolls.
LARRABEE, BENJAMIN,-appears in a descriptive list of officers and crew of the ship "Junius Brutus," commanded by Captain John Leach, dated Salem, June 15, 1780; age, twenty-five years; stature, 5 ft. 5 in .; complexion, light; residence, Lynn.
Also private. Captain Samuel King's company; enlisted July 11, 1775; service, six months, five days; company stationed at Salem and Lynn for defence of seacoast; also receipt dated Salem, September 25, 1775, signed by said Larrabee and others belonging to Captain King's company, for advance pay for one month .- Mass. Rolls.
The Larrabees of America were of undoubted French origin. A branch of the family settled in Maine, and, when the Indians drove the inhabitants from North Yarmouth and old Falmouth, several persons from those places, of the name of Larrabee, came to Lynn and Lynnfield. Some acquired property and established homes here. The Benjamin whose name appears as above on the Revolutionary rolls was without doubt the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Trask) Larrabee, and was born about 1755. Ilis brothers, Joseph, David, and James, were also in the Revolution, and his father, Joseph, was styled in the records "a fisherman." The will of the latter, proved in 1774, mentions his eight children, among whom was Benjamin.
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