Soldiers of the American revolution, of Lebanon, Maine, Part 1

Author: Chamberlain, George Walter, 1859-1939?
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Weymouth, Mass., Weymouth & Braintree publishing co.
Number of Pages: 58


USA > Maine > York County > Lebanon > Soldiers of the American revolution, of Lebanon, Maine > Part 1


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F 29 .L4 C4 Copy 2


SOLDIERS


OF THE


AMERICAN REVOLUTION


OF


LEBANON, MAINE.


CHAMBERLAIN.


SOLDIERS


OF THE


AMERICAN REVOLUTION,


OF


LEBANON, MAINE.


By GEORGE WALTER CHAMBERLAIN, B. S., Member of the Maine Historical Society.


" The dead do not need us, but forever and for- evermore we need them." - James A. Garfield.


Weymouth, Mass. Weymouth & Braintree Publishing Co., 1897.


F2.9 LHCH- Copy 2


Copyright, 1897, By Geo. W. Chamberlain


Introduction.


Lebanon, Maine, is the birthplace of the writer of the following pages. Four generations of his ancestors lived, died, and are buried in its soil. The two older generations lie in unmarked and unknown graves. What is true of the writer's ancestors in Lebanon is also true of three-fourths of those buried in Lebanon previous to 1820.


Of the two or three hundred graves in the First Parish Cemetery, there are to-day only about twenty-five having stones properly in- scribed, the earliest bearing the date, 1805.


To rescue from oblivion the names of those early settlers of my native town who rendered military service to the United States in maintaining American Independence is the chief reason for these pages. Their names and military services deserve to be perpetuated by succeeding generations.


No Lebanon Revolutionary soldier's name or service has been omitted intentionally ; and yet, it is doubtful if all Lebanon men who were in the service between 1775 and 1783 have been found and are included in these pages. The war rolls of New Hampshire and Mas- sachusetts in all probability do not contain a complete list of names.


Considerable difference exists in the nature and length of these sketches. This difference arises, not from any desire to magnify nor minify any record, but from a great difference in the amount of ma- terial that came under my eye when searching for facts relating to Lebanon heroes of the Revolution. Each man's sketch is the story of the records.


My grateful acknowledgement is due to many, and, especially, to Hon. Samuel Wingate Jones, M. D., a life-long friend and neighbor, who, in his ninetieth year, with memory unimpaired and historic in- terest undiminished, has read my manuscript with care and given in- valuable suggestions and criticisms.


G. W. C.


WEST LEBANON, MAINE, 31 July, 1896.


ABBREVIATIONS USED :- b. for born; bapt., baptized ; Co., Company ; Col., Colonel; d., died; g. s., gravestone; L., Lebanon; m., married; pub., pub- lishment; Reg't, Regiment.


SOLDIERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION


OF


LEBANON, MAINE.


BERRY.


1. THOMAS BERRY was living in L. as early as 1774, when on 6 Jan. he hauled wood for the Rev. Isaac Hasey. Mr. Hasey wrote a bond for him 6 Ang., 1774. In Mr. Hasey's diary for 1775 he wrote on 18 May : "Tom Berry assisted" in farm work. In Mass. Arch- ives, Vol. 19, p. 161, he is described as "a private, belonging to the town of Lebanon, in Capt. Jedediah Goodwin's Co. of Col. Edward Wigglesworth's Reg't; discharged at Albany, N. Y., 30 Nov., 1776." He was one of the men of whom Mr. Hasey wrote 22 July, 1776, "our Men with Lieut. Cowel Set out for Canada."


He probably resided in town temporarily, as the name is not found on the church, parish, or town records. It is found in Mr. Hasey's diaries only.


BLAISDELL.


2. JOIN BLAISDELL was b. Aug. 15, 1756. The Rev. Amos Main of Rochester, N. H., entered on the records of the First Church of Rochester the following : "1757-At ye Ministers Fast at Towow [Lebanon ] Baptized Jn.ยบ Blaisdell", etc.


He enlisted as a private in Capt. Samuel Grant's Co. of Col. Oliver Titcomb's Reg't and received pay for two months' service and for travelling to and from Rhode Island 18 July, 1777. He also enlisted 10 Nov., 1777, as private in Capt. Oliver Titcomb's Co. of Col. Jacob Gerrish's Reg't, and after nine days' service was promoted to Sergeant of the Guards raised for gnarding prisoners after the surrender of Burgoyne's army. He served until 2 April, 1778. He was made a Mass. state pensioner for life 5 Feb., 1816.


He m. (1) at L. 12 July, 1779, Abigail, daug. of John and Sarah Legro, the first of that name to settle in town. He m. (2) 24 March, 1822, Mrs. Sarah (Blaisdell) Horne, widow of Richard Horne of L.,


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and daug. of Enoch and Sarah (McIntire) Blaisdell of L. She was bapt. at L. 3 July, 1777.


John Blaisdell was ordained a Free Baptist clergyman at Lebanon 21 Nov., 1799, by Benjamin Randall, the founder of that denomina- tion. He was the first permanent resident Free Baptist clergyman in L. He continued to preach in this and adjoining towns until his death 30 Aug., 1823. He settled the farm now (1896) owned by Amasa Grant, in the year 1779, which farm is situated in the north- westerly part of the town not over one-half mile from the Milton, N. H. line. By his wife Abigail, b. 5 Aug. 1762, he had :


i. THANKFUL, m. Benjamin Dixon of L.


ii. RACHEL, h. 1782; m. Joseph, s. of Joseph and Alice (Farnham) Burrows of L. ; she d. 15 Nov., 1837, ae. 55 years.


iii. SALLY, m. Rev. David Blaisdell of L. ; he died 23 July, 1842.


iv. ABIGAIL, b. 3 March, 1786, m. Rev. Roger Copp; she died in 1853 or '4.


V. JOHN, JR, b. 29 Jan., 1790; m. 23 May, 1819, Betsey, daug. of Benjamin and Betsey (Churchwell) Gerrish of L. ; he d. 3 March, 1836.


Vi. SAMUEL, b. 10 May, 1792; m. Hannah, daug. of Gershom Lord of L.


vii. DOROTHY, b. 20 Oct., 1794; m. Daniel, son of Elisha and Mercy (Tibbetts) James of L.


viii. RUTH, b. 23 April, 1797; m. Jacob, s. of Reuben and Ruth (Lord) Goodwin of L.


ix. ALICE (ELSIE), b. 5 May, 1799; m. 3 Nov., 1832, her cousin, Sam- uel Blaisdell of Rome, Me.


X. URIANI, b. 9 May, 1803; m. Eliza, daug. of Jonathan and Mary (Churchwell) Copp of Ossipee, N. H. ; resided in Somersworth, N. H.


xi. ELIZA, b. 6 March, 1807; m. Oct., 1833, her cousin, Thomas Blaisdell of Rome, Me.


xii. MARTHA, m. Solomon Seymour ; resided in Portsmouth, N. H.


BURROWS.


3. DAVID BURROWS of L. was the son of Deacon Edward and Mary Burrows, who were original settlers of L. He was born about 1760, and was baptized 23 March, 1766, by the Rev. Isaac Hasey, first settled pastor of the First Parish of Lebanon. He enlisted in the Revolutionary army for three years at Berwick, Me., 20 Dec., 1781. He is described on the muster roll of Dominicus Goodwin as of "light complexion, five feet, eight inches in stature, and twenty- one years of age."


He was stationed at West Point where he died in about four months from the time of his enlistment and before 16 April, 1782. He was probably in Capt. Bowman's Company of the 5th Massachu- setts Regiment. His brother, Jonathan Burrows, who was in Capt. Bowman's Company at that time, wrote from West Point on 16 April, 1782, to "Deacon Edward Burrows, Living in Lebanon, County of Old York," "the terrifying news of David's death." He had, how- ever, no opportunity to forward the letter, now on file in the Pension Department at Washington, until 21 May-thirty-five days after its composition.


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4. JONATHAN BURROWS of Lebanon was a son of Dea. Edward and Mary Burrows of L. He was born about 1753, and had reached his majority just before the beginning of the Revolution. He enlisted three times. On 20 May, 1775, he enlisted in Capt. Philip Hub- bard's Co., of Col. James Scammon's Reg't, which regiment was sta- tioned on Bunker Hill, while the battle of the Seventeenth of June following occurred on Breed's Hill. Scammon's Reg't was not in the battle on that day, however.


His second enlistment, for three years, was before 10 March, 1776, on which day he was a recruiting officer at Berwick, Maine, where Jonathan Knox of Berwick and others enlisted under him. He soon marched to Boston and joined Capt. Sullivan's Co. of Col. Jos- eph Cilley's Reg't and Gen. Enoch Poor's Brigade He then marched to New York with his troops from which point they sailed to Albany, thence marching to Montreal.


During these three years he served for a portion of the time as First or Orderly Sergeant. In February, 1777, he was in Capt. Amos Emerson's Co. of Col. Joseph Cilley's New Hampshire Reg't. Col. Cilley's report sent from Valley Forge 10 Jan. 1778, describes him as "Serg't Jona" Burris, at time of his enlistment 23 years of age, five feet, eight inches in height, eyes, hair and complexion light, left at Manchester because of sickness." He was then in Capt. Amos Emerson's Co. of the First New Hampshire Regiment. On another roll he is described as "Jona Burroughs, Serg't, Fifth Co., First Reg't, commanded by Col. Joseph Cilley."


In 1781 (probably 20 Dec.) he enlisted again for three years in the Continental service, joining Capt. Bowman's Co. of the Fifth Massachusetts Regiment. This time he served fourteen months and 27 March, 1783, secured a substitute in Joseph Stephens (Stevens) of Lebanon who voluntarily consented to serve the remaining twenty-two months for the wages due on account of Burrows from 15 Jan., 1782, to 15 April, 1783. Writing to his father after his brother David's death, he said, "I am left alone and entirely com- fortless." At this time, 21 May, 1782, he had living in Lebanon a young wife and child, which fact connected with his brother David's death explains why he wrote from West Point on the 16 April, 1782, as follows : "Times are very dubious at present, for there is no news of peace as yet. The Armies are all well disciplined and in wonderful [ly ] good spirits, and draw very good provisions, but no money. Since my misfortune has been so great, I should be very glad to be free from the service, but do not know how to get clear." D*


He, with four other brothers and one sister, was baptized at Leb- anon 23 March, 1766, by the Rev. Isaac Hasey, first settled pastor of the First Parish of Lebanon. In his letter to his father already referred to, there is evidence that he possessed deep religious convic- tions. On 25 May, 1780, he married at Lebanon, Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Thomas and Elizabeth Witherell, who were original settlers of Lebanon. At the close of his term of service in the Revolution, he returned to Lebanon, where he ever after resided. He was a select-


caner


8


man of the town for 1784, 1786, and 1787. For many years he re- sided on the Witherell-Burrows farm, long since abandoned. On this farm is the old family burying lot, in a neglected spot, covered with shrubbery and surrounded with tall poplars that are destined to perpetuate the local name of the neighborhood, "Poplar Hill." The stones in the burying lot are shamefully shattered, giving evidence of having been used for targets by ruthless sportsmen. From the frag- ments of one can be read :


"LIEUT. JONATHAN BURROWS, died Jany 2, 1817, aged 64 years."


As his widow, Elizabeth Burrows lived in Lebanon many years, receiving a pension from the Federal government, and in 1838, a grant of land from the State. She died at Lebanon 23 Dec. 1850, "aged 90 years and four months," (g. s.) and was buried by the side of her husband whom she had joined in holy wedlock seventy years before. Their children were :


i. THOMAS WITHERELL, bapt. 7 Oct., 1781; killed in battle in the Second War with Great Britain.


ii. DAVID, bapt. 22 June, 1783; m. at Lebanon 27 Dec., 1804, Polly Wentworth; died 2 Nov., 1823 (?)


iii. NELLY, bapt. 26 Sept., 1784; m. at Lebanon 22 Nov., 1804, Thomas Goodwin, Jr., son of Thomas and Anna (Hodgdon) Goodwin of Lebanon.


iv. GILES WILLIAM, bapt. 9 Dec., 1784; m. at Lebanon 6 May, 1810, Polly Furbush ; captain of town militia; merchant; died at L. 11 Oct., 1822, in the 36th year of his age. (g. s.)


V. INFANT, d. 6 June, 1786. (g. s.)


vi. ELIZABETHI, bapt. 20 June, 1790; m. at L. 29 Nov., 1810, David Farnham, Jr. (See 24.)


vii. EUNICE TWOMBLY, bapt. 15 July, 1792; m. at L. 9 Oct., 1814, Isaiah, son of Thomas and Eunice (Knox) Legro of L.


viii. JONATHAN, JR., bapt. 4 Oct., 1795; m. at L. 28 July, 1821, Abigail, dang. of Thomas and Anna (Hodgdon) Goodwin of L. ix. JAMES, bapt. 16 Sept., 1798; resided in Massachusetts.


X. ASENATII, bapt. 27 June, 1801 ; m. John Lord of L.


One child d. 24 May, 1809. (g. s.)


CANNEY (KENNEY).


5. JOIN CANNEY (Kenney), b. at Dover, N. H., 24 Aug., 1744, was a son of Samuel and Susannah Canney of Dover, N. H., and Lebanon. The father, Samuel, removed from Dover, N. H., to Leb- anon about 1747, where he became the first settler within the town- ship. The son, John Canney, enlisted as a private in Capt. Jedediah Goodwin's Co. of Col. Edward Wigglesworth's Reg't. He was in the same company of which Ichabod Cowell was lieutenant, and "Parson" Hasey's diary shows that on "22 July, 1776, our men [Lebanon men] with Lieut. Cowell set out for Canada." His dis- charge was dated at Albany 30 Nov., 1776.


As a selectman he rendered services in 1770, 1771, 1772 and in 1780, 1781, 1782. He removed from the original Canney farm now (1896) owned and occupied by David W. Varney to the farm now (1896) owned and occupied by Samuel Shapleigh. He was engaged in farming and lumbering until his death which occurred about 1799.


9


He was buried in the "Camp Hill" Cemetery, but the inscription on his supposed stone is unintelligible. In 1782 he was chosen lieu- tenant of the town militia and a little later Colonel, by which title he was called.


He m. Mrs. Elizabeth (Thompson) McCrillis, the widow of Daniel McCrillis of Lebanon. She had no children by Canney, and lived to be 96 years of age. Her children by Daniel McCrillis were : Robert (59) ; John, who m. 25 Nov., 1765, Mary Garland; Elizabeth, who m. 25 Oct., 1768, Daniel Roberts ; and Jane, who m. Richard, son of Benjamin and Hannah Furbish of L. S./


CHAMBERLAIN.


6. JASON CHAMBERLAIN (William+, William3, Jacob2, William1) a native of Rochester, N. H., but a resident of Lebanon, Maine, and of Wolfboro', N. H., was a son of Capt. William and Eleanor (Horne) Chamberlain of Rochester, N. H., and Lebanon, Maine.


He was born at Rochester, N. H., probably on the original Cham- berlain farm, which was at "Willow Brook," on the westerly side of the main road leading from "Haven's Hill" to "Norway Plains," so called, 9 Feb., 1756. When young he learned the tailor's trade, probably of Mr. John Roberts, Sr., who followed that trade, and lived on the Haven's Hill Road in Rochester, at that time.


On a muster roll dated 13 June, 1775, Jason Chamberlain "of Rochester," "a private," occupation a "taylor," aged "19 years," is described. He was then in Capt. Jonathan Wentworth's Co., of Col. Enoch Poor's New Hampshire Reg't. Capt. Wentworth's Co. was composed chiefly of men from Somersworth and Rochester in New Hampshire, and from Berwick and Lebanon in Maine.


Mr. Chamberlain, with others of his company, acknowledged re- ceiving "pay for coats promised his company, 12 Oct., 1775." He enlisted a second time as a volunteer and received therefor a bounty of ten pounds at Rochester 10 Aug., 1778. This enlistment was in Capt. John Hill's Co. of Col. Joshua Wingate's Reg't., dating from 7 Ang., 1778. He "turned out" to join the Continental Army at Providence, Rhode Island, under Gen. Sullivan, and was discharged after 28 days of service.


He returned to Rochester where 2 Feb., 1780, he was married by the Rev. Joseph Haven, then pastor of the Cong'l Church, to Mary, daughter of Daniel and Abiah Brewster of Rochester.


Early in 1783, with his father's family, he removed to the adjoin- ing town of Lebanon, Maine, where he resided on part of the farm now (1895) owned by the heirs of Charles Burnham Chamberlain. While living in Lebanon he was engaged in tailoring going from house to house, when needed, after the custom of that time.


On 26 Feb., 1790, Mr. Chamberlain removed from Lebanon to Wolfborough, N. H., where he resided until near the close of his life. In 1820 he is reported as a Revolutionary pensioner, but only for a short time, as he died in Jan., 1823, and is buried at Tufton- borough Neck, N. H. His wife, Mary, died in March, 1830 or '31.


[


10


Jason and Mary (Brewster) Chamberlain's children were : Daniel, William, Jason, Jr., Abiah, Mary, Eleanor, and one who died in childhood. From the six who married and had children, there are many descendants who have become widely scattered.


CLARK.


7. JOSIANI CLARK, a native of Berwick, or Wells, Me., is named on a list of six months' men raised by the town of Wells, Me., to serve in 1780. He is described on the roll, Mass. Archives, as 38 years of age ; 5 ft., 10 in. in stature; of ruddy complexion ; a resident of Wells. He arrived at Springfield, Mass., 4 Aug., 1780, in the 33d Division under command of Capt. Samuel Carr. He marched 20 July, 1780, and was discharged 7 Sept., following.


He m. at Berwick, Me., 13 Feb., 1776, Patience, daug. of Eben- ezer and Martha (Wentworth) Hanson of Berwick. After the Rev- olution he removed to the farm in Lebanon now (1896) owned and occupied by the heirs of Francis A. Shapleigh. He was living in town 25 Aug., 1782. His wife was baptized and joined Hasey's Church 16 Ang., 1807. He d. at Lebanon in 1834; she was a pen- sioner, and died at Lebanon in Feb., 1848, at the age of 92 years. (Town Records. ) Children :


i. MARTHA, h. Oct., 1777 ; m. at L. 15 Jan., 1804, Tobias Smith of L. ii. ABIGAIL, m. at L. 26 Ang., 1804, George Nichols of L.


iii. EBENEZER, In. at L. 29 Oct. 1807, Sally, daug. of Ichabod Smith of L. He removed to Rome, Me.


iv. PATIENCE, m. Ephraim, son of Ephraim Tehbetts. He removed to Belgrade, Me.


V. MARY, m. at L. 22 Nov., 1814, Paul Stevens of Acton, Me.


vi. MERCY, m. at L. 6 Sept., 1814, John Cowell, brother to Ichabod who m. Rebecca Clark.


vii. REBECCA, m. at L. 22 Dec., 1811. Ichabod Cowell, brother to John.


viii. EUNICE, m. Jesse Waldron. (?)


ix. ELIZABETHI, bapt. 16 Aug., 1807; m. Mark, son of Samuel and Amy (Kilgore) Cowell of L. ; resided in Somersworth, N. H.


X. JONATHAN, bapt. 16 Ang., 1807; m. Rebecca, dau. of George and - (Kenneston) Fall of L .; resided in L.


COLE.


8. EBENEZER COLE, probably a native of Somersworth, N. H. ; resided there in early life. He removed to Lebanon as early as 1773, where he resided until he enlisted in the Revolution. He was a pri- vate in Lieut. Thomas Bragdon's Co., stationed at Kittery Point, Me., 5 Nov., 1775. He was in the service three or more times. The Rev. Isaac Hasey recorded in his diary, 11 Aug., 1776 : "Bill up by Mrs. Cole for her husband in ye army ;" and 18 Aug. again : "Bill up by Mrs. Cole for her husband sick in ye army." The "Parson" wrote 9 Nov., 1776, "Bill up by E. Cole for his son returned from ye army."


Between 30 May and 13 June, 1777,, he enlisted in Capt. Samuel Derby's Co. of Col. John Bailey's Battalion, and his name was re-


11


ported with others mustered by Joseph Bragdon on a muster-roll, dated "York, 13 June, 1777."


On 14 March, 1778, Hasey recorded, "Bill by Mrs. Cole for her husband in ye army ;" and on *15 May he wrote, "Cole died in ye army." He was at Valley Forge 25 Jan., 1778. (See Mass. Arch- ives, Vol. 10, p. 81.)


His wife was Mary (Molly) daughter of Ebenezer and Sarah (Roberts) Wentworth of Somersworth, N. H. She was born about 1744, and became a member of Hasey's Church 11 July, 1773.


Mr. Cole resided on a part of the farm now (1896) owned by the heirs of Benjamin C. Hurd; and a section of this farm called the "Cole Field" perpetuates the name of this hero who gave his life for our American Independence.


His children, baptized at Lebanon 20 Aug., 1773, were Abigail, Esther, Mary and Sarah Wentworth ; 25 Sept., 1774, Ebenezer, Jr. ; and 21 Dec, 1777, Ruth. After Mr. Cole's death, his widow mar- ried a second time according to the Wentworth Genealogy, which also mentions another daughter by Cole, named Phehe.


He either had a son in the army in 1776, or his father was the E. Cole referred to by Mr. Hasey.


COOK.


9. ABRAHAM COOK, born at Rochester, N. H., about 1761, is described on the muster-roll as of "dark complexion, five feet, five inches in stature." He enlisted at Portsmouth, N. H., Nov. 1779, at the age of 18 years; and served on board the United States ship "Ranger," Thomas Simpson, captain, Elijah Hall, lieutenant. The "Ranger" sailed from Portsmouth to Boston, and from Boston she put to sea in company with the "Warren" and the "Queen of France." After some time they captured a small British privateer, and on the day following, encountered the "Georgia Fleet" so called. This fleet was under convoy and these American vessels took nine or eleven of the fleet. The prizes were taken to Boston, and then to Portsmouth, N. H., where Cook, with others, was discharged after five months of service as a marine.


In the Mass. Archives, Vol. 45, p. 282, he is mentioned as in the Second Reg't, 13th Co., engaged to reinforce the Continental Army for nine months, agreeable to a resolve of the General Court of the State of Mass. Bay, passed 9 June, 1779 ; and in Vol. 29, p. 116 of same, he is mentioned as in the First Mass. Reg't serving to Jan'y 1,1781.


In the spring of 1781 he enlisted at Lebanon to serve for three years, or during the war; marched to Boston; joined the First Mass. Reg't. in Capt. Allen's Co. as a private ; was at West Point and served two years.


At the close of the war he returned to Lebanon, and soon married Sarah Nutter of Newington, N. H. When the Second


*War roll reads "17 May, 1778."


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War with Gt. Britain occurred, he enlisted again, but this time never to return. While in the service he died at Greenbush, L. I. (?) 15 July, 1813, leaving a widow, who was living as his widow 1 June, 1840 at the age of 84, and a large family.


His widow received a grant of land from the State under the re- solve of 17 March, 1835, which grant was lot No. 4, or 5, in the First Range of lots in the township of Mars Hill, Me. She deeded her lot to David Legro of Lebanon who bequeathed it to Hon. Samuel W. Jones, M. D., of Lebanon.


When the line between Maine and New Brunswick was established by the terms of the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842, a part of this land fell to New Brunswick. In recent years the United States government indemnified the owners who lost their possessions at Mars Hill in 1842.


"Cook's Hill" in the southerly part of the town of Lebanon where Abraham Cook resided perpetuates his name. I have been unable to find any family record.


10. DANIEL COOK of Lebanon enlisted as a private in Capt. Ebenezer Sullivan's Co. of Col. James Scammon's Reg't. 5 May 1775. He served three months and three days. Col. Scammon's Reg't was at Bunker Hill on the memorable 17 June 1775 ; but Froth- ingham states that his men were not in the actual battle of that day. (Mass. Archives, vol. 16 p. 44.) On 5 Jan., 1779, the Rev. Isaac Hasey records the marriage of Daniel Cook Junr. and Christian Perry at Lebanon. I have found nothing more on Lebanon records concerning any Daniel Cook.


11. DAVID COOK enlisted 5 May, 1775, in Capt. Eben'r Sullivan's Co. of the Thirteenth Reg't. of Foot commanded by Col. James Scammon and belonging to the United Colonies of North America.


He m. at Lebanon 19 July, 1772, Abigail Garland, daug. of Dodavah Garland of Lebanon, the Rev. Isaac Hasey performing the ceremony. He died in the army, and his widow Abigail m. second, at Lebanon 13, or 18, May or June, 1779, Richard Perkins (64) of Lebanon, "Parson" Hasey again performing the marriage.


COPP.


12. SAMUEL COPP, one of the early settlers of Lebanon, came probably from the adjoining town of Rochester, N. H., as early as 1767. He settled in the extreme western part of the town, in the Salmon Falls river valley, and was the first person to clear a farm in that immediate locality. The house erected by him in 1778, the oldest now (1896) standing in town, is owned and occupied by Frederic Dixon, being in a good state of preservation.


On 14 July, 1776, Rev. Isaac Hasey wrote in his diary : "Bill up by Sam. Copp for himself bound into ye army"; and on the next day he wrote, "Col. Goodwin here to muster and pay men."


On a New Hampshire muster-roll dated at Charlestown, Mass., 27 July, 1776, his name appears as a lieutenant in Capt. Drew's Co.,


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raised for Canada out of Col. Evans's and Col. Badger's Regts. Capt. Drew was of Barrington, N. H.


20 Nov., 1776, at Mount Independence, he, with other army officers, signed a petition for certain persons for field-officers in the third Battalion.


He was the first representative to the General Court from Leb- anon, in 1772; a selectman of the town in 1777 and 1778; a mem- ber of the First Church from 20 Aug., 1780; a deacon from 1781, and subsequently an elder in that church. He was a man of great physical strength, as were his sons. He was buried on the farm that he cleared, and his grave, unmarked, is in what is now a pasture on the hill-side of the Dixon farm. "Copp's Bridge," spanning the Salmon Falls river near this farm, is all that the present generation have to remind them of Samuel Copp. His first wife was Hannah Hayes of Rochester, N. H., by whom he had ten children. He married second, at Lebanon 21 June, 1798, Sarah [ (Scates) Knox- Wentworth ] widow of Thomas Knox of Berwick, Me., and of Na- thaniel Wentworth of Middleton, N. H. He died before 1818 at which date his widow Sally paid a ministerial tax. Children by wife Hannah, not arranged according to ages :




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