Maine Genealogy
Source: Oliver P. Remick, A record of the services of the commissioned officers and enlisted men of Kittery and Eliot, Maine: who served their country on land and sea in the American Revolution, from 1775 to 1783 (Boston: A. Mudge & Son, printers, [1901])
This transcription was generously provided by Barbara Hanscom Stuart.
Forenames and surnames of the officers have been switched to facilitate searching.
[p. 31]COMMISSIONED OFFICERS FROM KITTERY, 1775 to 1784.JOHN ADAMS, Purser in Navy.
He was purser of the Continental frigate "Raleigh" in August, 1778, and probably remained on her until her capture by the British, Sept. 28, 1778. He was on her Jan. 22, 1778, and was called a volunteer in a list of her officers of that date.
Born, Feb. 4, 1737, son of John and Mary (Fernald) Adams, of Kittery. Married Mary Hill, Oct. 22, 1761, at Kittery; both were residents.
DANIEL BILLINGS, Lieutenant.
Service in Capt. Wm. Deering's company of carpenters at Kittery Point, Nov. 5, 1775, as Coast Guards; Lieutenant of Capt. S. Grant's company, Col. J. Titcomb's regiment; from May 7, 1777, to July 7, 1777, in Rhode Island in Massachusetts state service.
Was commissioned April 29, 1776, Second Lieutenant of the second company of militia, of Kittery.
Married Hannah Billings, of Kittery, Dec. 20, 1770, at Kittery. He lived at Kittery Point.
ROBERT CURTIS, Mate.
Appointed, June 21, 1777, mate of the Continental frigate "Raleigh," Capt. T. Thompson, and was on her Jan. 22, 1778, at L'Orient, France.
NATHANIEL COFFIN, First Lieutenant.
First Lieutenant of Capt. J. Shapleigh's company of Coast Guards, stationed at Kittery Point; commissioned, July 10, 1775; discharged, Dec. 31, 1775; also appointed first lieutenant, in January, 1776, of Capt. P. Hubbard's company of Coast Guards stationed at Kittery and York. Discharged, Nov. 13, 1776.
Was a private in Capt. John Wentworth's company in the King's service; enlisted March 27, 1760, and served to Nov. 30, 1760.
Residence, Kittery; was at Crown Point and in Canada.[p. 32]Was a member of the Fourth Foot Company of the town militia in 1762.
Born Aug. 25, 1738, a son of Dr. Edmund and Shuah (Bartlett) Coffin, of Kittery; residence in what is now Central Eliot, in 1776. Was a pensioner, living in Shapleigh, Me., July 4, 1820, aged eighty-one years; a tailor; wife, Mary, sixty-two years old. Died July 23, 1823, in Waldo County, Me.
THOMAS CUTTS, Captain.
Enlisted, May 3, and commissioned First Lieutenant, May 19, 1775, of Capt. T. Fernald's company, in the Thirtieth Foot Regiment, of the United Colonies, and served around Boston, until Dec. 31, 1775, when he was honorably discharged; this regiment covered the retreat of the American army after the battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775. He also was Captain of a company in Major D. Littlefield's battalion, in the Penobscot expedition; served from July 10, 1779, to Sept. 10, 1779, taking part in the fights with the British troops near Castine.
Was a private in the Blue Troop of Horse, York County militia, in 1757. He was commissioned Captain, Nov. 27, 1779, of the Fifth Company, of Kittery militia.
He was born, Nov. 23, 1732, at Kittery, son of Thomas and Dorcas (Hammond) Cutts. Married Elizabeth Donnel in 1758 or 1759, and they had several children (a son Thomas, also a Revolutionary soldier), lived in eastern part of Kittery, a farmer. Died at Kittery, Nov. 29, 1800.
MARK DENNETT, Third Lieutenant.
He was commissioned a Third Lieutenant in the Continental Navy, June 6, 1776, by Congress.
Born, Nov. 13, 1744, at Kittery, son of John and Mary (Tutherly) Dennett, of Kittery. Married Mary Dennett, a cousin, July 7, 1767. They had children born at Kittery, from 1770 to 1779. He died at sea.
WILLIAM DEERING, Captain.
Captain of a company of carpenters at Kittery, Nov. 5, 1775 (probably in New Hampshire pay), a resident of the First Parish of Kittery in 1760.
Captain of the second company of Kittery militia, March 10, 1762. Resident of the town, July 10, 1776, when he subscribed money to raise soldiers for the war.[p. 33]WILLIAM DEERING, Jr., First Lieutenant.
First Lieutenant of Capt. T. Bragdon's company, Lt.-Col. J. Prime's battalion, of Massachusetts State Troops; served from May 24, 1780, to Dec. 29, 1780, at Portland and Thomaston, Me.
Was commissioned First Lieutenant, April 29, 1776, of the second company of Kittery militia.
Married Molly Caswell, April 5, 1763, at Kittery; residence at Kittery Point.
ANDREW PEPPERRELL FERNALD, Captain.
Was appointed Adjutant, Jan. 9, 1777, of Col. John Frost's regiment of Massachusetts State Troops, on the Hudson River; honorably discharged in March, 1777. Commanded a company of Massachusetts state soldiers at Cloverack on the Hudson River, from July 6, 1780, to Sept. 22, 1780, when he was discharged.
He was commissioned Adjutant, April 29, 1776, of the Second Regiment of York County militia. Promoted to Captain, June 23, 1780. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Oct. 1, 1789, same regiment, and to Brigadier General, May 4, 1800; commanding First Brigade York County Militia.
He was born, Feb. 26, 1753, at Kittery, son of Dennis and Sarah (Frost) Fernald; married, Dec. 24, 1778, to Martha Shapleigh; lived in that part of Kittery, now Eliot, on Tan Pit Hill, near or on the farm now occupied by his grandson of same name. Died there, May 18, 1821; had a large family of children. Wife, Martha, died at Eliot, Nov. 27, 1819, aged sixty years.
JOSHUA FERNALD, Jr., Ensign.
Enlisted, May 5, 1775, in Capt. S. Leighton's company, in the Thirtieth Foot Regiment and rated Corporal; served with regiment around Boston, until Dec. 31, 1775, when it was discharged; then enlisted in Capt. Jonathan Nowell's company, of the Seventh Continental Infantry, for one year, in January, 1776, and served it; then enlisted for three years, and mustered between Feb. 8 and 20, 1777, into Capt. S. Darby's company of the Second Regiment of the Massachusetts Line; promoted to Sergeant at once, and to Sergeant Major of the regiment, April 15, 1777; was commissioned Ensign in May, 1778, of Capt. Hugh Maxwell's company, to rank from June 1, 1777, and served with same regiment until he resigned, April 25, 1780, on account of deafness.
He was born, March 9, 1753, at Kittery, son of Tobias and Lucy[p. 34](Lewis) Fernald; lived in upper part of Kittery, until after the war.
Married, first, Lucy Wingate; second, Mrs. Hannah Snow. Was pensioned, April 19, 1818, at $240 per year. A blacksmith, living in Eaton, N. H., in 1820 aged sixty-five years, with wife, Hannah, aged, sixty-five years, and died Jan. 11, 1830, at Eaton, N. H.
TOBIAS FERNALD, Lieutenant-Colonel.
Enlisted, May 1, 1775, and commissioned Captain in the Thirtieth Foot Regiment, of the United Colonies, and served with it until its muster out, Dec. 31, 1775; was commissioned Captain in January, 1776, of the Eighteenth Continental Infantry; promoted to Major, Nov. 6, 1776, of the Twelfth Massachusetts Regiment (Line), and served with this regiment until his promotion, March 6, 1779, to Lieutenant-Colonel of the Eighth Massachusetts Regiment (Line), serving until Jan. 1, 1781, when he was transferred to the Tenth Massachusetts (Line), with which he served until Jan. 1, 1783, when the Tenth was consolidated with the other Massachusetts regiments, and he was retired until his services were needed again, thus serving over seven and a half years. He commanded at times all these regiments. Was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, and signed the oath of allegiance at Valley Forge in 1778.
He was chosen by the officers of the Massachusetts Line, Oct. 16, 1779, a member of a committee to represent them, with a committee from the Massachusetts General Court, to make a settlement about the depreciation of the pay of the army.
Was Ensign of the third company of Kittery militia in August, 1771, and April, 1772.
Born, Feb. 1, 1744, at Kittery. Was the son of Capt. Tobias and Mary (Mendum) Fernald, and lived in Kittery near what is called the Railroad Sand Pit. Married Dorcas McIntyre, of York, Me., in December, 1781, daughter of Capt. John McIntyre. His children were Harriet and Juliette. He died, Aug. 15, 1784, at Kittery. His widow, Dorcas, married Capt. Richard Rogers, of Kittery, also an officer of the Revolution.
WILLIAM FERNALD, Lieutenant.
Enlisted, May 3, 1775, and commissioned Lieutenant of Capt. S. Leighton's company in the Thirtieth Foot Regiment, and served with it around Boston until its muster out, Dec. 31, 1775.
He enlisted, April 10, 1758; residence, Kittery, and served as a private in Capt. J. Gowen's company, Col. J. Preble's regiment,[p. 35]in the British service, at Lake George and vicinity. Discharged Sept. 1, 1758.
Born, Sept. 16, 1739, at Kittery, son of Nathaniel and Margaret (Tripe) Fernald. Married, June 25, 1763, Abigail Dennett. They lived in the Third or Middle Parish of Kittery, and had nine children.
JOSEPH FIELD, First Lieutenant.
Service from July 10, 1779, as First Lieutenant of Capt. T. Cutts's company, in Major D. Littlefield's detachment in Penobscot Expedition. Discharged, Sept. 10, 1779.
He was commissioned First Lieutenant, Nov. 14, 1776, of the sixth Kittery company of militia, and was promoted to Captain, July 1, 1781, of same company.
He lived in the lower part of what is now Eliot, in 1776. Married Mary Dam, of Kittery, in September, 1777, and married second wife, Elizabeth Buckland, of Kittery, there, Jan. 22, 1801.
ROBERT FOLLETT, Captain and Master.
Commanded a company of Artillery at Kittery Point, Me., by return of Nov. 5, 1775. Was appointed Master of the Continental frigate, "Raleigh" Capt. T. Thompson, June 24, 1776; was discharged about Jan. 1, 1777.
Born, June 16, 1737, at Kittery, son of John and Mary (Tripe) Follett. Married Mary Mitchell, July 16, 1767, at Kittery, and had five or more children. Residence, Kittery. in March, 1776. Was also a physician; died Aug. 21, 1780, at Kittery, and his gravestone is in the old cemetery, near Kittery Point Bridge.
PARKER FOSTER, Ensign and Second Lieutenant.
Enlisted, May 3, 1775, in Capt. T. Fernald's company of the Thirtieth Foot, and commissioned Ensign; served with regiment until Dec. 31, 1775, and was honorably discharged.
Was commissioned Captain, April 29, 1776, of the sixth Kittery company of militia.
Married Mary Tobey, Nov. 15, 1753, at Kittery, and lived in what is now the lower part of Eliot; they had a large family of children, among them Parker, Jr., who also served as a soldier from the town. Died before Sept. 3, 1776, at Kittery.
SAMUEL FOWLER, Private and Lieutenant.
Enlisted in the service and mustered at Portsmouth, N. H., Nov. 23, 1775, as a private in Capt. Henry Elkins' company of New[p. 36]Hampshire State Troops for the defence of Piscataqua Harbor, under orders of Brig.-Gen. John Sullivan, who at this time was in command of the troops and forts on the river.
Was commissioned First Lieutenant Jan. 22, 1776, of Capt. James Osgood's company in Col. Timothy Bedell's regiment of New Hampshire infantry. The regiment marched to Canada immediately, where they were under the command of Brig.-Gen. B. Arnold, and Major-Gen. John Thomas, who commanded the American army in Canada. They were stationed at a place on the St. Lawrence River where Ogdensburgh, N. Y., is now located, then called The Cedars, where, on May 19, 1776, most of the regiment were captured by the British and Indians, but were exchanged in about eight days after their capture. General Thomas died May 30, and General Sullivan took command of the army in Canada, until July, 1776, then was succeeded by Major-General Gates, when the army retreated to Lake Champlain. Lieutenant Fowler was with his company June 24, 1776. The regiment was at Ticonderoga on July 22, 1776, and remained in that vicinity until November, 1776, under General Schuyler, when it was discharged.
He was born, Feb. 8, 1744, at Kittery. Son of Moses and Ann Fowler; was living in the town in 1776 and 1777. Married Dorcas Nason, Aug. 9, 1792, at Kittery, where both were residents.
CHARLES FROST, Second Lieutenant.
Enlisted, May 3, 1775, as private in Capt. S. Leighton's company of the Thirtieth Foot. Service with regiment around Boston until Dec. 31, 1775, then discharged.
Was Second Lieutenant of Capt. W. Holbrook's company, Col. J. Frost's regiment, Dec. 1, 1776, for three months' service in Connecticut and around New York, then discharged with regiment.
Was commissioned Second Lieutenant April 29, 1776, of the fourth Kittery company of militia; was promoted, March 21, 1780, to First Lieutenant of same company, and to Captain, July 1, 1781, of same company.
Born, July 17, 1751, at Kittery, son of Charles and Sarah (Raynes) Frost. Married Martha Scammon, of Kittery, Nov. 29, 1780, at Kittery. Lived in upper part of what is now Eliot.
JOHN FROST, Colonel.
Commanded the regiment of York County men, enlisted or drafted in December, 1776, for service as re-enforcement to the Conti-[p. 37]nental army around New York, and continued in service for three months.
Was Ensign of Capt. James Cargill's company from March 31, 1759, to July 8, 1759, at Penobscot; was commissioned an Ensign, at the age of twenty, in the Colonial army raised in 1759, to invade Canada, and took part in the campaigns of 1760, at Ticonderoga and Isle au Noir, Canada; was Lieutenant of Capt. Humphrey Chadbourn's company from Feb. 25, 1760, to Nov. 30, 1760, in the King's service.
Was Ensign of the first company of the Kittery militia, March 15, 1757, at the age of eighteen years. Was Captain of the fourth company of Kittery militia in August, 1771, and April, 1772; was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel, Aug. 30, 1775, of the First Regiment of York County militia, and promoted to Colonel, Feb. 7, 1776, of the Second Regiment York County militia; elected Brigadier-General, Aug. 11, 1777, of the York County militia, where he served until after 1783, enlisting, drafting, examining, and forwarding men from the county for the army.
Born Aug. 15, 1738, at Kittery; son of Hon. John and Sarah (Gerrish) Frost, of Kittery. Married Mary Nowel, of York, Me., in April, 1760. Lived in that part of the town now Eliot, and died there July 15, 1810. Was also a member of the General Court and Council of Massachusetts.
WILLIAM FROST, First Lieutenant.
Enlisted May 3, 1775, and commissioned Ensign, June 2, of Capt. S. Leighton's company, in the Thirtieth Foot, and served until Dec. 31, 1775; commissioned Second Lieutenant, Jan. 1, 1776, of Captain S. Wild's company, in the Eighteenth Continental Infantry, and served through the year; re-engaged, Nov. 13, 1776, in the Twelfth Massachusetts Regiment of the line, and promoted to First Lieutenant, Jan. 1, 1777, of Capt. S. Burbank's company in same regiment. Took the oath of allegiance at Valley Forge, and commanded his company there, Jan. 23, 1778; and served until April 1, 1779, in same regiment; was left out then through a reorganization, and was appointed barrack master of West Point, and commissary of brigade, July 15, 1779, at special request of General Patterson, and was commissary of issues of General Patterson's brigade, during 1780, and until June, 1782, when he was appointed in the contractor service and remained until end of war.
He was born May 26, 1747, at Kittery, and was a brother to[p. 38]Col. John Frost, before mentioned; married, Nov. 16, 1775, at Somersworth, N. H., Elizabeth Randall, of Berwick, Me., daughter of Elipalet Randall, of Berwick, and lived in that part of Kittery now Eliot. Was living at York, in 1800, and was Register of Deeds for York County several years.
Pensioned, April 13, 1818, of York, at $240 per year; living in York, Me., July 4, 1820, a farmer. Died June 2, 1827 (at York, Me., probably), and left children. His widow, Elizabeth, was eighty years old in 1836, living in York, where she died, Oct. 1, 1837. They had sixteen children (four pairs of twins) whose births are recorded in York; a copy of this record is among his pension papers at Washington, as are his three commissions, all signed by John Hancock, President of Congress.
JOHN GODSOE, Second Lieutenant.
Enlisted or drafted, April 22, 1780, as second lieutenant of Capt. T. Bragdon's company, Lieut.-Col. J. Prime's regiment, of Massachusetts State Troops, on service at Portland and Thomaston, Me. Discharged Nov. 22, 1780.
Was commissioned Second Lieutenant April 29, 1776, of the third company of militia in Kittery.
Born July 8, 1742, at Kittery. Son of John and Mary Godsoe. Married Margery Jenkens, at Kittery, July 20, 1785, both of Kittery. Lived where his descendant, Luther Goodsoe, now resides.
BENJAMIN GUNNISON, Captain.
Commander of the brig "Morris" (probably a letter of marque) in 1777, 1778 and 1779, employed by the Continental Government between the United States and France, carrying arms and munitions of war, etc.
Was commissioned Second Lieutenant June 30, 1792, in the United States revenue cutter service, and stationed on the cutter "Scammel," at Portsmouth, N. H. Promoted to First Lieutenant Aug. 24, 1795. Honorably discharged in June, 1799. Commissioned First Lieutenant again Jan. 15, 1803, and resigned Sept. 30, 1807.
Born Nov. 7, 1743, at Kittery. Son of Joseph and Mary Gunnison, of Kittery. Married, first, Elizabeth Fernald, of Kittery, Aug. 9, 1770, at Kittery; married, second, Eleanor Fernald, of Kittery, June 8, 1803, at Kittery.[p. 39]ARTHURJOSEPH GREEN, Midshipman [author's correction].
Appointed Midshipmen in 1777, and served on the United States ship "Ranger," Capt. J. Paul Jones, on her first cruise to Europe; was in the fight with the British man-of-war "Drake," also in the landing at Whitehaven, Great Britain, with Capt. Jones.
WILLIAM HALEY, First Lieutenant.
Enlisted or drafted in December, 1776, for three months' services as First Lieutenant of Capt. Wm. Holbrook's company, Col. J. Frost's regiment of Massachusetts State Troops, for service in Connecticut and New York, as re-enforcement to the Continental Army. Discharged in March, 1777.
Was commissioned First Lieutenant April 29, 1776, of the third company of Kittery militia. Promoted to Major, Oct. 1, 1789, of the Second Regiment of York County militia.
Baptized March 13, 1743, an infant in the First Parish. Married, first, Miriam Fernald, of Kittery, in November, 1773. Married, second, Miriam Johnson, of Kittery, March 15, 1797. Lived in the Third Parish of Kittery, near Spruce Creek. Died, May 4, 1802, at Kittery.
THOMAS HAMMOND, Second Lieutenant.
Enlisted or drafted Aug. 14, 1777; service as Second Lieutenant of Captain E. Shapleigh's company in Col. J. Storer's regiment of Massachusetts State Troops; service with the Continental Army in Vermont and New York in the Burgoyne campaign. Discharged, Nov. 30, 1777, at Queman's Height.
Was drummer of the first Kittery company of militia in 1757. Was commissioned Second Lieutenant April 29, 1776, of the first Kittery company of militia.
Was the son of Joseph and Mercy (Adams) Hammond of Kittery. Lived in that part of Kittery, now Eliot, near the residence of Dr. Willis. Marriage intentions at Kittery, Dec. 24, 1763, to Mary Rogers, of Kittery.
STEPHEN HILL, Captain.
Commander of the privateer " Fox," and of the "Maria." Among a list of prisoners from Halifax, Jan. 29, 1778, as Captain, and taken in the "Fox." A petition at Boston, Nov. 26, 1781, that he be commissioned as Commander of the ship "Maria."
Son of Joseph and Miriam (Sawyer) Hill, of Kittery.[p. 40]SAMUEL HODGE, Jr., Mate.
Appointed Mate July 17, 1776, of the Continental frigate "Raleigh," Capt. T. Thompson, at $15 per month. Was five feet ten inches tall, dark complexion, and an American. Appointed again Jan. 15, 1777, as Mate; was Samuel, Jr., resident of Kittery. Not on her Jan. 22, 1778.
Samuel Hodge, Jr., of Dover, N. H., married Elizabeth Hill, of Kittery, Oct. 22, 1761, at Kittery. Lived in upper part of the Second Parish, in 1776.
WILLIAM HOLBROOK, Captain.
Enlisted or drafted in December, 1776, for three months' service, to command a company in Col. J. Frost's regiment of Massachusetts State Troops for service in Connecticut and New York, as reinforcement to the Continental Army. Discharged in March, 1777.
Was commissioned Captain April 29, 1776, of the second Kittery company of militia.
Born at Kittery. Married Elizabeth Underwood, at Kittery, May 4, 1780, both residents of Kittery. Lived at Kittery Point.
SAMUEL LEIGHTON, Captain.
Enlisted May 3, 1775, as Captain in the Thirtieth Foot Regiment of the United Colonies. Service around Boston until Dec. 31, 1775, then discharged. Enlisted or drafted Aug. 1, 1776, for four months' service, as Captain in Col. E. Francis' regiment of Massachusetts State Troops, for duty around Boston. Discharged in December, 1776. He also received, June 1, 1778, a detachment of sixty-seven men from York County (to serve nine months in the Continental Army) and marched them to Fishkill, N. Y., and delivered them to Brig.-Gen. J. Warner.
Was Ensign of the fourth company of Kittery militia in August, 1771, and April, 1772. He was commissioned Captain, April 29, 1776, of the fourth Kittery company of militia, and was promoted to Second Major, June 10, 1778, of the Second Regiment of York County militia.
Born, March 16, 1740, at Kittery, son of Lieut. John and Mary (Hill) Leighton. Married, Oct. 15, 1767, Abigail, daughter of Col. John Frost, of Kittery, before mentioned; had nine children. Lived in that part of Kittery, now the upper part of Eliot, and was the largest tax payer in the town, in 1780. Died suddenly, Feb. 27, 1802, at Kittery, while breaking out the roads from snow.[p. 41]SAMUEL MARCH, Lieutenant-Colonel.
Enlisted April 24, 1775, in the Thirty-first Foot Regiment of the Colonies and commissioned as Lieutenant-Colonel of same regiment; served around Boston with his regiment until Dec. 31, 1775. Commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel, Jan. 1, 1776, of the Eighteenth Continental Infantry, and served with regiment around Boston, and Lakes Champlain and George. Discharged, Dec. 31, 1776.
He was born in Kittery, and was probably a son of Benjamin March, of Kittery. Married, Jan. 27, 1752, Anna Libby, of Scarboro, Me. He moved to and settled in Scarboro, Me., and kept a tavern there for many years. His wife had fourteen children by him, and he died in Scarboro in 1804.
WILLIAM MOORE, Second-Lieutenant.
He was recommended by the Committee of Correspondence, May 10, 1777, at Kittery, to command a detachment of Coast Guards to be stationed at Kittery, and was commissioned, May 30, a Second Lieutenant for that duty, and probably served in command of detachment until Dec. 31, 1777, when they were all discharged. Resident of the town, July 10, 1776, when he subscribed money to raise soldiers for the war.
He was Captain of Sir Wm. Pepperell's, baronet, sloop, in 1758, on the expedition to Canada up the Hudson River; was a private in Capt. H. Chadborn's company, enlisted, March 6, 1760, in war with France. Residence, Kittery. Service in Canada and on the Lakes. Discharged, Nov. 10, 1760.
Born, Sept. 27, 1724, at Kittery, son of Capt. John and Elizabeth Moore. Marriage intentions at Kittery, Nov. 1, 1766, to Sarah Goodwin of Somersworth, N. H. Living at Kittery (in First Parish) in 1760; also in 1784.
HENRY MOORE, Captain of Privateer.
Enlisted for service in 1776; was a private in Capt. E. Deering's company of Field Artillery, New Hampshire State Troops, at Portsmouth, N. H., March 22, 1776, and April 1, 1776. He lived at Kittery, and was nineteen years old.
In September, 1776, he was in Capt. J. Robinson's company, of New Hampshire State Troops, around New York. He was Commander in 1781, of the privateer brig "Venus," of New Hampshire, of four guns and thirty-five men. She was captured June 1, 1781, by H. M. S. "Lively."[p. 42]Marriage intentions to Sarah Ordiorne, of Portsmouth, published Sept. 24, 1780, at Kittery, his residence.
JOHN ORR, Second Mate, Continental Navy.
He was Mate of the Continental frigate "Alliance," Capt. P. Landais; was on her in fight with the British frigate "Serapis," Sept. 23, 1779, and also Oct. 3, 1779.
Marriage intentions at Kittery, Jan. 15, 1757, to Eleanor Dennett (daughter of John and Mary (Tutherly) Dennett), both of Kittery. Living in 1760, in that part of the town now the lower part of Eliot, and about 1810, in Kittery, near Portsmouth Bridge.
GEORGE PHIPPS, First Lieutenant
First officer or Lieutenant of the brig "Morris," Capt. B. Gunnison, in 1777, 1778, 1779, a letter of marque, employed by the Continental Government, between the United States and France, carrying arms and munitions of war, etc. Captain, probably, of the privateer "Aurora," which was captured June 14, 1780, as he was taken in her. Residence, Kittery. Said to have run away and put in Mill Prison, England.
Married Francina Fernald, Dec. 20, 1781, at Kittery, and both were residents.
JOHN PRAY, Captain.
Enlisted May 16, 1775, as Sergeant in Capt. T. Fernald's company in the Thirtieth Foot Regiment, and served with regiment until Dec. 31, 1775, when the regiment was mustered out. Enlisted again, Jan. 1, 1776, as Sergeant of Capt. S. Wild's company in the Eighteenth Continental Infantry, and was commissioned Ensign April 1, 1776, of same company. Served until Dec. 31, 1776. Re-engaged Nov. 13, 1776, as First Lieutenant of Capt. D. Merrill's company in the Twelfth Massachusetts Regiment, of the line, and commissioned Jan. 1 , 1777. Served with Regiment and promoted to Captain July 5, 1779, in same regiment, and served until Jan. 1, 1781, when he was transferred to the First Massachusetts Regiment, of the line, and served until June 12, 1783, when he was honorably discharged on account of consolidating and reducing the army.
He took the oath of allegiance at Valley Forge in 1778; was appointed to the command of the block house at Dobbs Ferry, N. Y.,[p. 43]March 11, 1781, a most important post. Was a member of the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati, and was transferred to the New York Society in 1799.
He was born Feb. 14, 1736, at Kittery (probably on Fernald's Island, now the United States navy yard, lower island), son of Samuel and Alice Pray. Married Jane Messier. They had a son and two daughters. Removed to New York City, and died there in September, 1812.
JOHN QUIN, Surgeon's Mate.
Appointed, June 27, 1777, as surgeon's mate for one year, at $15 per month, of the Continental frigate "Raleigh," Capt. T. Thompson. He was an Irishman; residence, Kittery. Was on her Jan. 22, 1778, at L'Orient, France. Enlisted, Aug. 13, 1780, for Portsmouth, N. H., to serve in one of the New Hampshire Continental regiments, until Dec. 31, 1780.
BENJAMIN REMICK, Seaman and Lieutenant.
Enlisted on the privateer ship "Alexander," Captain Mitchell, in 1780, as a seaman. She was said a been built on the Piscataqua River, but her owners were probably New York men, and she hailed from there. She mounted fourteen carriage guns, nine-pounders, under a spare deck, and carried a crew of about one hundred men. She sailed on a cruise in 1780 under Captain Mitchell and returned to the river, and about November, 1780, Capt. Thomas Simpson, late commander of the Continental frigate "Ranger" was appointed to command her, and Benjamin Remick was promoted to Third Lieutenant of her. She was fitted out as a letter of marque, and sailed in January, 1781, for Fredericksburg, Va., whereshe loaded with tobacco and took it to L'Orient, France, returning to the Piscataqua, where she was on Nov. 24, 1781, and was to sail in a few days to Boston, then to Virginia, then to Amsterdam, Holland, and return to Boston, Mass., which was probably done. She captured many prizes on these trips, but he probably did not go on her after November, 1781, as he was one of the builders of the Continental battleship "America," then building.
Born Sept. 26, 1753, at Kittery, on the late Major Levi Remick's place, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Deed) Remick. Married Abigail, daughter of John and Margaret (Fernald) Fernald, Jan. 15, 1777, at Kittery, and lived in the town, in the house near the bridge to Portsmouth, now owned by Charles Otis; had a large family of[p. 44]children and has many descendants, including the writer. He was a noted ship builder on the Piscataqua River. Also built vessels on the Kennebec and Penobscot rivers; also assisting to design and build the Continental ships "Ranger," "Raleigh," and "America," all built near the Piscataqua River. He died Jan. 31, 1837, at Kittery, and his remains lie in his tomb near the Portsmouth Bridge.
TIMOTHY REMICK, Major.
Enlisted, May 8, 1775, as private in Capt. T. Fernald's company, of the Thirtieth Foot Regiment; promoted to Corporal, and served until Dec. 31, 1775. Enlisted again, Jan. 1, 1776, as Sergeant with same captain, in the Eighteenth Continental Regiment; promoted, Nov. 13, 1776, to Lieutenant of the same company, and served the year out in same regiment, and commissioned Lieutenant, Jan. 1, 1777, in Capt. J. Donnel's company, of the Twelfth Massachusetts Regiment of the line; was promoted to Captain of his Company, July 5, 1779, and probably commanded the Light Infantry company from his regiment, under Lieut.-Col. Wm. Hull, at the storming of Stony Point, July 15, 1779. Served with the regiment until its consolidation, Jan. 1, 1781, when he was transferred to the First Massachusetts Line Regiment; served with it until May 14, 1781, when he was appointed Brigade Major and inspector of the First Massachusetts Brigade. He was on command with Light Infantry from August, 1782, to December, 1782; was Major of the First Brigade again in 1783, and held it until Nov. 5, 1783, when he was honorably discharged after eight and a half years of continuous service, which is the longest service of any one from the town for the cause of liberty. He commanded at times the Twelfth Regiment and also the First.
Was at Valley Forge, Jan. 22, 1778, and signed the oath of allegiance; was sick in camp in December, 1782; also, in January, February, and March, 1783. He was an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati, and is now represented in that society by a descendant.
Born, Sept. 9, 1755, at Kittery, son of Isaac and Mary (Pettigrow) Remick. Married Mercy Staples, of Kittery, there, July 25, 1775, by whom he had three children. His health was ruined by his long army service, and he died in February, 1785, at Kittery, and is buried in the Remick cemetery at South Eliot, near where a monument has been erected to his memory by the writer, and where he was born and lived.[p. 45]SAMUEL RICE, Captain of Privateers.
Commander of the privateer ship "Fancy," of eight guns and twenty-five men from New Hampshire in 1781, and of the privateer ship "Retaliation," of ten guns and twenty-live men from the same State in 1782.
Born, March 13, 1752, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Rice of Kittery. Married intentions to Elizabeth Dennett, published at Kittery, May 21, 1777. Both were residents; she was a sister to the Dennetts herein mentioned. His name was on back of a list of the third company of town militia, June 23, 1779. He probably removed to Portsmouth, N. H., after the war, where he died in 1803 a sea captain.
RICHARD ROGERS, Captain.
Commanded a company of militia from April, 1776, for three months at Kittery, working on Forts Sullivan, McClary, and Hancock. Enlisted or drafted July 3, 1778, as Captain of a company in Col. J. Gerrish's Regiment of Guards stationed at Winter Hill, Mass., guarding Burgoyne's army of prisoners. Discharged Dec. 12, 1778.
He was commissioned Captain April 29, 1776, of the third company of Kittery militia and held it in 1780 and later.
Born Sept. 30, 1744, at Kittery (on the farm now owned by A. Stevenson), son of Thomas and Mary (Fernald) Rogers. Was a farmer. Married, first, Mary Staples of Kittery, March 20, 1770, at Kittery. Bought the present Rogers farm in Kittery where his descendants now live, and lived on it until his death, and was buried there. Married, second, Dorcas Fernald of Kittery, Dec. 18, 1786, at Kittery. She was the widow of Lieut.-Col. Tobias Fernald, before mentioned.
ELISHA SHAPLEIGH, Captain.
Enlisted or drafted Aug. 14, 1777, as Captain of a company in Col. J. Storer's regiment of Massachusetts State Troops, and served with the Continental Army in the campaign ending with the capture of General Burgoyne and his army at Saratoga, N. Y. Discharged Nov. 30, 1777.
Was commissioned Captain, April 29, 1776, of the first company of Kittery militia, and was in same position in 1779.
Born, March 10, 1749, at Kittery, son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Plaisted) Shapleigh. Married Elizabeth Waldron (born July 8, 1752, daughter of Richard Waldron), of Dover, N. H., April 3, 1770,[p. 46]by whom he had ten children. Was a farmer, and always lived in that part of the town now Eliot. He died Feb. 12, 1822, at Lebanon, Me., while on a visit there.
JAMES SHAPLEIGH, First Lieutenant.
Enlisted or drafted April 1, 1778, as First Lieutenant of Capt. E. Preble's company in Col. J. Gerrish's Regiment of Guards, at Winter Hill, Mass., guarding Gen. Burgoyne's Troops of the Convention. Discharged July 3, 1778.
Commissioned First Lieutenant of the first company of Kittery militia on April 29, 1776.
Born, May 5, 1741, at Kittery, son of Capt. John and Dorcas (Littlefield) Shapleigh. Married Hannah Bartlett, and lived in that part of the town now Eliot, on his father's farm, where Nathaniel Hanscom (his son-in-law) lived in 1850. Had fifteen children. Was a brother to Col. John Shapleigh, mentioned below. Was a farmer, and died Jan. 30, 1806, at Kittery.
JOHN SHAPLEIGH, Captain.
Enlisted, July 10, 1775, and commanded a company of Coast Guards at Kittery, in the State service; discharged, Dec. 31, 1775.
Was a private in the Blue Troop of Horse, York County militia, in 1757; was Ensign of the third Kittery company of militia, March 10, 1762; was Lieutenant of the third Kittery company of militia in August, 1771, and April, 1772; was commissioned Second Major, Feb. 7, 1776, of the Second Regiment of York County Militia; promoted to First Major, June 10, 1778, of same regiment; also to Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel of same regiment.
Born, Nov. 5, 1733, at Kittery, a brother to Lieut. James Shapleigh before mentioned. Married Mrs. Isabella Littlefield, of Wells, Me.; intentions at Kittery, Aug. 14, 1756. A farmer and lived in central part of the town near Spruce Creek, near where Lieut. Dennis Shapleigh now lives. Died in 1788, at Kittery, and left no children.
SAMUEL SMALLCORN, Gunner and First Lieutenant.
Appointed Gunner, Aug. 12, 1776, of the Continental frigate "Raleigh," Capt. Thomas Thompson, at wages of $15 a month. He did not remain on her long, as on Sept. 30, 1776, he was First Lieutenant of the brigantine "Reprisal," a privateer, then lying at Boston, Capt. John Wheelright; she was of about seventy tons,[p. 47]carried eight carriage guns (three pounders) and ten swivels, and seventy men, also provisioned for a cruise.
Capt. Samuel Smallcorn married Jane Moore, Dec. 11, 1785, at Kittery, both residents.
WILLIAM SPINNEY, Captain.
Enlisted or drafted, Sept. 12, 1778, and commanded a company in Colonel Cogswell's regiment of Massachusetts State Troops; service as Guards in and near Boston; discharged, Dec. 31, 1778.
Commissioned First Lieutenant, April 29, 1776, of the sixth company of Kittery militia, chosen Sept. 3, 1776, as Captain, and commissioned, Nov. 14, 1776, of the same company, and was Captain of it in 1779.
Marriage intentions at Kittery, Aug. 20, 1763, to Mary Libby, of Kittery. Lived in that part of the town now South Eliot.
SAMUEL STACY, Seaman and Sailing Master.
Engaged, probably in 1775, on the Continental frigate "Alfred," twenty-eight guns, Capt. Dudley Saltonstall, at Philadelphia. She sailed in company with the American fleet, under Commander-in-Chief Ezekiel Hopkins, on Feb. 17, 1776, to the Bahama Islands; the fleet captured "New Providence," and several vessels, and also had a fight off Block Island, on their return, with the British frigate "Glasgow." The "Alfred" and fleet arrived at New London, Conn., April 8, 1776.
Lieut. Paul Jones, who had been first lieutenant of the "Alfred," was ordered to the command of the Continental ship "Providence," at Newport, R. I., of fourteen guns, joining her on May 10, 1776, and he took with him from the "Alfred's" crew several of her men, among others Samuel Stacy.
The "Providence," under Jones, first sailed to New York for stores and men, through the Sound, and returned the same way to Newport, on June 14, 1776. She sailed from Newport on a cruise to Newfoundland, and she returned to Boston or Newport, on Oct. 7, 1776. During this cruise she captured eighteen British vessels, and one of them, the "Mellish," was the most valuable prize taken by us during the Revolution. Eight of these prizes were sent into port, and Samuel Stacy doubtless was prize master of one, and, soon after arriving in port, joined the privateer "Dalton," Capt. E. Johnston, in November, 1776, at Kittery, a resident of the town; was captured on her Dec. 24, 1776, and taken to Plymouth, England, where he was[p. 48]confined in Mill Prison until March, 1779, when he was exchanged to Nantes, France, where he engaged, April 14, 1779, to serve one year on the Continental frigate "Richard," Capt. Paul Jones, then at L'Orient, France, about seventy-five miles from Nantes, where he joined her. Was Sailing Master of the "Bon Homme Richard," Captain Jones, in the fight with the British frigate "Serapis," Sept. 23, 1779, off the coast of England, when the "Serapis" was captured after a hard fight. He was probably transferred to the "Serapis," and then to the Continental frigate "Alliance," Captain Jones, and probably returned to the United States on the "Ariel," Continental frigate, Captain Jones, in January, 1781.
Born at Kittery, son of William Stacy, of Kittery. Married Alice Shapleigh, of Kittery, sister to Capt. John Shapleigh, and Lieut. James Shapleigh, before mentioned. Was a sea captain and commanded many ships. Lived in that part of town now Central Eliot. Had son Samuel and daughter Dorcas. Was living at Kittery in 1785, and died there in February, 1786.
SILVANUS TRIPE, Master.
He was brought to Boston from Halifax, Oct. 8, 1778, a prisoner to be exchanged. He was Master of the armed sloop "John Bunyan," a privateer, and brought a prize into the Piscataqua River, the trial of which took place at Portsmouth, N. H., Nov. 10, 1781
He belonged to the third company of militia at Kittery, June 23, 1779.
Born Nov. 5, 1734, at Kittery, son of Robert and Mary Tripe.
NICHOLAS WEEKS, Ensign and Second Lieutenant.
Enlisted or drafted in January, 1776, and commissioned Ensign, Feb. 21, 1776, of Capt. A. Moulton's company, in Col. L. Robinson's regiment of Massachusetts State Troops. Service with the Continental Army around Boston until April 1, then discharged. Enlisted or drafted May 13, 1778, as Second Lieutenant of Capt. T. Hodgdon's company, in Col. T. Poor's regiment of Massachusetts State Troops. Service with the Continental Army at Peekskill, N. Y. Discharged Oct. 12, 1778.
Commissioned Second Lieutenant April 29, 1776, of the fifth company of Kittery militia.
Baptized March 28, 1742, infant son of Joseph Weeks, in First Parish. Married Rhoda Hutchings. Lived in the eastern part of the[p. 49]town (and died there Jan. 15, 1809, aged sixty-seven years), on the farm now owned by John Wentworth.
JOHN WENTWORTH, Captain.
Enlisted or drafted in August, 1776, and served as Captain in Col. E. Francis' regiment on duty around Boston, Mass. Discharged Nov. 30, 1776. He also served the last of 1776 and first of 1777 in Col. A. Willard's regiment of Massachusetts State Troops at Bennington and Lake Champlain. In 1777 was Captain of a company of Coast Guards stationed at Cape Elizabeth, Me.; there in April, 1777. Enlisted or drafted, in July, 1778, as Captain in Col. J. Gerrish's regiment of Guards at Cambridge, Mass., guarding the Troops of the Convention (Burgoyne's army). Discharged in December, 1778.
He served as Second Lieutenant and as Lieutenant and Captain in 1758, 1759, and 1760 in the French war in the King's service and was in the battle of Quebec, Canada. Second Lieutenant of Capt. Wm. Osgood's company, Col. J. Preble's regiment, March 13, 1758, to Nov. 18, 1758, at Lake George. Lieutenant of Capt. David Bean's company March 31, 1759, to July 15, 1759, at Penobscot. Captain of a company in Col. Williams' regiment Feb. 25, 1760, to Dec. 8, 1760, at Crown Point and Canada.
Born, Feb. 23, 1736, at Kittery, son of Capt. William and Margery (Pepperell) Wentworth, and grand-nephew to William Pepperell, baronet and general. Married, first, to Hannah Fernald in 1758. Married, second, Sarah Bartlett of Kittery, Sept. 17,1762. Lived in town where George Hayes, on the road to East Eliot, now resides. Was a farmer; moved from Kittery to Cape Elizabeth, Me., where he died June 9, 1781.
WILLIAM WHIPPLE, Brigadier-General.
Commenced duty Sept. 27, 1777, and commanded the New Hampshire State Troops in the campaign in Vermont and New York, ending with the capture of General Burgoyne and his army, and guarded them on the march to Cambridge, Mass. He was selected with Colonel Wilkerson to meet two of General Burgoyne's officers to settle several articles springing from the proposals of Burgoyne about his surrender. Discharged Nov. 12, 1777. Aug. 3, 1778, as Brigadier-General, he commanded a brigade of New Hampshire State Troops to Rhode Island; was in the battle of Quaker Hill in Rhode Island, Aug. 29, 1778, under General Sullivan. Discharged Sept. 5, 1778.[p. 50]Born, Jan. 14, 1731, at Kittery, son of Capt. William and Mary (Cutts) Whipple, in the house now owned by Harrison J. Philbrick, at the Intervene, so called, and lived there. Went to sea in early life and became master of a vessel before he was twenty-one years old, but he quit going to sea when about twenty-nine years old. Married Catharine Moffatt, his cousin. They had but one child who died an infant. Removed to Portsmouth, N. H., across the river, where he lived until his death. Was a merchant and was elected, Jan. 23, 1776, to the Continental Congress, and signed the Declaration of Independence. Continued in Congress until 1779. In 1780 was elected a judge of the New Hampshire Superior Court. Died at Portsmouth, Nov. 28, 1785, and he is buried in the Old North Cemetery in that city.
