Epaulet
This gold-colored, fabric epaulet was attributed to David Goodhue (1742-1798), who served in the Revolution. Goodhue was the son of Francis and Sarah (Fowler) Goodhue. He was baptized in Ipswich, MA, on Oct. 31, 1742, and married Harriet Prescott of Westford in 1767. He began the war as First Lieutenant in Captain Bate’s Company, answering the Alarm on April 19th, 1775, to fight at Lexington and Concord. Goodhue was promoted to Colonel by 1781. After the Revolution he was active in the Town of Westford. He was a part of the committee to form the local government, as well as the building committee for the then new Meeting House, which is home to the First Parish Church United today.
The note was written by Edwin G. Adams, the grandson of David Goodhue. According to the History and Genealogy of the Goodhue Family, Edwin was born in 1821. He was ordained a priest in 1847, and was a paster in the Templeton Congregational Church. After serving as a priest there for 30 years, he died in 1877.
His note reads [sic]:
Epaulet worn by my grand-father, Capt. David Goodhue of Westford[,] who was born in the year 1742, and died in 1798.
Edwin G. Adams
W.1995.3.1