Revolutionary War Veterans and Civilian Casualties in Fairview Cemetery

Thomas Kidder (1718-1793)

April 19, 1775: Westford’s Second Foot Company
Westford. Private, Capt. Jonathan Minot's co. of militia, Col. James Prescott's regt., which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 3 days; also, Capt. Joshua Parker's co., Col. William Prescott's (10th) regt.; order for advance pay, signed by said Kidder and others, dated Cambridge, June 9, 1775; also, Private, same co. and regt.; muster roll dated Aug. 1, 1775; enlisted April 29, 1775; service, 94 days; also, company return dated Sept. 27, 1775; reported enlisted April 28 (also given April 25), 1775; also, order for bounty coat or its equivalent in money dated Camp at Cambridge, Nov. 1, 1775.

Also: Account dated Westford, June 19, 1781, rendered by the Selectmen, of bounties paid men raised to serve in the Continental Army for the term of 3 years, agreeable to the resolve of Dec. 2, 1780; said Kidder, "Cor't", reported as a member of Class No. 15 which engaged Amos Parlin, Jr.

Wyle Richardson(1754-1840)

April 19. 1775: Private Westford Minute Company
Lieutenant. Under Wiley Richardson: Westford. Private, Capt. Timothy Underwood's co., Col. William Prescott's regt. of Minute-men, which marched in response to the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 9 days.

Josiah Brooks (1756-1782)

April 19, 1775: Westford’s Minute Company
Westford. Private, Capt. Timothy Underwood's co., Col. William Prescott's regt. of Minute-men, which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 9 days. Also: Descriptive list of men enlisted from Middlesex Co., agreeable to resolve of Dec. 2, 1780; age, 24 yrs.; stature, 5 ft. 4½ in.; complexion, light; hair, light; eyes, blue; occupation, farmer; residence, Westford, enlisted May 1, 1781; enlistment, 3 years. (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)
Died at West Point in 1782.
His epitaph is on the gravestone of his father Josiah Brooks 1722-1771.

Abijah Richardson (1748-1828)

April 19, 1775: Westford’s Minute Company
Westford. Private, Capt. Timothy Underwood's co., Col. William Prescott's regt. of Minute-men, which marched in response to the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 9 days; also, Capt. Jonathan Minott's co., Col. Baldwin's regt.; pay abstract for mileage from home to headquarters and return, dated Cambridge, Jan. 12, 1776; also, list of men raised for Continental service, as returned by Capt. Zaccheus Wright and Capt. Pelatiah Fletcher, endorsed, "Westford Feb'y 16 78"; said Richardson, with others, enlisted from the town of Westford for 1 year from July -, 1777; reported enlisted into "the Carpenters Regiment. (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

Joseph Read (1716-1795)

December 16, 1773: Destruction of the Tea, Boston Harbor
Representative to the General Court: 1771-1776, 1778-1781
Selectman:1752-1755, 1768-1770, 1771-1773, 1775-1776, 1778-1780. 1783.
Clerk 1753-1754

Capt. Read became a prominent man in Westford, MA which he represented for 20 years in the General Court. He took part in the famous Boston Tea Party, an act of protest regarded by many as the spark that ignited the American Revolution. Captain Joseph Read also served the town of Westford as delegate to go to the provincial Congress. He was a man of distinction and it is our honor to recognize his service.

Orders on Henry Gardner, Paymaster General, payable to said Read, Captain, dated Westford, Sept. 2, and Sept. 9, 1776, respectively, signed by the Selectmen of Westford, for money due for providing guns for certain soldiers in Capt. Joshua Parker's and Capt. Wyman's cos., Col. Prescott's regt. (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

Possibly, under Joseph Reed: Account of blank commissions delivered the committees appointed to raise men to go to Canada [year not given]; said Reed, Captain, reported as belonging to the committee for Middlesex Co. (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

https://www.lowellsun.com/2022/10/16/boston-tea-party-participant-honored-in-westford/?fbclid=IwAR3pKVKfWDkBcPsuKuet2aq6kbapwDJQFKUxodGQDC4zHfyYytvGSt25QnA

Peletiah Fletcher (1727-1807)

Captain, 4th (1st Westford) co., 6th Middlesex Co. regt. of Mass. Militia; list of officers chosen by the respective companies in said regiment, as returned by Jonathan Reed and others, field officers; ordered in Council April 24, 1776, that said officers be commissioned; reported commissioned April 24, 1776. (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

Captain Pelatiah Fletcher

Pelatiah Fletcher was born in Westford on May 3, 1727. He married his first wife, Dorothy Hildreth on January 13, 1757. With her he had 12 children before she died on June 14, 1782. He married his 2nd wife, the widow Elizabeth (Hartwell) (Reed) Keyes on October 15, 1782. In 1774 he was one of the wealthiest men in Westford: On the North tax list he was given a rank of 2. As an example of his holdings, in September of 1773 he was taxed for 1 horse, 2 oxen, 7 cows, 2 pigs, and 12 sheep. He was also one of four men in town who was noted to house a Negro man.

His involvement in town affairs prior to the Revolution included committee work focused on the raising of a new meeting house frame in 1770, replacing the first meeting house which had served the town since about 1725.

In July of 1774 he and 206 other Westford men signed the “Solemn League and Covenant”, an early non-importation pledge against Great Britain, and in January of 1775 he was one of seven men who made up the first “Committee of Inspection,” whose task was to see that the resolves of the American and Provincial Congresses be “faithfully observed and complied with.”

In 1776 he was appointed Captain of one of the two Westford companies in the 6th Middlesex County Militia Regiment. Throughout the war he supported the cause by recruiting men to serve in the militia and Continental Army, and provided food and other support to the families of men who were serving in far-off campaigns.

His House still stands on Lowell Road. (Dan Lacroix, 2005)

Rev. Willard Hall (1703-1779)

Rev Hall came as minister to what was then the West Parish of Chelmsford in 1727, Westford was incorporated in 1729. Over the years he had several issues with the town in regard to his pay, initiating a lawsuit in 1740.

In September 1774, with Rev. Hall refusing to back the growing opposition to the King, the town voted “to dismiss Rev. Willard Hall from any further service in the town as minister, provided the church should think it proper to dismiss him from any further service in the ministerial office in said church”. Rev. Hall was among the last of the Tories in Westford, and due to his political beliefs in Sept. of 1775, the town voted to refuse any further financial support. His dismissal was finalized in the Jan. 1776 town meeting ending 48 years of his Westford ministry.

Rev. Willard Hall
Born in Medford, Ma. March 11, 1703, son of Stephen and Grace Hall.
Graduated from Harvard College in 1722.
Married Abigail Cotton of Portsmouth, NH.
Parents of 11 children- 4 sons and 7 daughters.
Probably came to Westford in July,or August 1726.
May 2, 1727, was voted by the inhabitants of the westerly precinct of Chelmsford (Westford still part of Chelmsford at this point) to be the minister. Pay 80 pounds for the first year, and then a raise of forty shillings a year until it came to 100 pounds a year. This seems to be the first step in the organization of what would become Westford’s first church.
Farmer- in 1727 he bought 18 acres of land from Josiah Burge- west side of Main Street. Also owned land in Providence Meadow.
Over the years he had several issues with the town in regard to his pay, initiating a lawsuit in 1740.
Starting in 1772- he began to have health issues and substitute ministers were appointed by the town.
September 1774 the town voted “to dismiss Rev. Willard Hall from any further service in the town as minister, provided the church should think it proper to dismiss him from any further service in the ministerial office in said church”. They did raise 42 pounds for his support that year in case the church did not dismiss him. The town searched for another minister, agreeing to pay Rev. Hall 46 pounds quarterly for the rest of his life.
Rev. Hall was among the last of the Tories in Westford, and due to his political beliefs in Sept. of 1775, the town voted to refuse any further financial support. His dismissal was finalized in the Jan. 1776 town meeting ending 48 years of his Westford ministry.
After his dismissal, Rev. Hall kept possession of the church records, instructing his wife to keep them after his death until his estate was settled. He died March 19, 1779 at the age of 77. His wife died Oct. 20, 1789.| (James VanBever. 2021)

Thomas Greenough, Jr (1738-1775)

Refugee from Boston
Thomas Greenough Jr was a mathematical instrument maker (marine compasses, backstaffs and wooden surveying compasses) in Boston with a wife and 4 daughters aged 4-12. By the summer of 1775 conditions in the town were dire with dwindling supplies and disease with most provisions being taken by the King’s Troops. Many inhabitants were disparate to find refuge in the countryside far from the danger of cannon fire but sadly, there was no escape from death, likely disease brought with them from Boston.

Jonas Procter (1749-1783)

April 19, 1775: Westford’s Minutemen Company, Corporal
Westford. Corporal, Capt. Timothy Underwood's co., Col. William Prescott's regt. of Minute-men, which marched in response to the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 13 days; also, Ensign; list of company officers of Col. Doolittle's regt. recommended by Committee of Safety at Cambridge June 12, 1775, to be commissioned; ordered in Provincial Congress June 12, 1775, that commissions be delivered said officers; also, Ensign, Capt. Joel Fletcher's co., Col. Ephraim Doolittle's regt.; muster roll dated Aug. 1, 1775; engaged May 2, 1775; service, 3 mos. 7 days; also, company return dated Camp at Winter Hill, Charlestown, Oct. 6, 1775.
(Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

John Parker (1757-1778)

April 19, 1775: Westford’s Minutemen Company
Westford. Private, Capt. Timothy Underwood's co., Col. William Prescott's regt. of Minute-men, which marched in response to the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 10 days; also, Capt. Joshua Parker's co., Col. William Prescott's (10th) regt.; muster roll dated Aug. 1, 1775; enlisted April 29, 1775; service, 94 days; also, company return endorsed "September the 27th 1775"; also, order for bounty coat or its equivalent in money dated Cambridge Camp, Nov. 1, 1775. (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

John Nutting, Jr. (1756-1777)

April 19, 1775: Westford’s MInute Company
Westford (also given Fitchburg). Private, Capt. Timothy Underwood's co., Col. William Prescott's regt. of Minute-men, which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 9 days; also, Capt. Jonathan Minott's co., Col. Baldwin's regt.; pay abstract for mileage from home to headquarters and return, dated Cambridge, Jan. 12, 1776; mileage for 52 miles allowed said Nutting; also, list of men raised to serve in the Continental Army from Capt. Wright's co., Col. Jonathan Reeds (6th Middlesex Co.) regt., as returned to Brig. Gen. Prescott; residence, Westford; engaged for town of Westford; joined Capt. Ballard's co., Col. Alden's regt.; term, 3 years, to expire in 1780; also, Private, Capt. William Hudson Ballard's co., Col. John Brooks's regt.; Continental Army pay accounts for service from June 20, 1777, to Dec. 25, 1777; residence, Fitchburg; reported deceased; also, Capt. William Hudson Ballard's co., 6th Mass. regt. formerly commanded by Col. Ichabod Alden; return of men who were in camp on or before Aug. 15, 1777; also, Capt. Ballard's co., Col. Ichabod Alden's regt.; return dated Albany, Jan. 12, 1778; residence, Westford; enlisted for town of Fitchburg; mustered by Col. Barrett, Muster Master for Middlesex Co., and by a Continental Muster Master; also, 1st co., Lieut. Col. John Brooks's (7th) regt.; return made up to Dec. 31, 1779; enlisted June 20, 1777; reported died Dec. 25, 1777. (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

Under John Nutten: Westford. Return of men raised to served in the Continental Army from Capt. Jonathan Wood's co., 8th Worcester Co. regt., as returned to Col. Abijah Stearns, dated Fitchburg, Dec. 20, 1777; residence, Westford; engaged for town of Fitchburg; joined Capt. Ballard's co., Col. Olden's (Alden's) regt.; term, 3 (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

Silas Chandler (1755-1839)

April 19, 1775: Westford’s Minute Company
Westford. Private, Capt. Timothy Underwood's co., Col. William Prescott's regt of Minute-men, which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 2 days; also, Capt. Zaccheus Wright's co., Col. Brooks's regt.; return of men in camp at White Plains dated Oct. 31, 1776; reported sick and absent; also, Capt. Aaron Jewett's co., Col. Job Cushing's regt.; enlisted July 27, 1777; discharged Aug. 29, 1777; service 1 mo. 10 days, travel included; marched to Bennington on an alarm; company raised in Westford, Groton, Shirley, Townsend and Ashby.
(Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

Moses Parker (1755-1775)

April 19, 1775: Westford’s Minute Company
Westford. Private, Capt. Timothy Underwood's co., Col. William Prescott's regt. of Minute-men, which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 2 days. (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

Zaccheus Wright (1738-1811)

April 19, 1775: Westford Lieutenant of militia
(also given Zachariah), Westford. 1st Lieutenant, Capt. Jonathan Minot's co. of militia, Col. James Prescott's regt., which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 15 days; also, Captain, 8th (2d Westford) co., 6th Middlesex Co. regt. of Mass militia; list of officers chosen by the several companies in said regiment, as returned by Jonathan Reed and others, field officers; ordered in Council April 24, 1776, that said officers be commissioned; reported commissioned April 24, 1776; also, Captain, 8th co., Col. Eleazer Brook's regt.; list of officers of a regiment drafted from Middlesex Co. militia and ordered to march to Horse Neck by Brig. Oliver Prescott Sept. 26, 1776; also, Captain, Col. Brooks's regt.; return dated Camp at White Plains, Oct. 31, 1776; said Wright reported as in camp at White Plains and fit for duty; also, reported as having lost a coat in battle; also, same regt.; engaged Sept. 27, 1776; discharged Nov. 16, 1776; service, 62 days, including 11 days (212 miles) travel home; order for payment of amount of roll dated at North Castle and signed by Col. Eleazer Brooks; also, Captain, Col. Cyprian Howe's regt.; appointed June 30, 1780; discharged Oct. 30, 1780; service, 4 mos. 5 days, including 4 days (80 miles) travel home; also, account dated Westford, June 19, 1781, rendered by the Selectmen, of bounties paid men raised to serve in the Continental Army for the term of 3 years, agreeable to resolve of Dec. 2, 1780; said Wright, Captain, reported as a member of a class which engaged Josiah Brooks; also, receipt dated Boston, May 31, 1782, for bounty paid Abel Read by said Wright, Colonel, and Chairman of Class No. 1 of the town of Westford, to serve in the Continental Army for the term of 3 years. (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

Colonel Zaccheus Wright

Zaccheus Wright was born in Westford on October 27, 1738. His ancestors came from Woburn, and were among the first settlers of Chelmsford. He married Rachel Parker of Chelmsford on January 5, 1764. Throughout their long marriage they had no children. He ran a tannery business and in 1774 was ranked 48 in the North tax list. From Hodgman we find that he was “said to have been a man of uncommon size, weighing, perhaps, two hundred and fifty pounds, yet active and agile, constantly superintending his farm, and capable, when occasion called, of chasing a flock of sheep as nimbly as the most lithe and youthful of his hired men.”

His involvement in town affairs was significant and far reaching. Prior to the war, in March of 1774, he was chosen for the Committee of Correspondence to maintain communications with the revolutionary efforts based in Boston. He was also one of the men who signed the “Solemn League and Covenant.” By January of 1775 he was appointed a lieutenant in the militia company of Capt. Jonathan Minott, and was chosen to be in a committee responsible for the purchase of arms for the town. At the age of 37 he served on April 19th, 1775, and later served as captain of a Westford militia company that participated in the Battle of White Plains in October of 1776. He escaped injury, but did request reimbursement for a coat lost during the battle.

In December of 1776 he was one of four men paid for “numbering the people in the town,” this being the first and only colonial census of Westford. The population was determined to be 1193.

He served in many town government positions, from Town Clerk to Selectman, and served as representative to the General Court (the State Legislature) for seven years. But perhaps his most lasting and visible accomplishments relate to the founding of Westford Academy. Besides providing significant financial support as one of its most generous subscribers, he served as the first President of the Westford Academy Board of Trustees in 1792 and was reelected until 1808 when he declined further service. (Dan Lacroix, 2005)

David Parker (1757-1834)

April 19, 1775: Westford’s Second Foot Company
Westford. Private, Capt. Jonathan Minot's co. of militia, Col. James Prescott's regt., which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 14 days; also, Capt. John Minott's co., Col. Dike's regt.; muster roll for Dec., 1776-Feb., 1777; enlisted Dec. 18, 1776; regiment raised to serve until March 1, 1777. (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

Possibly: Harvard (also given Westford). Private, Capt. Samuel Hill's co., Col. Josiah Whitney's regt.; enlisted Aug. 19, 1777; service to Aug. 26, 1777, 6 days; company marched from Harvard on an alarm to Bennington; also, same co. and regt.; marched Oct. 2, 1777; service to Oct. 26, 1777, 24 days, under Lieut. Col. Ephraim Sawyer with Northern army; company marched from Harvard on a 30 day expedition; also, return of men raised to serve in the Continental Army from Capt. Samuel Hill's co.; residence Harvard; engaged for town of Harvard; joined Capt. Munroe's co., Col. Bigelow's regt.; term, 3 years; also, Private, Capt. Munro's co., Col. Bigelow's regt.; Continental Army pay accounts for service from Nov. 10, 1777, to Dec. 31, 1779; also, (late) Capt. Edmund Munro's co., Col. Timothy Bigelow's regt.; muster rolls for Feb., March, and April, 1779, dated Providence; also, Sergeant, Capt. Bowman's co., Col. Bigelow's regt.; Continental Army pay accounts for service from Jan. 1, 1780, to Nov. 8, 1780; residence, Westford; reported as serving 4 mos. 15 days as Private, 5 mos. 23 days as Sergeant. (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

Under David Perker: List of men raised for Continental service, as returned by Capt. Zaccheus Wright and Capt. Pelatiah Fletcher, endorsed "Westford Feb. 16 78"; term, 3 years.

Hosea Hildreth (1744-1776)

April 19, 1775: Westford’s Second Foot Company, Corporal
Westford. Corporal, Capt. Jonathan Minot's co., Col. James Prescott's regt., which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 6 days. (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War.

William Hildreth (1740-1800)

April 19, 1775: Westford Second Foot Company, Sgt.
Westford. Sergeant, Capt. Jonathan Minot's co., Col. James Prescott's regt., which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 4 days. (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

Eleazer Hamlin (1732-1807)

Pembroke. Captain, Gen. John Thomas’s regt.; company return
[probably Oct., 1775].

John Abbot (1743-1805)

April 19, 1775: 2nd Lt, Westford’s First Foot Company
Westford. 2nd Lieutenant, Capt. Oliver Bate's co., Col. James Prescott's regt., which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 5 days.
(Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

John Hildreth (1738-1802)

April 19, 1775: Westford’s Minute Company
Westford. Corporal, Capt. Jonathan Minot's co., Col. James Prescott's regt., which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 6 days.

Timothy Cummings (1752-1832)

April 19, 1775: Westford’s First Foot Company, Drummer
Westford. Drummer, Capt. Oliver Bate's co., Col. James Prescott's regt., which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 10 days. (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

Benjamin Osgood (1755-1825)

April 19, 1775: Westford’s Second Foot Company
Westford. Private, Capt. Jonathan Minot's co. of militia, Col. James Prescott's regt., which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 10 days; also, Capt. Jonathan Minott's co., Col. Baldwin's regt.; pay abstract for milage from home to headquarters and return, dated Cambridge, Jan. 12, 1776; mileage for 52 miles allowed said Osgood. (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

Thomas Rogers (1750-1776)

April 19, 1775: Westford’s First Foot Company, Lieutenant
Westford, Sergeant, Capt. Oliver Bates's co. of militia, Col. James Prescot's regt., which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 7 days; reported enlisted into the army; also, 2d Lieutenant, Capt. Joshua Parker's co.; list of officers of Col. Prescot's regt. recommended in the Committee of Safety, at Cambridge, June 23, 1775, for commissions; ordered in Provincial Congress June 25, 1775, that said officers be commissioned; also, Sergeant, Capt. Joshua Parker's co., Col. William Prescott's (10th) regt.; muster roll dated Aug. 1, 1775; engaged April 26, 1775; service, 97 days; reported promoted to 2d Lieutenant May 24, 1775; also, 2d Lieutenant, same co. and regt.; company return endorsed "September the 27th 1775"; also, order for bounty coat or its equivalent in money dated Camp at Cambridge, Nov. 1, 1775 (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

Lt. Thomas Rogers

Thomas Rogers was born in 1750, and settled in Westford some time prior to 1774 with his wife Molly.

Rogers involved himself in town affairs. In the summer of 1774, along with 206 other Westford men, he expressed his patriot leanings by signing the “Solemn League and Covenant,” an early non-importation pledge against Great Britain. In early 1775, records show that Rogers was reimbursed for “boarding the school master for seven weeks.” And by April he had risen to the rank of sergeant in the Westford militia company of Capt. Oliver Bates, with whom he would serve on April 19th on the Battle Road.

The signature of Thomas Rogers from the
“Solemn League and Covenant”.
Courtesy J.V. Fletcher Library

Rogers remained in the camps at Cambridge during the Siege of Boston, serving as 2nd Lieutenant under Westford’s Capt. Joshua Parker. He served with that company at Bunker (Breeds) Hill on June 17, 1775.

Tragedy then struck the Rogers family. Their daughter, Molly, born in May of the previous year, died. She was one of 23 Westford children who would die in August and September of 1775, most likely the victims of diseases returned from the siege camps of the new American army.

Near the end of the Siege of Boston, in early 1776, Rogers joined the regiment of Westford’s Col. John Robinson, formed for three months as reinforcement to the Continental Army. This time he served as sergeant in Capt. Josiah Warren’s company.
In the summer of 1776 Rogers joined the Northern Army as a lieutenant in the regiment of Col. Jonathan Reed, again under Capt. Joshua Parker. An anecdote from Hodgman’s History of Westford describes the scene as a group of 12 Westford soldiers departed for Ft. Ticonderoga that year: “…one of them, Thomas Rogers, refused to stand up when [the Rev.] Mr. Thaxter spoke to them, …of the twelve all returned but Rogers.” From there he was detached to the command of General Benedict Arnold where, with Sgt. Jonas Holden, he helped man the gunboat New York on Lake Champlain. He was killed from the bursting of New York’s cannon.

Molly Rogers was pregnant when she learned of her 26-year-old husband’s death and would memorialize his sacrifice for the “caus of Liberty” with a unique stone at Westford’s Fairview Cemetery. Their second daughter, also called Molly, was born less than three months after her father’s death. Tragically, like her sister, she would never reach her second birthday.

In 1783, Molly, the “sorowfull widow,” married William Munroe, owner of the Lexington tavern that stands today as an historic site. (Dan Lacroix, 2005)

Molly Rogers (1774-1775)

The late summer and early fall of 1775 the civilians of Massachusetts towns were besieged by an epidemic of the Bloody Flux, a type of dysentery that can be deadly to children. The disease was brought into the towns by soldiers returning from their service in the camps surrounding Boston. Her father was Thomas Rogers who was killed in the Battle of Valcour Island in 1776 and reminds us of the toll the war took on families.

Timothy Spaulding (1741-1785)

April 19, 1775: Westford’s Minute Company, Sergeant
Under Timothy Spaulding: Westford. Sergeant, Capt. Timothy Underwood's co., Col. William Prescott's regt. of Minute-men, which marched in response to the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 6 days; also, 2d Lieutenant, Capt. Pelatiah Fletcher's 4th (1st Westford) co., 6th Middlesex Co. regt. of Mass Militia; list of officers chosen by the several companies in said regiment, as returned by Jonathan Reed and others, field officers; ordered in Council April 24, 1776, that said officers be commissioned; reported commissioned April 24, 1776. (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

Also: Account dated Westford, June 19, 1781, rendered by the Selectmen, of bounties paid men raised to serve in the Continental Army for the term of 3 years, agreeable to resolve of Dec. 2, 1780; said Spaulding reported as member of a class which engaged John Pacth (Patch). (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

Jesse Minot (1759-1828)

Under Jesse Minott: Private, Capt. John Minott's co., Col. Dike's regt.; muster roll for Dec., 1776-Feb., 1777; credited to town of Westford; enlisted Dec. 13, 1776; regiment raised to serve until March 1, 1777. (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

Jonathan Spaulding (1730-1775)

Sergeant. Tewksbury Minutemen, with Capt. Jonathan Brown's Company at the Battle of Lexington and Concord.

Jonathan Minot (1723-1806)

April 19, 1775: Westford’s Second Foot Company, Captain
Westford. Captain of a company of militia, Col. James Prescott's regt., which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 15 days; also, official record of a ballot by the House of Representatives, dated Feb. 1, 1776; said Minot chosen 2nd Major, Col. Oliver Prescot's (6th Middlesex Co.) regt. of Mass militia; appointment concurred in by Council Feb. 7, 1776; reported commissioned Feb. 7 (also given Feb. 8) 1776; also, official record of a ballot by the House of Representatives, dated Feb. 14, 1776; said Minot chosen 1st Major, Col. Jonathan Reed's (6th Middlesex Co.) regt. of Mass militia, in the room of Josiah Sartell, elected Lieutenant Colonel; appointment concurred in by Council Feb. 15, 1776; reported commissioned Feb. 14, 1776.

Also under Jonathan Minott: Captain, Col. Baldwin's regt.; pay abstract for mileage from home to headquarters and return, dated Cambridge, Jan. 12, Jonathan Minot, Jr.
(also given Jonathan, Jr.), Westford. Drummer, Capt. Jonathan Minot's co. of militia, Col. James Prescott's regt., which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 14 days; also, Capt. Joshua Parker's co., Col. William Prescott's regt.; order for advance pay, signed by said Minot and others, dated Cambridge, June 9, 1775; also, Drummer, same co. and regt,; muster roll dated Aug. 1, 1775; enlisted May 8, 1775; service, 85 days; reported promoted to Sergeant May 24, 1775; company commanded by Capt. Oliver Bates prior to May 24, 1775; also, order for bounty coat or its equivalent in money dated Cambridge, Nov. 1, 1775. (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

Also under Jonathan Minott: Westford. Sergeant, Capt. Joshua Parker's co., Col. William Prescott's (10th) regt.; company return dated Sept. 27, 1775; also, account showing sums of money to be paid out of the public treasury to sundry persons for losses sustained at battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill; amounts allowed in Council June 13, 1776
1776; mileage (52 miles) allowed, said Minott. (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

Major Jonathan Minott
Joseph Minott

Jonathan Minot was born in Chelmsford on January 19, 1722/23 and married Esther Proctor on March 6, 1745/46 in Westford. By 1769 they had all of their 11 children and lived in Parkerville, near Nonesuch Meadow, where he ran a brick making business with his sons. He was also a relatively wealthy man in 1774 as he was ranked 4th in the South Tax list.

From at least 1762, perhaps earlier, he held the rank of sergeant in the town militia, and was promoted to lieutenant in about 1769. In about 1772 or 73 he became captain of Westford’s 1st Foot Company of militia, the position he held at the age of 52 when he and his company made the march to Concord in response to the Alarm of April 19, 1775. Along with them was his son, 25 year old Jonathan, Jr., the company’s drummer.

Following the events at Lexington and Concord, he, with Captain Oliver Bates, remained in command of the Westford militia men who had not joined the Siege of Boston. Near the end of the Siege, in early 1776, he was appointed captain of another company of local Middlesex men who were stationed near Boston. Sometime in 1777 he was appointed a major in the militia establishment.

Town records show him to have been active in not only the war effort, but in town and church affairs. He was a member of several committees responsible for recruiting men for the army and contributed to supporting the families of soldiers. In 1779 he participated in a committee which drew up a comprehensive “confession of faith and covenant” for members of the church. A year later he joined a town committee to consider the form of a new government. He served as town Selectman in 1770, 1774, and 1777.

During the summer of 1775, at the age of 23, Jonathan’s son Joseph served in the new American army surrounding Boston with at least 58 other Westford men. He served in the company of Westford’s Captain Joshua Parker, Col. William Prescott’s regiment, and was killed along with two others from Westford in the attempt to hold the hastily built redoubt on Breed’s Hill. (Dan Lacroix)

Joseph Minot (1751-1775)

Under Joseph Minott: Westford. Private, Capt. Joshua Parker's co., Co.. William Prescott's (10th) regt.; company return dated Sept. 27, 1775; enlisted April 19, 1775; also, certificate dated Westford, March 12, 1776, signed by Capt. Joshua Parker, certifying that said Minott, a soldier in his company, Col. Prescott's regt., was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill June 17, 1775, and had not received a bounty coat or value thereof; selectmen of Westford also certify that said Minott was the son of Maj. Jonathan Minott who was entitled to receive the bounty due (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

Jonathan Snow (1762-1827)

Chelmsford. Lieutenant, Capt. Benjamin Nye’s co., Col. Nathan Sparhawk’s regt; joined Sept. 17, 1788; service 3 mos 1 day, at Dorchester, including travel (5 days) home; company discharge Dec. 12, 1778. Roll sworn in Worcester Co.

Thomas Cummings (1734-1818)

April 19, 1775: Westford’s Minute Company, 1st Lt.
Westford. 1st Lieutenant, Capt. Timothy Underwood's co., Col. William Prescott's regt of Minute-men, which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775; service, 5 days; also, 2d Lieutenant, Capt. Wiman's co., Col. Prescot's regt; list of others recommended to be commissioned by Committee of Safety at Cambridge June 23, 1776; ordered in Provincial Congress June 25, 1775, that commissions be delivered; also, Lieutenant, Capt. Asa Laurance's co. of volunteers, Col. Jonathan Reed's regt.; entered service Sept. 27, 1777; discharged Nov. 9, 1777; service, 1 mo. 14 days; company raised in Littleton and Westford and marched to reinforce the army under Gen. Gates. (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War)

Additional listings found in Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War

Thomas Cumings
Westford. Private, Capt. John Minot's co., Col. Josiah Whitney's regt.; arrived at Rhode Island May 10, 1777; discharged July 9, 1777; service, 2 mos. 9 days, travel included. Roll dated Warwick Neck.

Possibly also Thomas Coming: Private, Capt. Joshua Parker's co., Col. Robinson's regt.; enlisted Aug. 2, 1777; service to Jan. 1, 1778, 4 mos. 29 days, at Rhode Island.

Under Thomas Cumings, Jr.: 1st Lieutenant, Capt. Pelatiah Fletcher's 4th (1st Westford) co., 6th Middlesex Co. regt.; List of officers of Mass. militia returned by Jonathan Reed and others, Field Officers of said regiment, as chosen at Groton, Feb. 29, 1776; ordered in Council April 24, 1776, that commissions be issued.

Under Thomas Comings: Westford. 2nd Lieutenant, Capt. Abijah Wyman's co., Col. William Prescott's regt.; company return dated Cambridge, Oct. 3, 1775.

Under Thomas Commings: Westford. 2d Lieutenant, Capt. Wyman's co., Col. Prescott's regt.; muster roll dated Aug. 1, 1775; engaged April 24, 1775; service, 3 mos. 9 days.

Under Thomas Cumming, Jr.: 1st Lieutenant, Capt. Pelatiah Fletcher's (4th) co., 6th Middlesex Co. regt.; list of officers of Mass Militia; commissioned April 24, 1776.