Revolutionary War Veterans and Civilian Casualties in Westlawn Cemetery

Nathaniel Boynton

Civilian, Town Official

Nathaniel Boynton was born on June 8, 1724, in Westford, where he later passed away on April 5, 1798, at 74. He was the son of Nathaniel and Hannah (Perham) Boynton. On November 23, 1750 (or possibly in 1751), he announced his intention to marry Rebecca Barrett in Westford; together, they nurtured a family of ten children. Rebecca, likely born in Concord on February 14, 1730 or 1731, also reached 74, passing away in Westford on March 30, 1805. She was the daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca (Jones) Barrett. After Nathaniel's passing, Rebecca married Timothy Prescott on July 10, 1800, in Westford, becoming his second wife.

Throughout the Revolutionary War, Nathaniel exemplified strong leadership and dedication to his community. He was elected Ensign in the militia in 1771 and took on clerical responsibilities at the Town Meeting in 1770, where he passionately advocated for the non-importation of British goods. His commitment to public service was remarkable; he also served as a selectman for many years, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to the values and principles of his town. Nathaniel Boynton's contributions to his community reflect a legacy of resilience and civic responsibility.

Gravestone: Weeping Willow and Urn

Nathan Davis

Ashby Minutemen

Nathan Davis was born to Thomas and Sarah Davis on April 25, 1744, in Concord, Massachusetts. He married Mary Blood from Groton on May 28, 1767, and they successfully raised 12 children while living in Ashby. On April 19, 1775, Nathan decisively joined Captain Samuel Stone's company of minutemen within Colonel William Prescott's regiment, serving for 10.5 days. Mary Blood Davis passed away in 1812 in Cambridge at 67. In 1813, Nathan confidently married Mary Proctor Carver in Westford. He passed away on January 15, 1817, at 72.

Gravestone design: Weeping Willow and Urn

Isaac Preston Durant

Lexington Training Band, Continental Army

Isaac Durant was born to Henry and Susanna in Littleton on September 16, 1757. On the morning of April 19, 1775, he lived in Lexington and later recalled, "That around 5:00, upon hearing our drum beat, we made our way towards the parade and soon realized that large groups of troops were marching towards us." The following month, he enlisted in the army at Cambridge as a drummer and served for 91 days. Throughout the war, he continued his service as a drummer, dedicating one month in 1777, six months in 1778, and nine months in 1779. By the war's end in 1781, he returned home and married Helena Wendell from Salem in 1784, with whom he had nine children. Eventually, they moved to Westford, where they settled in a home along the road to the village center. Capt. David Prescott Lawrence, a longtime resident of Westford, fondly remembered Isaac Durant as a revolutionary soldier who had lost sight and was often guided around the village by his little grandson. Isaac passed away in Natick on January 9, 1848, at the impressive age of 90.

For further information: https://www.lexingtonminutemen.com/isaac-preston-durant.html

Gravestone: Weeping Willow and Urn

Sampson Fletcher

Massachusetts Militia

Born in Westford on August 24, 1758, he lived there until his passing on September 2, 1828. He was the son of Samuel and Mary (Lawrence) Fletcher. In February 1785, he wed Dolly Fletcher in Westford, and together they raised seven children. Dolly, whose full name was Dorothy, was born on December 2, 1759, and she, too, passed away in Westford on May 10, 1828, at the age of 68. She was the daughter of Peletiah and Dorothy (Hildreth) Fletcher.

During the Revolutionary War, he served as a Private in Capt. Jonathan Minott's Company, part of Col. Baldwin's Regiment. Records show that he received pay for travel to and from duty on January 12, 1776, in Cambridge. He also joined Capt. Edmund Longley's Company in Col. Cogswell's Regiment, enlisting on September 22, 1778, was discharged after serving for three months and twelve days on December 31 of the same year. His duties included traveling to fortify positions in and around Boston.

Gravestone: Weeping Willow and Urn

David Goodhue

April 19, 1775: Westford’s First Foot Company

David Goodhue was born in Ipswich, Massachusetts, on May 23, 1742. He passed away in Westford on August 3, 1798, at 56. He was the son of William Goodhue, the 3rd, and Mercy Gilbert Goodhue. On November 5, 1767, he married Esther Prescott, who was born in Westford on October 25, 1742, and died there on June 11, 1833, at 91. Esther was the daughter of Jonas Prescott and his third wife, Rebecca Jones (Barrett) Prescott. David and Esther had seven children.

From town records, we know that David Goodhue operated a textile finishing and dyeing enterprise at Forge Village near Stony Brook. The town paid him to work on a "burying cloth" for community use. At 32, he signed the 1774 Solemn League and Covenant and was listed In the North 1774 Tax List; he is referred to as "Mr." despite his young age and modest possessions. David served as a lieutenant in Captain Oliver Bates's Company, Colonel James Prescott's Regiment of Minute Men, which responded to the alarm on April 19, 1775, with a service period of 15 days.

The epaulet worn during the war can be seen at the Westford Museum. He continued to serve in the local militia and government, rising to the rank of Colonel.

Gravestone: Soul Effigy

Elijah Hildreth

April 19, 1775 Westford’s 2nd Foot Company

Born in Westford on February 29, 1750/51, he passed away there on March 17, 1798, at the age of 47 years and 12 days. He was the son of Ephraim Hildreth, Jr. and Priscilla (Barron) Hildreth. On January 13, 1776, he married Molly Reed, who was born in Littleton on May 29, 1759. Molly lived until February 22, 1843, when she died in Westford at 83. She was the daughter of Peter Reed, Jr. and Betty (Hartwell) Reed from Littleton. Together, Elijah and Molly had nine children.

At 24, he signed the 1774 Solemn League and Covenant. He served as the drummer in Captain Jonathan Minot's Company, Colonel James Prescott's Regiment, which rushed to respond to the alarm on April 19, 1775, serving six days.

There is no design on his gravestone, suggesting it may be replacing a previously missing marker.

Gravestone: no design, possibly replacing a missing marker.

Peter Hildreth

Massachusetts Militia

Peter Hildreth was born on March 1, 1753, in Westford to Ephraim and Priscilla Barron Hildreth. In April 1778, at 25, he joined a unit that bolstered the Continental Army. Standing at six feet tall, he made quite an impression. Peter passed away on May 29, 1819, at 66.

Gravestone: Weeping Willow and Urn

Zachariah Hildreth

Massachusetts Militia

He was born in Chelmsford on December 28, 1728, and passed away in Westford on April 18, 1784, at 58. He was the son of James Hildreth, who belonged to the Ephraim and Richard lineage, and his mother, Dorothy Prescott Hildreth. On April 12, 1753, he tied the knot with Elizabeth Prescott in Westford. Elizabeth, born on September 12, 1735, in Westford, lived until May 1, 1812, reaching the age of 77. She was the daughter of Jonas Prescott, who had previously been married to Elizabeth Harwood. Together, Zachariah and Elizabeth raised a large family, having 12 children.

At age 46, he signed the 1774 Solemn League and Covenant and was included in the South 1774 Tax List. He was Second Lieutenant in Captain Zechariah Wright's 8th (2nd Westford) Company of the 6th Middlesex County Regiment of the Massachusetts Militia. The officers were selected by the different companies within the regiment and their names were submitted by Colonel Jonathan Read and other field officers. On April 24, 1776, it was decided that these officers would be officially commissioned.

Gravestone: Cherub

Rogers King

April 19, 1775: Westford’s 2nd Foot Company

Born in Littleton on February 10, 1726/27, and died in Westford on January 18, 1797, at 71, he was the son of Richard and Elizabeth King. He married Lydia Woods on June 22, 1767, in Westford. Lydia, probably born in Chelmsford on January 21, 1733, was the daughter of Samuel and Mary Woods. She is believed to have been buried on March 13, 1829. Westford vital records show they had 3 children
He joined as a private in Captain Jonathan Minot's Company, part of Colonel James Prescott's Regiment, which swiftly mobilized in response to the alarm on April 19, 1775. He completed three days of service.

Gravestone: Effigy

Francis Leighton

April 19, 1775: Westford’s 2nd Foot Company

Francis Leighton, also recorded as Laighton in the town records of Westford, was born on July 22, 1734, and passed away in Westford on April 9, 1806, at the age of 72. He was the son of John and Hannah (Tredwell) Laighton. On October 20, 1760, he married Lydia Fitch in Westford. Lydia, born in Westford on March 13, 1737, died there on February 13, 1801, at 63. She was the daughter of Samuel and Joanna (Kidder) Fitch. Together, Francis and Lydia had a total of 11 children.

Interestingly, Francis did not sign the Solemn League and Covenant of 1774. He was listed on the North 1774 Tax List under "Francis Laughton," though there isn't a corresponding entry in MSSRW. Nevertheless, Hodgman mentions him on page 138 as having served for three days in Captain Minot's militia company starting April 19, 1775. Throughout the war, he remained active in serving his community. Following the death of Lydia on February 13, 1801, Francis married Hannah Brown Davis Jones from Acton on November 28, 1802. Hannah was the widow of Isaac Davis, who lost his life at the Battle of Concord.
In records, Francis is sometimes referred to with alternate spellings such as Laughton and Laighton.

Gravestone: Weeping Willow and Urn

Isaac Patten

Massachusetts Militia

Isaac Patten was born on March 6, 1761, in Chelmsford, the son of Isaac and Lydia Chamberlin Patten. He served as a private in Captain Aaron Jewett's company, enlisting on August 29, 1777, and was discharged on October 19, 1777, after marching to Saratoga. On September 8, 1782, he married Lydia Keyes, and together they raised 10 children. While Isaac primarily lived in Chelmsford, a deed from 1790 indicates his residence in Ashby, where he was also living in 1788. Later on, he moved to Westford. In his later years, he received a pension for his military service and passed away on October 13, 1836, at 75.

Gravestone: Tomb, text only

David Prescott

April 19, 1775: Groton Minutemen

Born on November 2, 1753, in Groton to David and Abigail Wright, he was a notable figure in his community. On April 19, 1775, he joined the Groton Minutemen but arrived too late to participate in the fighting. He enlisted in the army in August 1775 and served for three months, followed by another five-month stint in 1777 Rhode Island under Colonel Robinson. He married Mary Blood on February 24, 1780, and they had five children together. He passed away on November 20, 1813, at 60.

Gravestone: Weeping Willow and Urn

Joseph Prescott

April 19, 1775: Westford’s First Foot Company

Born in Westford on May 19, 1749, he passed away on April 1, 1813, at 64. He was the son of Ebenezer Prescott, a descendant of Jonas and John, and his second wife, Elizabeth (Avery) (Sprague) Prescott. On December 22, 1774, he married Abigail Derumple in Groton. Abigail, born in Groton on May 2, 1755, died in Westford on April 24, 1804, at 48. She was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Shead) Derumple of Groton. Joseph and Abigail had six children.

At 25, he signed the 1774 Solemn League and Covenant and was listed in the North 1774 Tax List. He served as a corporal in Captain Oliver Bates's militia company within Colonel James Prescott's Regiment, which responded to the alarm on April 19, 1775, serving three days.

Gravestone: Tomb

Timothy Prescott

April 19, 1775: Westford’s First Foot Company

Timothy was born on November 21, 1728, and passed away on April 30, 1803. He was the son of Jonas (sometimes known as John) and his first wife, Esther (Spaulding) Prescott, and together they had 11 children. On February 22, 1753, he wed Lydia Fletcher in Westford. Lydia, born in Westford on February 18, 1733/34, lived to the age of 64, dying on May 1, 1798. She was the daughter of Gershom and Lydia (Townsend) Fletcher.

At 45, Timothy signed the 1774 Solemn League and Covenant and was listed on the North Tax List that same year. He served as a Private in Captain Oliver Bates's Company of militia, part of Colonel James Prescott's Regiment, responding to the alarm on April 19, 1775. His service lasted for four days. [MSSRW XII-749]

Gravestone: Weeping Willow and Urn

Abijah Read

Continental Army

Born in Littleton on July 15, 1754, and passing away in Westford on March 27, 1844, at 89 years and 9 months old, he was the son of Peter Jr. and Betty (Hartwell) Reed. He married Elizabeth Boynton on March 23, 1786, in Westford. Elizabeth, born in Westford on May 26, 1760, also died on August 29, 1790, at 31. She was the daughter of Nathaniel and Rebecca (Barrett) Boynton. Abijah and Elizabeth had two children before her untimely passing in 1793. He later married Susanna Colman and he had 11 children.

At age 20, he signed the Solemn League and Covenant in 1774. Because he was still too young to be included in the 1774 Tax List, his stepfather, Jonathan Keyes, did not pay an extra poll for him. This indicates that he likely resided in another household where an extra poll was contributed, although the owner had no sons to account for.

According to the "List of Men Raised to Serve in the Continental Army," returned by Capt. Zaccheus Wright and Capt. Peletiah Fletcher noted with 'Westford February 1, '78', he was living in Westford at the time. He represented the town of Ashby and joined Capt. Ballard's Company in Col. Alden's Regiment, committing to serve for a term of three years, which was set to conclude in 1780.

Gravestone: Weeping Willow and Urn

Oliver Reed

April 19, 1775: Westford’s Minute Company

Born on August 15, 1756, in Westford, Oliver Read lived there until his death on June 20, 1791, at 34. He was the son of William and Thankful (Spaulding) Read. Oliver filed intentions to marry Abigail Read, who was born in Westford on June 5, 1757, and passed away in Dunstable, MA, on December 5, 1838, reaching the age of 81. Abigail was the daughter of Thomas Read (3rd) and Susanna (Dutton) Read. She filed intentions of marriage for a second time with Joseph Fletcher from Dunstable on August 14, 1797; however, Dunstable's vital records do not confirm that a marriage took place. Oliver and Abigail tied the knot in April 1779, and they had five children together.

Although he did not sign the 1774 Covenant and was too young to be included in the 1774 Tax List, Oliver served as a Private in Captain Joshua Parker's Company, which was part of Colonel William Prescott's 10th Regiment. A company return dated September 17, 1775, shows that he enlisted on April 19, 1775. There was also an order for a bounty coat, or its monetary equivalent, recorded from Camp at Cambridge in November 1775. Later, Oliver re-enlisted in Captain Parker's Company of Colonel Robinson's Regiment on January 5, 1778, in Rhode Island. After the war, he applied for a pension

Gravestone: Cherub

Benjamin Robbins

Continental Army

Born in Westford on July 10, 1758, Benjamin Robbins died there as a Lieutenant on January 14, 1837, at 78. He was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth (Procter) Robbins. On August 25, 1784, he married Huldah Robinson, who was born in Westford on September 23, 1765, and passed away there on February 8, 1848, at 82. Huldah was the daughter of Lieutenant John and Huldah (Perley) Robinson. Together, Benjamin and Huldah had eight children

He served as a Private in Captain Zaccheus Wright's Company, Colonel Brooks's Regiment. The company return, dated October 31, 1776, from Camp at White Plains, indicates that Robbins was reported as present in camp and fit for duty but also noted that he had lost articles in battle. [MSSRW XIII-421]

Gravestone: Weeping Willow and Urn

The Robinson Daughters

Civilian Casualties

In the late summer and early fall of 1775, the residents of Massachusetts towns faced a challenging health crisis due to an epidemic known as the Bloody Flux or Camp Fever, a form of dysentery that poses significant risks, particularly to children. This outbreak was inadvertently introduced to the communities by soldiers returning from service in the camps around Boston. In this difficult time, Colonel John Robinson and his wife Huldah experienced the heartbreaking loss of three of their daughters within a mere ten days. Their daughters, Betty, born in 1770, and Sarah, born on May 3, 1772, sadly passed away on August 30, 1775. Additionally, their daughter Mehetebel, who was born on August 9, 1767, also succumbed to the illness on September 7, 1775.

Gravestones: Cherub, Effigy

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23799022/betty-robinson

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39044845/sarah-robinson

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23799033/mehetebel-robinson

Lt. Col. John Robinson

Led troops at Concord Bridge, Massachusetts Militia

John Robinson was born in Topsfield in 1735 and died in Westford on June 13, 1805, at 70. He was the son of Jacob and Mary (Gould) Robinson. On November 27, 1764, he wed Huldah Perley, born in Boxford on March 28, 1742, and died in Westford on August 5, 1812, also at 70. Huldah was the daughter of Francis and Huldah (Putnam) Perley. In 1760, John served as an officer during the French and Indian War. After their marriage on November 17, 1764, the couple moved to Westford, where they raised seven children, three of whom tragically succumbed to the 1775 epidemic known as the Bloody Flux.

At 39, he signed the 1774 Solemn League Covenant and was included in the South's 1774 Tax List. Following the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, he enlisted as a Lieutenant Colonel in Captain William Prescott's Regiment on April 19, 1775, committing to serve for a period of 3 months and 20 days. On that same day, he and Colonel Barrett of Concord led the troops at the North Bridge in Concord. Moreover, as of May 15, 1775, he was officially listed as a Lieutenant Colonel in Colonel Prescott's Regiment following a return of officers.

Robinson's name also appeared on a roll for Colonel Prescott's (10th) Regiment in a return from Captain Henry Farwell's 1st Company, likely dated in October 1775. Notably, a petition addressed to the Council on October 28, 1775, was signed by both Colonel William Prescott and Robinson, seeking commissions for certain officers who had originally served in the army's formation. On October 31, 1775, the council agreed to recommend these officers to General Washington for their commissions.

An official House of Representatives record from May 7, 1777, indicates that Robinson was appointed as Colonel of a regiment tasked with defending Boston Harbor. The council confirmed this appointment on May 8, 1777, with his commissioning reported on the same day. Additionally, Robinson served as a Colonel in Colonel David Mosely's (3rd Hampshire County) Regiment, entering service on June 13, 1782, and being discharged three days later on June 14, 1782. Despite being reported as not belonging to the regiment, he did receive a horse ration while serving with them, as this regiment was raised to support the Government at Northampton.

After the war, he was active in town affairs and served in Shay's Rebellion 1786-7. He died June 13, 1805, at age 69. In 1824, the Rev. Joseph Thaxter, one of the first army chaplains of the war and a witness of the events at the North Bridge, said of Robinson, "a braver and more upright man I never knew." Further, he proclaimed that "Such men … ought not to be forgotten by those who write the history of the commencement and prosecution of our glorious revolution."

For further information see: https://www.westford.org/westford1775/Col_John_Robinson.html
and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Robinson_(militiaman)

Gravestone: Weeping Willow and Urn

Oliver Wright

Massachusetts Militia

Born on October 7, 1759, to John and Sarah Wright in Westford, he served in the military from August 1777 until January 1778 in Rhode Island. He married the widow Dolly Prescott on March 30, 1797, and they had two children together. He passed away in May 1834 at the age of 74.

Gravestone: Weeping Willow and Urn

Stephen Wright

Continental Army

Stephen Wright was born to Peter and Ellen Wright in Littleton on May 24, 1764. In July 1780, he served for three months in Colonel Cyprian Howe's Company, but he didn't apply for a pension until 1855. As a result, his name does not appear in the Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, leading to confusion with others who share his name.

On April 5, 1787, Stephen married Sarah Prescott from Westford, and together, they had several children. Stephen passed away at his daughter's home in Shelburne, MA, on February 16, 1857, at 92. His probate record from Franklin County, #7696, p. 17, indicates that he was brought back to Westford for burial, and Amos Day was compensated $3 for digging his grave.

Gravestone: text only