Knowlton, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas

Thomas Knowlton was born November 22, 1740 in West Boxford, MA.

When Knowlton was eight years old his father moved the family to Ashford,

CT where they lived on a farm of 400 acres. In 1755 the War with France

started (French & Indian War). In 1757 Knowlton first appears as a Private

on the muster rolls of Captain John Slapp’s 8th Co, First Connecticut

Regiment. In Captain Jedediah Fay’s 10th Co., Third Connecticut Regiment

along with his brother Daniel from May 1, 1758 to November 20, 1758. In

1759 he’s listed as a Sergeant in Major John Slapp’s 3rd Co, First

Connecticut Regiment. 1760 listed as an Ensign in Major John Slapp’s 3rd Co,

First Connecticut Regiment. Listed as an Ensign in Captain Robert Durkee’s

10th Co., First Connecticut Regiment from April 1, 1761 to December 3, 1761,

and listed as a Lieutenant in Captain Hugh Ledlie’s 10th Co., First Connecticut

Regiment from March 15, 1762 to December 10, 1762. In 1762 he

participated in the Battle of Havana, Cuba and was lucky enough to survive

and return to Ashford. (Of Israel Putnam's Company of 107 men, only 20

returned home, due mostly to tropical diseases). On April 5, 1759 Knowlton

married Anna Keyes of Ashford and bought a farm on the present site of

the Norcross Webster Boy Scout Reservation. Knowlton and his wife raised

a family of nine children, Frederick his sixteen-year-old son would

accompany his father to fight in the American Revolution. Knowlton at the

age of 33 was appointed as one of the Selectmen of the town.

Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution http://www.connecticutsar.org/patriots/knowlton_thomas.htm