William Pomeroy (1750-1807) Northampton Massachusetts

As a direct descendant of William Pomeroy, (1750-1807), son of Daniel and youngest brother of Pliny, Maj. Daniel and Timothy, I would like to advocate for adding his name to the list of the sons of Daniel (Ebenezer, Medad, Eltweed) who served in the Revolution.

Sons of Daniel (Ebenezer, Medad, Eltweed) who served in the War of the Revolution:

Pliny 1734 – 1804

Maj. Daniel 1737 – 1808

Timothy 1742 – 1802

William 1750-1807

1. Northampton Militia: William Pomeroy’s name appears on an agreement drawn up May 20, 1775, for the formation of a military company: Northampton signatures; Enos Kingsley, William Pomeroy, Hollister Baker, Stephen Hubbard, Joseph Clarke, Amasa Clapp, Thomas Sterns Luke Lyman, Samuel Wright, Elisha Lyman, Samuel Hunt, Asahel Pomeroy, Thomas Craige, Joseph Lyman, Moses Kinsley Seth Clap, Medad Clarke, Simeon Guilford, and John Strong.

2. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in War of the Revolution, 14 Volumes: Volume 12, page 525

Pomeroy, William, Northampton. Return of men drafted from Hampshire Co. militia to march to Horse Neck under command of Col. John Mosley [year not given], but who failed to join regiment; reported drafted from town of Northampton; drafted into Capt. Wales's co.

3. Veteran’s Memorial Building, Northampton MA: Names of citizens who participated in the War of the Revolution: William Pomeroy.

GOOGLE: Find ‘Horse Neck-1776-1777”

The results of this search show that William Pomeroy’s “failure to join regiment” was not an isolated incident.

The majority of “hits” were from the 14 volumes of the Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in War of the Revolution!! That’s rather curious!

One thousand three hundred seventy seven of them! (1,377).

Example:

Adams, Joseph, Newbury. List of men drafted from Essex Co. militia to march to Horse Neck, under Col. Cogswell; drafted to Capt. Lisle’s co.; failed to join regiment.

Luther, James 4th, Swanzey. List of men drafted from Bristol Co. militia to march to Horse Neck under command of Col. Thomas Carpenter (year not given), but who failed to join regiment; drafted from town of Swanzey; drafted into Capt. Peleg Peck’s co.

McIntire, Jesse, Charlton: List of men drafted from militia of Worcester Co. to march to Horse Neck under command of Col. Converse (year not given), but who failed to join regiment; drafted from town of Charlton; drafted into a company commanded by Capt. Abijah Lamb, of Charlton.

The names of the men were from all across the state: Rehoboth, Egremont, Amesbury, Worcester, Great Barrington. The list goes on and on. 1,377 of them!

Google: Find “failed to join regiment.”

Almost as many: perhaps 30 less….

Example on the difference:

Bass: Samuel: Braintree: Assembled June 13, 1776 with orders to march to Horse Neck and June 24, 1776, orders to march to Nantasket.

Now I had a date. And an understanding: Only a very small number of the 1,377 militia actually went to Horse Neck (Greenwich, CT.) Also, their records do not indicate that they were fined, or arrested for failure to appear. Curiously, one begins to think that the entire group was diverted. Where to? Why don’t they show up somewhere else?

Update:

September 2011:

This is a local news clipping which most logically explains what may have been going on...something which would have engaged so many of the men diverted from "Horse's Neck.."

July 16 1776 Hubbardton Military Road Belgo Valley Guided Hike

On July 16, (2011) for the first time ever, the Crown Point Road Association and Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Site are teaming up to offer an exciting guided hike to explore part of the 1776 Mount Independence-Hubbardton Military Road, southwest from the battlefield through the wooded northeast corner of Castleton in the area known as Belgo Valley and Gap. Those interested should meet at the Hubbardton Battlefield Visitor Center at 10:30 a.m.

Guiding the walk will be Crown Point Road Association president Jim Rowe and board member Thomas Hughes, also manager of the Crown Point, New York, State Historic Site. This is the 235th anniversary of the road, which was built under the September 7, 1776, order of Gen. Horatio Gates to connect the Revolutionary War fortification being constructed (July, 1776) at Mount Independence on Lake Champlain, to Hubbardton, Rutland, and Fort No. 4 in New Hampshire. Gates considered the road “so Essential to the Interest of the United States” and “the safety and protection of the inhabitants of all the Middle States of this Union.” Soldiers, ammunition, and stores used the road to reach the Mount. On the night of July 5 and 6, 1777, as the British invaded the lake, American forces withdrew from Mount Independence and Fort Ticonderoga along the road, engaging the British at the Battle of Hubbardton on July 7.

History of Northampton:

Aug 1: 1776: Hampshire: About the first of August, a company was raised for service at Boston: They were in the service four months, stationed at Dorchester. Early Dec they returned home, not having been called into action.

In September 1776, another requisition of one fifth of the MILITIA not in service was ordered to march to the aid of Gen. Washington at New York. In December 1/8th of the above drafted men were ordered to march forthwith to Albany. A regiment under Lieut.s Kirkland and Warner marched through Connecticut to the army under Washington near New York.

Capt. Wales Company, in late December, went to Peekskill, then down to Morristown NJ, Washington’s headquarters. (This is the Company William Pomeroy joined after completing the "secret" expedition.")

AND, under this same order of September 1776, Brig. Gen. Timothy Danielson of Brimfield commanded Gen. Seth Pomeroy to draft every fifth man in his regiment, under 50 years of age. They were to be formed into companies and march to Horse Neck in Connecticut. This regiment was under the command of Col. John Moseley of Westfield, and the company in which the Northampton men were enlisted, was officered by Seth Murray of Hatfield, who had a long and honorable service record. This group went to Horse Neck, CT.

Google” Find “Brig. Gen. Timothy Danielson.

Chapter 292: Legislative Records of the General Council: Mass Archives: State of MA Bay, 18 Sep 1777.

Vote accepting the resignation of Hon. Timothy Danielson as Brigadier of the Forces raised for a secret expedition:

State of MA Bay 18 Sep 1777:

Chapter 293: Appointment of Joseph Palmer as one of the Brigadiers to command forces to be raised for a secret expedition. September 19th, 1777.

Alma LaFrance, 02/08/11