Embedded Files
THE PATRIOT ARMY AT THE SIEGE OF BOSTON
collection of articles by Frank A. Gardner M. D. rly in The Massachusetts Magazine 1908 - 1918
KEITH ALAN BROUGH- EDITOR
Chapter Seven
COLONEL TIMOTHY WALKER’S
REGIMENT
……………
COLONEL TIMOTHY WALKER’S MINUTE MEN’S REGIMENT, 1775
TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT, ARMY OF THE UNITED COLONIES, 1775
……………
This Bristol County regiment, while not distinctly called a “Minute Men’s” regiment is entitled to be included
in a list of such as the following document on file in the Massachusetts archives will show.
“A Muster roll of Officers down in the alarm from the 19th of April 1775 to the 24th.
Men’s Names Town’s Names. Rank. Time of Service.
Timothy “Walker Rehoboth Col° 6 days £2:11:5¼
Nath 1 Leonard Taunton Major
6 do 1:14:3
Mason Shaw Raynham Adjt 6 do 15:5¼
-------------
£5:01:14
Errors Excepted Tim° Walker.”
“Middlesex fs Decemr
20, 1775.
The above named Timothy Walker made solemn Oath to the truth of the above note. Before
me Moses Gill Jus Peace thro’ the province.
Examined and compared with the original
“Committee”
S. Holton
E. Rawfon
James Moody
The above list of field officers would indicate that some of the companies from Bristol
County marched in a regimental organization under their leadership but the original company
rolls fail to state that they were a part of Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment. The officers in the
companies which made up the Provincial Regiment under Colonel Walker from April 21 to July,
as the following pages will show, were either in other regiments or in pendent companies in any
service credited to them in response to the Lexington alarm of April 19th.
The following document explains itself:
“A Muster Roll of the Field and Staff officers of Col. Timo
Walker’s Regiment.
Timothy Walker, Rehoboth, Coll. Time of Inlist. April 24.
Nath1
Leonard, Taunton L. Coll. “ “
Mason Shaw, Raynham, Adjt “ “
Jacob Fuller, Rehoboth, Q. M. “ “
Caleb Barnum, Taunton, Chapn
May 3
Daniel Parker, Norton, Surgeon, “ “
Cumfer Capron, Attleboro, Surgeon Mate, “ “
In Council April 27, 1776, Read allowed and ordered that a warrant be Drawn on the Treasy
for the sum of £2S7:10:04 in full Discharge for this Bill.
John Lowell, Depy
Secy
.”
Company officers, with the number of non-commissioned officers and men:
Captain Samuel Bliss of Rehoboth.
Lieutenant Aaron Walker of Rehoboth 48.
Ensign Joseph Allen of Rehoboth
---------------
Captain Silas Cobb of Norton.
Lieutenant Isaac Smith of Norton 56.
Second Lieutenant Isaac Fisher, of Norton
---------------
Captain John King of Raynham.
Lieutenant Noah Hill of Raynham 57.
Ensign Abraham Hathaway of Raynham
---------------
Captain Francis Luscombe of Taunton
Lieutenant Matthew Randall of Easton. 55.
Ensign Seth Pratt of Easton
---------------
Captain John Perry of Rehoboth.
Lieutenant John Paine of Rehoboth 65.
Ensign James Bucklin. Captain Peter Pitts of Dighton.
Lieutenant Zebedee Redding of Dighton 56.
Ensign Henry Briggs of Dighton
---------------
Captain Caleb Richardson of Attleborough.
Lieutenant Enoch Robinson, of Attleborough 59.
Ensign Solomon Standley, of Attleborough
---------------
Captain Oliver Soper of Taunton.
Lieutenant Simeon Cobb of Taunton 60.
Ensign Thomas Williams.
---------------
Captain Samuel Tubbs of Berkley.
Lieutenant John Shaw of Raynham. 54.
Ensign Joel Tubbs of Berkley.
---------------
Captain Macey Williams of Easton.
Lieutenant Samuel Lane of Norton. 57.
Ensign John Cook of Norton.
---------------
“Camb
23 May 1775.
In Committee of Safety
Coll Timothy Walker having satisfied this Committee that his Regiment is very near full; we
Recommend to the Congress that said Regiment be Commissioned accordingly.
Benjan
White Chairman.”
A return made on the last named date gave the number of privates as 562. The officers of the
regiment were ordered commissioned May 24, 1775, by the Provincial Congress. The regiment
was known as the 3’ 1 in the Provincial Army, May-June 1775.
June 16, 1775 the regiment was included in a list of organizations stationed “at the Camp at
Roxbury and at the several Parts to the Southward.” The following list shows the towns
represented in the various companies:
Captains.
Peter Pitts, Dighton, Taunton, Freetown, Swanzy.
Samuel Tubbs, Berkley, Freetown, Raynham, Rehoboth, Taunton, Dighton, Middleborough.
Caleb Richardson, Attleborough. Oliver Soper, Taunton, Raynham.
John Perry, Rehoboth, Easton, Taunton. Norton, Raynham, Attleborough, Dorchester.
Macey Williams, Easton, Mansfield, Taunton, Norton, Stoughtonham.
Samuel Bliss, Rehoboth, Attleborough.
Silas Cobb, Norton, Mansfield, Taunton. &c.
John King, Raynham, Taunton.
Francis Luscomb, Easton, Taunton.
After General Washington took command of the army in July, this regiment was assigned to
Brigadier General Spencer’s Brigade, Major General Ward’s Division, and continued to serve as
before in the fortifications at Roxbury. The records show that it continued in, this locality
through the year. It was known as the 22nd Regiment Army of the United Colonies, during this
period.
The strength of the regiment each month was as follows:
Date. Com. Off. Staff. Non-Coms.1
Rank and File.
July 26 4 41 491
Aug. 18, 20 4 42 442
Sept. 23, 24 4 43 432
Oct. 17, 24 5 43 418
Nov. 18, 19 5 43 406
Dec. 30, 26 5 49 406
1
Sergeants, fifers and drummers.
The officers of this regiment rose to the following grades during the war; two colonels, two
lieut. colonels, two majors, fifteen captains and six first lieutenants.
COLONEL TIMOTHY WALKER was the son of Timothy and Grace (Child) Walker and
was born in Rehoboth, July 28, 1718. He served as a Corporal in Captain Jonathan Peck’s
Company from September 29 to October 5, 1746. September 8, 1753, he was a Captain in
Colonel Thomas Bowen’s Regiment in the expedition against Crown Point. His name appears in
the Game rank in a muster roll dated February 26, 1756. In 1772 he was Major of Colonel
William Bullock’s 1st Bristol County Regiment. He served as Representative from Rehoboth in
1757-8-9. October 1, 1771, he was a member of the First Provincial Congress from Rehoboth.
He was then representative of Bristol County in the committee of thirteen (one from each county
having representatives and two from Suffolk) appointed “to consider what is necessary to be now
done for the defense and safety of the province.” Major Timothy Walker was chosen one of two
representatives from Rehoboth to the Second Provincial Congress, February 1. 1775. Colonel
Timothy Walker was chosen April 8, 1775, one of the two delegates from the Provincial
Congress “to repair to Rhode Island,” to present a resolution “informing them that we are
contemplating upon, and are determined to take effectual measures for the purpose” of “raising
and establishing an army.”
He responded to the Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775, and his name appears with that of his
major and adjutant in the list of regimental officers. April 24, 1775, he engaged to serve as
commander of a regiment in the Provincial Army which was numbered the 3d. When the
reorganization occurred in July, his regiment became the 22nd in the Army of the United Colonies.
He served in and about Roxbury through the year. May 8th he was chosen on a committee “to confer
with the committee of safety, with respect to settling the appointment of field officers and to sit forthwith.”
From the Journal of the Provincial Congress under date of July 8, 1775, we read that he was directed
“to pay what public monies he has in his hands, intothe treasury immediately, and the committee
of supplies are directed to employ some person tobe sent express to Col. Walker for that purpose.”
April 29, 1779, he was chosen by ballot in the House of Representatives to serve as a member of a
committee on fortifications. He was on duty at Tiverton, Rhode Island, from May 9, to July 5, 1779.
He was a member of the Congregational.Church at Seekonk and was greatly esteemed for his
uprightness, benevolence, hospitality and public spirit. It was his custom to go on horseback every
year and invite personally all of his children and grandchildren to the Thanksgiving festival in the
old mansion. He died December 26, 1796.
LIEUT. COLONEL NATHANIEL LEONARD of Taunton was a resident of Kingston in
1756 and an Ensign in Lieutenant Nathaniel Cooke’s Company from November 11 to December
5 of that year. In the following year his name appears as Quartermaster in a list of troopers under
Captain Joshua Learoyd in Colonel Ephraim Leonard’s 3d Bristol County Regiment. He served
as Cornet in Captain George Godfrey’s Troop of Horse in the same regiment under Colonel
Samuel White in 1762, and as Captain of a Troop of Horse in the same regiment under Colonel
George Leonard in 1771. He responded to the Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775, as Major of
Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment, and April 21th became Lieut. Colonel of Colonel Walker’s
Regiment in the Provincial Army. He continued this service in the Army of the United Colonies
through the year.
MAJOR ABIEL MITCHELL of Easton was a resident of Hanover in 1755, and served as
Corporal in the company under the joint command of Captain Thomas Mitchell and Captain
James House from June 19 to December 17. In July 1771, he was Lieutenant in Captain Eliphalet
Leonard Jr’s 2nd Easton Company, Colonel George Leonard’s 3d Bristol County Regiment. He
was engaged as Major of Colonel Timothy Walker’s Provincial Regiment, April 24, 1775, and
served through the year under the same commander. February 7, 1776, he was commissioned
First Major in Colonel George Williams’s 3d Bristol County Regiment. His name appears as
Major of Colonel John Daggett’s Regiment, December 20, 1776. In April, 1777, he was Major of
Colonel Josiah Whitney’s Regiment for Rhode Island service. He was Colonel of the Third
Bristol County Regiment in 1779 and in the following year served in Rhode Island from July to
October, as Colonel of a regiment detached from the Bristol County Militia.
ADJUTANT MASON SHAW of Raynham was a member of Captain Philip King’s
Company of that town according to an alarm list dated April 7, 1757. He was a Corporal in
Captain Thomas Cobb’s Company from April 25 to December 14 (probably 1759) serving at
Crown Point. He was Adjutant of Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment on the Lexington alarm,
April 19, 1775, and continued under the same commander through the year. His name appears as
Adjutant of Colonel George Williams’s 3d Bristol County Regiment, December, 1776. He also
held the same rank in that regiment under Lieut. Colonel James Williams in August, 1780, in the
Rhode Island service.
QUARTERMASTER JACOB FULLER of Rehoboth served as a private in Captain Obadiah
Read’s Company in April, 1757. April 24, 1775, he was engaged as Quartermaster of Colonel
Timothy Walker’s Regiment in the Provincial Army and he continued to serve under that
commander through the year. January 23, 1776, he was chosen Quartermaster of Colonel Jacob
French’s Regiment and served until April 1st. He was Second Lieutenant of Captain Carpenter’s
Company in Colonel Simeon Cary’s Regiment for five months to December, 1776, and
Quartermaster of the Regiment for at least a considerable portion of that time. From April 20, to
May 13, 1777, he was a Lieutenant in Captain Peleg Shearman’s Company, Colonel John
Hathaway’s Bristol County Regiment, and from the latter date to July 5, 1777, Lieutenant in
Captain Nathaniel Carpenter’s Company in Colonel Josiah Whitney’s Regiment. April 20. 1778,
he was engaged as Captain in Colonel John Jacob’s Light Infantry Regiment, and served until the
expiration of his term of service, January 1, 1779.
CHAPLAIN CALEB BARNUM was born in Danbury. Connecticut, and is believed to have
been the son of Thomas and Deborah Barnum. He was installed over the church in Taunton,
February 2, 1709. He is said to have been a graduate of Princeton. The degree of Master of Arts
was conferred upon him by Harvard and Princeton in 1768. May 3, 1775, he was engaged as
Chaplain in Colonel Timothy Walker’s Provincial Regiment and served over three months at
least and probably through the year. January 1, 1776, he became Chaplain of Colonel Loammi
Baldwin’s 26th Continental Regiment, and February 22, 1776, was assigned to serve as Chaplain
in Colonel John Greaton’s 24th Continental Regiment also, as the army possessed an insufficient
number of chaplains to allow one to each regiment. He went with his regiment to New York and
from there to Canada. When the army returned to Ticonderoga he was taken sick and after much
suffering was permitted to start for home. He died in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, August 26, 1776.
Emery in his “Ministry of Taunton,” states that; “His appearance was commanding, his
deportment dignified, and his manners pleasing and affable, uniting the paternal mildness of the
clergyman with the grace and polish of the gentleman.”
SURGEON DANIEL PARKER of Norton, the son of Rev. Jonathan Parker of Plympton,
was born about 1750. He was in Norton as early as 1773, and during most of the time of his
residence in that town lived on the farm later owned by Benjamin Blandin. He was engaged May
3, 1775, as Surgeon of Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment, serving through the year. June 18,
1776, he was engaged as Surgeon of the State brigantine “Freedom,” commanded by Captain
John Clouston. A full account of his service on that vessel has been given in the Massachusetts
Magazine, volume II, pp. 901-4. It is stated that after the war he was commissioned Surgeon of a
militia regiment. He died September 26, 1826, aged seventy-six.
SURGEON’S MATE COMFORT CAPRON of Attleborough, the son of Jonathan and
Rebecca (Morse) Capron, was born March 18, 1743. He was a private in Captain Lemuel Bent’s
Company from June 13, to December 28, (probably 1761). May 3, 1775, he enlisted as
Surgeon’s Mate in Colonel Timothy Walker’s Provincial Regiment and served into August and
probably longer. January 13, 1778, he was engaged as Surgeon in Colonel John Daggett’s
Regiment, and served until his discharge on April 1, of that year. He was “Doctor’s Mate” in
Colonel Abiel Mitchell’s 3d Bristol County Regiment July 13, to October 31, 1780.
CAPTAIN SAMUEL BLISS of Rehoboth was a Corporal in Captain Obadiah Read’s
Company, entering service August 16, 1757. He commanded a company which marched from
Rehoboth on the Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775. May 24, he was commissioned a Captain in
Colonel Timothy Walker’s Provincial Regiment and served under that commander through the
year.
CAPTAIN SILAS COBB of Norton was Captain of a Company from that town, in Colonel
John Daggett’s Regiment, which marched on the Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775. Four days
later he was engaged as a Captain in Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment and served under him
through the year. February 27, 1776, he was a Captain in Colonel Jacob French’s Regiment
stationed at Winter Hill. He was a Captain in Colonel Danforth Keyes’s Regiment, June 27 1777,
and September 18. 1780, was chosen Second Major of Colonel Isaac Dean’s 4th Bristol County
Regiment. November 27, 1780 he was chosen Muster Master for Bristol County.
CAPTAIN JOHN KING of Raynham saw service first as a private in Colonel Gilbert’s 2nd
Bristol County Regiment in September, 1756. In April of the following year he was in Captain
Philip King’s Company. From March 30 to November 21, 1758, he was a Sergeant in Captain
Jonathan Eddy’s Company, Colonel Thomas Doty’s Regiment. In 1759 his residence was given
as Norton and from May 12, to December 15, of that year he was Ensign in Captain Nathan
Hodges Company on the Crown Point expedition. April 24, 1775, he was engaged as Captain in
Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment and served through the year.
CAPTAIN FRANCIS LUSCOMB (town not given) held that rank in Colonel Timothy
Walker’s Regiment, his name appearing on a return of rations between June 11, and August 2,
1775.
CAPTAIN JOHN PERRY of Rehoboth may have been the “John Perry” of Pembroke in
Captain Samuel Thaxter’s Company from March 10 to November 17, 1757. He commanded an
independent company of Minute Men which marched from Rehoboth on the Lexington alarm of
April 19, 1775. Nine days later lie was engaged as Captain in Colonel Timothy Walker’s
Regiment and served in that command through the year. He may have been the Captain John
Perry who was in Colonel Abiel Mitchell’s Regiment from July 13 to October 30, 1780.
CAPTAIN PETER PITTS of Dighton was a Sergeant in Captain Joseph Hall’s Taunton
Company, April 6, 1757. He was a Lieutenant in Captain John Richmond’s 2nd Dighton
Company, Colonel Thomas Gilbert’s 2nd Bristol County Regiment, in July, 1771. April 24,
1775, he was engaged as a Captain in Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment and served through
the year.
CAPTAIN CALEB RICHARDSON of Attleborough was the son of Stephen and Hannah
(Coy) Richardson. He was born in Attleborough July 7, 1739, (new style). He was a member of
Captain Joseph Capron’s Company of Attleborough Militia, April 8, 1757. He was engaged
April 24, 1775, as a Captain in Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment and served through the
year. In July 1778, he was a Captain in Colonel John Daggett’s 4th Bristol County Regiment and
led a detachment from that command to join the Continental Army at New York. June 27, 1777,
he was engaged as Captain in Colonel Danforth Keyes’s Regiment and in the following year held
the same rank in Colonel John Jacob’s Light Infantry Regiment, for three months and fifteen
days. March 25, 1779, he entered service in the same rank in Colonel John Hathaway’s 2nd
Bristol County Regiment and was with that command twenty-one days in Rhode Island. From
July 13 to October 31, 1780, he was a Captain in Colonel Abiel Mitchell’s 3d Bristol County
Regiment. He represented Attleborough in the Legislature in 1789 and served on the
Attleborough board of selectmen in the following year.
CAPTAIN OLIVER SOPER of Taunton served as a private in Captain Dean’s Company,
Colonel Ephraim Leonard’s Regiment, which marched for the relief of Fort William Henry,
August, 1757. He was also a member of Captain Philip Walker’s Company, Colonel “Dote’s”
Regiment in 1758. April 24, 1775, he was engaged as a Captain in Colonel Timothy Walker’s
Regiment and served through the year. January 1, 1776, he became a Captain in Colonel Joseph
Read’s 13th, Continental Regiment and remained in that command through the year.
CAPTAIN SAMUEL TUBBS JUNIOR of Berkley, at the age of twenty years, enlisted April
3, 1759, in Colonel Ezra Richmond’s Regiment. He was engaged April 24, 1775, as a Captain in
Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment and served through the year. In February 1770, he was a
Captain in Colonel Jacob French’s Regiment at Winter Hill. He served as Major of Colonel Gamaliel
Bradford’s 1st Plymouth County Regiment, in November 1776, and from January 1,
1777 to October 15, [1778] held the same rank under the same commander in the 14th Regiment
Massachusetts Line. He furloughed on the latter date and did not return to the army.
CAPTAIN MACEY WILLIAMS of Easton may have been the man of that name, at that time
a resident of Bridgewater, who served as clerk in Captain Joseph Washburn’s Company, from
September 15 to December 22, (probably 1755), on an expedition to Crown Point. He
undoubtedly was the Ensign Macey Williams who served in Captain Zephaniah Keith’s 1st
Easton Company, Colonel George Leonard’s 3d Bristol County Regiment, in July 1771, and was
promoted in that month to First Lieutenant. He was Captain of an independent company of
Minute Men from Easton, which responded to the Lexington alarm of April 19, 1775, and ten
days later was engaged as Captain in Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment. He served through
the year in that command. His name appears later as Captain and “Chairman of a class, of the
town of Easton to serve in the Continental Army for the term of 3 years.”
FIRST LIEUTENANT SIMEON COBB of Taunton was a private in Captain Thomas Cobb’s
Company, on a Crown Point expedition from April 25 to November 2, 1759 (probably). At that
time he resided in Norton. April 24, 1775, he was engaged as a Lieutenant in Colonel Timothy
Walker’s Regiment and served through the year. According to a payroll dated December 20,
1775, he commanded a detachment from Taunton for four days. April 5, 1776, he was
commissioned First Lieutenant of Captain Ichabod Leonard’s 6th (Taunton) Company Colonel
George William’s 3d Bristol County Regiment. He was engaged August 14, 1779, as First
Lieutenant in the 3d Regiment in Brigadier General Godfrey’s Brigade, said regiment being
under the command of Captain Commandant Samuel Fisher. The service consisted of one month
and two days at Rhode Island. In the original files in the State Archives in connection with this
service he is given the rank of Captain.
FIRST LIEUTENANT NOAH HALL of Raynham was the son of John and Mary Hall. He
was a. farmer and engaged in business in Taunton. He was engaged April 24, 1775, as a
Lieutenant in Captain John King’s Company, Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment and served
through the year. His name appears as a Captain in Colonel Jacob French’s Regiment at Winter
Hill, February 27, 1776. Later in that year he held the same rank in Colonel Aaron Willard’s
Regiment at Ticonderoga. He again served as Captain in August 1780, in Colonel Abiel
Mitchell’s 3d Bristol County Regiment (commanded by Lieut. Colonel James Williams) at
Rhode Island. He commanded a company from Raynham at the time of Shay’s rebellion. He
removed to Goldsboro, Maine, where he died May 6, 1835, aged 94 years.
LIEUTENANT SAMUEL LANE of Norton was the son of Ephraim .and Ruth (Shepperson)
Lane. He was a private in the 1st Company of Norton, commanded by Major George Leonard Jr.,
April 9, 1757. He was a hotel keeper in Norton from 1762 to 1777. He responded to the
Lexington alarm of April 19, 1775, as Second Lieutenant in Captain Benjamin Morey’s
Company Colonel John Daggett’s Regiment. April 29, he was engaged as Lieutenant in Captain
Macey Williams’s Company, Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment, and served through the year.
It is stated in the “Lane Family” that he also served as Lieutenant in Captain George
Makepeace’s Company, June 24, 1776, around Boston and in Rhode Island.
LIEUTENANT JOHN PAINE of Rehoboth may have been the man of that name who was in
Captain Cary’s Company, Colonel Doty’s Regiment, in December, 1758, “on return from
Westward.” He was a Lieutenant in Captain John Perry’s Rehoboth Company of Minute Men,
which responded to the Lexington alarm of April 19, 1775. April 28 he engaged to serve in the
same rank under the same company commander in Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment and
remained in that company through the year. He was a Captain in Colonel Jacob French’s
Regiment, February 27, 1776, and June 26 of that year was commissioned Major of Colonel
Simeon. Cary’s Regiment. He served in the regiment in General John Fellow’s Brigade in the
campaign around New York. May 8, 1777, he was commissioned Lieut. Colonel of Colonel
Danforth Keyes’s Regiment.
LIEUTENANT ZEBEDEE REDDING of Dighton was engaged April 24, 1775, as
Lieutenant in Captain Peter Pitts’s Company, Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment, and served
through the year. He served as a Captain in Colonel Josiah Whitney’s Regiment at Hull from the
spring of 1776 at least through November. January 1, 1777, he became a Captain in Colonel
Gamaliel Bradford’s 14th Regiment, Massachusetts Line, and served until October 4, 1780,
when he was reported as resigned.
LIEUTENANT MATTHEW RANDELL (RANDEL etc.) of Boston was engaged as
Lieutenant in Captain Francis Luscomb’s Company, Col Timothy Walker’s Regiment, April 24,
1775, and served through the year. February 27. 1776, he was a Captain in Colonel Jacob
French’s Regiment. May 13, of that year he was engaged to serve in the same rank in Colonel
Thomas Marshall’s Regiment. He was also a Captain in Colonel George William’s 3d Bristol
County Regiment from December 7, 1776 to January 1, 1777. January 1, 1778, he was engaged
to serve as Captain in Colonel John Daggett’s Regiment until April 1, 1778. He was appointed a
Captain in Colonel Abiel Mitchell’s 3d Bristol County Regiment, July 13, 1780, and discharged
October 31st following.
LIEUTENANT ENOCH ROBINSON of Attleborough was a private in Captain Joseph
Capron’s Attleborough Company, April 8, 1757. He was Second Lieutenant of Captain Jabez
Ellis’s Attleborough Company of Minute Men and marched in response to the Lexington alarm
of April 19, 1775. April 24, 1775, he was engaged as a Lieutenant in Captain Caleb Richardson
Company, Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment, and served through the year. He was
commissioned March 21, 1776, First Lieutenant in Captain Elisha May’s Company, Colonel
John Daggett’s 4th Bristol County Regiment. In January 1777, he held the same rank in Captain
Abiel Clapp’s Company, in the same regiment. From April 21 to May 15, 1777 he was a
Lieutenant in Captain Stephen Richardson’s Company. In July-August of that year he was a
Lieutenant in Captain Abiel Clapp’s Company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter’s 1st Bristol County
Regiment. July 29, 1778, he was engaged for six weeks service as a Lieutenant in Captain
Samuel Robinson’s Company, Colonel Josiah Whitney’s Regiment. He was commissioned July
31, 1779, Captain of the 6th Company in Colonel Isaac Dean’s 4th Bristol County Regiment.
From August 12, to September 11, 1779 he was Captain in a regiment under Captain Samuel
Fisher, Commandant, engaged in the Rhode Island service. He served again in Colonel Isaac
Dean’s Regiment from July 31 to August 8, 1780, at Rhode Island.
LIEUTENANT JOHN SHAW of Raynham was a centinel in Captain Thomas Cobb’s
Company, from June 17 to September 11, 1754. He also served in a campaign at Lake George,
from April 10. 1758 until November 25, 1758. He was engaged April 24, 1775 as a Lieutenant in
Captain Samuel Tubbs Jun’s Company, Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment, and served
through the year. His commission as First Lieutenant in Captain Jonathan Shaw’s Company,
Colonel George William’s 3d Bristol County Regiment, was ordered April 13, 1776. He was
with that command during the year, going on an alarm to Rhode Island as late as December. In
1777, he was a Lieutenant in Captain Wilbore’s Company, Colonel John Hathaway’s Bristol
County Regiment. He served as a Lieutenant in command of a detachment at Slade’s Ferry.
Rhode Island, and in October, 1777, we find record of service as Captain in command of a
detachment of Colonel George William’s Regiment. In August 1778, he commanded a company
in Colonel Jacob Gerrish’s Regiment of Guards at Cambridge and continued that service until
December 14 of that year. In 1780 and 1781, he commanded a company in Colonel Abiel
Mitchell’s Regiment, under the command of Lieut. Colonel James Williams.
LIEUTENANT ISAAC SMITH of Norton may have been the same man, who as a resident
of Taunton, served in Captain William Arbuthnott’s Company from March 21 to November 17,
1757. He was engaged April 23, 1775, as a Lieutenant in Captain Silas Cobb’s Company,
Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment, and served through the year.
LIEUTENANT AARON WALKER was the son of Peter and Mary (Child) Walker and a
nephew of Colonel Timothy Walker, the commander of this regiment. He was born Rehoboth,
October 19. 1728. He was a private in Captain Obadiah Read’s Company, which marched from
Rehoboth August 17, 1757, to the relief of Fort William Henry. In 1772 he served as First
Lieutenant of Captain Joshua Smith’s Troop of Horse, Colonel William Bullock’s 1st Bristol
County Regiment. He was Lieutenant of Captain Samuel Bliss’s Company which marched in
response to the Lexington alarm call of April 19, 1775. On the 28th of the month he engaged for
further service under the same officers and continued actively engaged until his death from camp
fever at Roxbury, October 19, 1775.
SECOND LIEUTENANT ISAAC FISHER of Norton, son of Eleazer Fisher, was born about
1742. He was a private in Captain Jonathan E Company and saw service in Nova Scotia from
March 28. 1759 to September 30, 1760. He was a private in Captain Lemuel Bent’s Company
June 13 to December 28, 1761. He was a Sergeant in Captain Benjamin Morey’s Company,
Colonel John Daggett’s Regiment, which marched on the Lexington alarm April 19, 1775. Four
days later he was engaged as Second Lieutenant in Captain Silas Cobb’s Company, Colonel
Timothy Walker’s Regiment, and served through the year. He was First Lieutenant in Captain
Zebedee Redding’s Company, Colonel Josiah Whitney’s Regiment at Hull, from April 11 to
December 1, 1776.
ENSIGN JOSEPH ALLEN of Rehoboth held that rank in Captain Samuel Bliss’s Company,
which marched from Rehoboth on the Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775. He engaged to serve
under the same commander in Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment, April 28, and served
through the year.
ENSIGN HENRY BRIGGS of Dighton “enlisted” in that rank in Captain Peter Pitts
Company, Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment, April 24, 1775, and served through the year.
March 26, 1776, he was commissioned First Lieutenant in Captain Samuel Tubb’s Company,
Colonel Jacob French’s Regiment, and served at Winter Hill.
ENSIGN JAMES BUCKLIN of Rehoboth held that rank in Captain John Perry’s Company
of Minute Men which marched from Rehoboth, on the Lexington alarm of April 19, 1775. He
enlisted under the same officers April 28, 1775, and served as Ensign through the year.
ENSIGN JOHN COOK of Norton was a private in Captain Nathan Hodges’s Company, from
April 27 to December 14, 1759. May 24, 1775, his commission was ordered as Ensign in Captain
Macey Williams’s Company, Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment, and he served through the
year.
ENSIGN ABRAHAM HATHAWAY of Raynham was a private in Captain Job Williams’s
Company, from November 18 (probably 1761) to June 30 (probably 1762), residing at that time
in Berkley. He was engaged as Ensign in Captain John King’s Company, Colonel Timothy
Walker’s Regiment, April 24, 1775, and served through the year. ENSIGN SETH PRATT of Easton,
the son of James and Martha (Willis) Pratt, was born in Easton. November 21, 1738. April 7, 1757,
he was a private in Captain Eliphalet Leonard’s Company. He was engaged as Ensign in
Captain Francis Luscomb’s Company, Colonel TimothyWalker’s Regiment, April 24, 1775,
and served through the year. In April 1776, he was commissioned First Lieutenant in
Captain Matthew Randell’s Company, Colonel George Williams’s 3d Bristol County Regiment.
In the following December and January he served underthe same officers at Rhode Island.
A roll dated November 5, 1777, shows that he was at that timea Lieutenant in Captain Ebenezer
Dean’s Company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter’s 1st Bristol
County Regiment, in service at Rhode Island. In July, 1778, he held the same rank in Captain
Ichabod Leonard’s Company, also in Colonel Thomas Carpenter’s Regiment. He was a Captain
in Lieut. Colonel James Williams’s Regiment from August 2 to 10, 1780, at Rhode Island.
ENSIGN SOLOMON STANDLEY (or STANLEY) of Attleborough was a private in
Captain Jabez Ellis’s Attleborough Company of Minute Men and Militia, which marched on the
Lexington alarm of April 10, 1775. Six days later he was engaged as Ensign in Captain Caleb
Richardson’s Company, Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment. He served through the year.
ENSIGN JOEL TUBBS of Berkley held that rank in Captain Samuel Tubbs Jr’s Company,
Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment. He was engaged for that service April 24, 1775, and
served through the year.
ENSIGN THOMAS WILLIAMS of Taunton, son of Isaac Williams, was born about 1741.
He was a private in Captain Thomas Cobb’s Company, from April 24 to December 14, (1759,
probably). In the following year he was in Captain Daniel Reed’s Company, (commanded by
Captain Jonathan Shores). From May 18 to November 17, 1761, he was a Corporal in
Captain Job Williams’s Company, and a Sergeant from November 18, 1761 to June 30, 1762.
His name appears in a list of officers dated May 23, 1775, as Ensign in Captain Oliver Soper’s Company
Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment. He served through the year. January 1, 1776, he became
First Lieutenant in Captain Oliver Soper’s Company, Colonel Joseph Read’s 13th Continental
Regiment, and served until June 2, 1776, when he was cashiered for several offences.* He was
Second Lieutenant in Captain Josiah Crocker’s Company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter’s 1st
Bristol County Regiment, at Rhode Island in July-September, 1778. He died May 13, 1828.
General Orders, 8 September 1775
General Orders, 8 September 1775
General Orders
General Orders
Head Quarters, Cambridge, Sept. 8th 1775
Parole Edington1
Countersign Falkland
Capt. Perry of Col. Walkers regiment, tried at a General Court Martial, whereof Col. Alden was president for “permitting persons to pass the Lines on Boston Neck,” is found guilty of the Crimes laid to his charge; but from alleviating Circumstances, is sentenced only to be severely reprimanded at the head of his regiment—The General approves the sentence, and orders it to be put in execution accordingly.2
The Detachment going under the Command of Col. Arnold, to be forthwith taken off the Roll of duty, and to march this evening to Cambridge Common; where Tents, and every thing necessary, is provided for their reception—The rifle Company at Roxbury, and those from Prospect-hill, to march early to morrow Morning to join the above detachment:3 Such Officers & men as are taken from Genl Green’s brigade, for the above detachment, are to attend the Muster of their respective regiments to morrow morning at seven ’OClock, upon Prospect-hill, when the Muster is finished, they are forthwith to rejoin the Detachment at Cambridge.
Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Artemas Ward’s orderly book reads “Parole Edentown” (MHi: Ward Papers).
2. Capt. John Perry was probably a resident of Rehobeth, Mass., the town in which his regimental commander Col. Timothy Walker (1718–1796) lived. Walker represented Rehobeth in the first and second provincial congresses and became colonel of one of the colony’s regiments in late May 1775. He remained in the Continental army until the end of this year. Ichabod Alden (1739–1778) of Duxbury was lieutenant colonel of Col. Theophilus Cotton’s Massachusetts regiment at this time. In November 1776 Alden became colonel of the 7th Massachusetts Regiment, and he served in that position until his death two years later in the fighting at Cherry Valley.
3. Capt. Daniel Morgan’s rifle company came from Roxbury. Captains William Hendricks and Matthew Smith were the commanders of the two rifle companies from Prospect Hill.
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