12 March 2004

Newcombs in the American Revolution

Andrew Newcomb (1750 - 1781), who married Sarah Daggett 4 Dec. 1770. According to B.M. Newcomb:

That he served in the Revolutionary War is shown in the following: "A roll of Capt. Mathew Smith's co. stationed on the Isle of M.V. for the defence of the sea coast. Made up from the 15 of Jan. to the last of Feb. 1776. Andrew Newcomb private." "Said to have been Capt. of N.J. Regt. from Cumberland Co. Rev. War. Mar 1, 1776 to Jan 3, 1777." He served from 30 Sept. to 22 Nov. 1776, in John Russell's co., Maj. Bassett, guarding the seacoast of Martha's Vineyard; he also served on board a vessel of war as lieutenant. In Court of Sessions, Duke's County, May 1779, "Ordered that Andrew Newcomb receive an order on the Treasurer of the County for a cedar boat, which the British forces deprived him of, in Sept., last."

Andrew Newcomb and John Newcomb are included in the list of prisoners taken on the British vessel "Old Jersey", and church records say that Andrew died "returning from captivity". "About 8,000 names have been copied from an incomplete list of English War Records, of men confined as prisoners on board the Old Jersey Prison Ship, moored in Wallabout Bay, New York, during the Revolutionary War. It has been estimated that more than 11,000 of 11,644 persons perished on board during a period of three and a half years."


Azariah Newcomb (14 Aug 1762 - 2 Aug 1843-44) who married Rebecca Bradley 1781.

According to B.M. Newcomb:

In August 1778, at the age of fifteen or sixteen, Azariah Newcomb served six weeks as a substitute for Isaac Pardee in guarding the public stores at Sharon, Conn. He volunteered for three months in August 1780 at Salisbury, Conn., in the Company of Capt. John Perier, regiment commanded by Col. Canfield in Gen. Willis' or Wells' brigade; marched to Horse Neck, N.Y., white Plains and Bedford Hill, where he was discharged in November. In an action at Stamford, Conn., when the British forces landed from boats to burn the town, he received a sword cut on the head and a bayonet wound in the arm.

Bethuel Newcomb (17 Dec 1751 - 2 Feb 1826) who married Mabel Thomas 16 Apr 1778. He was at the battle of Bunker Hill and is listed in the DAR lineage books.

According to B.M. Newcomb:

Mr. Newcomb was a soldier in the patriot army of the Revolution. He entered the service 15 May 1775, in the Company of Capt. James Clark of Lebanon, 6th Co., Col. Israel Putnam, Third Conn. Regt., and was in the battle of Bunker Hill. He was discharged 15 Dec. 1775.

Bethuel Newcomb's account of the Battle of Bunker Hill: "I fired my gun until it became so hot I couldn't hold it; stepped past where a soldier had fallen-- caught his gun. We kept hearing someone calling 'Retreat!', but thought it was someone running away. Soon Gen. Israel Putnam came on horseback-- on a dead run, bareheaded, calling out: 'God curse you why don't you retreat. The British have almost surrounded you.' Then we turned and ran up Bunker Hill-- the grapeshot cutting down the grass between our legs as we ran. I was never wounded."

In 1776 he volunteered for three months in the Company of James Pineo, to go to New York. After leaving the service he went in search of his father, who disappeared during the war.


Bradford Newcomb (9 Nov 1747 - 1822) who married Azuba Phelps in 1769.

According to B.M. Newcomb:

Mr. Newcomb was a patriot soldier in the War of the Revolution. His sword, a very neat one, is remembered by some of his descendants now living. (This is a quote from J.B. Newcomb who wrote it around 1873.)

Daniel Newcomb (18 Nov 1741 - 9 Sep 1794) who married Irene Field in 1769. He is listed in the DAR lineage books.

According to B.B. Newcomb:

"Daniel Lieutenant, Capt. Amasa Sheldon's (4th) Co. Col. David Field's (5th Hampshire Co.) regt. of Mass. militia; list of officers chosen in said regt., dated Deerfield, April 22, 1776; Ordered in council May 3, 1776, that said officers be commissioned; reported commissioned May 3, 1776.: He also served in the same Co. "July 10, 1777 to July 20, 1777... £1: 11: 4 rec'd pay." On 27 July 1778, he was in command of a Company at Boston. He was Chairman of the Committee of Safety; in 1778 was Committee of Correspondence for Bernardston; was Collector, 1775 and 1785.

Dayton Newcomb (1762 - 1753) who married Abigail.

According to B.M. Newcomb:

Col. Dayton Newcomb served in the War of the Revolution as Second Lieutenant in Capt. Page's co., Col. Enos Seely's Battalion; also as lieutenant in First Battalion; later as captain; then as colonel. "Auditor Book B, page 1 - Lieut Daton Newcomb Regt 1 Cumberland under Brig Newcomb." "MSS. No. 3896 Cumberland Militia Daton Lieut." "Auditor Acct C... Paid to Daten Newcomb April 24, 1778 £120: 0: 0... page 154 (Book B) Officers name, Lieut Datton Newcomb, Amt. £141:7:6." "Inv. 4660 - Name - Dayton Newcomb Residence - County of Cumberland Capt. 1st Regt. Cum. Co. Militia immediately after May 1, 1776. Sergeant Richard Sayres & others of Capt Azel Pierson's company detailed to serve under him at Tindal's Island near mouth Cohansey Creek & served on guard until the end of Aug 4 mo."

American Revolution: Bethuel Newcomb, 1751-1826

From B.M. Newcomb's book:

Mr. Newcomb was a soldier in the patriot army of the Revolution. He entered the service 15 May 1775, in the Company of Capt. James Clark of Lebanon, 6th Co., Col. Israel Putnam, Third conn. Regt., and was in the battle of Bunker Hill. He was discharged 15 Dec. 1775.

Bethuel Newcomb's account of the Battle of Bunker Hill: "I fired my gun until it became so hot I couldn't hold it; stepped past where a soldier had fallen-- caught his gun. We kept hearing someone calling 'Retreat!', but thought it was someone running away. Soon Gen. Israel Putnam came on horseback-- on a dead run, bareheaded, calling out: 'God curse you why don't you retreat. The British have almost surrounded you.' Then we turned and ran up Bunker Hill-- the grapeshot cutting down the grass between our legs as we ran. I was never wounded."

In 1776 he volunteered for three months in the Company of James Pineo, to go to New York. After leaving the service he went in search of his father [Jacob Newcomb 1724-1777], who disappeared during the war.