26 January 2012

Simon Newcomb c. 1735 - 1821

From B.M. Newcomb's book:

"Simon, Private Capt. Joseph Smith's Co. enlisted Feb 17, 1776 service to Feb. 19, 1776 in defense of seacoast; roll dated Truro and sworn to at Eastham, also same Co. service from May 31, 1776 to Nov. 22, 1776. 5 mo. 22 days Co. sta. at Truro for defense of seacoast." He served under Washington in battle with Cornwallis.

12 January 2012

Silas Newcomb 1723-1779

From biographical sources:

Silas Newcomb served as Lieutenant in the Quebec Campaign of the French War, 1758-1759. He was appointed by the governor as one of the officers to command a regiment at Perth Amboy, N.J., on 28 Mar. 1759. Silas Newcomb was Colonel of the First Battalion of Cumberland Co., New Jersey Militia, 14 Jun 1776. He commanded a battalion of General Heard's Brigade, New Jersey Militia, at the Battle of Long Island, 28 Aug. 1776. He was promoted to Colonel of the First Battalion, Second Establishment, New Jersey Continental Line, 28 Nov. 1776, and was commissioned Brigadier-General of the New Jersey Militia, 15 Mar. 1777.

On 10 Aug 1777, Brigadier-General Silas Newcomb writes General Washington at Neshaminy Camp, Penn., that he is assembling his militia. On 11 Aug. 1777, General Washington, then near the Cross Roads, writes Brigadier-General Newcomb, New Jersey, requesting militia for Red Bank.

On 20 Aug. 1777, Brigadier-General Silas Newcomb writes General George Washington at Neshaminy Camp, requesting permission to march his detachment home; he at that time was at Woodbury, N.J.

On 10 Oct. 1777, Alexander Hamilton writes to Brigadier-General Silas Newcomb, requesting militia for Red Bank. On 15 Oct. 1777, General Washington write Brigadier-General Newcomb and orders him to reinforce Red Bank and hold the place to the last extremity. On 22 Oct. 1777, General Washington writes Brigadier-General Silas Newcomb regarding operations against Fort Mifflin and Red Bank, reinforcements of militia, supplies, etc. On 29 Oct. 1777, David Forman, near Red Bank, N.J., writes General Washington at Whiteplain of his attempt to assemble militia, "weather and Brigadier-General Silas Newcomb's obstinacy retarding."

General Silas Newcomb was in command of a force detailed to guard Delaware Bay and to prevent any landing of English forces there. Their services were commemorated and their names perpetuated by the state of New Jersey through the efforts of the Daughters of the American Revolution. A beautiful granite and marble tablet, with the names of Brigadier-General Silas Newcomb, Colonel Isaac Preston, and other officers that were in command of the colonial forces, marks the historic spot.

On 4 Dec. 1777, General Newcomb resigned his commission.

06 January 2012

Robert Newcomb b. 25 Sep 1759

From B.M. Newcomb's book:

He served in the Revolutionary War. "Robert, private, Captain John Lane's Company, Col. Foster's Regiment, enlisted 12 Jan. 1776, discharged 15 Feb. 1776, service 1 mo. 3 days, Company stationed at Cape Ann for defense of seacoast." In the casualties of the Battle of Long Island, 28 Aug. 1776, reported missing, Robert Newcomb, drummer, Col. Huntington's Regiment, 17th Continental, 1776; he was taken prisoner and never heard from afterwards; he was unmarried and perhaps died while a prisoner. "Robert, private, Captain Daniel Gidding's Company, Col. Foster's Regiments, service from 29 Feb. 1776 to date of discharge, 18 Nov. 1776, 8 mo. 18 da., Company stationed at Gloucester for defense of seacoast."

02 January 2012

Norma Newcomb and Lester/Leslie Clarke

Norma Newcomb (1891-1987) was the daughter of Amelia Elizabeth (Ziemer) and Nelson Ozro Newcomb. B.M. Newcomb said she married Lester Clark, but cemetery and census records indicate his name was Leslie Clarke (1889-1968).