Happy 4th of July. On July 4, 1990, I was nearly 16 and I had the chicken pox. I passed the long itchy days in preparation H and with a book in hand. My mom introduced me to a series by Elswyth Thane. The first series, Dawn's Early Light, fueled my love as an American.
Taking a break from BBQ's and fireworks, I reflect upon my ancestors who served in the Revolutionary War. My family's roots run deep in this land.
On my Rigby's side, (paternal grandfather) John Woodbury (1752-1821 )"John enlisted in the continental army on 14 June 1777, the same day that the Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the flag of the United States. "Woodbury fought in the Battle of Saratoga, the turning point of the Revolutionary War. He was with Colonel Bigelow's regiment which ferried troops across the Delaware prior to the Battle of Trenton. Woodbury served under General George Washington command at Valley Forge.
Of this service, "General George Washington “To see men without clothes to cover their nakedness, without blankets to lay on, without shoes by which their marches might be traced by the blood from their feet, and almost as often without provisions as with; marching through frost and snow and at Christmas taking up their winter quarters within a day’s march of the enemy, without a house or hut to cover them till they could be built, and submitting to it without a murmur is a mark of patience and obedience which in my opinion can scarce be paralleled."
Further research revealed that Irishman, John Leany Sr. (paternal grandfather) was the first to land in (1734-1823) in America . He settled in Pennsylvania. Ready to fight for justice, John enlisted in the Pennsylvanian Provincial. It was here he served under General George Washington at Braddock's Defeat (1755). When the Revolutionary War broke out, he served three years and when his father (John T. Laney 1715-1789) then 64 was drafted into war, he took his place and served for another three years. John served at the battle of Cowpens (1781) and then in the Battle of Gilford Courthouse (1781), and was with Washington when General Cornwallace surrendered at Yorktown. After the war, he moved his family to York District, South Carolina.
My Paternal Grandfather's line: Max Dickson Weaver
Luke Flint (1752-1837) Revolutionary War- served at Lexington and Concord as a minuteman. In 177 he served three years as a Private in Connecticut. He marched to Peekskill, West Point, N.Y. and then south to New Jersey. He fought at White Plains and then was wounded at Dobb's Ferry. His service continued in the War for Independence until December 1780.
Captain Joseph Oliver Goodridge- minuteman at Lexington, Bunker Hill, and the siege of Boston- served as a Captain due to his bravery and courage
Abel Garner (1763-1840)- Massachusetts Soldier- In Abel's own words, he says, “I served my country, in 1778, in Rhode Island, for a period of 8 months, in Captain Lemuel Woods Company; and in 1780 served 6 months at West Point; and also in New Jersey, in the 14th regiment of the Massachusetts Line.” When he was 18, the Revolutionary War started and he went from Abbington, Massachusetts, where he enlisted as a private on the 13th of July 1781. He enlisted for a term of 3 years, under the Continental Establishment, and joined his Regiment at West Point, New York and enrolled in the 5th Company, commanded by Captain Zebulon King, in the 7th Regiment, in the Massachusetts Line, commanded by Lieutenant colonel John Brooks, in General Glover's Brigade. Abel faithfully served his country until the end of the war in 1783, but did not get his discharge until January 1784. This discharge was given to him at West Point, with a verbal order from another officer to draw 3 more days provisions at a place called Lytchfield or Springfield, on his way home. Evidently he had a long way to hike in order to reach home."
Paternal Grandmother's side- Ruth Mabel Stoddard (Kimball) Weaver
Ariel Murdock (1752-1803)-He enlisted as "of Lebanon" in Throop's company of the First Regiment, Connecticut Line, April 9, 1777, being discharged April 9, 1780. The regiment was attached to Washington's army, being engaged in the battles of Germantown and Monmouth, and wintered at Valley Forge, 1777-8.
Aaron Slade (1751-1808)- enlisted January 30, 1776