John Priest (1746 - abt. 1786)

Born 1746 in Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Ancestors

Husband of Lucy (Vickery) Cook — married 17 Feb 1780 in Ridgefield, Fairfield, Connecticut, United States

Descendants

Died about 1786 at about age 40 in Massachusetts, United States

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Corporal John Priest served with 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, Continental Army during the American Revolution.

Biography

John Priest was born about 1746 in Lancaster, Worcester, Province of Massachusetts Bay. He was the son of Joseph Priest and Elizabeth Atkinson. He was baptized on 8 Dec 1754 with his parents and his siblings (Benjamin, Susannah, Abigail, Joseph, Sarah and Eleazor) when his parents were received into the church at Lancaster.^[1]

John married Lucy Vickery on 17 Feb 1780 in Ridgefield, Fairfield, Connecticut.^[2] They had met the previous fall when John was billeted with his troops at her father's house in Ridgefield.^[3] Following their marriage, John returned to active duty until the conclusion of the war, but he visited her whenever he was on furlough.

Three children were born to them at Ridgefield: Hannah, Benjamin and an unnamed child who passed away in infancy.^[3] They did not have any other children together.

John returned to live with Lucy in Ridgefield, Connecticut after his discharge from service in the summer of 1783. He spent about 18 months with Lucy and their children in her father's home before deciding that he would like to return to Massachusetts to be near his family.^[3]

In 1786, John left Connecticut for his father's home in Massachusetts. He had planned to establish a home in Massachusetts for his wife and children, but he died before he was able to send for them. John's widow, Lucy (Vickery) Priest, was notified of John's passing about a year later, by his brother, Eleazor Priest.^[3]

Although, Eleazor had asked Lucy to return to Massachusetts with him. Lucy and her children remained with her father, Benjamin Vickery. They ultimately relocated with Benjamin Vickery to Nassau, Rensselaer, New York, where Lucy remarried and spent the remainder of her life.^[3]

Revolutionary War

John enlisted as a Private in Colonel Elisha Sheldon's 2nd Regiment of Light Dragoons on 23 May 1777, for the duration of the war. He eventually became a Corporal in this regiment. John was identified as a farmer from Lancaster, Massachusetts; 5'5" tall with dark hair, dark eyes and a dark complexion.^[3]

Research Notes

Charles Francis Wyman^[4] obtained SAR membership based upon this John Priest's service record. However, his grandfather was John Priest, who served as a Private in Captain John Hartwell's company.^[5] Charles Francis Wyman's grandfather, John Priest, was this John Priest's nephew.

Sources

1. ↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FZKT-3R4 : 10 February 2018), John Priest, ; citing , ; FHL microfilm 0547550 IT 1.
2. ↑ Bailey, Frederick W. Early Connecticut Marriages as Found on Ancient Church Records Prior to 1800. United States: Bureau of American ancestry, 1898; page 89. Digital Images: Google Books. Accessed 3 Jan 2023. Marriage Record
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5} Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs; 1773-2007. Case Files of Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Based on Revolutionary War Service, ca. 1800-ca.1912. Application W. 16539 John Priest, Connecticut. Citing National Archives and Records Administration. Digital Images: Digital Public Library of America. Accessed 3 Jan 2023. Lucy Cook, Widow of John Priest, Pension Application File
4. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images Find A Grave: Memorial #142116301, memorial page for Charles Francis Wyman (16 May 1836–29 Nov 1906), Find a Grave Memorial ID 142116301, citing Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA; Maintained by Jacki Earp, Weymouth, Massachusetts (contributor 47755371).
5. ↑ Kimball, Herbert Wood. Massachusetts Society of the Sons of the American Revolution; Register of Members. The Society, 1910. Digital Images: Google Books. Accessed 3 Jan 2023. John Priest in Captain Hartwell's Company

• "United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGXT-SKJ6 : 15 March 2018), John Priest, 22 Mar 1777; citing 22 Mar 1777, United States, citing NARA microfilm publication M246. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Services, 1980. FHL microfilm 830,394.

• "Massachusetts, Revolutionary War, Index Cards to Muster Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGVW-NZPL : 19 February 2021), John Priest, 22 Mar 1777; citing Military Service, Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm.

• "United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGXR-T88T : 15 March 2018), Jno Priest, 23 May 1777; citing 23 May 1777, United States, citing NARA microfilm publication M246. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Services, 1980. FHL microfilm 830,394.

• "Massachusetts, Revolutionary War, Index Cards to Muster Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGVW-NZPG : 19 February 2021), John Priest, 23 May 1777; citing Military Service, Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm.

• "Massachusetts, Revolutionary War, Index Cards to Muster Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGVW-NZPR : 19 February 2021), John Priest, 23 May 1777; citing Military Service, Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm .

• "United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGXT-WZWZ : 15 March 2018), John Priest, 1778; citing 1778, United States, citing NARA microfilm publication M246. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Services, 1980. FHL microfilm 830,394.