Thomas Baxter (1755 - 1839)

Born 3 Sep 1755 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts Bay

Ancestors

Husband of Prudence Baker — married 6 Dec 1790 in Yarmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States

Descendants

Died 25 Jun 1839 at age 83 in Olneyville, Providence, Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: David Knapp [send private message]

Biography

Note: #N747.

Notes

Note N747.

2 marriage dates for them in MA marriages 1633-1850@@ancestry.com: 30 dec 1789 and 6 dec 1790 - both in Yarmouth.

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Rev War Pension Application. Thomas Baxter/Prudence. Mass R639:

Thomas Baxter. 34682. Rhode Island. Act 7 [----]1832.

1.State of Rhode Island, County of Providence, City of Providence, on 4 Sep 1838, appeared Thomas Baxter, aged 82 years.

he stated born in North Dennis, Ma 30 Nov 1755. Believes his birth is recorded in the town records. Lived North Dennis when entered the service and lived there until after the War. Has resided in North Providence for the last seven years. Until then lived in Mass. Served under John Nickerson and Capt Crowell. 1776 drafted [....] John NickersonÕs company of militia in guarding the coast of Cape Cod and served as a private. Declaration signed by him.

2. Affidavit of Martin Cheney of North Providence 19 Oct 1838, Cheney a clergyman resident in said town...well acquainted TB...and have been acquainted last 12 or 13 years. He about 82 years of age and has always been considered in our neighborhood a man of truth and veracity and has the reputation of having served in the War of the revolution Removed to RI from MA ...

3. Thomas Crowell of Dennis, age 78, present when Thomas drafted for term of nine months. In Dennis.

4. Nehemiah Baker, Justice of Peace, 2 Oct 1838 affirms truthful nature of Thomas Crowell.

5. Note - Prudence Baxter, widow of Thomas who died 25 June 1839.

6. Statement I, Patience Baker, being 86 years of age, of Dennis in the co....state that Thomas Baxter, formerly a resident of that town, ...a near neighbor of mine at the time he was drafted. (her mark) 2 Oct 1838. Affirmed by Nehemiah Baker, JP.

7. Statement of Prudence Baxter:

I, Prudence Baxter of North Providence, Providence, RI...widow Thomas Baxter, late of North Providence and formerly of Yarmouth, Mass, in that part since set off and forms the Town of Dennis. Married to Thomas 9 Dec 1793 and that said Thomas died 25 Jun last 1839. ÒI recollect during the Revolutionary War, that Thomas Baxter was a minuet [sic] Man and remember his being called during the second year of the War, and that he was alternately at Chatham, Barnstable, and Yarmouth watching the Shores.Ó The Capt of the Company....Jonathan Crowell. Col Hallett of that company. ÒI knew several of the company. One named Allan Bangs and one named Elisha Crowell. My uncle, [Heman? Thomas?] Baker was the drummer, and Zephaniah Baker was the fife.Ó Said Thomas Baker was on duty six months...called out various times during an alarm to go to the sea Shore, untill the year 1781. At one time Israel Nickerson was Lieut. ÒI remember at one time, the British shew themselves with several vessels, one said to be a 74 at Yarmouth, now Dennis, and required the inhabitants to Ôsend them a thousand dolls [dollars] or they would come ashore and burn and destroy.Õ and this Company, of which Thomas Baxter was one, sent them word. ÔThey would pay them the sum in powder and ball.Õ And they beat the ships off.Ó Did not apply earlier for pension bec. didnÕt know minuet-men were entitled. Dated No. Providence, 4 Apr 1840. 1

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children from Mayflower Descendants: Vital records of Dennis, MA, v. 13, p. 15. Sutro.

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died in Olneyville, RI - now a neighborhood in Providence.

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There is the record of a Thomas Baxter in ÒAbstracts of Graves of Revolutionary PatriotsÓ at Ancestry.com. Vol1, p.____-serial;vol______. June Cemetery, North Salem, Westchester Co, NY reporting year 76??.

Sources

• White, Elizabeth Pearson. John Howland of the Mayflower (Picton Press, Camden, ME, 1990) Vol. 1, Page 266.