Abner Crediford
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Abner Crediford

Abner Crediford
Born [date unknown] [location unknown]
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married 30 Jun 1762 in Wells, Mainemap
Descendants descendants
Died before in Arundel, Maine, USAmap
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Profile last modified | Created 18 Apr 2017
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Biography

Abner was a sergeant in Capt. Jesse Dorman's Co., Col. James Scammon's 30th Regiment of Foot, having enlisted 12 May 1775. On 4 May Congress had passed a resolution granting an advance payment of 20/ to the non-com officers and privates who should enlist. On 8 May they established the following oath to be administered to the Massachusetts army:

"I, (Abner Crediford) swear I will truly and faithfully serve in the Massachusetts army, to which I belong, for the defence and security of the estates, lives and liberties of the good people of this and the sister colonies of America, in opposition to the ministerial tyrany by which they are or may be oppressed, and to all other enemies and opposers whatsoever; that I will adhere to the rules and regulations of said army, observe and obey the generals and other officers set over me; and disclose and make known to said officers all traitorous conspiracies, attempts and designs whatsoever which I shall know to be made against said army or any of the English American colonies, so help me God."[1]

The Committee of Safety at Cambridge sent the following letter to the Colonel:

"Cambridge May 10, 1775

Sir: As we are meditating a blow against our restless enemies we therefore enjoin you as you would evidence your regard to your country forthwith upon the receipt of this order to repair to the town of Cambridge, with the men enlisted under your command."[2]

They were at least four days on the road and were in camp on the 23rd with all by three companies full to the limit with the regiment having 547 men.

On 9 June the regiment had 396 men fit for duty and was quite a motley crowd of men:

"Imagine such an army, without artillery or effective small arms, without magazines or discipline, and unable to execute the smallest tactical maneuver should their lines be forced at any point, laying siege to a town containing ten thousand troops, the first in the world. It was, moreover, without a flag, or a commander having absolute authority until Washington came. Picture to yourself a grimy figure behind a rank of gabious, his head wrapped in an old bandanna, a short pipe between his teeth, stripped of his upper garments, his lower limbs encased in leather breeches, yarn stockings, and hob-nailed shoes, industriously plying mattock or spade, and your provincial soldier of '75 stands before you. Multiply him by ten thousand and you have the provincial army."[3]

Scammon had been ordered to march to the scene of the fighting at Bunker Hill, but he went to Lechmeres point were he was ordered to the hill, which he claimed he understood to mean Cobble Hill. From there he sent two sergeants (was one of them Abner?) to General Putnam to inquire whether his regiment was wanted, however, given the delays his regiment was prevented from reaching the action in time to be of any use and to lead Washington to accuse him of "Backwardness in the execution of his duty in the late Action upon Bunkers-hill". Scammon was tried by a General Court Martial of which Col. John Nixon was president. "The Court after duly examining the Evidence for and against the prisoner, together with what the prisoner had to say in his defence, are of opinion that Col. Scammons is Not guilty of the Crimes wherewith he was accused and therefore do acquit the prisoner Col. Scammons to be immediately released from his arrest." "Ensign Trafton accused by Col. Scammons of "abusive Language, to the said Colonel Scammons while under Arrest," tried by a General Court Martial of which Col. Nixon was president. The Court are unanimously of opinion that the prisoner is Not guilty and do therefore acquit him with honour."[4]

There was still ill-feeling between Scammon and some of the officers and Col. Scammon wrote the following to the local paper, the New England Chronicle or Essex Gazette, for publication:

"Mr. Hall,
I have observed when you published Dr. Church's letter, that my name was mentioned to my disadvantage: therefore, in justice to my character, I am constrained to request that you would give the proceedings of a General Court Martial, held at Headquarters, in Cambridge, by order of his Excellency George Washington, Esq., General and Commander-in-chief of all the American forces, (with some remarks upon the deposition then taken), a place in your useful paper; that the public may judge how far I deserve the defamation given by the said Doctor. In granting this request, you will oblige many of your constant readers, and in particular
Your humble servant
James Scamman"[5]

Dr. Benjamin Church was banished from the country a few months later due to his treachery to the patriot cause in the early days of the Revolution.

Upon the organization of the army by Washington in July Col. Scamman's regiment was assigned to Gen. William Heath's brigade, which was assigned to Gen. Israel Putnam's division which formed the center of the army. The regiment was stationed at Cambridge and manned Fort No. 1 and the redoubt on the flank of Fort No. 2. Fort No. 1 was on the Charles River in Cambridge and was south of Fort No. 2 and Cambridge village. In the fall of 1775 the army attempted to make some uniformity in uniforms by issuing undyed cloth coats with pewter buttons and the number of the regiments on them. If a soldier had a suitable coat of his own he was not required to take a government one, but could draw 25/ from the treasury instead. Field officers would wear red or pink cockades on their hat, captains yellow or buff, subalterns green, sergeants red stripes on the right shoulder, corporals a green stripe on the right shoulder.

The Committee of Safety in Cambridge voted 7 July 1775 "that it be and is hereby recommended to his Excellency General Washington that an order be issued to suppress retailers of spirituous liquors within or near the camps in such manner as to him seems meet" as a number of soldiers had been "observed to be much disguised with spirituous liquors" and efforts should be taken to put a stop to this as "not only the morals and health, but also the lives and liberties of this people will be endangered."[6]

"The Roster of Col. James Scamman's 30th Regiment of Foot at Cambridge, 1775....

Capt. Jesse Dorman's Company.
Captain, Jesse Dorman, Arundel
Lieutenant, Daniel Merrill, Arundel
Ensign, Jacob Curtis, Arundel
Total, 60 men"[7]

"A Muster Roll of ye Company under ye Command of Capt. Jesse Dorman in Collonell James Scammons Regiment To the First of August 1775.... Abner Credeford, Sergt., Arundel, enlisted May 12..."[8] Fifty-five of the men in the company had guns, 7 bayonets and 49 had cartridge boxes. Shoes were charged to the men at 6/8 and they had £2 advance wages.[9]

Col. Scamman's regiment served until 31 Dec. 1775 and Scamman returned home at the expiration of his term of service, however, most of the commissioned officers re-enlisted in the Continental army. We next find Abner a 2nd Lieutenant in Capt. James Burnham's 7th Co., 3rd York Co. Regt having been commissioned 14 Dec. 1779.[10] The 3rd York County Regiment was part of the Massachusetts Militia, 3rd Massachusetts Brigade under General John Paterson part of the Northern Army under Major General James Clinton. To date I have been unable to locate a regimental history for the period after Dec. 1779 when Abner was commissioned.

Abner returned to Arundel where he was a surveyor of highways in 1782, 1785, 1789 and 1790, fence viewer in 1783 and 1788, and surveyor of timber in 1785, 1786, 1789 and 1790.[11]

"By the Request of mr. Abner Crediford I have Sirvaid A Piece of Land in Arundel... Between mr. Benj. Downing & mr James Burnham, late of Arundel, Decsd... Forty Acers of the above Land is Laid out By Vertue of Draft that Belongs to a Hundred acre grant that was given to Simon Busse June ye 23d day 1681 Twenty Acers of the Above Land By Vertue of a grant to William Elliot that was Laid out Infrining and Now Removed- Dated at arundel the 4th Day of June 1788... John Downing."[12]

"In the name of God amen the seventeenth day of September in the year of our lord one thousand Seven hundred and ninety three & in ye seventeenth of ye Independance of america.

I Abner Crediford of Arundell... Doe make and ordain this my last Will and testament...

Imprimis I give and bequeath to Ruth my dearly beloved Wife Whoom I also appoint my Sole Executrix all my personall Estate & houshold goods for her support & the support of the children under age at her discretion for ever

I also give to the sd ruth the Improvement and Income of all my land house and barn for her Support & The Support of the children under age at her discretion Dureing her remaining a widdow, after having so much of ye land appraised as shall bee sufficient to pay my just debts giving the preference of purchasing to my sons as they can agree & are able to redeem ye same by paying the debts & the remaining part I give to my Sons Joseph: Daniel Samuel David & daughter Ruth in Equall Shares to them & their heirs forever…
Abner Crediford
Ruth Crediford
In presence of us
Daniel Merrill
Asa Durrell
Eastman Hutchings
Daniel Merrill Jr.

Arundell October 1793

To the Honorable Joseph Simpson Esqr Judge of Probate for the county of York Sr I am left a widow my late Husband was disposed to appoint me his executor It seems the law allows only thirty days to prove the will My health is such at this time it seems impossible for me to come to York within that term of time wherefore pray your honnour to receive this as my excuse and endulge me till you come down to November term your compliance to will very much oblidge a poor widdow
Ruth Credford

Mr Daniel Sewall Register of Probate Sr Pray you will doe me the favour to lay the above request before the judge & send me his answer by mr barnet youl oblidge a suffering widdow
Ruth Credford

“twenty fourth Day of October A.D. 1793… we have appraised all the Estate of… Abner Crediford, late of Arundell…

1. Dwelling House @ 180/…………………………………9 0 0
1. Barn, at 200/……………………………………………….10 0 0
½ an acre of Land on which ye House Stands at
40/…………………….....................................................2 0 0
17 ½ Acres of Land lying between the Road and the
River @ 40/……....................................................52 10 0
17 ¼ Acres of Swamp Land @ 15/…………………12 18 9
20 1/8 Acres of Mowing Land where the Barn stands
@ 48/ per acre.....................................................48 5 17
38 3/8 Acres of Land, which lies Northeast of said
Field @ 33/ per acre............................................63 6 4
50 Acres of unimproved Land lying near Duck Brook
@ 6/ per acre…......................................................15 0 0
Total sum of Real is.........................................£213 0 0

1. Pair of small Oxen @ 160/…………..................8 00 0
3. Cows @ 60/ each………………………………….......9 00 0
2 Heifers 1. Year old @ 30/ each……………………3 00 0
2 Calves @ 8/ each 7. Sheep @ 8/ each…………3 12 0
4 swine @ 9/ each…………………………………………..1 16 0
3 small Chains 34. Lbs @ /6d per lb……………….0 17 0
Yoke-irons 3/. 2. Old axes @ 7/……………………….0 7 0
1. adz 5/. 1. Iron square, 2/. 1. Chisel 1/………….0 8 0
1. grindstone 3/.- 2. Hoes @ 2/ each……………….0 7 0
Footing to be carried over............................£240 11 0

1. Pair of Cart-Wheels and the Irons to the same
belonging 20/……...................................................1 0 0
1. Old Fire Arm, @ 12/…………………………………..0 12 0
2. old Feather Beds & beding 80/………………….4 00 0
1. small chest 8/- 2. Old tables @ 6/ each……..1 00 0
1. Iron Kettle 5/.- 1. Ditto tea kettle 4/……………0 9 0
20 lbs. of old Pewter @ 1/. Per lb……………………1 0 0
2. Bedsteads at 6/ each……………........................0 12 0
5 yards of Cloth @ 6/ per yd………………………….1 10 0
Sum total is......................................................£250 14 0

Arunell Decemr ye 4th 1793
Daniel Merrill
Benjamin Titcomb - Committee
Seth Burnham

The Account of Ruth Crediford of her administration of the Estate of Abner Crediford deceased…

To two witnesses to York to prove the will & other
expenses…………....................................................1 2 8
Paid probate fees on the will &c……………………….10 6
Pd the appraisers for 2 ½ days each take ye
inventy………………………............................................10
Pd the Justice for swearing appraisers………………..9
To attendce on the appraisers 2 days & expences of
the appraisers….......................................................12
To probate fees on the Inventory……………………….4 6
To Dr Saml Emerson’s bill for atten of the decd in his
last sickness…......................................................6 13 6
To pd Benja Thompson jur for taxes for 1792 21/6-
do- for 1793- 34/5…..........................................2 15 11
To 2 days time to hand in the Inventory……………8
To 1 days time to hand in this acct……………………4
To pd for making out this acct- 1/- probate fees
heron 3/4 [ ] fees 1/6............................................5 10
...........................................................................£13 7 8"[13]

Ruth was taxed for 40 acres of land in Arundel on 1 Oct. 1798 worth $350. Her tax was $1.50. Can you imagine… $1.50 for property tax! [14]

On 1 Apr. 1799 the town voted that: "the Reverend Silas Moody to Preach Every third Sabath in the New Meeting House in the upper part of the Town... North westerly of a line to run from the Widdow Ruth Credifords house North East to Biddeford..."[15]

On 19 Dec. 1801 Daniel Crediford, shipwright, Samuel Crediford, marriner, Ruth Crediford, widow and Executrix to the last will of Abner Crediford deceased, & Ruth Crediford Jr., singlewoman and daughter of the said Abner Crediford deceased, the said Daniel of Pepperrelboro and the others of Arundel... sold for $216.00 to Thomas Durrell of Arundel and Benjamin Day Jr. of Wells 60 acres of land in Arundel bounded by Benjamin Downing, deceased, James Burnham, late of Arundel, deceased and Duck Brook.[16]

Children

• I. Joseph- bpt. 1 Sept. 1771 Arundel, m. 1 June 1789 Arundel, Lucy Smith (b. 1776, m.2. 1801 Nathaniel Ward, d. 18 Oct. 1855)
• II. Daniel- bpt. 1 Sept. 1771 Arundel, int. 15 Nov. 1794 Wells, Ruth Cousins
• III. Samuel- bpt. 24 Apr. 1774 Arundel, d. at sea
• IV. Ruth- b.c.1778, m. 19 Sept. 1807 Kennebunkport, Stephen Cooper (d. before 1820), d. 7 Aug. 1867 Kennebunkport
• V. David- m. 7 Aug. 1808 Kennebunkport, Mary Downing

Sources

  1. Collections and Proceedings of the Maine Historical Society- second series, Thurston Print, Portland, 1899- Vol. X, pp. 344-5
  2. Collections and Proceedings of the Maine Historical Society- second series, Thurston Print, Portland, 1899- Vol. X, p. 345
  3. Collections and Proceedings of the Maine Historical Society- second series, Thurston Print, Portland, 1899- Vol. X, p. 348
  4. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources- John C. Firtzpatrick, Ed., US GPO, Washington, 1931- Vol. III, p. 336, 345-6, 356, 358
  5. Collections and Proceedings of the Maine Historical Society- second series, Thurston Print, Portland, 1899- Vol. X, p. 351
  6. Collections and Proceedings of the Maine Historical Society- second series, Thurston Print, Portland, 1899- Vol. X, pp. 361-2
  7. Collections and Proceedings of the Maine Historical Society- second series, Thurston Print, Portland, 1899- Vol. X, p. 364
  8. Mass. Archives- Vol. XIV, p. 75
  9. Collections and Proceedings of the Maine Historical Society- second series, Thurston Print, Portland, 1899- Vol. X, p. 402
  10. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution- Massachusetts Office of the Secretary of State, Wright & Potter, State Printers, 1896-1908- Vol. IV, p. 101
  11. Kennebunkport Town Records- Book II, pp.219,224,234, 241,257,258,262
  12. Kennebunkport Town Records- Book II, p. 255
  13. York Co. Probate- docket no. 3691
  14. Direct tax list of 1798 for Massachusetts and Maine, 1798. R. Stanton Avery Special Collections, NEHGS- Vol. III, p. 206
  15. Kennebunkport Town Records- Book II, p.311
  16. York Co. Deeds- Vol.67, p.246
  • History of Kennebunk Port- Charles Bradbury, Kennebunk, 1837, pp. 235, 290
  • Soldiers, Sailors and Patriots of the Revolutionary War- Maine- Carleton & Sue Fisher, S.A.R., Louisville, KY, 1982- p.168
  • Wells & Kennebunkport V.R.
  • Records of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport Families- W. S. Thompson, Vol. 1, p.314; MS at MHS




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