Richard Hewitt (1736 - 1825)

Born 25 Apr 1736 in Stonington, New London, Connecticut, British Colonial America

Ancestors

Husband of Experience (Leeds) Hewitt — married 12 Oct 1760 in Groton, New London, Connecticut, British Colonial America

Descendants

Died 3 Sep 1825 at age 89 in Milton, Saratoga, New York, United States

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Biography

 Richard entered the Connecticut militia in May 1775 as a 2nd Lieutenant during the Rev. War. He served his country for 6 or 7 years. In May 1777, he was appointed a captain in Col. Latimer's regiment and took part in the Battle of Stillwater and the surrender of British General Burgoyne to the American troops. Richard was promoted to major in Jan 1780. The Saratoga Sentinel newspaper wrote at the time of his death, "Major Richard Hewitt, Milton, died Sept 3rd 1825, 89 years. A Patriot of the Revolution. He once paid the troops under his command from his won purse and never received any resumeration thereof. Was Captain at Burgoyne's Surrender."

    After their marriage, Richard and Experience resided in Stonington, Conn. prior to the war. They moved to Saratoga Co., NY in 1783, and settled in the Town of Milton where they remained the rest of their lives.

    Richard applied for a pension for his military service, 25 Apr 1818. Experience applied for a widow's pension in Nov 1836 when she was 98 years old (Rev. War Pension File #W16599). At that time she stated that she and Richard had 9 children, 6 of whom were still living in 1836.

 On 20 Sep 1819, Richard wrote his will which was probated 12 Apr 1826 (Saratoga Co. Will Book 6, pp. 442-444.) Richard provided for Experience, his wife, leaving her livestock and the household furniture. He gave his 2nd son, Ebenezer, $100 and the youngest son, Thomas L., $150 plus his wearing apparel. To his daughters; Hannah Frink, widow of Henry Frink; Mary Giles, widow of Daniel Giles; Experience Hewitt, wife of Randall Hewitt; Elizabeth Hewitt, wife of Major Walter Hewitt; and Sarah Hewitt, wife of Capt Thomas Hewitt; Richard bequeathed a lot of about 21 acres, lease land, to be divided equally among them. He gave to the 3 daughters of his deceased son, Christopher, $100 each and to Christopher's 3 sons, Amos, Henry and Christopher Hewitt, Richard gave the farm on which he lived, except for his wife's dower right, and an acre of land in the north east corner of the orchard which he set aside for a family burying ground. Richard hoped the children of his eldest son, Richard, who was deceased, would understand that his affection for them had not diminished but that he had already given his son Richard his share of the estate. Sons-in-law, Capt. Thomas Hewitt and Major Hewitt, were named executors with daughter Hannah Frink. An inventory of Richard's personal property was taken 12 Apr 1826, showing a value of $343.48 in livestock, a wagon and tools.

Sources

• http://search.ancestry.com/collections/2204/records/1210315
• https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVVL-96MD
• Published information: Military record or discharge: birth: 17 April 1736; Stonington, New London, Connecticut, United States Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970. Louisville, Kentucky: National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Microfilm, 508 rolls.
• "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/QVVL-96MD : 13 December 2015), Richard Hewitt, 1825; Burial, Milton Center, Saratoga, New York, United States of America, Frink Cemetery; citing record ID 18920417, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
• Durkee, Epitaphs of Saratoga Co., NY, LDS film $17932.
• National Archives, Revolutionary War Pension File #W16599
• Cornelius E. Durkee, Index to Saratoga Sentinel, newspaper, issue 6 Sept 1825. *Saratoga Co., NY Will Book 6, pp. 442-444, LDS film #555,718.
• Elliot G. Storke, HISTORY OF CAYUGA COUNTY, NY, Syracuse, NY, 1879, pp. 461 & 497.