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Maine In the Revolutionary War

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Location: Maine, United Statesmap
Surnames/tags: 1776 Military and War Maine
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Contents

Purpose

The page is dedicated to the Revolutionary War soldiers that lived and died in what is now the state of Maine.


Part of the 1776 project

Regiments active in Maine

Please note that during the time of the revolution, a large part of what is now the state of Maine was part of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, which is why the regiment names in the table below contain "Massachusetts Militia". If you are trying to determine the best unit category to use for a "Maine" soldier, in particular the 1776 Sticker, please see Massachusetts Militia Colonels or Massachusetts Line Colonels.

Comander Last Name, Fistname for sort purposese Regiment Note
Noyes, Peter Col.Peter Noyes Cumberland 111st Regiment, Cumberland County Militia, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1776 - 12 - 02Dec. 2, 1777
Nov. 29, 1780
Waite, JohnCol. John WaiteCumberland 121st Regiment, Cumberland County Militia, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1776 - 02 - 05May 2, 1776
Apr. 17, 1776
Jordan, Nathaniel Col. Nathaniel Jordan Cumberland 11st Regiment, Cumberland County Militia, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1779 - 09 - 25Sep. 25, 1779
Oct. 23, 1779
Mitchell, JonathanCol. Jonathan Mitchell Cumberland 22nd Regiment, Cumberland County Militia, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1776 - 02 - 05Feb. 5, 1776
?
Fogg, Reuben Col. Reuben Fogg Cumberland 33rd Regiment, Cumberland County Militia, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1776 - 02 - 05Feb. 5, 1776
Jul. 5, 1779
Pike, Timothy Col. Timothy Pike Cumberland 44th Regiment, Cumberland County Militia, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1776 - 02 - 07Feb. 7. 1776
Mar. 6, 1780
McCobb, Samuel Col. Samuel McCobbLincoln 11st Regiment, Lincoln County Militia, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1776 - 01 - 30Jan. 30, 1776
Dec. 1, 1781
North, Joseph Col. Joseph North Lincoln 22nd Regiment, Lincoln County Militia, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1776 - 01 - 30Jan. 1, 1776
Mar. 6, 1780
Jones, William Col. William Jones Lincoln 33rd Regiment, Lincoln County Militia, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1776 - 01 - 30Jan. 3, 1776
Jul. 5, 1779
Wheaton, Mason Col. Mason Wheaton Lincoln 44th Regiment, Lincoln County Militia, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1779 - 07 - 05Jul. 5, 1779
?
Buck Jonathan Col. Jonathan Buck Lincoln 55th Regiment, Lincoln County Militia, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1775 - 02 - 08Feb. 8, 1775
Sep. 3, 1783
Foster, Benjamin Col. Benjamin Foster Lincoln 66th Lincoln County Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1776 - 01 - 30Jan. 30, 1776
Sep. 3, 1783
Grow, Edward Col. Edward GrowYork 11 1st York County Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1778 - 06 - 10Jun. 10, 1778
Jul. 5, 1779
Cutts, EdwardCol. Edward Cutts York 12 1st York County Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1775 - 08 - 30Aug. 30, 1775
Jan. 1, 1776
Saye, EbenezerCol. Ebenezer Sayer York 13 1st York County Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1778 - 4 - 20Apr. 20 1778
Frost, JohnCol. John FrostYork 212nd York County Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1776 - 02 - 02Feb. 2, 1776
Aug. 10, 1777
Moulton, JothamCol. Jotham MoultonYork 222nd York County Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1775 - 08 - 30Aug. 30, 1775
Jan. 1, 1776
Goodwin, IchabodCol. Ichabod Goodwin York 232nd York County Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1778 - 06 - 10Jun. 10, 1778
Jul. 5, 1779
Prime, Joseph Col. Joseph Prime York 242nd York County Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1780 - 03 - 25Mar. 25, 1780
Dec. 10, 1780
Jordan, TristramCol. Tristram JordanYork 313rd York County Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1775 - 08 - 30Aug. 30, 1775
Nov. 23, 1776
Storer, Joseph Col. Joseph StorerYork 323rd York County Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1776 - 09 - 05Sep. 5, 1776
Oct. 23, 1777
Cutts, Thomas Col. Thomas Cutts York 333rd Regiment, York County Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1778 - 06 - 10Jun. 10, 1778
Jul. 5, 1779
Allen, John Col. John Allan Défense of Machias, Col. Allan [Col. Allen] to command {Lincoln County} troops to be stationed at Machias, Lincoln County Militia, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution1777 - 09 - 16Sep. 16, 1777
May 1, 1781
Brewer, JosiahCol. Josiah BrewerCol. Josiah Brewer's Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution ?
May 3, 1776
Frye, Joseph Col. Joseph Frye Major General MA militia, Colonel 21st of June 1775; list of seacoast officers stationed at Falmouth, Casco Bay commissioned Jan. 1, 1776. Brigadier General army of MA Bay/Continental army February 16, 17761776 - 01 - 01Jan. 1, 1776
before Mar. 29, 1776
Phinney EdmundCol. Edmund PhinneyCol. Edmund Phinney's Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution
Scammon JamesCol. James Scammon Col. James Scammon's Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution
Wadsworth Peleg General Peleg Wadsworth In June,1779, Gen. Peleg Wadsworth Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution was Second in command of the Penobscot expedition/Bagaduce expedition, commissioned Brigadier General, 7 July 1779.

In March 1780, Brigadier General Wadsworth was given command of all the troops raised under the resolve of March 25, 1780, for the defense of the Province of Maine/Department of Maine, commissioned March 1780.

Fales NathanielCaptain Nathaniel Fales Capt. Nathaniel Fales' Company, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution Category
Capt. Nathaniel Fales' Company, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution Space Page
marched to Majorbagaduce as part of the Penobscot Expedition.

--

The Battle of Machias

The Battle of Machias, fought in June 1775, was one of the first naval engagements of the Revolutionary War. The townspeople, along with the help of the Machias Seal Island Indians, captured a British armed schooner named Margaretta. Battle of Machias at WikipediA

Benedict Arnold's March to Quebec

DAR Map for Benedick Arnold.

"Arnold led an expedition in 1775 from Massachusetts, up the Kennebec River and through the Maine woods to join General Philip Schuyler in an attempt to defeat the British at Quebec. It left Cambridge on September 11th under orders from General George Washington. ... "

See

Penobscot Expedition

      In June 1779, Americans organized an expedition to oust the British from Castine, Maine, which served as a supply base and naval station. Historically termed the Bagaduce expedition, it was contemporarily referred to as "The Expedition to the Penobscot." The waterway known today as Bagaduce River was previously called Matchebiguatus, an Indian name signifying a place without a safe harbor. During the Revolution, it adopted the name Maja-Bagaduce, later shortened to Bagaduce, inspiring the expedition's title.
      The campaign resulted in a substantial defeat for American forces, primarily composed of troops from Massachusetts. This joint land and naval operation allowed the British to establish Fort George in Castine, Maine, a stronghold retained until the war's conclusion.
Also See Penobscot Expedition category

ROSTER OF Captain Nathaniel Fales Regiment
Field and Staff Officers—1779
Nathaniel Fales (1727-1797) CaptainBradford, MA
Thomas Robbins Sr. (1741-1802)1st LieutenantMenotomy, MA
Samuel Boggs (abt.1725-1779)2nd Lieutenant?
John Black (1736-1832)2nd LieutenantYork, ME
Ambrose CrosbySergeant?
Thomas, MaceSergeant?
Joseph Whitmore Sergeant?
Benjamin Blackinton (1746-1812)SergeantWrentham, MA
John Dow (bef.1754-1835)CorporalSouth Hampton, NH
John Raynes Jr (1753-1837)CorporalYork, ME
John FreeseCorporal??
Abraham Freese (abt.1749-1800)Corporal??
Abraham Freese (abt.1749-1800)Corporal?

74 Privates


ROSTER OF COL. JONATHAN MITCHELL’S REGIMENT
Field and Staff Officers—1779
Jonathan Mitchell Colonel North Yarmouth
Nathaniel Jordan Lieut. Colonel Cape Elizabeth
Jacob Brown First MajorNorth Yarmouth
Nathaniel Larrabee Second Major Brunswick
Rev. Thomas Lancaster Chaplain Scarborough
Dr. Nathaniel Jones Surgeon Cape Elizabeth
Benjamin Jones Porter Surgeon Mate Topsham
Gideon Meserve Adjutant Scarborough
Enoch Frost Sergt. Major Gorham
Nathaniel Hinkley Quarter Master Brunswick
Ezekiel Loring Q. M. Sergt. North Yarmouth
      Capt. Peter Warren’s Company 57 men.
Peter Warren Captain Falmouth
Daniel Mussey 1st Lieut. Falmouth
Peter Babb 2d Lieut. Falmouth
      Capt. Joshua Jordan's Company 53 men
Joshua Jordan Captain Cape Elizabeth
Dominicus Mitchell 1st Lieut. Cape Elizabeth
Lemuel Dyer 2d Lieut.Cape Elizabeth
      Capt. Nehemiah Curtis' Company 73 men
Nehemiah Curtis Captain Harpswell
Isaac Hall 1st Lieut. Harpswell
Ebenezer Stanwood 2d Lieut. Brunswick
      Capt. Nathan Merrill's Company 58 men
Nathan Merrill Captain Gray
Edward Anderson 1st Lieut. Windham
Peter Graffum 2d Lieut. New Gloucester
      Capt. Benjanin Larrabee's Company 64 men
Benjamin Larrabee Captain Scarborough
Josiah Libby 1st Lieut. Scarborough
Lemuel Milliken 2d Lieut. Scarborough
      Capt. William Cobb's Company 70 men
William Cobb Captain Falmouth
Moses Merrill 1st Lieut. Falmouth
Joshua Stevens 2d Lieut. Falmouth
      Capt. Alexander McLellan's Company 67 men
Alexander McLellan Captain Gorham
Ebenezer Murch 1st Lieut. Gorham
Joseph Knight 2d Lieut. Gorham
      Capt. John Gray’s Company 66 men
John GrayCaptain, North Yarmouth
John Soule1st Lieut., North Yarmouth
Ozias Blanchard2d Lieut.,North Yarmouth

Commissioned Officers 34
Noncommissioned Officers and Privates 485
Total 519 men

Also see:

Maine Privateers

     Privateering was a significant aspect of naval warfare during the American Revolution, and New England, including what is now Maine, played a notable role in privateering activities. Privateers were privately owned ships authorized by the government to engage in naval warfare, particularly against enemy merchant vessels. Here are some key points about privateering in New England, including Maine, during the American Revolution:

  • Privateering Authorization: All of the letters of marque and reprisal came from the Continental government, and all patriot privateers followed the same regulations. Yes, the states administered the process, but all commissions were issued from the Continentals. Appeals from the state admiralty courts were handled by the Continental Congress itself until 1780 when the Congress formed a dedicated appeals court.
  • Maine Privateers: Coastal towns in what is now Maine were involved in privateering activities. The jagged coastline and numerous harbors provided ideal conditions for privateers to launch raids on British merchant vessels.
  • Machias Privateering: The town of Machias, Maine, was particularly active in privateering. The local population engaged in both privateering and outright piracy against British ships. The capture of the British armed schooner Margaretta in 1775, as mentioned earlier, was an early example of the kind of activities undertaken by privateers in the region.
  • Targets and Prizes: The privateers were not entitled to sell the prizes themselves. That was done by the admiralty courts. The proceeds went to more parties than "owners, crews and investors"; the court also paid to parties who had prior liens on the vessel or its cargo. These court cases sometimes continued for years; the final one from the Revolution dragged on until 1787. Also, the state and/or Continental government imposed a hefty tax on the proceeds of sale.
  • Risk and Reward: Privateering was a risky venture, as privateers faced the danger of capture or destruction by enemy warships. However, the potential rewards were significant, with the lure of capturing valuable cargo and gaining financial profits.
  • Impact on the War: Privateering played a significant role in the overall naval strategy of the American Revolution. While the Continental Navy was relatively small, privateers greatly expanded the reach of American naval power and inflicted economic damage on British trade.

In summary, privateering was a crucial element of New England's maritime activities during the American Revolution, including in the region that is now Maine. It provided a means for local communities to actively participate in the war effort and contributed to the broader struggle for American independence.

List of Soldiers

This section is to catalog soldiers who were:

Born in present day Maine
Fought in present day Maine
Lived or died Maine

Alphabetical List of Soldiers

Abbott - Dyer
Eames - Hyde
Ingalls - Young

Soldier by burial county.

A the time of the Revolution, Massachusetts had three Counties in the District of Maine; York, Cumberland and Lincoln. Lincoln county compried a vast area from New Meadows River to Passamaquaddy Bay. In 1790 Hancock and Washington Counties were formed. Kennebec in 1799, Oxford in 1805, Somerset 1809, Penobscot 1816, Franklin and Piscataquis in 1838, Aroostook in 1839, Androscoggin and Sagadahoc in 1854 and finaly Knox county in 1860.

There were no Hancock County Militia units associated with the Revolutionary War. These soldiers served in one of the the Massachusetts County regiments listed in the Regiments active in Maine section, or perhaps one of the other Massachusetts Militia units, or in a Continental Line unit. See the categories listed in the individual profiles to see which.

Maps

This engraving of the Machias area in the Boston Public Library's Atlantic Neptune collection was struck from the plate held by the Massachusetts Historical Society. By 1770, several mills were built on the Machias River, as the region was ideal for producing lumber. Conflict erupted between the residents and the British Navy in 1775, and a number of sailors lost their lives. In early August of 1777, mere days after this image was engraved, the British attacked the town of Machias, and burned the settlement in retaliation for the uprising two years earlier.

Map Gallery (Click image for larger view)
1777 Machias River from The Atlantic Neptune.
Fortifications at Machias 1777.
Blue Hill Bay from The Atlantic Neptune
Map of Maine with Hancock & Washington Counties in 1798
1779 Fort Castine.
Penobscot River and Bay, with the operations of the English fleet, under Sir George Collyer, against the division of Massachusetts troops acting against Fort Castine, August 1779; with full soundings up to the present site of Bangor
1777 Uniform of Col. Ebenezer Francis's 11th MA Regiment
1775 Burning of Falmouth by Captain Moet.
Revolutionary War Flag

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Thanks Darrly

Darrly does a huge amount of work on Wikitree [Downeast Maine for example], but still takes time to help others with their work. He spent a lot of time helping this old dog to try to learn new tricks [entering information on wiki space pages].

Adrian

posted by Adrian Stanley