Web hosting Custom Email SiteBuilder

Abraham Smith

April 12, 1762 - April 2, 1853

A Young Soldier in the Revolutionary War

Story recorded by Philip G. Parsons, 1971

Note: Military Record taken from photo-copy of Abraham Smith's Service in National Archives and Records Service, Washington, D.C.

Abraham Smith, son of Abraham and Mary (Hawkes) Smith, was born the 12th of April, 1762 at Lynn, Massachusetts. He grew up on his father's farm at Lynn. In October of 1777, when only 15 1/2 years old, he enlisted for two months in the Revolutionary War. He enlisted at Lynn, Massachusetts as a private and served at Boston. He was discharged the last of November, 1777 at Fort Hill.

Returning home to Lynn, he again enlisted in April, 1778 for three months serving under Captain Wise, 2nd Lt. Batchelder and Col. Gerrish. This period was served at Winterhill, near Boston. He re-enlisted the 1st day of July, 1778 for six months in the same regiment and company, and was discharged the last of December, 1778 at Malden Mount near Cambridge, Massachusetts.

In April of 1779, he again enlisted at Lynn, Massachusetts for three months and served at Roxbury guarding Continental Stores. He served under Sgt. Brown and Corporal Boardman with twelve privates. He was discharged at Roxbury in July of 1779, again re-enlisting as a private for six months in Capt. Putnam's Company and Col. Tyler's Regiment. This period he fully served out at Rhode Island and was discharged at Newport the last of December, 1779.

On the 31st of July, 1832 Abraham Smith residing then in Farmington, Maine, applied for Revolutionary War Pension stating in hi application that when he enlisted his home was in Lynn, Massachusetts, that he enlisted - was not drafted or received as a substitute, and that he moved to Farmington, Maine " forty- three years ago". John Sweetser of Lynn, Massachusetts stated in his affidavit that he was well acquainted with Abraham Smith and that he served with him during the period of three months at Roxbury in guarding the stores. Rev. Isaac Rogers, the 1st Minister of the the Old South Congregational Church of Farmington, Maine and Supply Belcher, Esq., Justice of the Peace of Farmington also attested to his character. Revolutionary War Service Pension was granted 8 March, 1834 and he received $210.

On the 3rd of October 1786, Abraham Smith was married to Susannah Brock of Lynn, Massachusetts. In 1788 he is listed as a settler of Farmington, Maine. He was a member of the Congregational Church of Christ of the Plantation of Chester (Maine) on February 25, 1790, and later when the Old South Congregational Church of Farmington, Maine was formed in 1814, he was one of the founders and the first Deacon of that church. In the book, "History of the Old South Church, of Farmington, Maine: by Ben and Natalie Butler, it is stated he had "a long and useful life". He died 2 April, 1853 at Farmington, Maine - nearly 91 years old.