Revolutionary War Veterans and Civilian Casualties in Hillside Cemetery

Capt. Oliver Bates

April 19, 1775: Westford’s First Foot Company

Captain Bates was born in Westford on January 3, 1721/22, and died on July 4, 1775, from wounds sustained at Bunker Hill. He was the son of Edward and Mary (Snow) Bates and served as a Selectman of Westford during this period. He married Ruth Wright in Westford on January 16, 1744. Ruth was born in Westford on June 13, 1721, and passed away there on September 7, 1800, at the age of 79. She was the daughter of Jacob and Abigail Wright. Following Captain Bates's death, Ruth remarried Henry Richardson in Westford on July 12, 1784.

At the time he signed the 1774 Covenant at Column V-22, Captain Bates was 53 years old. According to the North 1774 Tax List, he was assessed for 2 polls, with a tax of 13 shillings. It appears that a young man was living in his household, as there are no recorded births for the couple. His total assessment for real and personal estate was 14 shillings, 4 pence, and 3 farthings, ranking him 68th.

After her husband's death, Ruth Bates petitioned the General Court, stating that her late husband, Oliver Bates of Westford, had served as the captain of a militia company. He marched in response to the alarm on April 19, 1775, to Cambridge, where he remained with his men. He received orders to enlist in a company under Colonel William Prescott, which he did. However, due to the fatigue and hardships he endured, he developed a nervous disorder that prevented him from maintaining his rank in the army. Consequently, he was taken home to Westford on May 24 but sadly passed away six weeks later.

In her petition, Ruth requested financial assistance for her husband's nursing care and noted that he sacrificed his life for his country. On October 17, 1776, she was granted £4.10.10.

Captain Bates served as the captain of a company in Colonel James Prescott's regiment, which marched during the alarm on April 19, 1775, for a service duration of 9 days. He was also part of Colonel William Prescott's regiment, as recorded in a muster roll dated August 1, 1775. He enlisted on April 26, 1775, serving for 29 days before being succeeded in command by Jonathan Parker on May 24, 1775.

Pvt. William Chandler, Jr

April 19, 1775: Westford’s Minute Company

He was the son of William and Damaris (Blood) Chandler. He filed intentions to marry Joanna Read at Westford on September 26, 1787. Joanna was born in Westford on October 30, 1754, and died there on January 23, 1842, at the age of 87, although some records suggest she was 86.

We do not have an explanation for why William Jr. is not listed in the 1774 Tax Lists. As mentioned previously, only one William Chandler signed the 1774 Covenant at Column V-16, and it is unclear whether he was the father or the son. However, we are more certain that the following entry from the MSSRW applies to him:

"Private, Capt. Timothy Underwood's Company, Col. William Prescott's Regiment of Minute-Men, which marched in response to the alarm of April 19, 1775; served for 11 days. He also served in Capt. Joshua Parker's Company, Col. William Prescott's (10th) Regiment, mustering on August 1, 1775, and enlisting on April 30, 1775, for a total of 93 days of service. Additionally, there is a company return dated September 27, 1775, and an order for a bounty coat or its equivalent in money dated November 1, 1775, from Camp at Cambridge.

Furthermore, he served in Capt. Asa Lawrence's Company of Volunteers, Col. Jonathan Reed's Regiment; he enlisted on September 26, 1777, and was discharged on October 2, 1777, for a total of 10 days of service, including travel. This company was raised in the towns of Westford and Littleton to assist General Gates in the North. He also served in Capt. Simon Hunt's Company, Col. Jacob Gerrish's Regiment of Guards; he enlisted on July 15, 1778, and was discharged on October 15, 1778, for a total of 5 months and 1 day of service, with the roll dated Winter Hill." [MSSRW III-299]

Pvt. Daniel Nutting, III

April 19, 1775: Groton Militia

Daniel was born in Groton on May 23, 1756, to parents Daniel and Elisabeth Corey Nutting. He displayed a commitment to service early on, joining the Groton militia under Captain Ruben Butterfield for four days starting on April 19, 1775. Daniel also participated in the Battle of Bunker Hill and spent several months during the siege of Boston. He later received reimbursement for personal items he lost during the Bunker Hill conflict.

In April 1780, Daniel married Molly Lawrence, who was from Townsend. The couple first lived in Groton before moving to Westford. Daniel was an honored guest at the laying of the cornerstone of the Bunker Hill Monument on July 17, 1825. He passed away on April 11, 1836, at the age of 79.

Sgt. Solomon Spaulding

April 19, 1775: Westford’s First Foot Company

Born in Westford on September 28, 1748, and passed away there as a lieutenant on August 6, 1826, at the age of 78, Solomon was the son of Deacon Andrew and his second wife, Mehitable (Chandler) (Crosby) Spaulding. He married Jemima Read in Westford on May 3, 1780. Jemima was born there on November 10, 1761, the daughter of Thomas Read (3rd) and Susanna (Dutton) Read. There is no local record of her death.

Hodgman (page 163) states that he emigrated to Warner, NH, then to Waterford, VT, and finally to Saratoga Springs, NY. He was 26 years old when he signed the 1774 Covenant at Column IV-21. He was taxed as a poll of 1, with a total of 6s-6d in the North 1774 Tax List, along with an additional total of 13s-1d for real and personal property, thus ranking 80.

He served as a Sergeant in Captain Oliver Bates' Company of militia, Colonel James Prescott's Regiment, which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775, for a service period of 7 days. He also served in Captain Joshua Parker's Company, Colonel William Prescott's (10th) Regiment, with a muster roll dated August 1, 1775, and engaged on April 26, 1775, for a total of 97 days. Additionally, there is a company return dated September 17, 1775, and an order for a bounty coat dated at Camp in Cambridge on November 1, 1775. He was also listed among men raised to serve in the Continental Army, as reported by Captain Zaccheus Wright and Captain Peletiah Fletcher, with the endorsement "Westford February 16 '78". His residence was Westford, and he was reported to have enlisted in Carpenter's Regiment for a term of one year from July 1777. [MSSRW XIV-695]

Jacob Wendall

Continental Army

Jacob was born in Chelmsford, March 11, 1764, to Jacob and Lora Winslow Wendall. He served with the army at Cambridge in 1775 for 68 days and in 1777 joined the Continental Army, serving for 2 years. He married Lydia Read on March 4, 1788, and they had 4 children. He died by drowning in the Merrimack River at Tyngsboro on June 23, 1809, at 44 years of age.

Hodgman (page 180) states that the elder Jacob brought a letter of dismissal from the church at Ashburnham when he joined the Westford church in 1773. The Westford Vital Records volume includes the baptisms of Elizabeth on June 12, 1774; Eleanor on July 8, 1781; Sally on June 17, 1784; and Rachel on October 14, 1787. We do not have any death dates for Jacob Sr. or his wife, Lora. He signed the 1774 Covenant at Column 1-55.

In the North 1774 Tax List, he was assessed 1 poll and 6s-6d, with his total taxes for real and personal property amounting to 5s-2d, placing him at rank 135. We assume that all of the following entries pertain to the elder Jacob Wendell, not the son born around 1764:

- Private, Capt. William Hudson Ballard's Company, Col. Brooks's Regiment; Continental Army pay accounts for service from May 28, 1777, to December 31, 1779; residence, Westford; credited to the town of Westford.

- Also served in Capt. Ballard's Company, Col. Ichabod Alden's Regiment; return dated Albany, January 12, 1778; mustered by Col. Barrett, Muster-master for Middlesex County, and by a Continental Muster-master.

- Also served in Capt. Ballard's Company, 6th Massachusetts Regiment, formerly commanded by Col. Ichabod Alden; muster roll for March and April 1779, dated Cherry Valley.

- Also in the 1st Company, Col. John Brooks's (7th) Regiment; return made up to December 31, 1779; enlisted May 29, 1777; enlistment for 3 years.

- Also in Capt. White's Company, Col. Brooks's Regiment; Continental Army pay accounts for service from January 1, 1780, to July 31, 1780. [MSSRW XVI-864]

Corp. Ephraim Wright

April 19, 1775: Westford’s First Foot Company

Ephrain was born in Westford on February 7, 1725/26. He died there on September 14, 1775, at the age of 50. He was the son of Jacob and Abigail Wright. He married Abigail Whittemore, of Dunstable, on May 2, 1751. Abigail was born around 1730 and died in Westford on March 24, 1814, at the age of 84.

He was 48 years old when he signed the 1774 Covenant at Column IV-2. In the North 1774 Tax List, he was assessed for 1 poll at 6 shillings and 6 pence. His total assessment of 12 shillings and 7 pence for real and personal property gave him a ranking of 85.5.

He served as a private in Captain Oliver Bates's Company of militia, within Colonel James Prescott's Regiment, which marched in response to the alarm of April 19, 1775. His service lasted for 3 days. [MSSRW XVII-927]
He died on September 14, 1775, at the age of 50, during an epidemic that also claimed the lives of his three youngest children. Abigail remarried David Fletcher on June 17, 1784.

Hannah Wright

Civilian Casualty

A child of Ephraim and Abigail Wright. In the late summer and early fall of 1775, the civilians in Massachusetts towns faced an epidemic of Bloody Flux, also known as Camp Fever, which is a type of dysentery that can be deadly, especially for children. This disease was introduced to the towns by soldiers returning from their service in the camps around Boston.

Jacob Wright

Civilian Casualty

A child of Ephraim and Abigail Wright. In the late summer and early fall of 1775, the civilians in Massachusetts towns faced an epidemic of Bloody Flux, also known as Camp Fever, which is a type of dysentery that can be deadly, especially for children. This disease was introduced to the towns by soldiers returning from their service in the camps around Boston.

John Wright

April 19, 1775: Westford’s Minute Company

John was born on July 30, 1733. His parents were Joseph and Elisabeth, Jones Wright. He married Sarah Lawrence, and they had eleven children together.

Hodgman, in his list on page 139 of Westford men who served in the War of the Revolution, does not include a John Wright. However, on page 17, he mentions him as a Sergeant in Captain Timothy Underwood's Company. Based on this information, we conclude that the following entry refers to him: "Sergeant, Captain Timothy Underwood's Company, Colonel William Prescott's Regiment of Minute Men, which marched in response to the alarm of April 19, 1775; service duration: 13 days." [11SSRW XVII-93]

Jotham Wright

Civilian Casualty

A child of Ephraim and Abigail Wright. In the late summer and early fall of 1775, the civilians in Massachusetts towns faced an epidemic of Bloody Flux, also known as Camp Fever, which is a type of dysentery that can be deadly, especially for children. This disease was introduced to the towns by soldiers returning from their service in the camps around Boston.

Corp. Joseph Wright, Jr

April 19, 1775: Westford’s First Foot Company

Joseph Wright was born in Westford on March 3, 1758, and he died in White Plains, NY, on February 11, 1777, while serving his country at the young age of 19. He was the son of Joseph and Dorothy (Heald) Wright. At just 16 years old, he signed the 1774 Covenant at Column I-6. Although he was too young to be included in the 1774 Tax List, his father paid an additional poll tax on his behalf.

On April 19, 1775, Joseph served as a Corporal in Westford’s 1st Foot Company under Captain Oliver Bates, completing 15 days of service. In December 1776, he enlisted in Captain Ruben Butterfield’s Company from Dunstable, marching "by the shortest route through Providence toward Fairfield, Connecticut.” He was reported to have died in February 1777 in Westchester County, NY, at the age of 18.

Pvt. Pelatiah Wright

April 19, 1775: Westford’s First Foot Company

Born in Westford on September 8, 1734, he passed away there on March 1, 1800, at the age of 65. He was the son of Jacob and Abigail Adams Wright. Pelatiah married Alice Powers in Westford on June 11, 1761. Unfortunately, we cannot identify her further or determine her date of death. Together, they had eight children.

At the age of 40, he signed the Covenant in 1774, which is listed in Column I-31. According to the North 1774 Tax List, he was taxed 6 shillings and 6 pence for a poll tax, and his real and personal property taxes totaled 16 shillings and 7 pence. He held the rank of Private in Captain Oliver Bates's Company of militia, Col. James Prescott's Regiment, which marched during the alarm of April 19, 1775, serving for three days. He possibly also served at Ticonderoga in 1776 [MSSRW XVII..95].