My ancestor, John Mead, was born on April 10,1764. While a resident of Kinderhook, Albany County, New York he enlisted and served as a private with the New York troops in the spring of 1776. He served nine months in Captain Bogard’s Company in Colonel Henry Van Rennselaer’s Regiment. Because he was only twelve year old, it has always been family lore that he was a drummer boy.
He returned to the war on April 1, 1782 serving under Captain Joseph Harrison’s and Peter B. Tearce’s Companies in Colonel Marinus Willett’s Regiment. He was discharged on January 6, 1784.
John married Elizabeth Bentley in October of 1786. They would have nine children. Like many families of the era, John and Elizabeth Mead migrated west. They were given an 80 acre tract of land in St. Joseph County, Indiana by President Martin Van Buren in 1837. The Mead’s descendants eventually migrated further west to Iowa and Colorado.
I have a copy of John Mead’s Last Will & Testament and I really enjoy his language and perspective on life. He begins…..”Firstly, I will and bequeath my body to the earth from whence it was taken and my soul to God who gave it.…”
Transcript of John Mead’s last Will &Testament; LDS Family History Library microfilm#1651187 Wills pp 111-112.
He returned to the war on April 1, 1782 serving under Captain Joseph Harrison’s and Peter B. Tearce’s Companies in Colonel Marinus Willett’s Regiment. He was discharged on January 6, 1784.
John married Elizabeth Bentley in October of 1786. They would have nine children. Like many families of the era, John and Elizabeth Mead migrated west. They were given an 80 acre tract of land in St. Joseph County, Indiana by President Martin Van Buren in 1837. The Mead’s descendants eventually migrated further west to Iowa and Colorado.
I have a copy of John Mead’s Last Will & Testament and I really enjoy his language and perspective on life. He begins…..”Firstly, I will and bequeath my body to the earth from whence it was taken and my soul to God who gave it.…”
Transcript of John Mead’s last Will &Testament; LDS Family History Library microfilm#1651187 Wills pp 111-112.