MaineLife celebrates the service of our ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War. Each left a legacy of patriotism to our U.S. Constitution and our Country’s ideals. These men were sons, fathers, and husbands who risked their lives (one died from his wounds) to defend the notion that all men are created equal. On this July 4th, we recognize that freedom and independence were not easily won, and that our Constitutional ideals are worth defending today.

Thomas Chase (1755-1844) was Bryan’s 7th-great-grandfather, born in Tisbury, Massachusetts (on Martha’s Vineyard) and died in Livermore, Maine. Thomas is buried in the Hillman Cemetery in Livermore. He married Desire Luce, and they had eight children. He served as a privateer in the Sea Forces during the Revolutionary War. While in service with Commodore John Paul Jones, Thomas was captured and held in England.

Eli Webb (1737-1826) was Bryan’s 6th-great-grandfather, born in Tiverton, Rhode Island and died in Gorham, Maine. He is buried in the Sapling Hill Cemetery in Gorham. In 1760, Eli married Sarah Cloutman, and they had at least two children though likely more. Eli served in the Revolutionary War for three years; he was a Private in Major Robert Roger’s Rangers and also forught during the assault against Fort Ticonderoga.

Thomas True (1731-1801) was Bryan’s 7th-great-grandfather, born in Salisbury, Massachusetts and died in Fayette, Maine. Thomas is buried in the Old North Fayette Cemetery. In 1753, he married Sarah Clough and they raised seven children. Thomas served as a Private in the Revolutionary War in Captain Henry Morrill’s Company, Colonel Caleb Cushing’s Regiment.

Ichabod Burgess (1752-1834) was Bryan’s 6th-great-grandfather, born in Sandwich, Massachusetts and died in Wayne, Maine. He is buried in the Beech Hill Cemetery in Wayne. Ichabod married Keziah Handy in 1780, and they had nine children. Before settling down to raise his family, Ichabod served in the Revolutionary War in the Army under Captain Charles Church, and in Colonel Ebenezer Sprout’s and Colonel Voses’ Regiments.

William Coburn (1731-1783/4) was Bryan’s 7th-great-grandfather, born in Dracut, Massachusetts and died in Greene, Maine. He is buried in the Pearce Cemetery in Greene. He married Mary Barron (widow of Jonathan Fox) in 1755 and had two children from that marriage. Mary died in 1759, and William married second to Hannah Jones with whom he had eight more children. In 1775, William served in the Revolutionary War in Captain Stephen Russell’s Company, Colonel Green’s Regiment.

Joshua Conant (1749/50-1777) was Bryan’s 6th-great-grandfather, born in Ipswich, Massachusetts, death place uncertain. Joshua married Mary Henderson in Shirley, Massachusetts in 1771, and they had three children. The family lived in Amherst, Massachusetts before settling in Londonderry, New Hampshire. In 1776, Joshua signed the Continental Congress’ “Association Test” that required colonists align with resolutions of the First Continental Congress. In 1777, Joshua served as a Private in the Revolutionary War under Captain Runnel in the Battle of Bennington where he sustained a mortal wound.

Lemuel Fish (1759-1855) was Bryan’s 6th-great-grandfather, born and died in Sandwich, Massachusetts. Lemuel married Lettice Eldred in 1780, and they raised nine children in Sandwich. Before marrying, from 1776 to 1779, Lemuel served as a Private during the Revolutionary War under Captain John Russell’s Company. Lemuel was only 17 years old when he marched in 1776. He was stationed in Massachusetts on Martha’s Vineyard, and in Dartmouth, and Falmouth.

John Graffam (1740-1800/1) was Bryan’s 6th-great-grandfather. His birth location is not known. He died in Lewiston and is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Lewiston. John married Elizabeth Millett Davis about 1767, and the couple had twelve children. In 1775, John served in the Revolutionary War as a Private in Captain George Roger’s Company.

John Kincaid (1762-1840) was Bryan’s 6th-great-grandfather, born in Pownalborugh, Maine now known as Dresden. He died in Hallowell in 1840, and is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Augusta. He married Susanna Dracutt in 1784, and they raised ten children. In 1779, John enlisted in the military and served as a Private in the Revolutionary War in Captain Hinkley and Captain Lemont’s Companies, and in Colonel McCobb’s Regiment.

Thomas Taylor (1748/9-1825) was Bryan’s 6th-great-grandfather, born in Reading, Massachusetts and died in Lewiston, Maine. He is buried in the Herrick Cemetery in Lewiston. Thomas married Mrs. Sarah Richardson in 1776 and had one child before Sarah died in 1779. Thomas married Jemime Coburn in 1780, and they had seven children before Jemime died in 1801. Thomas married third to Miriam Pettingill shortly after Jemime’s death, and they had four children. Thomas was a soldier in the Revolutionary War before moving to Lewiston.

Deacon Samuel Fogg (1700-1786) was Bryan’s 6th-great-grandfather, discovered through DNA matches. Samuel was born in Hampton, New Hampshire and died in Exeter, New Hampshire. He is likely buried in the Winter Street Burial Ground in Exeter though no stone exists to mark his grave site. Samuel married and had nine children including a son Josiah who also served in the Revolution. His service details are not yet known in detail.

Josiah Fogg (1728-1790) was Bryan’s 5th-great-grandfather (DNA), born in Hampton, New Hampshire and died in Raymond, New Hampshire. Josiah is buried in the Ham Cemetery in Raymond. Josiah first married Mary Leavitt, and they had three children between 1756 and 1762. After Mary died in 1765, Josiah married Abigail French, and they had two daughters between 1767 and 1770. After Abigail died, Josiah married third to Sarah Abigail (Smith) Eastman, widow of Joseph Eastman. Josiah and Sarah had six children. In 1778, Josiah joined General Sullivan’s Army in Rhode Island to serve during the Revolutionary War.

Reuben Evans (1741-1785) was Bryan’s 6th-great-grandfather (DNA), born and died in Salisbury, Massachusetts. Reuben is buried in the Salisbury Plains Burying Ground. In 1765, Reuben married Sarah Osgood, and they had five children. During the Revolutionary War, he served as a lieutenant in the Massachusetts troops under Captains Evans and Peabody as well; as Colonels Frye and Francis.

Matthias Smith (1728-1806) was Bryan’s 6th-great-grandfather (DNA), born in Pomfret, Connecticut and died in Readfield, Maine. He is buried in the Readfield Corner Cemetery. Matthias married Comfort Carpenter, and they had seven children. Matthias was a Private during the Revolutionary War – see DAR #A106445 – for his service in Massachusetts.

Matthias Smith, Jr. (1728-1806) was Bryan’s 5th-great-grandfather (DNA), born in Pomfret, Connecticut and died in Readfield, Maine. Matthias is buried in the Readfield Corner Cemetery. About 1786, Matthias married Temperance Blossom, and they had ten children. In 1778 and prior to his marriage, Matthias served in Colonel North’s 2nd Regiment, and in 1779 he served in the Penobscot Expedition, Captain John Blunt’s Company, and Colonel Samuel McCobb’s Regiment. He served as a Private and a Captain.

Solomon Jordan (1755-1819) was Bryan’s 6th-great-grandfather (DNA), born in Falmouth, Maine and likely died near Cape Elizabeth where he is buried in the Crescent Beach Cemetery. Solomon married Sarah _____ before 1779, and they had four children. In the Revolutionary War, Solomon served in Sargent Ellis’ Company, Bigelow’s 15th Mass. Brigade.