Four hundred years ago, four surviving adult Mayflower women (Eleanor Billington, Elizabeth Hopkins, Mary Brewster, and Susanna White) set themselves to the task of preparing a feast to celebrate a successful first harvest in their new homeland.

The previous year, 101-104 men, women, and children sailed for 66 days on the Mayflower from England – first anchoring off Cape Cod and then choosing Plymouth as the site of their first settlement. Of those Mayflower passengers, 41 men signed the Mayflower Compact. Nine of the 41 are our ancestors. Of our nine Mayflower ancestors, five were separatist Pilgrims, one was a non-separatist, two were servants, and one was a Mayflower crew member. About half the passengers, some who were Compact signatories, died during that first winter 1620-1621.

Those that survived built houses and common buildings, planted corn and probably other vegetables, foraged berries and nuts, fished for bass and cod, and hunted turkey and deer. It must have been a busy first spring-summer-fall. Celebrating Thanksgiving wasn’t a new holiday, nor was it specific to early Plymouth. Colonists in Virginia had celebrated thanks as early as 1607. However, the 1621 Plymouth Thanksgiving was the first time the feast was celebrated as a civil holiday rather than one sanctioned by the Church.

Here are our nine Mayflower ancestors as I understand them right now – research may add more!

George Soule (1593-1680) was a servant.

James Chilton (1556-1620) was a separatist Pilgrim.

John Alden (1599-1687) was a cooper who signed on as Mayflower crew.

William Mullins (1578-1621) was a non-separatist.

Thomas Rogers (1571-1621) was a separatist Pilgrim.

William Bradford (1590-1657) was a separatist Pilgrim and early governor of Plymouth.

John Howland (1591-1672) was a servant.

John Tilly (1571-1621) was a separatist Pilgrim.

John Goodman (1587-1621) was a separatist Pilgrim.

Lineage analysis is a key goal in building the pedigree of a family tree. In researching our Fish ancestors, I find a missing link where I haven’t yet confirmed a parent-child relationship with documentary evidence. Nathaniel Fish, born in England about 1618 (Bryan’s 11th-great-grandfather), came to America and settled in the Sandwich, Massachusetts area where he and his second wife, Lydia Mehitable Miller, raised their family of eight which included two sons – Nathan/Nathaniel Fish born in 1648 and Ambrose Fish born in 1650.

Ambrose Fish, the son of Nathaniel and Lydia (Miller) Fish, married Hannah Swift. Their son Seth Fish married Mary Maude Turner. Seth and Mary’s daughter Hannah Fish married Samuel Tupper. Hannah and Samuel had nine children including two sons – Enoch Tupper and Jabez Tupper. Enoch’s daughter Olive married Jabez’s son William – they had one child, Diadema Tupper. Diadema never married, and she had one child – Charles William Pratt who married Mercy Turner Fish.

Nathan/Nathaniel Fish, the son of Nathaniel and Lydia (Miller) Fish, married Elizabeth Freeman. Their son Nathan Isaac Fish married Deborah Barnes/Barrows. Nathan and Deborah’s son Samuel Fish married Thankful Meigs. Samuel and Thankful had a son Thomas who married Hannah ____. Thomas and Hannah reportedly had a son Lemuel, but I haven’t confirmed this relationship with documentary evidence – THIS IS THE MISSING FISH-LINK. Lemuel married Lettice Eldred. Lemuel and Lettice’s son Benjamin married Lucy Jenkins Carsley. Benjamin and Lucy’s daughter Mercy Turner Fish married Charles William Pratt.

The interesting clue is that Ambrose’s daughter-in-law was Mary Maude TURNER, and Nathan/Nathaniel’s descendant was Mercy TURNER Fish. Names were often passed down from one generation to another, and a female ancestor’s maiden name often shows up as a female descendants’ given or middle name suggesting a relationship, and hopefully documentary evidence, exists. This is indeed a page-Turner – and a fine kettle of Fish!

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.

Every year at the end of May, cemeteries get mowed and American flags get set on the graves of those who have served in our country’s military. Some towns have parades, many have ceremonies to commemorate soldiers with prayers and gun salutes, and families gather for cookouts. While all these activities are important ways to mark this day on the calendar, it’s also important to consider the individuals and the impact of service on their lives. Today I share three generations of men in the Kincaid family who proudly served our country.

John Kincaid (1762/4-1840) was my 5th-great-grandfather. John enlisted in the Revolutionary War in 1779, serving as a private in Col. McCobb’s Regiment under Captains Hinkley and Lemont. A few years later, John married Susan Dracutt and started his family (9 children born between 1791 and 1815). John and his family lived in Pownalborough in 1790, Norridgewock in 1800, and Malta which is now known as Windsor in 1820 and 1830. In 1813, John enlisted in the U.S. Infantry, leaving his wife to run the home and care for the children. While on duty as a guard to a baggage wagon near Chatauqua Woods in New York, John sustained a serious injury to his left leg, a wound that never quite healed properly. John was discharged, received a pension, and is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Augusta.

Guy Kincaid (1799-1860), the 5th child of John and Susan (Dracutt) Kincaid, was my 4th-great-grandfather. Guy enlisted in the Army Infantry in 1818, a few years before he married Sarah Creasey. Guy and Sarah had ten children between 1822 and 1845. They lived in Whitefield in 1830, Vassalboro in 1840, Augusta in 1850, and Wayne in 1860. Though Guy did not serve in conflict, nor do we know where he and his wife are buried, his service does not go unnoticed.

Hiram Kincaid (1824-1877), the 2nd child of Guy and Sarah (Creasey) Kincaid, was my 3rd-great-grandfather. Hiram married Lovicia Cook in 1845 and supported his family (ten children born between 1848 and 1868) by working in local mills including a saw mill. The family lived in Mount Vernon in 1850, Wayne in 1860, and Livermore in 1870. In 1861, Hiram mustered for Civil War service in Company K, 3rd Infantry, 2nd Calvary. He was discharged from service in 1862 with a disability for which he received a pension. He was an invalid by 1865. Hiram is buried in the Richardson Cemetery in Livermore Falls with his wife Lovicia.

These three individuals were husbands, sons, and fathers – generations of service to others. While it’s important to remember the battles and to see fields of flags waving in the breeze, it also helps honor our soldiers to remember the stories about sacrifices made for their families and our country.