SGT Asa Bigelow, II

A Patriot of the American Revolution for CONNECTICUT with the rank of SERGEANT.
DAR Ancestor #: A010006

16359     Asa 5 BIGELOW, posthumous son of Asa 4  ( Lieutenant John 3, Joshua2, John1) and Dorothy (OTIS) BIGELOW, was born 12 May 1755 Colchester, New London co, CT. He lived with his grandparents to the age of 14, at which time he was apprenticed to learn carpentry with a Mr. Amos Wells, with whom he lived 7 years. At the age of 21 he was drafted into the army, went on a short campaign, and became a Sergeant. Afterwards as Assistant Commissary to Col. Champion (Commissary General), he went on several campaigns into NJ, PA, and VA. He was the first carpenter in Colchester to take up the use of cut nails (1794). He married 05 February Lydia NEWTON, born 27 December 1759, daughter of ??? NEWTON. They lived in Colchester, where he died 28 July 1830, and she on 31 July 1844.

Notes: Sources:
Biographical Review of New London County, Asa R. Bigelow, by Beers 1880
Taintor's Record of Colchester, Transcribed by Charles Taintor 1864

Corrections contributed by Anne Bigelow, Forge Editor: You mention Asa, Lt. John's son, near the end of the article, whom you say served during the Revolutionary War and in 1794, used the first cut nails in Colchester. Your information is correct ; however, this Asa is Lt. John's grandson, not son. I can easily see how the mistaken connection was made - let me explain.
Lt. John's son, Asa, died 3 Oct 1754, Colchester, from a fever which also claimed the lives of his mother, Sarah, and two of his children within the space of six weeks. This Asa had nine children, the eldest was also Asa and died of the same fever on 18 Sep 1754. His youngest was a posthumous child, born 12 May 1755, and was also named Asa (after his dead father and dead eldest brother!) This is the Asa in your article. He lived with his grandparents, Lt. John and new wife until age 14 so it is easy to see how he is confused with his father, Asa.
You wonder in your article how Isaac Bigelow is related to Lt. John. He is John's first cousin, (Isaac was the son of Samuel Bigelow, a brother to Joshua, Lt. John's father). They had the same grandfather, John Bigelow of Watertown. Our records say that Isaac first bought land in Colchester in 1712 and was admitted as an inhabitant in 1717. You also state that Lt. John had five children by his second wife, our records indicate only three (Asa is the youngest).

b 12 May 1755

siblings:

     1.  Asa, b. 31 Oct. 1738, d. 18_____, 1754. (#26) 

2. Jonathan, b. 10 August 1740. (#27)
3. Dorothy, b. 2 Sept. 1742.
4. Sarah, b. 13 Nov. 1744.
5. Otis, b. 4 Jan. 1746-7.
6. Betty, b. 8 Feb. 1749, d. 28 Jan. 1751-2. (#28)
7. Delight, b. 25 Feb. 1751, d. 28 Sept. 1754. (#29)
8. Betty, b. 21 March, 1753.
9. Asa, b. 12 May 1755
source: Colchester Cemetary Records

Sources:
Bigelow Family Genealogy Volume. I page.33;
Howe, Bigelow Family of America;
Wm. H. Bigelow, Genealogy of a Branch of the Bigelow Family, 1877;
vital records and cemetery inscriptions Colchester;
Barbour, Index of Vital Records Early Connecticut;
also see article below found on the web by Don Bigelow at: