James Sprague, Sr

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Sprague-48

James Sprague (1746 - 1799)

Born 1746 in Harpswell, Cumberland, Maine

ANCESTORS

Son of Abiel Sprague and Hannah (Getchell) Sprague

Brother of Servia (Sprague) Dyer [half], Ruth (Sprague) Boulter [half], Elizabeth (Sprague) Bonney,

Zerviah (Sprague) Dyer [half] and Abiel Sprague Jr [half]

Husband of Jane (Dyer) Sprague — married [date unknown] [location unknown]

DESCENDANTS

Father of William Sprague, James Sprague jr, Patience (Sprague) Hasty, Alice (Sprague) Grover,

Jeramiah Sprague, Stephen F. Sprague, John Miner Sprague and Susannah Sprague

Died 12 Mar 1799 in Schoodic River

Profile managers: Stephen Caldwell, Tom Gerber, and Kristin Shea

Profile last modified 10 Mar 2016 | Created 11 Sep 2010

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User ID: E1831BDCB10C3C458D2B6FEB1B4A9857FF8F This person was created through the import of GERBER.GED on 21 September 2010. The following data was included in the gedcom. You may wish to edit it for readability.

Birth: Date: ABT 1746 Place: Harpswell, Cumberland, Maine Source: #S163

Death: Date: 12 FEB 1799 Place: Schoodic River, New Brunswick, Canada Note: Drowned in a boating accident on the Schoodic River (now called the St. Croix). The boat was the mail boat and was leaving from the town of Schoodic (now called St. Stephen's) when it capsized. His body was never recovered. "The St. John Gazette" on March 22, 1799, is: "Melancholy Accident: We learn from Schoodiac that on Friday, the 12 (inst.) as a boat was crossing from that place over to St. Andrews, with the Mail, was unfortunately upset - by which accident five men were drowned - viz. James Sprague, Calvin Kidder, James Trott, Samuel Trott, and John Hodge. From the rapidity of the tide and great depth of the water, every attempt to find the bodies was rendered ineffectual - except C. Kidder, who was drowned in the boat. The accident was occasioned by the jibing of the sail. The Mail was also lost." Source: #S163 Source: #S1147

Note

Note: No probate records found in the New Brunswick gov't records. Note: "Supplement to Sprague Families in America", by Dr. Warren Vincent Sprague, page 191. James Sprague resided in Machias and Calais, ME; he was a lumberman and farmer. He died in Red Beach, the lower ward of Calais. The cellar of his home in Red Beach is just below Coleman's Store. He married, probably in Machias. His family in 1790 consisted of 1 male over 16, 5 males under 16 and 3 females. His name does not appear in the 1800 Census. 1803, Aug. 2. William Sprague was appointed administrator of his estate. James and Abiel Sprague were members of the crew of the sloop Unity, commanded by Capt. Jeremiah O'Brien that engaged the armed British schooner Margaretta in Machias Harbor, June 12, 1775. Although the Unity's rigging was carried away, a well-placed shot killed the helmsman of the Margaretta, and the Americans were able to board. Using their muskets, axes and pitchforks, they quickly subdued the crew and were able to tow the Margaretta in Machias. The British fitted out two armored schooners at Halifax for the purpose of retaking the Margaretta, the Dilignece and the Tapnaquish. O'Brien however was again successful and the battle, July 12, 1775, resulted in capturing both vessels and taking the crews prisoners. Later on James served as a private in Capt. John Scott's detachment; enlisted December 1, 1776, discharged December 21, 1776; service 21 days, detachment raised in Machias to reinforce troops under Col. Jonathan Eddy engaged in operations against the British garrison stationed at Fort Cumberland; also Capt. Joseph Sevey's Co, Col. Benjamin Foster's (Lincoln Co.) regt.; entered service June 23, 1777, discharged July 16, 1777, servie 23 days; company ordered on duty by Col. Benjamin Foster for defense of Machias and rivers adjacent when ship "Ambuscade' lay in the harbor. James and his brother Abiel settled in Calais in 1781. For miles up and down the St. Croix River there was a stand of huge pine, many of them with the "King's Mark" on them. Some of the trees were more than six feet in diameter. After the Peace, in 1783, the Loyalists in great numbers began to build their cabins directly across on the Canadian side. As the Loyalist settlement expanded James moved several miles down the river to a place later called Red Beach, the lower ward of Calais and his brother moved several miles up the river. James of Calais sold land in Calais to Stephen Jones, December 3, 1787 and September 3, 1792, he bought from Waterman, Thomas, Downs, and Robins land, including 100 acres due him as a settler prior to January 1, 1784. In 1784, March 25, he became part owner of a large tract of timber land in Charlotte Co., NB. 1790. Resident of Calais when Census was taken. Sources

Source S1147 Title: St. John Gazette Abbreviation: St. John Gazette Publication: 22 mar 1799 Source S163 Title: Sprague Families in America - Supplement #2 1940 (1) Abbreviation: Sprague Families in America - Supplement #2 1940 ( Note: by W.V. Sprague