Andrew Bourn, Jr.

Full Context of Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution (17 Vols.)Ancestry.com

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Bourn, Andrew. Sergeant, Capt. Elisha May's co., Col. John Daggett's regt.; entered service Aug. 23, 1778; discharged Sept. 2, 1778; service,11 days, at Rhode Island.

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Bourne, Andrew. Sergeant, Capt. Samuel Robinson's co., Col. Isaac Dean's regt.; marched to Tiverton, R. I., Aug. 4, 1780, on an alarm; discharged Aug. 8, 1780; service, 4 days. Roll sworn to at Attleborough.

Daughters of the American Revolution Lineage Books (133 Vols.) Search Terms: BOURN (24), ANDREW (4475)Results (1 combined matches) Database Description and Important Note The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Volume 107

Militia - Rhode Island

Source: Sketch of the History of Attleborough by John Daggett Dedham: 1834

The Militia in this town and the vicinity were subject to frequent drafts of men (more or less ) from December 1776 until after the evacuation of Rhode Island. Drafts were made in January , February, March, May, June, July, and August 1777, and at many other times. The men were stationed, the most of the time, at Howland's Ferry, Fort Barton (Tiverton) and at Warwick. Tiverton, R.I. was incorporated in 1747. For approximately three years during the Revolution when the British held Aquidneck Island, Tiverton was an asylum for Americans fleeing from British occupation, and the town became a mustering point for Colonial forces who gathered together to drive the British off the island.

The British took possession of Rhode Island in December 1776, and kept the surrounding country in a continual state of alarm. They occupied it above two years.

General Sullivan, during his expedition to Rhode Island, requested the Government of Massachusetts to send him reinforcement, in consequence of the French forces having abandoned him. I compliance with this request, the following orders were issued by the council of this State, directing Cot. Daggett of the 4th Regiment including, as now, Attleborough, Mansfield, Norton, and Easton) to take charge of the detach-meat.

'State of Massachusetts Bay,Council Chamber, Aug. 18th 1778.

Where as Major General Sullivan has represented to this Board that by reason of the absence of the French Troops, which lie expected would cooperate with him, he is in pressing need of a reinforcement, therefore.

Ordered that tile following Colonels be and hereby are directed to detach from their respective Regiments the several numbers of men hereafter mentioned, and form them into companies of sixty eight men each including one captain, two subalterns, four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer and one fifer, and see that they be equipped, armed, and accoutred, as the law directs, and order them to march immediately to the Island of Rhode Island, and there to do duty during the campaign on said Island: -vis. From Col. Hawes' regiment, one hundred and fifty men including officers and one Major; from Col. Carpenter's regiment one hundred and fifty men including officers; from Col. Daggett's regiment one hundred and fifty men including officers and one Colonel; from CoI. Hathaway's regiment one hundred and fifty men including officers and one Leuthold ; front Col. Sproat's regiment one hundred and fifty men including officers; from Col. Wilhams' regiment one hundred and fifty men including officers:

And make return to the Council without loss of time.

A true Copy.

Attest, JOHN AVERY Dy. Sec'y.

In obedience to these orders a regiment (consisting of 900 men) was formed out of the several regiments above named, which repaired to R. Island, and served under the command of Col. Daggett of this town, during the remainder of the campaign. The company furnished by this town , as its quota under this levy, was commanded by Capt. Caleb Richardson. It was on the island at the time of the battle, and was partially engaged in it.

Col. Daggett also commanded the regiment (of which this town furnished aportion) from Bristol Co., in Spencer's Expedition. This regiment was supplied by alternate drafts from the companies in the northerly and middle parts of the Co..

During the occupation of the Island by the British, as before observed, the militia from all the towns in the vicinity were frequently called upon to defend the shore, as constant apprehensions were entertained that the enemy would attempt to land. Attempts were indeed often made, not as often failed. Orders would sometimes come for all the militia to appear at some place near the Island. All hands would accordingly muster (whether by night or day) and make all haste for the scene of parade. They were sometimes thus detained a week-3 weeks and even 6 weeks at a time. On the appearance of a sufficient force the enemy would for the time relinquish their design, and the greater part of the militia obtain leave to go home. But sometimes before they arrived home, orders would come for their immediate return. The yeomanry were thus often obliged to leave the plough in the furrow, the mown hay untouched, and the harvest rotting in the field.

Anecdote of Fayette -- While Sullivan was retreating from the Island, Fayette, who brought up the rear, just as lie was leaving the field, espied a pick-axe1 belonging to the American army, which had been accidentally left on the ground; - he instantly went back, dismounted and picked it up, exclaiming, in broken English, as he rode off with it on his shoulder, They sha'nt have de pick-axe!

The cannonade, (which was heavy) between the two armies, was distinctly heard and felt in this town, and produced extreme anxiety in every family.

The time of Bunker Hill battle was likewise a day of solemn feeling, and fearful expectation . The cannonade was distinctly heard at this distance (35 miles) and the occasion of it was fully recognized. It was so heavy as to shake the windows in the houses, and the plate upon the shelves. The earth trembled as in the heaviest thunder. The town was almost deserted by all able to bear arms. Women were in tears for the fate of fathers, husbands, and brothers who had gone to the scene of action.

From the preceding account of the civil transactions and the military services of this town, it appears satisfactorily that our citizens furnished their full proportion to the ranks of the patriot army, and did their duty faithfully in the day of trial.

In reviewing the proceedings in that contest which agitated tile country previous to the commencement of the Revolution, one tiling struck me as worthy of remark, (though not particularly noticed by historians) that the citizens of this State generally the people as a body, felt a deeper interest - took a more active part - and exerted a more direct influence in the transactions of the day than the people of any other State. The whole mass of our citizens seemed to he acting in concert, animated with one spirit - and in pursuit of one object. Other States were indeed as zealously engaged in the great work, hut it was rather through the Legislature or the Government, than by the direct influence of the people. But the citizens of this State entrusted it not to a few leaders or to any body of men to vindicate their violated rights ; they were willing to do their part and to bear the burden themselves. Every town and almost every individual felt it a duty to put forth an effort in the cause.

It may he here remarked, that previous to this period, viz. 1745, Cumberland was separated from Attleborough, by Royal Charter, and annexed to Rhode Island.*

Two men from this town, who had belonged to the Continental army, were killed in that action, viz. Larned Hall and one Dyer formerly of Rehoboth.

More About Andrew Bourn:

Baptism: 29 Nov 1746, Attleboro, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.

Burial: 27 Oct 1814, Old Kirk move to Woodlawn Cemetery, Attleboro, Bristol Co., Massachusetts.

Military service 1: Bet. 23 Aug - 02 Sep 1778, Rhode Island.

Military service 2: Bet. 04 - 08 Aug 1780, Tiverton, Rhode Island.