Paul Bigelow

A Patriot of the American Revolution for MASSACHUSETTS with the rank of PRIVATE. DAR Ancestor # A010051

Pvt. Paul Bigelow born Jan. 21, 1741 at Westborough, Mass. He Married Hanna Ober Aug. 13, 1761, and they are described as "of Upton" Mass. Paul was a company drummer during the revolution. Drummers and fifers were the command and communications line involved in every activity of a company, and acted as stretcher bearers and assistant surgeons. These were posts particularly manned by Quakers.

Paul and Hannah Bigelow lived in Upton for a year or two, then moved to Westborough, where we find they were warned (according to the custom of the times if you didn't attend church; Paul was a descendant of Quaker John Warren and a Shaker ) to leave town in 1763. They do not appear to have done so, as several of their children were later born in Westborough. The Bigelow history credits Paul with having served throughout the American Revolution. Massachusetts service records state that Paul served 11 days as a drummer in the local militia, on 19 Apr 1775, in the Battle of Concord and Lexington, and toward the end of the war served an additional few months.

Paul and family moved to Windham county, Vermont at the end of the Revolution. Hannah's father, Ebenezer Ober was one of the first settlers of Brookline, Vermont, settling before 1780. Paul was enumerated on the 1790 census at Dummerston, Vermont. Only three children were then living at home. In 1800 he and wife Hannah were living in Chesterfield, Cheshire county, New Hampshire, living next door to their oldest son, Ebenezer. By 1802 they had returned to Vermont, and settled at Brookline, Windham county. 

His death date is given as 1 Mar 1806, probably at Brookline. (We are attempting to prove the place of death and burial.) Sons Benjamin and Job are in school at Brookline in 1824. His widow remained at Brookline many years, but in 1826 removed with their sons Ezra and Job to Ashford, Cattaraugus county, NY. She died there 3 Sep 1835; there is no marker for her in the family cemetery at Thomas Corners, Ashford, now the Bond Cemetery.
Paul was a smith by trade. It is said he was a goldsmith, but a smith in that period was most likely to be skilled in all types of metal-working, from rough forge work to silver and gold smithing. 1790 census: VT-Windham-Dummerston-Paul Bigelow: l-1-3-0-0. Mass Sold & Sale of Rev War, Vol II: Biglow, Paul, Westborough. Drummer, Capt. Seth Morse's co., Maj. Gen. Ward's regt., which marched on the alarm of April 19,1775; service, 11 days; also, Private, Capt. Nathaniel Wright's co., Col. Luke Drury's regt.; rnarched from home Aug. 9, 1781; arrived at camp Aug.18, 1781; discharged Nov.18; service, 3 mos. 20 days, at West Point; residence, Westborough; enlisted for town for Southborough. Biglow, Paul. Private, Capt. Joseph Winch's co., Col. Samuel Bullard's regt.; enlisted Aug.16, 1777; discharged Sept.30, 1777; service, 1 mo. 26 days, in Northern department. Roll sworn to in Middlesex Co. DAR ORIGINAL Records state:
Pauls Death as per Gilman Bigelow Howe's genealogy: He was ennumerated on the 1790 census at Dummerston, Vermont. Only three children were then living at home. In 1800 he and wife Hannah were living in Chesterfield, Cheshire county, New Hampshire, living next door to their oldest son, Ebenezer. By 1802 they had returned to Vermont, and settled at Brookline, Windham county. The Bigelow genealogy says that he removed to Montreal with his sons, but we cannot prove this. His death date is given as 01 March 1806, probably at Brookline

Death:

3-1-1806 WESTBOROUGH WORCESTER CO MASSACHUSETTS

1) ALSO DRUMMER FOR CAPT SETH MORSE ON LEXINGTON ALARM, 2) CAPT NATHANIEL WRIGHT, COL LUKE DRURY

DAR #A010051

http://bigelowsociety.com/rod/pau55336.htm

http://www.worldvitalrecords.com/SingleIndexIndView.aspx?ix=ft_revw...

(Private)Paul Bigelow was drummer in Battle of Lexington and Concord .w/Westborough Co. Considered  a "Minute Man"

He entered service April 19, 1775 at Cambridge serving 11 days.

 One source has him serving  over a month in 1777 and later 3 months towards end of Revolutionary War.

Smith by trade... In REV Incl Lexington and Concord .. Burial REM Dummerston VT in Chesterfield NH 1800 Brooklyn

(Paul - Hannah Bigelow) -Joseph - Benjamin *-Cornelius -Elisha -Hanna -Elisha -Mary -Job