Pvt. Amaziah Richmond

A Patriot of the American Revolution for MASSACHUSETTS with the rank of PRIVATE and SCOUT. DAR Ancestor #: A096044

From the Thomas Rogers Society page on Amaziah Richmond:

http://www.thomasrogerssociety.com/p137.htm#i4470

Amaziah Richmond[1]

• M, b. 14 October 1761, d. 30 or 31 Dec 1843

Amaziah Richmond was born on 14 October 1761.[1] He was the son of Amaziah Richmond and Zeriah Richmond.[1]

Revolutionary War:; He entered the War in his fifteenth year. He witnessed the execution of Major Andre, and was personally acquainted wtih Washington.

He drew a pension forr many years previous to his death. Note:; Rev. Pen. papers.[2]

Amaziah Richmond died 30 or 31 Dec 1843 at prob Westminster, VT.

Children of Amaziah Richmond and Sarah Field

• 1. George Richmond[2] b. 9 Sep 1792, d. 15 Aug 1796
• 2. Warren Richmond[2] b. 18 May 1795
• 3. Reuben F. Richmond[2] b. 27 Sep 1797
• 4. Lucy C. Richmond[2] b. 8 Feb 1800
• 5. Joel W. Richmond[2] b. 31 Jul 1803
• 6. Alden Richmond[2] b. 20 May 1805, d. 27 Jun 1833
• 7. Eleazer Richmond[2] b. 19 Jun 1807, d. 7 Jul 1810
• 8. Amaziah Richmond[2] b. 21 Mar 1809

Citations

1. [S2] Joshua Bailey Richmond, The Richmond Family 1594-1896 And Pre American Ancestors 1040-1594 (Boston: by Compiler, MDCCCXCVII), p. 53 and 64.

2. [S2] Joshua Bailey Richmond, The Richmond Family 1594-1896 And Pre American Ancestors 1040-1594 (Boston: by Compiler, MDCCCXCVII), p. 152.

From the pension papers of Amaziah Richmond, on the same page on the TRS website:

Massachusetts Service - Richmond, Amaziah, Sarah - N. 15240

Massachusetts: Sarah Richmond, Widow of Amaziah Richmond, who served in the Revolutionary War, as a Mass. Private. Inscribed on the roll at the rate of 30 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1848.

Certificate of pension issued the 31st day of August 1848 and sent to G.S. Bulfinch, Boston, Mass.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, pg. 128, Vol. 2

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1101 - Vermont - Amaziah Richmond of Westminster, the State of Vermont, who was a private in the company commanded by Captain King of the Regiment commanded by Col. Vose in the Massachusetts line for 9 months.

Inscribed in the Roll of Vermont at a rate of 30 Dollars per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26th day of October 1832 and sent to P. White of Putney, Vermont.

• Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832 - 45.00
• Sominant allowance ending 4th March 1833 - 15.00
• $60.00

Revolutionary Claim Act, June 7, 1832.

Recorded by J. M. Duffield, Clerk, Book D, Vol. 4, Page 48.

Brief in the case of Amaziah Richmond of Windham County in the State of Vermont (Act 7 June, 1832)

1. Was declaration before a Court or a Judge? Probate Court.

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily injury? (Blank)

3. How old is he? 70 Years.

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period: 1776, Duration of Service 3 months, as a Private, Field Officer under whom he served was Capt. King.

Period: 1780, Duration of Service 6 months, as a Private, Field Officer Col. Vose, Mass.

Massachusetts troops

5. In what battles was he engaged? None - He states that he was in Sullivan's battle in Rhode Island in 1776. Fiction- the battle did not take place (until 1778).

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Taunton, Bristol County, Mass.

7. In his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary. (Supt. in compliance with the Regulatory. - crossed out)

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? They (are) defective. The clergyman's certificate wanting - The signature of the Justice of the Peace not certified to.

Certify, that the foregoing statement and answers agree with the evidence of the case above mentioned.

Examining Clerk - Rob. Fowler

Found on Vose's Regiment, 7 or 6 months.

State of Vermont

• County of Windham as
• District of Westminster

At a Probate Court held at Rockingham in the District of Westminster Court of Record having as a Clerk (something) Hon. Peter A. Taft -

On this Ninth day of August AD 1832 personally appeared in open Court Amaziah Richmond of Westminster in the said County -

Before the said Probate Court, within and for said District and County, now sitting - the said Amaziah Richmond, a resident of Westminster in the county of Windham and State of Vermont, aged seventy years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 - That he entered into the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.

That he inhabited at Taunton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the month of September 1776 for three months and entered the Company of Capt. Josiah King in what Regiment he does not recollect. Went on to Rhode Island and was there in the (something) between the Army under Gen. Sullivan and the British and retreated from the Island with Sullivan's army and regularly served out said time of three months and was dismissed at a place called Howland's Ferry.

And afterward in the month of July (about the first of the month in the year 1780, he enlisted at Taunton aforesaid, for the time of six months, went to Springfield, Massachusetts, and there (something) muster and then went on to a placed called Orangetown in the State of New Jersey and joined the American Army in the Company called Lieut. Colonel's company in the Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Vernon in Fontenoy and the State of New York during said term was present and saw Major Andre executed and at the expiration of six months was honorably discharged in (something) at West Point, but his discharge has been lost or destroyed for many years in what manner he cannot tell. The first tour of duty was in the militia - and the second in the Continental Army - in the Massachusetts line, and he knows of no living witness by whom he can (something) his term of service in the militia.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.

To the interrogation prescribed by the War Department, he answers, upon his said oath, as follows:

1. He was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, in the year 1762.

2. Has no record of his age except one he made in his bible a few years ago.

3. He lived in Taunton both times when he went out - moved from Taunton 34 years ago to the town of Athens, Windham County, Vermont - four years ago moved to Westminster, where he now lives.

4. He enlisted voluntarily.

5. Does not recollect the names of many of the officers exception already named.

6. He received no discharge in writing at the end of the first service - at the end of the six months service received a discharge - but has long since lost it.

7. He names Abraham Ball and Joseph Tinkham, names with whom he has long been acquainted as neighbors and townsmen - this is (something) except one monthly (something) in the Parish.

Amaziah Richmond - Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

Peter R. Taft, Judge.

We, Abraham Ball Esq, residing in the town of Athens in said county, and Joseph Tinkham Esq of Athens in said County, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Amaziah Richmond, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Abraham Ball, Joseph Tinkham.

Peter R. Taft - Judge.

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And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that (something) has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the said town of Athens, and that Joseph Tinkham, who has also signed the same, is a resident of the town of Athens in said county, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. - Peter R. Taft - Judge.

As (something) Clerk of Register of the Probate Court, within and for the District of Westminster aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Amaziah Richmond for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this Ninth day of August AD 1832.

Able Thays D.

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows.

State of Vermont

District of Westminster on this 12th day of March 1844 personally applied before the Probate Court for the District of Westminster.

Sarah Richmond, a widow of Westminster in the County of Windham in said district of Westminster aged Seventy one years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7, 1838, entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows that she is the widow of Amaziah Richmond, late of said Westminster deceased who was private in the Massachusetts troops in the Revolutionary War, who served as the balanced nine months and received a pension at the rate of thirty dollars per annum under the act of June 7, 1832, and she refers to the declaration of the said Amaziah and the papers accompanying it on the office of the commissioner of pensions for proof of his service.

She further declares that she was married to the said Amaziah Richmond on the thirty-first day of May in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety by James Shafter, a Justice of the Peace - that her husband the aforesaid Amaziah Richmond died on the 30th day of December 1843, that she was not married to him prior to leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four (something) at the time above stated. - Sarah Richmond, Sworn to and declared on the day and the year above written before. Ellery Allbe, Judge.

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State of Vermont

District of Westminster

I, James H. Pheps, Register of Probate Court for the District of Westminster in said (something) certify that Ellery Allbe is Judge of the Probate Court for said district, that said Court is a court of record and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is his genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and (something) of said court this 27th day of march 1844. -James H. Pheps, Register.

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I, Warren Richmond of Westminster in the County of Windham and State of Vermont, testify today that I was well-acquainted with Amaziah Richmond, late of said Westminster deceased who was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of thirty dollars per year that the said Amaziah Richmond died on the 30th of December 1843 leaving Sarah Richmond his widow who is still living, and I further testify that I am well-acquainted with the said Sarah Richmond, widow of the said Amaziah deceased, and that the said Sarah has not been married since the death of the said Amaziah, but continues single and unmarried. -Warren Richmond.

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State of Vermont

Windham County and Rockingham, March 28th 1844, personally appeared the aforementioned Warren Richmond and made oath that the foregoing affidavit contains the truth.

Before me, Alexander S. Camplace, Justice Peace.

The above named Warren Richmond is a credible person. - Alexander S. Camplace, Justice Peace

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Amaziah Richmond and Sally, his wife, married May thirty first one thousand seven hundred and ninety.

State of Vermont, Windham County, Town Clerk's office in Athens, April 30, 1844. I certify that the above is a true copy of the record in my office with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows: "May 31st, 1790" - Lyman Alexander, Town Clerk

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I, Lyman Alexander, above named before and say that i hold the office of Town Clerk of Athens in said county and that the above is a true extract from the record of said town of Athens with the exception above named or certified by me. - Lyman Alexander, Town Clerk

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State of Vermont, Windham County, Athens, April 30, 1844.

Then personally appeared the above named Lyman Alexander town clerk of said Athens and made oath that the foregoing affidavit by him described is true. Before, Alexander S. Caupbece, Justice Peace.

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Record Division - Revolutionary War Records Section, N. 15240

Form 3-525, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington CD, Aug. 23, 1922.

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Amaziah Richmond, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his and his widow's application for pension on file in this Bureau.

• Date of enlistment or appointment: 1 * 1778, 3 months, Pvt., Officer under whom service was rendered: Captain Josiah King, Mass.
• Date of enlistment or appointment: July 1, 1780, 6 months, Officer under whom service was rendered: Colonel Joseph Vose.
• Battles engaged in, Rhode Island.
• Residence of soldier at enlistment: Taunton, Bristol Co., Mass.
• Date of application for pension: Aug. 9, 1832. His cl. was al.
• Residence at date of application: Westminster, Windham Co. Vt.
• Age at date of application: Born 1762 in Taunton, Mass.

Remarks: Moved to Vermont in 1781. he died Dec. 30 or 31, 1843. On May 31, 1790, he married Sarah, who was al. pension upon application executed March 8, 1844 , while living in Westminster, Vt., aged 71 yrs. She was living with her son, Warren Richmond (only child mentioned) in Amesbury, Essex Co., in 1846. No further family data. Respectfully, (Blank) Commissioner.

(The date "Sept. 1776" as given in soldier's ap. is not used as Mass. book proves his service in the year 1778.)

From the Wikipedia page on British intelligence officer John Andre, covering his execution on 2 October 1780 (which Amaziah is said to have witnessed):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_Andr%C3%A9

Trial and execution

General George Washington convened a board of senior officers to investigate the matter. He used a trial which contrasted with Sir William Howe's treatment of Hale some four years earlier. The board consisted of Major Generals Nathanael Greene (the presiding officer), Lord Stirling, Arthur St. Clair, Lafayette, Robert Howe, Steuben, Brigadier Generals Samuel H. Parsons, James Clinton, Henry Knox, John Glover, John Paterson, Edward Hand, Jedediah Huntington, John Stark, and Judge-Advocate-General John Laurance.

André's defense was that he was suborning an enemy officer, "an advantage taken in war" (his words). However he never to his credit tried to pass the blame onto Arnold. André told the court that he had not desired to be behind enemy lines and had not planned it. He also noted that because he was a prisoner of war he had the right to escape in civilian clothes.

On September 29, 1780, the board found André guilty of being behind American lines "under a feigned name and in a disguised habit", and that "Major André, Adjutant-General to the British army, ought to be considered as a Spy from the enemy, and that agreeable to the law and usage of nations, it is their opinion, he ought to suffer death."[5] Later, Glover was officer of the day at André's execution.

Sir Henry Clinton, the British commander in New York, did all he could to save André, his favorite aide, but refused to surrender Arnold in exchange for André even though he despised Arnold. André appealed to George Washington to be executed by firing squad, but by the rules of war he was to be hanged as a spy at Tappan on October 2, 1780.[6]

A religious poem, written two days before his execution, was found in his pocket after his execution.[7]

While a prisoner he endeared himself to American officers, who lamented his death as much as the British. Alexander Hamilton wrote of him: "Never perhaps did any man suffer death with more justice, or deserve it less." The day before André's hanging he drew, with pen and ink, a likeness of himself, which is now owned by Yale College. In fact André, according to witnesses, refused the blindfold and placed the noose around his own neck.

Eyewitness account

An eyewitness account of the last day of Major André can be found in the book The American Revolution: From the Commencement to the Disbanding of the American Army Given in the Form of a Daily Journal, with the Exact Dates of all the Important Events; Also, a Biographical Sketch of the Most Prominent Generals by James Thacher, M.D., a surgeon in the American Revolutionary Army:

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October 2d.-- Major Andre is no more among the living. I have just witnessed his exit. It was a tragical scene of the deepest interest.

During his confinement and trial, he exhibited those proud and elevated sensibilities which designate greatness and dignity of mind. Not a murmur or a sigh ever escaped him, and the civilities and attentions bestowed on him were politely acknowledged.

Having left a mother and two sisters in England, he was heard to mention them in terms of the tenderest affection, and in his letter to Sir Henry Clinton, he recommended them to his particular attention.

The principal guard officer, who was constantly in the room with the prisoner, relates that when the hour of execution was announced to him in the morning, he received it without emotion, and while all present were affected with silent gloom, he retained a firm countenance, with calmness and composure of mind. Observing his servant enter the room in tears, he exclaimed, "Leave me till you can show yourself more manly!"

His breakfast being sent to him from the table of General Washington, which had been done every day of his confinement, he partook of it as usual, and having shaved and dressed himself, he placed his hat upon the table, and cheerfully said to the guard officers, "I am ready at any moment, gentlemen, to wait on you."

The fatal hour having arrived, a large detachment of troops was paraded, and an immense concourse of people assembled; almost all our general and field officers, excepting his excellency and staff, were present on horseback; melancholy and gloom pervaded all ranks, and the scene was affectingly awful.

I was so near during the solemn march to the fatal spot, as to observe every movement, and participate in every emotion which the melancholy scene was calculated to produce. Major Andre walked from the stone house, in which he had been confined, between two of our subaltern officers, arm in arm; the eyes of the immense multitude were fixed on him, who, rising superior to the fears of death, appeared as if conscious of the dignified deportment which he displayed. He betrayed no want of fortitude, but retained a complacent smile on his countenance, and politely bowed to several gentlemen whom he knew, which was respectfully returned.

It was his earnest desire to be shot, as being the mode of death most conformable to the feelings of a military man, and he had indulged the hope that his request would be granted. At the moment, therefore, when suddenly he came in view of the gallows, he involuntarily started backward, and made a pause.

"Why this emotion, sir?" said an officer by his side. Instantly recovering his composure, he said, "I am reconciled to my death, but I detest the mode."

While waiting and standing near the gallows, I observed some degree of trepidation; placing his foot on a stone, and rolling it over and choking in his throat, as if attempting to swallow. So soon, however, as he perceived that things were in readiness, he stepped quickly into the wagon, and at this moment he appeared to shrink, but instantly elevating his head with firmness he said, "It will be but a momentary pang," and taking from his pocket two white handkerchiefs, the provost-marshal, with one, loosely pinioned his arms, and with the other, the victim, after taking off his hat and stock, bandaged his own eyes with perfect firmness, which melted the hearts and moistened the cheeks, not only of his servant, but of the throng of spectators. The rope being appended to the gallows, he slipped the noose over his head and adjusted it to his neck, without the assistance of the awkward executioner.

Colonel Scammel now informed him that he had an opportunity to speak, if he desired it; he raised the handkerchief from his eyes, and said, "I pray you to bear me witness that I meet my fate like a brave man."

The wagon being now removed from under him, he was suspended, and instantly expired; it proved indeed "but a momentary pang." He was dressed in his royal regimentals and boots, and his remains, in the same dress, were placed in an ordinary coffin, and interred at the foot of the gallows; and the spot was consecrated by the tears of thousands ...

References:

5. ^ William Dunlap (30 March 1798), André' — A Play in Five Acts, transcribed by John W. Kennedy, retrieved 2007-10-25

• http://pws.prserv.net/jwkennedy/Andre/Andre.html

6. ^ Schwarz, Frederic. "Benedict's Betrayal" American Heritage, August/September 2005.

• http://americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/2005/4/2005_4_72.s...

7. ^ Sargent, Winthrop (1861), The Life and Career of Major John André, Ticknor and Fields

• http://books.google.com/books?id=zWUFAAAAQAAJ&hl=en