Capt. Nathaniel Fales' Company, Massachusetts Militia, American Revolution

Date: 6 Jul 1779 to 26 Aug 1779
Location: Castine, Lincoln, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Contents 1 Background 2 Research Notes 3 Resources 4 Sources

Background

Captain Nathaniel Fales' company of the Massachusetts Militia marched to Majorbagaduce as part of the Penobscot Expedition, by order of General Solomon Lovell. This company's service began on July 6th, 1779 and ended on August 26th.

From Storming the Heights: Maine's Embattled Farmers At Castine During the Revolution. Third Installment.^[1][2]

An examination of their arms and accoutrements disclosed that the troops were very poorly equipped, most of them had arms, but many of the pieces were out of repair, and there was very little ammunition. Most of the officers as well as the men were unacquainted with military manoeuvers, and even the manual exercise.

Norwithstanding all these deficiencies of numbers, equipment and quality of men, General Lovell concluded to go on to Penobscot, first giving the militia brigadiers intelligence of the deficiency, and requesting them to complete the number ordered drafted by the General Court. As soon as assembled, the recruits were to be sent forward in transports, or in any other way more expeditious.

The force was altogether inadequate to accomplish what was expected of it.

They were simply an armed mob, led by inexperienced officers, without the semblance of discipline, or the power of cohesion when required to act together as a military body. They were, however a spirited body of men and were inspired by the heroic example of their fathers, who had been at the siege and capture of Louisberg thirty years before.

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Muster roll of Capt. Nathaniel Fales' Company

• Allen, Nathaniel. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779 ; service, 13 days ; marched to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Annas, Jacob. (perhaps Annis) Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Auff. 1, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 1.5 days; marched to Majorl)agaduce, l)y order of Gen. Lovel.
• Austen, Daniel. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779 ; service, 13 days ; marched to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Babidge, Stephen. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; marched to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel, Aug. 3, 1779 ; discharged Aug. 15, 1779 ; service, 13 days.
• Babson, Abraham. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Black, John. 2d Lieutenant, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; marched to Majorbagaduce bj' order of Gen. Lovell.
• Blackinton, Benjamin. Sergeant, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted July 14, 1779 ; discharged Aug. 27, 1779; service, 1 mo. 14 days; marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Blackington, John. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. [year not given] ; reported " never joined."
• Blasdel, Enoch (Joseph). Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779 ; discharged Aug. 15, 1779 ; service, 13 days ; marched to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Blasty, Noah. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779 ; discharged Aug. 1"), 1779; service, 13 days; marched to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Bogs, Samuel. 2d Lieutenant, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; entered service July 14, 1779; service, 15 days; marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel ; reported killed July 28, 1779.
• Bray, Nathaniel. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; marched b}' order of Gen. Lovel on expedition to Majorbagaduce.
• Bray, Nathaniel, Jr. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779 ; service, 13 days ; marched by order of Gen. Lovel on expedition to Majorbagaduce.
• Bridges, Job. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days, on expedition to Majorl)agaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Bridges, Jonathan. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Bunker, Silas. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales'sco. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Carter, James. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 1, 1779; discharged Aug. 27, 1779; service, 27 days; marched on an expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Carter, James, Jr. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; marched on an expedition to Majorbagaduce by- order of Gen. Lovel.
• Colby, Joseph. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; company marched to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Cole, Benjamin. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Cole, Joseph. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; company marched to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Couzens, Samuel. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; company marched to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Crosby, Ambrose. Sergeant, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; company marched on an expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Curtis, Lot. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Dodge, Abner. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; company marched on an expedition to Majorbagaduce by- order of Gen. Lovel.
• Dodge, Jonah. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; company marched on an expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Dorrett, Robert. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Dow, John. Corporal, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; entered service Aug. 1, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 15 days; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Dow, Nathan. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co.; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 27, 1779 ; service, 25 days ; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Dunham, Elijah. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779 ; service, 13 days ; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Dunham, Joseph Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779 ; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Eaton, Ebenezer. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Eaton, Jonathan. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779 ; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; company marched to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Eustice, James. Private, Capt. Philip M. Ulmer's co.. Col. McCobb's regt.; service from July 8, 1779, to Sept. 24, 1779, 2 mos. 16 days, on Penobscot expedition.
• Fales, Nathaniel Captain ; entered service July 6, 1779 ; discharged Aug. 26, 1779 service, 1 mo. 20 days ; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Farnham, Matthew. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 1, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 15 days; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Frees, Abraham. Corporal, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; entered service Aug. 3, 1779 ; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; company marched on an expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Freese, John. Corporal, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; entered service Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; company marched on an expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Frees, John, Jr. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779 ; discharged Aug. 15, 1779 ; service, 13 days ; company marched on an expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Friend, John. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted July 14, 1779 ; discharged Aug. 27, 1779; service, 1 mo. 14 days; company marched to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Gordon, John. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted July 14, 1779; discharged Aug. 27, 1779; service, 1 mo. 14 days ; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Gray, John. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779 ; service, 13 days ; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Gray, Samuel. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779 ; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Harris, Richard. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 27, 1779; service, 25 days; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Haskell, Abijah. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days, on Penobscot expedition; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Herrick, Joshua. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Herrick, Samuel. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Hooper, John. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779 ; discharged Aug. 15, 1779 ; service, 13 days, on Penobscot expedition ; company marched to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovell.
• Howard, Ezra. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Hutchins, John. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days, on Penobscot expedition; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Jones, Abraham. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; pay roll made up for service from July 6, 1779, to Aug. 26, 1779, on Penobscot expedition ; reported never joined.
• Kelloch, John. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; pay roll made up for service from July 6, 1779, to Aug. 26, 1779, on Penobscot expedition ; reported never joined.
• Mace, Thomas. Sergeant, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted July 14, 1779; discharged Aug. 27, 1779 ; service, 1 mo. 14 days ; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce [Penobscot] by order of Gen. Lovel; also, Capt. John Blunt's CO., Col. Prime's regt. ; pay abstract for service at the Eastward in 1780.
• Marshall, Joshua. Private, in a company commanded by Lieut. Andrew Oilman; enlisted Oct. l-t, 1777 ; discharged Jan. 22, 1778 ; service, 3 mos. 9 days ; company stationed at Penobscot; also, Lieut. Andrew Oilman's co. (including Indians) stationed at Penobscot river; roll made up for 15^ days additional service rendered by a portion of above company subsequent to date of regular discharge, Jan. 22, 1778, news of such discharge not having reached them until Feb. 7, 1778; also, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779 ; discharged Aug. 15, 1779 ; service, 13 days, at Penobscot ; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Moore, Edward. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days, at Penobscot; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Moorey (Morey), Elias. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 27, 1779; service, 25 days, at Penobscot; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Ober, William. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; entered service Aug. 3, 1779 ; discharged Aug. 15, 1779 ; service, 13 days, at Penobscot ; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Pernom, Gershom. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; entered service Aug. 1,1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 15 days, at Penobscot; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Pickering, Samuel. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; entered service Aug. 1, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 15 days, at Penobscot; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Pickering, Samuel, Jr. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; enlisted Aug. 1, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 15 days, at Penobscot; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Preset, Chase. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; entered service Aug. 1, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 15 days, at Penobscot; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Presey, John. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; entered service Aug. 1, 1779 ; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 15 days, at Penobscot; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Raynes, Johnson. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; entered service Aug. 1, 1779; discharged Aug. 27, 1779; service, 27 days, at Penobscot; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Raynes, Nathan. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; entered service Aug. 1, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 15 days, at Penobscot; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Raynes, John. Corporal, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; entered service Aug. 3, 1779 ; discharged Aug. 15, 1779 ; service, 13 days, at Penobscot ; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Robbins, Nathaniel. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; entered .service Aug. 1, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 15 days, at Penobscot; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Robbins, Thomas. 1st Lieutenant, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; entered service Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days, at Penobscot; company marclied on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Sanders, James. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; entered service Aug. 1, 1779; discharged Aug. 27, 1779; service, 27 days, at Penobscot; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Saunders, Timothy. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co."; entered service Aug. 1, 1779; discharged Aug. 27, 1779; service, 27 days, at Penobscot; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Sellers, Charles. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; entered service Aug. 1, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 15 days, at Penobscot; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Thomson, William. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; entered service July 14, 1779 ; service, 22 days, at Penobscot ; reported deserted Aug. 4, 1779 ; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Trussel, Jacob, Jr. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; entered service Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days, at Penobscot; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Trussel, Joshua. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; entered service Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days, at Penobscot; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Wells, Richard. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; entered service Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days, at Penobscot; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Wells, Richard, Jr. Private, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; entered service Aug. 3, 1779; discharged Aug. 15, 1779; service, 13 days, at Penobscot; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.
• Whitmore, Joseph. Sergeant, Capt. Nathaniel Fales's co. ; engaged Aug. 3, 1779 ;discharged Aug. 15,1779; service, 13 days, at Penobscot; company marched on expedition to Majorbagaduce by order of Gen. Lovel.

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Research Notes

The following men are listed as never joined or their time of service and wages due are crossed out on the payroll and/or muster roll:

1. Courtney Babbidge
2. John Blackinton
3. Abraham Jones
4. John Kelloch
5. William Thompson

The following men have discrepancies due to their age:

1. Samuel Pickering, Jr. would have only been about 4 years old^[3] at the time of this expedition; he was born about 5 Mar 1775 in Deer Isle. This also could not be Samuel Pickering and Samuel Pickering Sr., as the first Samuel Pickering was born about 1705 and died 31 Aug 1748 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.^[4] Sometimes Jr. was used to indicate the younger of two people with the same name. These two Samuel Pickerings may have been very distantly related.
2. Richard Wells Jr. would have only been about 12 at the time of this expedition. He was baptized in Salem on 29 Nov 1767. His brother, William Carroll Wells, was baptized on 30 Jun 1765, so even if Richard was born immediately after that and baptized later on, he still would have been only 14 at the very most. ^[5]

Resources

Payroll: Muster/payrolls, and various papers (1763-1808) of the Revolutionary War (Massachusetts and Rhode Island). Vol. 37, Sea coast defense, Penobscot Expedition 1775-1781. A muster Roll of Capt. Nathaniel Fales and his Company in the State pay on the Expedition to Penobscot from the 6th of July 1779 to the 26th of August following. Film #008092198. Image 171-72 of 628.

Muster roll: Muster/payrolls, and various papers (1763-1808) of the Revolutionary War (Massachusetts and Rhode Island). Vol. 37, Sea coast defense, Penobscot Expedition 1775-1781. A Muster Roll of Capt. Nathaniel Fales and his Company in the State pay on the Expedition to Penobscot from the 6th of July 1779 to the 26th of August following. Film #008092198. Image 118 of 628.

Sources

1. ↑ Gould, Judge E.K. Rockland Courier-Gazette (Rockland, Maine). Saturday, September 17, 1932. Vol. 87, No. 112, Pg. 4. Storming the Heights: Maine's Embattled Farmers At Castine During the Revolution. Third Installment.
2. ↑ Noyes, Benjamin Lake. Settlers and settlements of East Penobscot Bay specializing on Deer Isle. Vol. 19: Military. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1972. Film #009020695. Image 48-49 of 872.
3. ↑ Find a Grave for Samuel Pickering, Jr.: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/123395260/samuel-pickering : accessed 26 January 2022), memorial page for Capt Samuel Pickering (5 Mar 1775–3 Feb 1845), Find a Grave Memorial ID 123395260, citing Old Settlers Cemetery, Deer Isle, Hancock County, Maine, USA ; Maintained by R Moore (contributor 47672795) .
4. ↑ Guardianship of Samuel Pickering: "New Hampshire Probate Records, 1635-1753". Probate Records of the Province of New Hampshire, Vol 3; New Hampshire Wills, 1748. Page 597.Ancestry Sharing Link (free access). Ancestry Record 7089 #2598 (subscription required, accessed 26 January 2022)
5. ↑ Baptism of Richard and William Carroll Wells: Massachusetts, Essex County, Salem, vital records. Vital Records of Salem, Massachusetts to the end of the year 1849, Volume 2 - Births, Volume 2, 1626-1849. Film #107944730. Page 408. Image 407 of 453.