Disagreement with the Comments on John Gott Richardson. Does someone's opinion override secondary source material?

Question

On 3 Oct 2021 Adrian Stanley wrote on Richardson-5044:

I think John Gott Richardson may have lied about his age. Grave stone and service record reflect b. 1761. The Revolutionary War is not just the year 1776. The Revolutionary War period is April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783. John G Richardson would be old enough to be a member of the MA Militia by 15 August 1780. Most able-bodied men in MA, between ages 16 and 60, during the 1775 to 1783 time period, were members of the MA militia. Several secondary records reflect that John Richardson was known locally as a Rev. War veteran. Note that John Gott Richardson is listed in Soldiers Sailors and Patriots of the Revolutionary War, Maine.

Comments

Perhaps he did lie about his age. Short of us being able to witness his birth for ourselves, we have to either take someone's word for it or collect enough information from sources we believe to be reliable to make our own calculation. This unfortunately is always the dilemma we face as Genealogists.

You can't reverse the endorsement of John's service in the Revolutionary War found in the respected sources you identified. What's more, you have only the slightest chance of finding any authentic information to contradict them.

I would identify him as a Revolutionary War veteran born about 1761. IE, I would be more certain of his service than his age.

Answer 1

I agree that his DOB is not inconsistent with his having served in the Rev War. Since he is listed by the SAR as a Patriot Ancestor, seems like he should qualify: SAR Patriot #: P-278601

Comments

He is also included in "a list of some qualifying Patriots used by a few [Maine Society Sons of the American Revolution] members." https://www.messar.org/patriots.html

Answer 2

The citation that Chase provided seems also seems to rely on the statement on his grave and there is no detail provided for his service. It also says no member has filed an application based on him as an ancestor.

I am just curious, but in what unit did he serve?  What was his actual service?