Display Patriot - P-116988 - Benjamin BODFISH

Benjamin BODFISH

SAR Patriot #: P-116988

The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.

State of Service: MA Qualifying Service: Private

Birth: 14 Apr 1756 Barnstable / Banstable / MA
Death: 14 Jan 1827 Barnstable / Barnstable / MA

Qualifying Service Description:

Private, Capt Micah Hamlin's co., Colonel Jonathan Reed's regt. of guards; marched April 9, 1778; service 2 months, 26 days at Cambridge
Also, Lt Ebenezer Baker's co., Colonel Nathaniel Freeman's regt., served 4 days on an alarm at Falmouth in Sept. 1779

Additional References:

MA Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution, Volume 2, pg 228
Muster/Payrolls of the Rev War (MA & RI)
- Volume 35, pg 226 (image 543)
- Volume 46, pg 17 (images 55 & 56)

Spouse:
Children:

Members Who Share This Ancestor
None^*

^*This means that the NSSAR has no applications for this Patriot on file.
Instead the information provided is best effort, and from volunteers who have either researched grave sites, service records, or something similar.
There is no documentation available at NSSAR HQ to order.

Burial:

West Barnstable Cemetery_(C-0372602)

Location:

West Barnstable / Barnstable / MA / USA

Find A Grave Cemetery #:

245129

Grave Plot #:

Grave GPS Coordinates:

41.708304 / -70.373229

Find A Grave Memorial #:

5761547

Marker Type:

vertical stone

SAR Grave Dedication Date:

Comments:

Photo displayed courtesy of David C Schafer, MA SAR

Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:

From the Rt. 6A cemetery entrance turn left on the cemetery road and travel 26 yards to the bend in the road. Walk easterly parallel to Rt. 6A 35 yards to the grave site of Benjamin Bodfish

Photo: 1 of 1

Author: David Crandall Schafer

Benjamin Bodfish, son of Jonathan and Desire (Howland) Bodfish, was born April 14, 1756, at Barnstable, Massachusetts. Benjamin’s siblings were Silvanus, John, Isaac, Josiah, Deborah, Simeon, and Alice. (1)

With General Burgoyne’s surrendered “Convention Army” held in Boston, troops were recruited to guard the captured prisoners. The Muster Roll of Captain Micah Hamblen (Hamlin) of the Regiment of Guards at Cambridge “Now in the service of the United States, Commanded by Col. Jonathan Reed for the Month of May 1778, Engaged for 3 months from the 2nd day of April taken to June 1st, 1778”, includes three Lieutenants, four Sergeants, four Corporals, and 47 Privates including, Private Benjamin Bodfish. (2)

British vessels' continuous threat to coastal communities of Vineyard Sound in 1778 and 1779 were inflamed in September 1779 when the British overtook Tarpaulin Cove of Naushon Island and destroyed ships while killing their crews with abandon. The British carried out naval exercises near Falmouth Harbor giving the impression of a pending attack. In response, General Joseph Otis called an alarm at Falmouth of militia companies from surrounding towns and directed the building of breastworks along the shore. The British maneuvers proved to be just a threat and Falmouth was spared an attack. (3) The payroll of Continental wages and mileage due to Lieutenant Ebenezer Baker’s company of militia in Col. Nathaniel Freeman’s regiment of militia on alarm at Falmouth in September 1779 lists 16 men including Benjamin Bodfish with service of four days, miles traveled 40 miles, and total wages, rations, and mileage totaling 8 shillings, 8 pence. (4)

Benjamin did not marry and had no children. In March 1792 he was selected as one of three “Surveyors of Lumber” at the Barnstable Town meeting. March 7, 1805, Benjamin joined with his brothers John, Isaac, and Josiah to purchase 39 acres from Jonathan Nye of Barnstable.

Benjamin Bodfish, aged 70 years, died January 14, 1827, at Barnstable. He is buried beside his father Jonathan at the West Barnstable Cemetery.

References:
(1) Genealogical Notes of Barnstable Families by Amos Otis, pgs. 73-74.
(2) Muster/Payrolls of the Revolutionary War (MA & RI) Vol. 46, pg. 17 (image 55)
(3) An Alarm at Falmouth 1779, by Joe Rago, pg. 31.
(4) Muster/Payrolls of the Revolutionary War (MA & RI) Vol. 35, pg. 226 (image 543)

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