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: 25 Mar 1734/1735 Yarmouth / Barnstable / MA Death: 09 Aug 1803 Dennis / Barnstable / MA
Qualifying Service Description:
1776, he served as a Private in the Seacoast company of Captain John Grannis, commanded by Lieutenant James Blossom - service of 2 months 21 days.
Additional References:
Secretary of the Commonwealth, Massachusetts Soldiers, and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, Volume IV, Massachusetts. Boston: Wright & Potter Printing Co., 1901, pg 191
Massachusetts Secretary of State, Muster/Payrolls, and Various Papers (1763-1808) of the Revolutionary War [Massachusetts and Rhode Island], Micropublication, Volume 36, pg 83 Washington: National Archives.(image 119)
Spouse: Hannah Sears Children: William; Molley; Paul; Temperance
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.
The gravestone of William Crowell is made of slate. Its upper section has a sunburst carving. It is weather-worn and has a piece missing at the lower right.
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
Author: David Crandall Schafer
William Crowell was born on 25 March 1734/1735 in Yarmouth, Massachusetts, the son of Christopher and Sarah (Matthews) Crowell. William was the sixth of eleven known children and the eldest son born to Christopher and Sarah Crowell.1
He married Hannah Sears on 21 January 1773 at Yarmouth. She was the daughter of Daniel and Mercy (Snow) Sears. William and Hannah had four known children:2
William was born on 16 December 1774 and married Mercy Sears.
Molley was born on 26 March 1776 and married Elijah Howes.
Paul was born on 27 March 1778 and married Sally Sears.
Temperance was born on 28 February 1780 and married Prince Howes.
The islands off the southeast coast of Cape Cod were prized for their supply of livestock as well as their strategic location to control the shipping lanes of Vineyard Sound. British vessels brought justifiable fear to the residence of Elizabeth Islands of Naushon and Pasque. Within weeks of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the British sloop Faulkland came ashore on Pasque Island, led by Captain Linzey, and seized sheep from the island’s residence.
The neighboring island of Naushon provided the strategic Tarpaulin Cove with command of essential shipping lanes of Vineyard Sound, thus leading to the struggle for its control. As early as 4 June 1775, the Committee of Safety was requested to post 100 armed men to defend the inhabitants of Naushon Island and protect their stock of cattle and sheep. Captain John Grannis was commissioned and given command of a company of 50 men, stationed at the Elizabeth Islands from 25 June to 31 December 1775, and ordered to defend Tarpaulin Cove. The ever-present threat of British forces required Falmouth Selectmen to petition the Massachusetts General Court to supply Captain Grannis’s company with a number of cannons at Tarpaulin Cove to “deter them from landing and taking off the stock which is very valuable to said Island.”3
Serving to August 1776, Captain Grannis’s command at the Elizabeth Islands was given to Lieutenant James Blossom. The muster role of Lieutenant Blossom lists 72 men, including Private William Crowell, with service of two months and 21 days, ending 21 November with wages of one pound and 16 shillings.4 Major Barachiah Bassett, by order of the Massachusetts General Court on 16 November 1776, discharged the company of Lieutenant Blossom from military service.
The Patriot died on 9 August 1803 at Dennis. Mrs. Hannah Crowell, his wife, died 4 November 1805 in her 64th year and was buried beside her husband at the Dennis Village Cemetery.
Sources:
Yarmouth Town Records, Vol. 3, 1670-1773, pg. 100.
Yarmouth Birth Records, 1770-1793, page 65.
Early History of Naushon Island, Chapter 6, pg. 266.
Muster/payrolls and various papers (1763-1808) of the Rev. War (MA & RI), Vol. 36, pg. 83 (image 119)
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