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.
Birth: 27 Jun 1743 Lebanon / Windham / CT Death: 17 Jan 1807 Suffield / Hartford / CT
Qualifying Service Description:
Arnold's expedition to Quebec, Captain Solomon Strong, Colonel Bradley
Additional References:
Rev War Graves Register. Clovis H. Brakebill, compiler. 672pp. SAR. 1993
SAR Rev War Graves Register CD. Progeny Publishing Co: Buffalo, NY. 1998
Connecticut Archives. Rev War, First Series, Volume 12, pg 95A. FHL Roll# 3545
Johnston: Connecticut Men in the Revolution, pg 92
Spouse: Mary Phelps Children: Clarissa; Ira; Jedediah; Molly;
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.
John Dewey was born 27 June 1743, a son of David Dewey and Hannah Hall. He was baptized 16 December 1744, at Lebanon, Connecticut. He married Mary Phelps, a daughter of David Phelps and Margaret Colton, 12 November 1772. She was born 6 August 1744, at Enfield, Connecticut. They were the parents of six children: John, Molly, Jedediah, Elam, Ira and Clarissa.
Dewey his brothers, Jedediah and Pelatiah, served with Colonel Benedict Arnold during the ill-fated attack on Quebec of 31 December 1775. Jedediah Dewey and Pelatiah Dewey were taken prisoner. Jedediah Dewey died in prison, likely from smallpox. John Dewey lost his rifle, but was able to escape and return home to Suffield, Connecticut. In July 1776, John Dewey was the administrator for his deceased brother’s estate. Dewey enlisted in Strong’s Fifth Connecticut Regiment, 2 January 1777. The regiment saw their first action against the British in April 1777 at Ridgefield, Connecticut. Dewey remained with the regiment for about five months, until 15 June 1777. During Dewey’s second stint of service, Mary Phelps Dewey gave birth to their second son, Jedediah, 15 May 1777.
After the war, Dewey continued to raise a family at Suffield, Hartford County, Connecticut, where he was enumerated in the 1790 and 1800 U. S. Census. During this time, he was cabinet maker. Ledger rolls document Dewey made “…6 dining chears [sic]…” for Elijah and Martin Sheldon in 1790. He also finished stair posts, sold bedroom furniture, and remodeled 15 chairs for Oliver Phelps in the Phelps-Hathaway House at Suffield in 1795.
John Dewey made his Last Will and Testament, 1 May 1800. He died 17 January 1807, at Suffield, Hartford County, Connecticut. Dewey devised his real estate, furniture, and cash to his wife and children. He was buried at Old Center Cemetery of Suffield, Hartford County, Connecticut.
Mary Phelps Dewey married John Parsons. In her later years, Mary lived with her son, John, at Manchester, Ontario County, New York. She died 5 July 1847, aged 99 years. She was buried at the Pioneers Cemetery at Manchester, Ontario County, New York.
References:
Connecticut Archives. Revolutionary War. First Series, Vol. 12, Pg. 95A. FHL Roll# 3545.
Johnston: Connecticut Men in the Revolution, Pg. 92.
Ancestry.com. Life of George Dewey, Rear Admiral, U.S.N. and Dewey family history [database on-line]. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2005.
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