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: Major
Birth: 11 Sep 1727 Harwich / Barnstable / MA Death: 21 Dec 1795 Harwich / Barnstable / MA
Spouse: Hannah Downs/Downes; Children: Jonathan; William; Nathaniel; Josiah; Anthony; Joseph; Hannah
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.
Image taken and provided with permission from compatriot David C Schafer (MA) member 159259.
SAR Plaque Placed in cemetery dedicated 17 Jun 2023. Grave site not marked by SAR.
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
From the cemetery entrance at the corner of Depot and Main Streets walk 246 feet southerly along the iron rail and granite post fence. Turn westerly and walk 74 feet to the grave site of Major William Gage.
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Author: David Crandall Schafer
William Gage was born on 11 September 1727 in Harwich, Massachusetts Bay Colony, the son of Matthew and Hannah (Thorpe) Gage.
From the Harwich Town Records, the marriage of William Gage and Hannah Downs, both of Harwich, was performed on 4 October 1750 by Rev. Mr. Pell. Together, they had seven known children from 1754 to 1775:
Jonathan was born on 2 October 1754
William was born on 8 May 1757
Nathaniel was born on 2 April 1760 and married Thankful Gage.
Josiah was born on 6 July 1762
Anthony was born on 21 August 1764 and Jerusha Ann Sears.
Joseph was born on 3 December 1767 and Abigail Dillingham.
Hannah
William Gage served during the French and Indian War. From the Muster-Roll of the Company in His Majesty’s service under the command of Captain Thomas West is listed William Gage, Ensign; 3 pounds, 10 shillings wages per month; entered service 18 March 1760; service of 37 weeks and five days.
Barnstable County militia records of William Gage before the American Revolution include a “List of Officers commissioned for the Second Regiment of Militia, in ye County of Barnstable, October 1771: Willard Knowles, Colonel; 2nd Company, William Gage, Captain.
From the Yarmouth Register dated Friday, 28 January 1859, the article titled “Local Military History” stated: “From 1776, (when a re-organization of the militia was effected by the Massachusetts Legislature) the Field Officers of the several regiments of Bristol County remained with very little variation or change until 1781; when another re-organization was found necessary to conform to and meet the requirements of the then newly adopted State Constitution. Accordingly, elections were held, and the officers received commissions on 1 July 1781. Colonel Nathaniel Freeman of Sandwich was chosen Brigadier General of the Barnstable Brigade, whose office he had for twelve years….Field officers of the Second Regiment: Benjamin Godfrey, Colonel; Job Crocker, Lieutenant-Colonel; William Gage, Major.
The Patriot died on 21 December 1795 and was buried at the North Harwich Cemetery. Mrs. Hannah (Downs) Gage died on 1 January 1806 and was buried beside her husband at the North Harwich cemetery.
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