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: abt 11 Dec 1748 Waltham / Middlesex / MA Death: 21 Nov 1823 Northborough / Worcester / MA
Qualifying Service Description:
Private and Corporal, Captains Edmund Brigham, Seth Morse, William Howe, Sherman and Martin's Companies, Colonels. Jonathan Ward, Whitney and Rend's Regiments
Additional References:
56th-77th Annual Reports DAR. Senate documents (United States Congress, Senate). Government Printing Office: Washington, DC:
Pension W*13401, Mass Soldiers and Sailors, Volume 7, pg 320
Spouse: Sarah Miller Children: 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.
Author: James Edward Mitchell
Caleb Harrington was born c1747 in Middlesex County, Massachusetts (MA). His parents were John Harrington born 1719, Watertown, Middlesex County, and Sarah Barnard (1722-1812) a daughter of John Barnard, a native of Needham, MA, born in 1696. Caleb’s father’s birth appears recorded in MA, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 for John Harrington, Watertown, Births…
At age 26, Caleb’s Middlesex County, MA marriage was recorded, “Caleb Harrington of Waltham and Sarah Miller of Westborough,” posted bonds of their Intention of Marriage on Feb 24, 1774 –MA, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 for Caleb Harrington, Westborough > Births, Marriages, etc. From this marriage with Sarah Miller Harrington, 8 sons were born –Ebenezer, 1776; Barnard, 1777; Caleb (Jr) 1785; John, 1786; Nahum, 1788; Nathan Esquire Harrington, 1788; John, 1789; Nehemiah, 1793; and, 4 daughters –Hannah, 1779; Elizabeth, 1780; Mary “Polly”, 1781; and, Sarah, 1784.
Massachusetts Colony’s growing dissent and unrest was escalated between British Parliament’s est. of the 1764 Sugar Act; the 1765 Stamp Act, and its repeal one year later by the House of Commons at London. In the year of marriage for Caleb and Sarah, 1774 at Middlesex County citizens and patriots observed neighboring Suffolk County (Boston) formally declare opposition to the recent acts of Parliament, advising publically “that no obedience is due from the province…that they [the Coercive Acts] should be rejected as the attempts of a wicked administration to enslave America.” For details, see: Revolutionary Boston, Lexington, and Concord –The Shots Heard ‘Round the World, 3rd Edition, Joseph L. Andrews, Jr. M.D., publ. by Commonwealth Editions, Carlisle, MA, pg. 13.
In this backdrop above, a search of American Revolutionary War service revealed, Caleb Harrington, Westborough. Corporal, enlisted in Capt. Edmund Brigham’s (Westborough) ‘Militia & Minute’ co., Maj Gen. Jonathan Ward’s Rgt., which marched on The Middlesex Alarm Apr 19, 1775; service, 19 ½ days; also, 4th Corporal; list of men belonging to Capt. Edmund Brigham’s co. of Minute Men in Westborough; enlisted May 7, 1775; said Harrington reported as belonging to train band. Also, Caleb’s name appears handwritten with ink and quill on a Muster Roll for Pay in a company commanded by Capt. Samuel Huse in Col. Jacob Gerrish’s Rgt. of Guards; enlisted 13 Jul 1778 serving at Winter Hill, Somerville, (Fort as part of the “Military Works” in the area of Boston, Cambridge, Medford, Charleston, Dorchester, parts of Malden and Chelsea) Massachusetts Bay and discharged 14 Dec 1778; service, 5 mos. 4 days at Cambridge; source, Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolutionary War (Images Online) Vol. 7, pg 320, Film strip frame no. 319.
Caleb at age 76, died on 21 Nov 1823. His dear wife, Sarah Miller Harrington was allowed a Pension Claim –W. 13401 on her application dated 14 May 1838 for her late husband’s U.S. Military Service at which time she was a resident of Northborough, Worcester County, MA, age 85. His upright, family headstone appears inscribed, “In Memory of Mr. Caleb Harrington who died Nov 21, 1823 Age 76” upon Find A Grave Memorial# 67615895 at Latitude: 42.325287 and Longitude: -71.647288.
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