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: 21 Oct 1734 Barnstable / Banstable / MA Death: 07 Nov 1782 Barnstable / Barnstable / MA
Qualifying Service Description:
Private: CAPT Micah Hamlin; COL Nathaniel Freeman - service, 2 days on alarm at Falmouth in April 1779
Same company and regiment, 2 days on one alarm; company served subsequent to April 5, 1779
On four alarms at Falmouth, two in April, one in May, and one in September 1779
Additional References:
MA Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution, Volume 8, pg 755
Muster/Payrolls of the Rev War (MA&RI), Volume 36, pg 31, 32a, & 34 (images 50, 52 & 53)
Spouse: Rachel Howland Children: Rebecca; Ann; Asa;
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.
Photo is displayed courtesy of David C Schafer, MA SAR
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
From the Rt. 149 cemetery entrance travel on the cemetery roadway about 50 yards turn right on the first roadway. Travel another 90 yards to the northeasterly point of the cemetery roadway cul-de-sac. Walk easterly about 30 yards to the gravesite of Nathan Jenkins
Photo: 1 of 1
Author: David Crandall Schafer
Nathan Jenkins, son of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Tupper) Jenkins, was born on 21 October 1734, at Barnstable, Massachusetts. Nathan had four siblings, Thomas, Ebenezer, Martha, and Elizabeth.1
Nathan married Rachel Howland, daughter of Joseph and Rachael (Crocker) Howland, on 9 December 1762. Together they had three children from 1762 to 1767, Rebecca, Ann, and Asa.2
Following Lord Germain’s policy of “distressing those provinces by destroying their shipping” British General Richard Prescott met on 30 March 1779, with loyalists leading the Tory group organized as “Loyal Associated Refugees”. The group’s objective was to “wage war upon their inhuman persecutors, and use every means in their power, to obtain redress and compensation for the indignities and losses suffered.” Deciding on “an expedition against such parts of the Massachusetts Bay as are within Vineyard Sound and Nantucket” an attack on (New)Bedford with ten ships was planned.
The convoy sailed April 1 from Newport. Preparing to attack the winds suddenly failed with the ships drifting in sight of Bedford, allowing the Rebels to alarm the coast in defense of the town. Receiving cannon fire from Bedford’s fort the British convoy ended their attack after two hours of skirmishing and proceeded to Vineyard Sound and the southerly coast of Falmouth. During the night of April 1st, a small band of the Loyalists rowed to Woods Hole but were spotted and fled back to the convoy. Spending that night and the next day on Pasque Island the Loyalists prepared to attack at Falmouth. Militia commander Nathanial Freeman called an alarm the evening of April 2nd at Falmouth resulting in the gathering of over 200 militia converging at Falmouth Center. On the morning of April 3rd the Loyalist convoy appeared off Woods Hole and sailed along the coast to Falmouth Harbor and commenced firing their ship’s cannons at 11:30 on the defending militia. Militia companies returning fire prevented the landing of 200 Loyalists, with the assault ending at 5:00 PM. April 4th the convoy returned at sunup and commenced firing the ship’s cannons. Failing again to land ashore the convoy sailed to Nonamesset Island and Martha’s Vineyard before sailing on to Nantucket.3
The Payroll of Captain Micah Hamlen’s Company of Matrosses in Colonel Nathaniel Freeman’s Regiment for service done at the Alarm at Falmouth, April 1779 lists Private Nathan Jenkins with 2 days service and wages of 10 shillings, 8 pence.4
On September 1779 another Tory convoy took over Tarpaulin Cove initiating an Alarm at Falmouth which was answered by Captain Hamlin’s Militia Company including Private Nathan Jenkins.5
Aged 48 years, Nathan Jenkins died on 7 November 1782, at Barnstable. Mrs. Rachel (Howland) Jenkins, aged 50 years, died on 16 September 1792 and was buried beside her husband at the West Barnstable Cemetery.
Sources:
Barnstable, Transcript of Records, 1713-1781, Vol. 2, Town and City Clerks of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Vital and Town Records. Provo, UT: Holbrook Research Institute (Jay and Delene Holbrook). page 355.
The Hamlin Family, Fifth Generation, page 107.
Rago, J., Rago, J. (2003). An Alarm at Falmouth 1779. (n.p.): (n.p.). pages 29-36.
Muster/payrolls, and various papers (1763-1808) of the Revolutionary War [Massachusetts and Rhode Island]. Vol. 36, page 32a (image 52).
Ibid, Vol. 36, pg. 34 (image 53).
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