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: 16 Mar 1761 Barnstable / Barnstable / MA Death: 30 Sep 1846 Barnstable / Barnstable / MA
Qualifying Service Description:
1779, served as a Private in the company of Lieutenant Ebenezer Baker, commanded by Colonel Nathaniel Freeman, service four days on an alarm in Falmouth
Additional References:
Secretary of the CommonwealthMA Soldiers, and Sailors of the Rev War, Vol II, MA. Boston: Wright & Potter Printing Co, 1901, pg 228
MA Secretary of State. Muster/Payrolls, and Various Papers (1763-1808) of the Rev War [MA and Rhode Island], Micropublication FHC, Vol 35. Washington: National Archives, pg 226, image 543
Spouse: Mary Smith Children: Prince; Joseph; Jonathan; Lydia; Benjamin;
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 of Compatriot David C Schafer (MA) member 159259
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
The grave site of John Bodfish is best located starting from the Rt. 6A cemetery entrance. Enter on the cemetery road, bear left at the road split. After the road turns southerly, walk easterly 66 feet (parallel to Rt. 6A) to the grave site of John Bodfish
Photo: 1 of 1
Author: David Crandall Schafer
John Bodfish, third son of Jonathan and Desire (Howland) Bodfish, was born on 16 March 1761 in Barnstable, Massachusetts Bay Colony. The third of seven children, his siblings were Silvanus, Benjamin, Isaac, Josiah, Deborah, and Simeon.1
In September 1779, a small fleet of Tory ships of the Loyal Associated Refugees took over Tarpaulin Cove of Naushon Island Southerly of Falmouth, Massachusetts. For several days the Tory ships conducted naval exercises near Falmouth, causing militia Major Joseph Dimmick to fear an attack at Falmouth. Militia General Joseph Otis called an alarm at Falmouth of militia companies and began preparing defenses along Falmouth's shore. The Tory maneuvers were merely a false threat, and the expected attack never materialized. "A payroll of Continental wages and mileage due to Ebenezer Baker's company of Militia in Colonel Nathaniel Freeman's Regiment of Militia on Alarm at Falmouth in September 1779 includes Private John Bodfish, and his brother Benjamin, with service of four days, 40 miles traveled out, with total wages of 8 shillings, and 8 pence.2
Aged 28 years, John Bodfish married Mary Smith, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Bassett) Smith of Barnstable, on 7 January 1790, in Barnstable. Together they had five known children who lived to adulthood:
Prince
Joseph
Jonathan
Lydia
Benjamin.3
The 1798 "General List of all Dwelling Houses" within Assessment District 18, in the 6th Division of Massachusetts, lists John Bodfish's single dwelling on two acres, valued at $350. On 7 March 1805, he joined with his brothers Benjamin, Isaac, and Josiah to purchase 39 acres formerly owned by Colonel James Otis. The Bodfish brothers purchased additional lands together through December 1827. In 1816, John Bodfish, Yeoman, purchased "one-sixth part of a certain Pew" in the West Parish Meeting House from widow Mary Percival, "in consideration of $12".4
Census records from 1800 through 1820 show the household of John Bodfish with four males and two females, with the 1820 census adding that four household members were engaged in agriculture. The census of 1830 and 1840 show the household consisted of one male and two females.
In 1846 John willed to his sons Joseph and Prince his property on High Street in West Barnstable. Aged 85 years, the Patriot died in Barnstable on 30 September 1846 and was buried in the West Barnstable cemetery. Mrs. Mary (Smith) Bodfish, aged 81 years, died on 11 June 1854 and was buried beside her husband.
Sources:
Barnstable Town Records, 1713-1781, pg. 219.
Massachusetts Secretary of State. Muster/Payrolls, and Various Papers (1763-1808) of the Revolutionary War [Massachusetts and Rhode Island], Micropublication FHC, Washington: National Archives. Vol. 35, page 226, image 543
Barnstable Town Records, Volume 3, pg. 341.
Barnstable County, MA, Registry of Deeds.
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