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.
Robert Titus (DAR Ancestor No. A116038) was born in Attleboro, MA about 20 Mar 1719 or 1720 to Robert Titus and Sarah Deering.[1] The copy of the original record reveals that Robert’s parents were married on 21 Nov 1710. The Attleboro Vital Records also show Robert’s siblings: a brother Samuel born on 6 Jul 1713 died as a child on 14 May 1728, Noah born 15 Mar 1721 or 1722, and Jonathan born 10 Mar 1726 0r 1727, and two sisters: Sarah born 24 Aug 1717 and Hannah born 2 Apr 1729.[2]
Robert Titus joined the Bristol County, Massachusetts Militia as a Private in Captain Moses Willmarth’s 9th Company of Colonel John Daggetts’ 4th Bristol County Militia Regiment. The Regiment marched in response to the Lexington Alarm on 19 Apr 1775 for nine days of service. Other service included 2 months and 25 days in Rhode Island as a member of companies commanded by Captain Alexander Foster, Captain Chap and then a return to the company commanded by Captain Willmarth. He also served for three months from 1 Jan 1778 in Captain Foster’s company of Colonel Thomas Carpenter’s regiment. He also served for 17 days from 27 Jul to 12 Aug 1778 on an expedition to Rhode Island. His last recorded service was again in Captain Willmarth’s company, Colonel Isaac Dean’s Regiment From 31 Jul to 10 Aug 1780 on an alarm at Rhode Island.[3] The same official Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War records show Robert’s brothers Noah and Samuel as having also served in the American Revolution.
Little Is known of Robert’s life with his wife, Elizabeth Foster. Elizabeth was born on 4 Jun 1743 in Attleboro, MA and was the daughter of Alexander Foster and Susannah Foster. She also had three sisters named Sarah, Suamma, and Jane and two brothers named Alexander and Edward.[4] The marriage intentions for Robert and Elizabeth are recorded on 19 Mar 1755 in Attleboro, MA.[5] While little of the life of Robert and Elizabeth is known, the records of both Robert’s and Elizibeth’s deaths in Attleboro, indicate they remained in Attleboro, MA for their entire lives. Robert’s Last Will and Testament does identify their children: son Robert, son Abel, son Luna, daughter Jemima, daughter Sarah, daughter Elizabeth, and daughter Jenny. All are believed to have been born in Attleboro, MA. The Last Will and Testament of Robert Titus was proven in the Bristol County Court on 7 Sep 1784.[6] Elizabeth, nee’ Foster, Titus died in Attleboro, MA on 18 Mar 1806.[7] Robert’s son, Abel (DAR Ancestor No. A116002), was obviously also an American Revolutionary War veteran. Abel served from Jul 1777 to Jul 1780 as a private in Colonel Henry Jackson’s Regiment of the Massachusetts Continental Line[8] which was subsequently designated the 16th Massachusetts Regiment, Continental Line. Regimental engagements include Philadelphia-Monmouth, Rhode Island and New Jersey in 1780.[9] No information on the other children of Robert Titus and Elizabeth Foster is provided in Robert’s Last Will and Testament. Additional research on both the sons and daughters could yield information on additional patriot ancestors for other applicants.
[1] “Vital Records of Attleborough Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849,” pub. 1934, The Essex Institute, Salem, MA, p. 269
[2] Vital Records, City Clerk’s Office, Attleboro, Mass., Attested to by Susan D. Flood, City Clerk of Attleboro, MA as a true copy
[3] “Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, pub. By the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Vol. XV, pages 794-795 and DAR RC 912790-Robert Titus
[4]Ancestry.com, MA Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988
[5] “Vital Records of Attleborough, MA to the End of the Yr. 1849,” pub. The Essex Institute, Salem, MA, 1934, p. 422
[6] Bristol County, MA Probate Records, Vol. 28, 1782-1785, pp. 102-103, Last Will and Testament of Robert Titus
[7] Ancestry.com “Elizibeth Titus in the MA Town & Vital Records, 1620-1988”
[8] National Archives American Revolutionary War Pension file no. S-23972, Abel Titus
[9] Wright, Jr., Robert K., “The Continental Army,” 1986, Army Lineage Series, Center of Military History, U.S. Army, Washington, DC, pages 215-216
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