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: Fifer
Birth: 04 May 1762 Sheffield / Berkshire / MA Death: 08 Mar 1831 Stockbridge / Berkshire / MA
Headstone photo published with permission of Compatriot Aaron Cohen
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
Photo: 1 of 1
Author: Aaron E. Cohen
Daniel Fairchild was born 4 May 1762 at Sheffield, Massachusetts, a son of Moses Fairchild and Susannah Bosworth. Susannah was a descendant of Pilgrim John Howland who came to America on the Mayflower.
At an early age, Daniel likely witnessed the oncoming signs of the war with England. In 1773, the people of Sheffield gathered together and produced the Sheffield Resolves, three years before the Declaration of Independence. In 1780, the newly-ratified Massachusetts Constitution was read at a public gathering at Sheffield, which later led to Elizabeth Freeman (Mum Bet) suing for her freedom in 1781. In 1780, he joined the cause for Independence and marched to West Point. By 1781, he was back at Sheffield. Several of his older brothers had already enlisted. Daniel was recorded as a fifer. During Daniel’s service, Benedict Arnold took command of West Point with a plot to hand it over to the British. The plot was discovered and West Point remained safely in the hands of the Colonists.
About 1784, Daniel married Mary Buttles (or Buttolph), a daughter of Jonathan Buttolph and Jerusha Dibble. She was born at Simsbury, Connecticut. Descendants of Jonathan Buttolph are reported to have taken the surname of Buttles, as given in The History of Ancient Wethersfield. Daniel and Mary had several children together, with the oldest children born at Sheffield, and younger ones born at Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
A 1795 deed record lists Daniel’s profession as a joiner. Daniel and Mary joined the Stockbridge Congregational Church and are listed as members in the year 1800. By September 1814, Mary Buttles Fairchild passed away. Daniel married Affiah Buttles (or Buttolph), possibly a sister of Mary, who had been previously married to Nodiah Holcomb and a Mr. Dow. When members left the Stockbridge Congregational Church to form the North Church, Daniel became Deacon in the North Church. Daniel passed away 8 March 1831. He was buried at the Stockbridge Cemetery with several other patriots. His Last Will and Testament is of record at Berkshire County, Massachusetts. His son, Grandison Fairchild, was an early pioneer who moved his family to Lorain County, Ohio.
References
1. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War. A Compilation from the Archives by Massachusetts. Office of the Secretary of State. Vol. 5, Pg. 471.
2. A Historical Sketch, Congregational, of the Church in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Field, David Dudley, 1781-1867.
3. A History of the County of Berkshire, Massachusetts, in Two Parts, the First Being a General View of the County, the Cecond, an Account of the Several Towns. Field, David D. (David Dudley), 1781-1867, and Dewey, Chester, 1784-1867. Berkshire Association of Congregational Ministers (Berkshire County, Massachusetts.)
4. Stockbridge, Past and Present, or, Records of an Old Mission Station. Pg. 218. Jones, Electa Fidelia.
5. Mayflower Families Through Five Generation. John Howland. Vol. 23, Part 2, Pg. 261.
6. The Name and Family of Fairchild. Timothy Marsh Fairchild.
7. Daniel Fairchild of Sheffield, Joiner, Grantee. 1795 Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986. "Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9Z8-QXW9?cc=2106411&wc=MCBT-ZWP%3A361613101%2C362634502 : 22 May 2014), Berkshire > Deeds 1794-1797 vol 33-34 > image 220 of 571; county courthouses and offices, Massachusetts.
8. Death index entry for Daniel Fairchild, Jr. "Massachusetts Deaths, 1841-1915," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NW24-94D : 6 April 2020), Daniel Fairchild, 16 Jul 1881; citing Stockbridge, Massachusetts, 66, State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 960,220.
9. Simsbury, Connecticut, Births, Marriages and Deaths, Transcribed from the Town Records, and published by Albert C. Bates.
10. The History of Ancient Wethersfield, Connecticut: comprising the present towns of Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, and Newington, and of Glastonbury prior to its incorporation in 1693: from date of earliest settlement until the present time. Adams, Sherman W. and Stiles, Henry Reed, Ed. Vol. 2.
11. Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Probate Records, No. 35, (1 March 1831-7 February 1832), Pg. 138. Last Will of Daniel Fairchild, dated 6 June 1827.
12. History of Lorain County Ohio, Pg. 219. W. W. Williams.
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