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.
Author: Shawn Kurt Stoner
Nathaniel was baptized 05 Jun 1757 in Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts. His parents were Nathaniel (whose family had been in Northampton since the 1650’s) and Elizabeth Childs Phelps (of Deerfield, Franklin, Massachusetts). He was the 5th of 7 in an unbroken line of Nathaniel Phelpses from Northampton. His father was a farmer, stone worker and local stone cutter, who produced many of the tomb stones in the Northampton area between 1740 and 1785. In like fashion, Nathaniel Jr. was a farmer, blacksmith and stone worker. On July 5, 1782 Nathaniel was married to Lucy Strong of Northampton. Her father, Ebenezer Strong was a Cptn. in the Revolutionary War, Nathaniel’s father served under him. Nathaniel and Lucy had 11 children: Son 1783-1783, Diana 1784-1834, Burnham 1786-1870, Ebenezer Strong 1788-1872, Nathaniel (6th) 1791- 1857, Lucy 1793-1796, Adelia 1795-1847, Lewis 1797-1872, Lucy 1799-1800, Lucinda 1801-1828 and Charles 1802-1874. His pension was granted Nov. 23, 1832. Nathaniel died on March 4, 1833 and is buried at Bridge Street Cemetery in Northampton. His grave is marked with an SAR marker.
The following information was obtained from his sworn statement Aug 8, 1832 as part of his pension file and Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, Vol 12
Nathaniel enlisted as a minute man in June of 1774 and was “doing military duty once a week and holding himself ready to obey the call of his country” under Capt. Barnard. On April 20, 1775 they marched to Cambridge in the service of Capt. Jonathan Allen, Lt. Oliver Lyman and 1st Lt. Jonathan Heavens responding to the alarm on April 19. They marched through Hadley, Belchertown, Worchester and the old “Bay Road” to reach Cambridge. Once there, April 27, he reenlisted for 9 months until Feb. 1, 1776 in Capt. Jonathan Allen’s (3rd) co., Col. John Fellows (8th) regt. During this time he was stationed at Roxbury until after the Battle of Bunker Hill. On Aug. 7, 1775 he left for Dorchester, Oct, 7, 1775 and was quartered in houses, not tents. An order for bounty coat or its equivalent in money dated Dorchester Camp, Nov. 7, 1775. He assisted in the building of a fort on Roxbury Hill behind the meeting house. Served 7 days in Capt. Oliver Lyman’s Co. on the alarm on Aug 17, 1777. On Jun. 10, 1778 Nathaniel enlisted again for 9 months and marched through Westfield, Simsbury, Farmington, Litchfield, Greenwich, Dover, Fishkill and West Point. Joining with Capt. Goodell’s company, Col. Pitman’s regiment. On Jun. 30, 1778 he began work as a blacksmith at Fishkill and remained there for 9 months. It is reported that he kept a journal at the time from day to day, relating the incidents of his service.
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