Author: Douglas Harold Nelson
David Marston was born about 1750 in Massachusetts. He married Dorcas Elizabeth Laskey-Davis in Marblehead on 26 Jan 1770. Dorcas was previously married, hence, her name when marrying David was Dorcas Davis. David and Dorcas had four children; Tabitha born 1773, Dorcas born 1778, Mary born about 1783, and John born 1780. His wife died on 03 Mar 1819 in Salem as reported in the Salem Gazette on 09 Nov 1819. David died after March 1820. Patriot David Marston enlisted as a Soldier, May 1775 in Capt. John Merrett's 7th Company, Col. John Glover's 21st Massachusetts Regiment from Marblehead. His Regiment went to went to Cambridge and then to Beverly. On 10 June 1775, Col. Glover received orders from the Provincial Committee of Safety "to continue the Regiment under his command at Marblehead, until further orders; and to hold them in readiness to march at a moment's warning to any post where he may be directed." At the same time, a report was made to the Congress by the committee on military affairs, that "Colonel Glover had levied ten companies, making in the whole four hundred and five men, inclusive of officers; and about three-quarters of these men were armed with effective fire-locks, who are willing and chosen to serve in the army under him, all now at Marblehead." On 21 June, Colonel Glover received orders to march and on the 22nd they went to Cambridge and joined the Continental Army, under General Ward. The 21st Massachusetts Regiment contained many seafaring men making it unique as a military body and greatly increased its utility. General Washington authorized Colonel Glover to hire and fit out vessels for the purpose of capturing British supply ships constantly arriving in Boston harbor. David Marston was loaned for service aboard the USS Schooner Hancock under Capt. Samuel Tucker. The Hancock was part of a fleet under Continental pay and control and came to be called "George Washington's Navy." During David Marston’s service aboard USS Hancock, she captured two enemy transports on 25 January 1776, fending off an eight-gun British schooner in a brisk engagement while prize crews took the captured ships into Plymouth Harbor. Then, on 30 January 1776, the 14-gun British Brig Hope, which had sailed from Boston for the express purpose of capturing Hancock, intercepted her off Plymouth. Her Captain ran Hancock ashore where it became impossible for Hope, with her deeper draft, to draw close aboard. The Americans later refloated Hancock and she sailed and captured two brigs off Boston on 7 May 1776. She continued to cruise under Tucker until declared unfit for service in late 1776. She was returned to her owner early the following year. Patriot David Marston was discharged in December 1776 at Marblehead. He applied for and received a pension (S-33037) for his service.