I found my 6th-great grandfather

[Cyrus Cassidy #45437]

Joshua Danforth, 1759-1837

 

I'm in upstate NY near where NY, Vermont, and MA come together. I'm doing a work project, but took a short jaunt to nearby Pittsfield, MA where my ancestor is buried. I have researched him for about 15 years and know a lot about him.

 

He was a 15 year-old corporal in his father's militia company when the "shot heard 'round the world" rang out. His unit responded to the alarm and chased the British all the way back to Boston, where they began a siege. Shortly thereafter, Congress federalized all the militia units around Boston, deeming them the "Continental Army." He re-enlisted each time his papers expired, and remained on active duty until after the war's end. I know he was present at the Battle of Bunker Hill, Battle of Saratoga and the Battle of Bennington. It is almost certain he was at Washington's Crossing and the subsequent Battle of Trenton. He was in New York during the Yorktown campaign in Virginia.

 

After the War's end, he returned to Massachusetts, went to Harvard divinity school, became a Presbyterian minister, was a co-founder of the 2nd Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC, returned to Massachusetts and became the Postmaster General of the state, returned to active service and was a Captain and company commander during the War of 1812, remained in the militia and retired at the rank of Colonel, and was a town founder of Pittsfield, MA where he is buried.

Edited August 22 by Cyrus Cassidy #45437

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

Thanks for sharing this great story of your relative!

[J-BAR #18287]

Bless him, and thank you.

 

My ancestral line is less well defined.  But there is evidence that Lt. Col. William Farmar DeWeese, who was a co- owner of Valley Forge when the Continental Army wintered there, was a great great grand uncle of my paternal grandmother,  Annie May DeWeese.  
 

So many ancestral rabbit holes...

 

Fun to attempt connections!  Glad yours are more clearly resolved.

[Tall Tale Todd]

That is so awesome! I wonder if he and my ancestor.l crossed paths? He was a Col on Washington’s staff.

[Dapper Dave]

That's awesome. 

[Rye Miles #13621]

That’s great! 🇺🇸

[Calamity Kris]

Outstanding!!  Does that make history more personal for you?

[Cyrus Cassidy #45437]

6 hours ago, Calamity Kris said:

Outstanding!!  Does that make history more personal for you?

Yeah. He actually kept a journal during the Revolution and I spent three years looking for it. I found it in the possession of my 5th cousin twice removed. He let me sit down in his living room when I showed up out of nowhere, knocked on his door, explained who I am, and asked to see it. It was amazing.

[Rye Miles #13621]

Wow I don’t even know my first great grandfather. I’d have to do some searching in Italy. 

[watab kid]

your linage goes back farther here than mine , both sides of my family came here in the late 1700s/early 1800s , 

your story is an interesting one i would be proud of as well ,