By Rob Young
5th Great-grandson
Isaac Durant was born in Littleton Sept 16 1757, the oldest of nine children of Henry and Susannah (Preston) Durant (2,3,29). [1] On September 26, 1784 in Salem Massachusetts he married Helena Wendell the daughter of Thomas Wendell and Abigail Taylor. [2] Throughout his life, his occupation was listed variously as wheel-Wright (10) [3], cabinet-maker [4], and blacksmith. He served in the Continental Army as a drummer. [5]
In 1775 Isaac was living in Lexington, MA, little knowing perhaps that his quiet village would soon witness the opening engagement of the American Revolution. [6] The British Parliament and King George III had ordered General Thomas Gage, Royal Governor of Massachusetts and Commander In Chief in British North America, to take action to smother additional colonial agitation. Above all, he was to act to preclude violence by quickly seizing colonial arms and ammunition stored throughout Massachusetts. In pursuit of this policy, on the night of April 18, 1775 Gage ordered over 800 British soldiers and marines under Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith and Marine Major John Pitcairn to seize the military stores in Concord, some 20 miles west of Boston. [7] Thus, in the early morning of April 19, 1775 on Lexington Common the shots were fired that began the American Revolution. Isaac took part in the action and gave a sworn deposition the day after. He testified “that about 5:00 hearing our drum beat, we proceeded towards the parade, and soon found that large bodies of troops were marching towards us.” The British had been met by some seventy or so Lexington Minute Men formed in two ranks and led by their captain, John Parker. [8] Major Pitcairn rode forward and ordered, “Lay down your arms you damned rebels, and disperse!” Captain Parker gave the order to do so, but as his men began to leave the Common a shot was fired, no one knows to this day who fired that shot, but instantly eight militia men were dead. The British Soldiers did reach Concord but the ammunition and guns had been hidden in new locations. [9] At the North Bridge in Concord the British were confronted again, this time by 300 to 400 armed colonists, and
were forced to hurry back to Boston with the Americans firing on them all the way. By the end of the day, the colonists were singing “Yankee Doodle” and the American Revolution had begun. [10]
Places where Isaac Lived
In 1788 Isaac was listed as living in Groveland, Massachusetts. His occupation was that of cabinet maker and he was living on Pecker or Burbank lane, in a home that in 1851 was known as the Hiram Judkins place [11]. He appears in Boxford, Massachusetts with five household members in 1790. [12] When the town voted to divide itself into six districts and build a school house in each, his name is listed in the second district as headof his family. [13] In the 1800 Topsfield, MA census, he appears as head of a household of seven members. But, by 1820 he has moved to Westford, MA and appears in the 1820 and 1830 censuses of that town. [14] The 1840 Census of Westford gives his age as 83 and listed him as a Veteran. [15] In a deposition supporting the pension application of Captain Enoch Cook of Groton, he states he is “of Pepperell” as of May 8 1820. [16] Also, on May 5 1835 in support of the pension application of Captain Josiah Hastings he again lists his residence as Pepperell. [17] In Westford,
Isaac lived in a home that would later be known as the Kent Place on the road to the village center. It was on a corner where there was a blacksmith shop. Edward R.Hodgman wrote in his History of the Town of Westford, “at the corner of the road leading to Westford centre lived Isaac Durant later called the Kent place.”Capt. David Prescott Lawrence a longtime resident of Westford stated that he remembers Isaac Durant a revolutionary soldier, who was blind and was guided about the village by a little grandson. [18] Isaac was living in South Natick, probably at his daughter Caroline’s house, when he died on January 9, 1848 at the age of 90. [19]
Isaac’s Children
- Isaac, Jr., b. 25 April 1786, Shirley, Middlesex, MA; d. 7 April 1824, Townsend, Middlesex, MA
- Susan, b. 20 September 1787, Boxford, Essex, MA; d.30 December 1808
- Thomas Wendell, b. 5 February 1790, Boxford, Essex,MA; d. 28 May 1809, Stanstead, Quebec, Canada
- John, b. 5 June 1791, Boxford, Essex, MA; d. 28 September 1881, Pepperell, Middlesex, MA
- Henry, b. 3 March 1793; d. 25 October 1810
- Helen Susan, 28 February 1795; d. 21 October 1822
- Wendell, b. 21 December 1797; d. 6 January 1861, Pepperell, Middlesex, MA
- Mary Ann, b. 24 October 1800, Boxford, Essex, MA; d. 9 November 1889 Abraham b. 24 July 1801; d. 1885, Philadelphia, PA
- Caroline, b. 3 November 1805; 7 May 1873, South Natick, Middlesex, MA
Isaac’s War Record from Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War [20]
- Drummer, Enlisted May 2 1775 under Captain Samuel Gilbert’s Company in Colonel Prescott’s Regiment; muster roll dated August 1’st 1775; service 91 days.
- Company return dated Cambridge September 28, 1775.
- Order for bounty coat or its equivalent in money dated Cambridge, October 30, 1775.
- September 29, 1777 Isaac enlists into Captain Samuel Farrar’s Company under Jonathan Reeds Regiment as a drummer. This company was drafted by Colonel Eleazer Brooks Regiment to reinforce General Horatio Gates Northern Army discharged Nov 7 1777 service 1 month 10 days.
- June 25, 1778 Enlisted as a drummer in Captain Curtis’s Company under Colonel John Jacobs Regiment served six months ten days in Rhode Island until January 1, 1779.
- Descriptive list of men raised in Middlesex County,to serve in the Continental army for nine months, returned as received of Justin Ely, commissioner, by Captain James Cooper, at Springfield, July 19, 1779; Capt. Bridges [?] co.; Col Faulkner’s regiment age 22 years; stature is 5ft 8” and is engaged for the town of Lexington; reported delivered to Capt J. Cooper; in Captain Bridges Company under Colonel Faulkner’s Regiment.
- October 16, 1783 Drummer 7th Company order dated October 16, 1783 for wages, for Oct. – Dec. [ year not given], appearing in a register of orders accepted on account of wages
- Dec 31 1783 Drummer 7th Company order dated December 31, 1783 for wages Oct – Dec year not given, appearing in a register of orders accepted on account of wages.
- Col. Michael Jackson’s 8th Regiment statement of Continental balances certified April 10, 1786 term 9 months.
Isaac’s Application for the Pension Act of March 18, 1818 [21]
The following statements Isaac made in his application for benefits. He served at the commencement of “that war” eight months at Cambridge. Then enlisted upon the Continental establishment for one year under Captain Samuel Gilbert under the late William Prescott’s Regiment, with this Regiment he went to New York, did a years service and was discharged December 27th receipts are signedfor “serving and shouldering” September, October and November in Captain Gilberts Company of the 7th Regiment. Hired by Lexington the hiring logs into the continental army went to Concord mustered by Col James Barrett proceeded to West Parish was in a company called the Majors company by Major Keith in Colonel Michael Jackson’s Regiment Massachusetts line until discharged.
June 28, 1778 Isaac is at the Battle of Monmouth.
In 1781 or 82 he went to Rhode Island 9 months in the Company of Capt Nathan Smith in Col Jacob’s Regiment. Hired by the town of Sutton Mass mustered by ? ordered to West Point placed in the Company of Capt Wollet in the 11th regiment commanded by Col. Shephard afterwards Commanded by Col Henry Jackson did duty till January 1783 received a discharge by Gen Major Knox.
Served in the war of the Revolution from the onset of six years and two months three of those years inthe 4th Regiment of the Massachusetts line commanded by Colonel Shephard and was at the battle of Monmouth. Heis sixty two years of age a cabinet maker by occupation and has lost one eye. His household consists of his wife Helena and Caroline a 14 year old daughter and did not keep a house for fourteen years previous to obtaining a pension.
Isaac’s Testimony in Behalf of Capt. Enoch Cook’s Application for Pension [22]
May 8 1820: Isaac testified on behalf of Capt EnochCook of Groton, captain of volunteers under Colonel Jonathan Reed of Littleton. Isaac states that he was at Saratoga at the time of the capture of Burgoyne and his army serving in the company of Deacon Farrar that composed part of Reeds Regiment. Isaac described seeing Cook the day after the battle with an ankle wound that appeared to be made by a musket ball.
Capt. Josiah Hastings Application for Pension [23]
Isaac gives his deposition on behalf of Josiah May 5, 1835 at the Middlesex Massachusetts Probate Office. He testifies that he is living in Pepperell aged seventy seven years and that Capt. Josiah Hastings was asoldier in 1777 in the same company commanded by Abraham Pierce. “I know that he did duty in said company over four months, I left said company in March 1778 and left said Hastings there when I came away.” Josiah’s application was rejected the first time as Isaac and Josiah gave different years and months served for their service at Cambridge. Register of Probate Isaac Fiske writes “Mr. Durant is a credible man & a pensioner: – the reason that his evidence was not processed before is that it was not known he was alive until the late celebrationat Lexington; when the bones of those who fell on the 19 of April were taken up & placed by the monument;In an address declared by Mr. Everett. On this occasion all those who were engaged in the affair of the 19 of April, that were alive & able to attend, were made guests:- & This Mr. Durant, the deponent sat at the head of this body of veterans. I have seen this particularly more as a “matter of curiosity, than of necessary detail.”
Commemoration of April 19 1775 [24]
On April 20th 1835 sixty years after the revolution the town of Lexington assembled to commemorate the events of April 19 1775 there were but twelve survivors ten being present, Isaac being about seventy seven years of age. On this day the remains of those who died in the Battle of Lexington were moved from theOld Burying Ground and re-interred near the base of theBattle of Lexington Monument
Death at South Natick Jan 9 1848
- January 8, 1848, died at South Natick, Mr. IsaacDurant, 90, a soldier of the revolution. [25]
- He was probably living with his daughter Caroline and her husband Henry Fisher Bartlett. Isaac was buried at the Westlawn Cemetery in Westford, Massachusetts next to his wife Helena.
- Isaac dies in South Natick Massachusetts at 90 years 5 months. [26]
- Town of Natick death records has his age as 91 born in Littleton and cause of death being old age. [27]
Miscellaneous
- July 16 1779 – April 15 1780 Michael Jackson MusterRoll 9 months. [28]
- October 19, 1781 Isaac is at Yorktown when Lord Cornwallis surrenders. [29]
- His name appears on James Barrett’s Muster Roll ofJuly 28 1778 from town of Lexington to join Rhode Island to Jan 1, 1779. [30]
Footnotes
[1] Joseph A. Harwood and Samuel Smith, Records of Littleton, Massachusetts, Printed by Order of the Town, Births and deaths from the Earliest Records in the Town Books begun in 1715, (The Patriot Press, Concord MA., 1909); American Genealogical Biographical Index(AGBI). 1999 19 Sep. 2007 http://search.ancestrylibrary.com/ cgi-bin/sse.dll?rank=1&gsfn=isaac&glsn=durant&=%2c%; Deaths registered in the Town of Natick, County of Middlesex, for the year 1851, p. 88.
[2] Vital Records of Salem, Massachusetts, To The End Of The Year 1849, (Salem, Massachusetts: The Essex Institute, 1924); Jordan Dodd, Liahona Research, comp. Massachusetts Marriages, 1633-1850[database on-line], ( Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2005).
[3] W. D. Durant, John Durant Apparently from an Eastern County of England and his Descendants, 1659-1906, Presented to the New York Genealogical Society By The Compiler April 30 1909.
[4] Alfred Poore, M.D., “The Houses and Buildings of Groveland, MA,” The Essex Institute Historical Collection, Volume XLVII, (Salem, Mass., Printed for the Essex Institute, 1911), p. 143.
[5] Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, 17 Volumes (Boston: Wright & Potter Printing Co., Printers, 1899), Volume V, p.89.
[6] W. D. Durant, John Durant.
[7] “Today in History, April 19” Library of Congress http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/today/apr19.html
[8] “Today in History, April 19.”
[9] Benson Bobrick, Fight for Freedom: the American Revolutionary War, (New York: Athenaeum for Young Readers, 2004), Print
[10] “Today in History, April 19.”
[11] Poore, p. 143.
[12] Source Citation: Year: 1790; Census Place: Boxford, Essex, Massachusetts; Roll: M637_4; Page: 111; Image: 132; Family History Library Film: 0568144; Sidney Perley, The History of Boxford, Essex County, Massachusetts: from the Earliest Settlement Known to the Present Time, a Period of about Two Hundred and Thirty Years, (South Waterford, ME, Merriam-Eddy, 1984), p. 256.
[13] Headline: Miscellany; Article Type: News/Opinion “Isaac Durant Obituary,” The Boston Daily Atlas, Boston, MA, January 12, 1848; Issue 166; col A (same article as # 28 published about a month apart))
[14] Source Citation: U.S.Bureau of the Census, the census of 1820, Westford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, Page: 494; NARA Roll: M33_51; Image: 314; U.S.Bureau of the Census, the census of 1830, Westford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, Page: 204; NARA Roll: M19-67; FamilyHistory Film: 0337925.
[15] Source Citation: U.S.Bureau of the Census, the census of 1840, Westford, Middlesex, Massachusetts; Roll: 266; Page: 190; Image: 1269; Family History Library Film: 0014678.
[16] Deposition of Isaac Durant in support of Enoch Cook’s application for pension according to the Act of1818. Massachusetts Pension File? Mass. S- 5015, dated Westford, MA May 8, 1820.
[17] Deposition of Isaac Durant in support of application Josiah Hastings for pension according to the Actof 1818. Middlesex County Court of Probate, dated Middlesex County, May 5, 1835.
[18] Edwin Ruthven Hodgman, History of the Town of Westford, in the County of Middlesex, Massachusetts, 1659-1883, (Lowell, Mass., Morning Mail Company, Printers, 1883),p. 351.
[19] “Isaac Durant Obituary”, The Boston Daily Atlas, January 12, 1848. The Essex Institute of Salem, Massachusetts, Vital Records of Westford, Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849, (Salem, MA, Newcomb and Gauss, Printers, 1915), p. 275.
[20] Soldiers and Sailors, Volume V, p. 89.
[21] Application for pension Doc # S34780 R Mass Rev Claim Act of March 18, 1818.
[22] Enoch Cook deposition.
[23] Josiah Hastings deposition Application Pension act of 1818. See Footnote 17 cited above.
[24] Edward Everett, An address delivered at Lexington,on the 19th (20th) of April, 1835 By Edward Everett, (Charlestown, Published by William W. Weildon, 1835), P. 48
[25] “Isaac Durant Obituary”, The Boston Daily Atlas, January 12, 1848.
[26] Vital Records of Westford, Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849,cited above.
[27] Vital Records of the Natick, Massachusetts to the Year 1850,Thomas W. Baldwin, compiler, (Boston, MA, Stanhope Press, F.H. Gilson, Company, 1910), page 213.
[28] Revolutionary War Orderly Books at the Massachusetts Historical Society, 1775-1783, “Michael Jackson’s 8th Massachusetts Regiment, Continental Army, West Point (N.Y.), 13 September 1779 ? 31 January 1780,” microfilm edition, Reel II, Volume 1.C.
[29] ”Isaac Durant Obituary,” The Boston Daily Atlas, January 12, 1848.
[30] “James Barrett, Returns of Men Mustered into the Service, 1778,” New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Volume L, January 1896, (Boston, New England Historical Genealogical Society, 1896), p. 17.
Works Cited
1. Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War. 18 Post Office Square, Boston: Wright & Potter Printing Co., Printers, 1899.
2. American Genealogical Biographical Index (AGBI).1999 19 Sep. 2007 <http://search.ancestrylibrary.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?rank=1&gsfn=isaac&glsn=durant&=%2c%>.
3. Harwood, Joseph A., and Samuel Smith, Records ofLittleton, Massachusetts. Concord, Massachusetts: The Patriot Press, 1900
4. Vital Records of Salem, Massachusetts, To The End Of The Year 1849. Salem, Massachusetts: The Essex Institute, 1924.
5. Isaac Durant Obituary, The Boston Daily Atlas, Boston, Ma January 12, 1848; Issue 166; col A
6. Hodgman, Edwin R. “Record Of Deaths.” History ofthe Town of Westford, in the County of Middlesex, Massachusetts, 1659-1883. Salem, MA: Higginson Book
7. footnote.com. “Papers of the Continental Congress”. footnote.com [Date unavailable]. 22 January 2011 <http://www.footnote.com/image/#474142>
8. masshist.org. “Revolutionary War Orderly Books at the Massachusetts Historical Society”. masshist.org [Date unavailable]. 22 January 2011 <http://www.masshist.org/findingaids/doc.cfm?fa=fa0052#1>
9. New England Historic Genealogical Society. “Massachusetts Town Death Records”. New England Historic Genealogical Society [Date unavailable]. 22 January
10. Durant, WD, John 1 Durant Apparently from an Eastern County of England and his descendents 1659-1906. Presented to the New York Genealogical Society By The Compiler April 30 1909.
11. Bobrick, Benson. Fight for Freedom: the American Revolutionary War. New York: Athenaeum for Young Readers, 2004. Print
12. Alfred Poore, M.D., The Houses and Buildings ofGroveland, MA,” The Essex Institute Historical Collection., Volume XLVII, (Salem, Mass., 1911), p. 143.
13. Enoch Cook deposition Application for Pension Act of 1813
14. Josiah Hastings deposition Application Pension act of 1813
15. Headline: Miscellany; Article Type: News/Opinion Isaac Durant Obituary, The Boston Daily Atlas, Boston, Ma January 12, 1848; Issue 166; col A (same article as # 28 published about a month apart))
16. An address delivered at Lexington, on the 19th (20th) of April, 1835 By Edward Everett.
17. Source Citation: Year: 1790; Census Place: Boxford, Essex, Massachusetts; Roll: M637_4; Page: 111; Image: 132; Family History Library Film: 0568144.
18. Source Citation: Year: 1840; Census Place: Westford, Middlesex, Massachusetts; Roll: 266; Page: 190; Image: 1269; Family History Library Film: 0014678.
19. Source Citation: Year: 1800; Census Place: Topsfield, Essex, Massachusetts; Roll: 14; Page: 42; Image: 30; Family History Library Film: 205613.
20. Source Citation: 1820 U S Census: Westford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, Page: 494; NARA Roll: M33_51; Image: 314.
21. Source Citation: 1830 U S Census: Westford, Middlesex, Massachusetts, Page: 204; NARA Roll: M19-67; Family History Film: 0337925.
22. Marriage to Helena Dodd, Jordan, Liahona Research, comp.. Massachusetts Marriages, 1633-1850 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.
23. “James Barrett, Returns of Men Mustered into the Service, 1778,”The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Volume L, January 1896, p. 17
24 . Perley, Sidney. The History of Boxford, Essex County, Massachusetts: from the Earliest SettlementKnown to the Present Time, a Period of about Two Hundred andThirty Years. South Waterford, ME: Merriam-Eddy, 1984. P. 256.
25. Application for pension Doc # S34780 R Mass RevClaim Act of March 18 1818
26. Library of Congress http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/today/apr19.html
27. History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire Philadelphia: J.W. Lewis & Co., 1885, 878 pgs.
28. Paper: Farmer’s Cabinet, published as The Farmers’ Cabinet.; Date: 03-16-1848; Volume: 46; Issue: 31; Page: [1]; Location: Amherst, New Hampshire
29. Deaths registered in the Town of Natick, Countyof Middlesex, for the year 1851, page 88
Westford Deaths and Burials
DURANT, Helena, w. Isaac, July ___, 1834, C. R. 2. [July 13, a. 69 y. G. R. 2.]
Isaac” from Boston” ___, a. 80 y. P. R. 2. [Jan. 9,a. 90 y. 5 m. G. R. 2.]
C. R. 2 = church record, Union Church
G. R. 2 = grave stone record Westlawn Cemetery
P. R. 2 = Church record kept by Rev. Leonard Luce, now in possession of the J. V. Fletcher Library