Stories Of Dighton Soldiers in The American Revolution

This is the third in a series of stories about local soldiers that served in the American Revolution.
As we prepare to celebrate our 250th year of independence it seems a good time to share some stories of these patriots.

These stories are about Dighton patriots. In March 1775 the town meeting voted to raise two companies of Minutemen to join the local militia companies All able-bodied men from 16 to 60 were required to serve in the militia. The local drill field was in the area where the present day elementary and middle schools are located.

A Rehoboth Commander, Colonel Timothy Walker had over 500 local soldiers in his unit at the Siege of Boston. The unit was the 22nd Regiment of the United Colonies. The soldiers were from local towns Rehoboth, Attleboro, Dighton, Norton, Taunton. Easton and Raynham This unit was formed in July 1775 and disbanded in January 1776. Some soldiers served for 3 or 6 months as needed. In January of 1776 General Washington reorganized the Army and new regiments were formed.

The Dighton records indicate there were 46 soldiers who served at the siege of Boston in Captain Peter Pitts Company, officers were Lt. Zebedee Redding and Ensign Henry Briggs. Captain Samuel Tubbs and Ensign Joel Trubbs had 5 men in their Company. They were all stationed at Roxbury to confine the British in Boston.

The following stories are about soldiers that served in the 22nd Regiment of the United Colonies.
The Rehoboth Minutemen portray members of this unit. What is why we are sharing some stories of the soldiers that formed the unit in 1775.

Thomas Rose was born in Dighton to Thomas (1729-1808) and Prudence (Blake) (1734-1816) Rose on February 21, 1758. He joined his 6 brothers and sisters

On May 2, 1775, he enlisted in Captain Peter Pitts Company, Colonel Timothy Walkers Regiment. He served for three months. In February 1776 he enlisted in Capt Samuel Tubbs Company, Colonel Freeman’s Regiment for 2 months. In December 1776 we found him in Captain Elijah Walker's Company, Colonel Pope Bristol County Regiment. He marched from Dighton in defense of Rhode Island.

In the spring of 1777 Thomas joined the navy as an American Privateer. He shipped on the frigate American Tartar. This ship had a crew of 200 men. She carried 56 deck guns ranging from 3 to 9 pounders. This was a ship of the Massachusetts Navy. The captain was John Grimes. During 1777 she took 9 ships as prizes. Her luck ran out in August of 1777 when she was captured off the coast of Norway. There are two stories about how Thomas got home. The crew was taken to Halifax then Newfoundland and held there until February of 1779. They were being sent to New York when the ship was captured by an American ship. Thomas and other prisoners were taken to Marblehead. From here he made his way home to Dighton. The second story has him in a prison in England. He is released at the end of the war. He travels on ships from foreign countries. He finally gets to Newport. R.I. His brother met him and helped him travel home. The most important part is he did get home.

On October 30, 1790, Thomas married Hannah Atwood (1762- 1825) They settled down in Dighton and raised a family of 6 children. Thomas, Hannah, Joseph, Betsey, Samuel and Polly.
As his family grew with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren I bet Thomas has many stories to share about his time as both a soldier and sailor in the American Revolution
Thomas died 29th of March 1855 at the age of 97. He was buried in the Walker-Blake Graveyard.


Darius Briggs was a member of the prominent Briggs family of Dighton. Many members of this family were patriots who served during the War for Independence. The Dighton records list 16 members of the Briggs family who served in the American Revolution.

Darius and his twin sister Deliverance were born in Dighton to Matthew 1710-1763 and Mary Pitts Briggs 1712-1774 on November 12, 1754. They joined 8 brothers and sisters.

When the war started Darius enlisted on May 2, 1775, he was mustered into service on August 1, 1775. He enlisted in Captain Peter Pitts Company, Colonel Timothy Walker’s Regiment. Darius did not join as a soldier but as a musician. He was a drummer. Drummers have been an important part of armies for centuries. Drums were the way orders were relayed to the soldiers. A drummer was assigned to an officer. Any commands the officer wanted to give were played on the drum. The beats of the drum carried for a great distance. Drummers did not carry a gun. Sometimes a sword for protection.

When serving at the siege of Boston on November 5, 1775, he was ordered to receive a Bounty Coat or its equivalent in money. (The town of Dighton supplied 49 Bounty Coats to its soldiers)

Darius served in several Massachusetts Regiment in 1775 and part of 1776. On June 18, 1776, he joined the crew of the ship “Freedom” in the Massachusetts Navy, he was now a Yankee Privateer. Its Captain was John Clocuston of Dighton. He served until January 1, 1777. On October 2, 1777, he was back in the Army in General Spencer Regiment He joined a mission from Dighton to march in defense of Rhode Island.
On June 5, 1780, he joined the Continental Army. He is described as age 26 years, 5” 7” with light complexion. He was discharged on December 19, 1780.

He married Mary Molly Walker (1753 - 1788) on January 16, 1778. They had two children, John and Jannett.

Many soldiers and their families moved west after the war, Darius and Mary were among them. By 1788 they are living in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts when Mary died on May 22, 1789, he married Phoebe Lincoln (1755 - 1839).  In 1790 they had one son Darius Jr.

By 1800 the family was in Lexington, Greene County, New York. He became a prosperous farmer. He was active in his town and church. His farm is listed as one of the most valuable in town.
He died at the age of 80 years on May 31, 1835.

Records show that Phoebe collect a widow's pension starting in 1836

For more information about the Rehoboth Minutemen / 13th Continental Regiment visit our website www.13thcontentialregiment.org