Pvt. James Foster

Patriot Ancestor:  James Foster

Born:  29 Aug 1743

Died:  1790

Rank:  Private, Battle of Burgoyne, Gen. Stark’s Brigade, New Hampshire Militia // Private, Stillwater (19 Jul 1777), Gen. Gates’ Brigade, New Hampshire Militia // Private, Battle of Bennington (16 Aug 1777), Col. Moses Nichol’s Regiment, Capt. Stephen Parker’s Company, New Hampshire Militia

Years Served:  1776 – 1777

GGW Chapter SAR Member: J. Edson Myers

In 1775, the Foster family’s military service began with James Foster’s brother, Joshua, and James’ nephew, Daniel.  Both Joshua and Daniel served at the Battle of Ticonderoga.  Upon returning home to Temple, N.H. after Ticonderoga, Joshua died of pneumonia.  Following Joshua’s death, Daniel and James Foster were assigned to Capt. Stephen Parker’s Company in Col. Moses Nichol’s Regiment of the New Hampshire Militia.

Both James Foster and his brother’s son, Daniel, served in the Battle of Stillwater on July 19, 1777, and the Battle of Bennington on August 16, 1777.  The history of Temple, N.H. record states that “…on the 28th of October 1775, James Foster had in his family two males under sixteen not in the army; two females, and one pound of gunpowder.  Beginning in 1776, James Foster signed to defend America by arms.”

It was on a Sunday afternoon that Rev. Mr. Webster was preaching a sermon to the Militia at Temple that a courier rode up to the church door, covered in perspiration and almost breathless in haste.  Every militia eye [including Joshua Foster, his son Daniel Foster, and his brother James Foster] was turned toward the stranger, and every heart presaged the character of the tidings which the herald was about to utter.  Mr. Webster anticipated the whole, however, herald and all, by loudly hailing, “What is the news?”  – – – “Crown Point, – – – Ticonderoga, – – – as many men as you can send, – – – the country behind me is on fire with excitement and marching!”

“Let us go immediately!” said Mr. Webster.

A man at the back of the pews, a Tory, rose and cried out that “he seemed to hear a voice from Heaven that they should not go.”

“That voice is from Hell, sir!” – – – thundered Mr. Webster; “we were called upon to go!”

But there was no need of the last, for every man was electrified, and Mr. Webster seized his gun which he always of late carried with him to his pulpit, and led them off, not exactly as a Shepherd would lead his sheep, but more as a lion might be supposed to officer the less formidable lords of the forest.”

To read more about the decisive Battle of Bennington’s impact on the Revolutionary War, please visit the official description by the U.S. Department of the Interior at: “The Battle of Bennington: An American Victory“:  http://www.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/107bennington/107bennington.htm

To view the website for The Bennington Battle Monument, please see: http://benningtonbattlemonument.com/battle.html

 Further Reading:

1. The History of Temple, N.H. by Henry Ames Blood (Boston 1860).

2. “Roll of New Hampshire Soldiers at the Battle of Bennington, 16th of August 1777,” compiled by George C. Gilmore.

3. “Andover Vital Records, Vol. I and Vol. II” (1912).

4. “Windsor County Vermont Probate Index, 1778-1899” (2000).