David Forbush
by Michael Forbush dr_forbush@mad.scientist.com
From: "Forbes and Forbush Genealogy The Descendants of Daniel Forbush"
by Frederick Clifton Pierce and History of Middlesex Co. Mass.
David Forbush (John, Daniel)
Born January 5, 1718 married May 14, 1737, Ruth Wood
Orderly Sergeant David Forbush fought at the battle of Lexington and
Concord under the command of Capt. Isaac Davis. When the British reached
the bridge at Concord they were met by minute men. The History of
Middlesex Co. Mass. states that there may not have been a battle that day
except for the fact that smoke began to rise from burning houses at the
center of Concord. Colonel Barrett gave the consent to attack rather
than watch "Ole Concord burn." Capt. Davis came back to his
company and drew his sword and gave the command to advance six paces. By
his side marched Major Buttrick of Concord. As the British began to take
the bridge the Americans quickened their pace. Immediately the firing on
both sides began. Davis was shot dead through the heart, the ball passed
quite through his body, making a large wound, perhaps driving a button off
his coat. His blood gushed out in one great stream, flying, it is said,
more than ten feet, besprinkling and besmearing his own clothes, these
shoe buckles and the clothes of Orderly Sergeant David Forbush and file
leader, Thomas Thorp.
Jonathan Knight, the housewright connected
with the manufacturing venture that brought about the settlement of Mill
Corner, now South Acton, Massachusettes, USA, built a still standing house
in 1710. This house was owned and occupied by the Forbush Family from 1739
until the 1830s. David Forbush the Orderly Sergeant of Captain Davis'
Minutemen occupied the house for some time. The house has an unusually
well-preserved early 18th century chimney. The house came into the Forbush
Family through the Wood Family. Abraham Wood, married Jonathan Knight's
widow Sarah. Ruth Wood was the daughter of Abraham Wood through this
union, eventually inheriting the house.
David died May 19, 1803 age 83 years. His
children were:
i. Sarah, born Marlboro June 15, 1738
ii. David, born December 24, 1739; married Sarah Heyward
iii. Daniel, born February 6, 1747, married Lucy Forbush
iv. Molly, born November 23, 1741
v. Mirriam, born December 16, 1743
vi. Abraham, born March 11, 1746, married Mary Whitney
vii. Ruth, born January 19, 1749
viii. Lucy, born January 15, 1753; died February 23, 1759
ix. Ephraim, born October 18, 1756; married Mary Buttrick
x. James, born January 8, 1758; married Eunice Brown |
