John Simpson (soldier)
Encyclopedia
Major John Simpson was an American Revolutionary War
soldier from Deerfield, New Hampshire
. He is one of several men traditionally described as having fired the first shot on the American side at the Battle of Bunker Hill
.
After the shooting in the war began at Lexington and Concord
, Simpson joined a company of militiamen under Captain Henry Dearborn
. The company marched to Boston and joined the siege of that town
. At the Battle of Bunker Hill, Colonel John Stark
instructed his men of the 1st New Hampshire Regiment
to hold their fire until the British had reached a certain point. According to the story, Simpson fired early and was arrested the next day for disobeying orders, but was not punished.
Simpson eventually rose to the rank of major in the New Hampshire state troops. After the war he returned to his farm.
Simpson died on October 28, 1825 and was originally buried in his family lot. This graveyard was not taken care of and eventually one of his ancestors moved him to the Old Center cemetery.
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
soldier from Deerfield, New Hampshire
Deerfield, New Hampshire
Deerfield is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,280 at the 2010 census. Deerfield is home to the annual Deerfield Fair.- History :...
. He is one of several men traditionally described as having fired the first shot on the American side at the Battle of Bunker Hill
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775, mostly on and around Breed's Hill, during the Siege of Boston early in the American Revolutionary War...
.
After the shooting in the war began at Lexington and Concord
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. They were fought on April 19, 1775, in Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay, within the towns of Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, Menotomy , and Cambridge, near Boston...
, Simpson joined a company of militiamen under Captain Henry Dearborn
Henry Dearborn
Henry Dearborn was an American physician, a statesman and a veteran of both the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Born to Simon Dearborn and Sarah Marston in North Hampton, New Hampshire, he spent much of his youth in Epping, where he attended public schools...
. The company marched to Boston and joined the siege of that town
Siege of Boston
The Siege of Boston was the opening phase of the American Revolutionary War, in which New England militiamen—who later became part of the Continental Army—surrounded the town of Boston, Massachusetts, to prevent movement by the British Army garrisoned within...
. At the Battle of Bunker Hill, Colonel John Stark
John Stark
John Stark was a New Hampshire native who served as a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He became widely known as the "Hero of Bennington" for his exemplary service at the Battle of Bennington in 1777.-Early life:John Stark was born in Londonderry, New...
instructed his men of the 1st New Hampshire Regiment
1st New Hampshire Regiment
The 1st New Hampshire Regiment was an infantry unit that came into existence on 22 May 1775 at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. John Stark was the regiment's first commander. The unit fought at Chelsea Creek and Bunker Hill in 1775. On 1 January 1776, while engaged in the Siege of...
to hold their fire until the British had reached a certain point. According to the story, Simpson fired early and was arrested the next day for disobeying orders, but was not punished.
Simpson eventually rose to the rank of major in the New Hampshire state troops. After the war he returned to his farm.
Later life
In 1785, Simpson married Mary Whidden. Two blacks were given to them by Whidden's mother. They were not considered slaves; however, they were considered a part of his family. While married, the two had 6 children: Joseph Langdon (February 8, 1787 – February 28, 1808), Thomas (August 2, 1788 – December 1, 1872), John Jr. (March 2, 1790 – February 8, 1868), Samuel (January 29, 1729 – January 13, 1872), Mary (June 5, 1794 – November 11, 1832), and Hannah (April 29, 1797 – July 18, 1872).Simpson died on October 28, 1825 and was originally buried in his family lot. This graveyard was not taken care of and eventually one of his ancestors moved him to the Old Center cemetery.
See also
- New Hampshire historical marker #25