America’s 250 is almost here and that’s the theme of this week’s Saturday Night Genealogy Fun challenge from Randy Seaver on Genea-Musings.

1)  We all have ancestors who were alive in 1776, and some of them may have celebrated the signing of the Declaration of Independence or even served in the military during the War. 

2)  Describe one or more of your ancestors who lived in that time or served in the military.  

I have a number of ancestors who were Patriots and about the same number who were Loyalists.

I’ve written the most detail about Joses Bucknam’s service, so a link to his Mill Prison time has been shared.

My Patriots:

1. Joses Bucknam (6 March 1761-18 April 1835) – served as a private, taken prisoner by the British, placed on a ship and taken to Mill Prison in England, Massachusetts
2. Hubbard Haskell (3 May 1720-9 April 1811) – served on a Committee of Safety in 1776, Massachusetts
3. William Hay (18 September 1744-after 23 April 1803), served under Captain Sprague, Massachusetts
4. James Scripture (11 January 1749-19 June 1810), served as a private in at least two tours, New Hampshire
5. Samuel Scripture (27 April 1727-after 1790), served as a private with sons Samuel Jr. and James, New Hampshire
6. Samuel Tarbox (23 May 1731-16 July 1809), served as a town officer in New Gloucester, Maine during the war

Next, we have my Loyalists:

1. John Adams (c1740-after 1818), Queens’ Rangers, Connecticut
2. James Astle (c1745- before March 1815), fled to Canada, service unknown
3. Benjamin Burt (29 December 1741-10 August 1785), Queens’ Rangers, Connecticut
4. Robert Carlisle (c1755-1834), served in the Royal Fencible Americans
5. Philip Crouse (c1761-21 February 1857), fled to Canada, service unknown
6. Walter Stewart (c1750 – after 3 November 1819), fled to Canada, service unknown

As I’ve said in the past, I’m proud of all my ancestors, as they stood up for their beliefs!

Happy 250th, America!