The Chute Family: Special Events in History
Special Events in History: The American Revolution, 1763-1775

Page Last Updated:      Monday, July 10, 2017

  • The Lexington and Cambridge Alarms, April 18-19, 1775
         Captain Samuel Flint's company, Col. Timothy Pickering Jr's regiment
         Captain Jacob Gerrish's company
  • The Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775
  • Individual Skirmishes
         Captain Richard Mayberry's company, Colonel Ebenezer Francis's regiment
         Captain Thomas Trott's company, Colonel Timothy Pike's (4th Cumberland Co.) regt
  • Fishkill Supply Depot, Fishkill, New York
  • The Battle of Saratoga, September 19 and October 7, 1777
  • March from Springfield, 1780
  • Seacoast Defense
  •      Captain Samuel Knight's (Seacoast) Company
  • Descent from Daniel Bissell, "The Spy", August 14, 1781, to September 29, 1782
  • Post Revolution Military Activities

    From the time of the Revolutionary War until (approximately) the time of World War II, the only way to reach the shores of the United States was by sea. Seacoast defense, visible in most major harbors along the east coast, was a standard component of military service. Many Revolutionary War soldiers also participated in seacoast defense on a periodic basis, which is why they appear in this section.

    Colonel Pike's Regiment, under command of Captain. William Harris (Falmouth, seacoast defense), 27 Sept. 1779 to 23 Oct. 1779
    Capt. Isaac Parsons's company, Colonel Prime's regiment


    The Lexington Alarm, 19 APR 1775-21 APR 1775

    "Reuben Bathrick served in the Revolutionary War, as private in Captain Samuel Flint's company, Col. Timothy Pickering Jr's regiment, which marched on Lexington Alarm from Danvers 4/19/1775 - 2 days." Source: http://www.berkshire.net/bathrick-l/msg00048.html. [Note: URL link no longer works.]

    Reuben or Ruben Bathrick would have been 32 years old in 1775; his future son-in-law, George Washington Chute, was not yet born when this event took place, and while corroborating documentation is available for Reuben's father (Samuel Bathrick), we're still looking for corroborating records of Reuben's involvement in this regiment.

    Americans tend to view Colonial military activities as an almost spontaneous outburst of patriotic sentiment - the truth is that these military units had already been organized and were actually quite prepared for the outbreak of hostilities. Paul Revere was one of several organizers of local militia, and while he alone is generally credited with racing around New England warning locals of the arrival of British troops, the "local news network" actually consisted of closer to sixty riders (including several women). Contrary to popular theory that local militia were nowhere as organized or disciplined as the British, they were in fact quite well organized, and operating with a high level of secrecy - which also enabled them to be as successful as they were.

    A few months earlier - in February of 1775 - the British had already performed a successful raid on Colonial stores of gunpowder, at the Salem Forge. Fearful that they were being systematically cut off from any source of ammunition, the network of "Correspondents" kept each other appraised of British troop movements by raising "Alarms" when the British were suspected of making another attempt at a munitions raid. The "Lexington Alarm" - one of several such alarms - is generally credited with being the location of the opening outbreak of hostilities of the American Revolution.

    Reuben would have become involved when one of those "correspondents" in Paul Revere's network arrived in Danvers, Massachusetts on the night of April 18th, to warn the local militia that British troops were believed to be headed towards Lexington and Concord. Reuben would have already trained on a regular basis with the Danvers militia, and was probably already prepared to and expecting to depart on short notice.

    A more detailed description of the Lexington Alarm from the Danvers, Massachusetts point of view follows:

    "Danvers Alarm List Battle in Lexington, Ma. at Russell's yard"

    On the morning of April 19, 1775, a post rider arrived in Danvers to announce that the Regulars had marched from Boston the previous night, headed for Concord to seize arms, munitions and any rebel leaders that might have taken refuge outside Boston proper. Alarm guns and church bells soon began to sound, signaling that all men should gather at their assigned meeting places to await further orders. Those companies that could march on their Captain's orders (not having to receive marching orders from the Essex County Regiment's commander, Col. Timothy Pickering) wasted no time and started off towards Concord hoping to intercept the Crown's forces before they returned to the safety of Boston.

    The men from Danvers marched off through Lynn, Saugus, Revere, Malden and Medford, changing their direction each time they received news and intelligence as to the Regulars movements. By 2:00 PM they had reached the homestead of Jason Russell in the town of Menotomy (Arlington). In just about four hours the men from Danvers had journeyed sixteen miles. It was here that the Danvers men, along with other militia companies, decided to wait for the British troops, as they returned from Concord on the Boston Post Road, and engage them from the perceived safety of stone walls and stacks of shingles in Russell's yard. Due to the lack of military training and experience of the Colonist's officers, the Danvers, Medford and Menotomy companies were caught in a pincer maneuver by the Redcoats as they fought their way back to Boston. The British Light Infantry having been sent out as flankers, came up behind the Colonists in the Russell yard. The fighting became quite vicious as the troops on both sides closed to hand-to-hand combat. Jason Russell himself was killed on his doorstep, being bayoneted by each British soldier entering the house to ferret out the rebels. By the time the British had regrouped their troops and marched on, the Danvers men had suffered casualties of seven men killed, two wounded and one captured. Save for Lexington, which lost eight men killed that day, Danvers lost the second highest number of men killed in the fighting during the Lexington Alarm. A list of those casualties follows:

    Killed in action or wounded:

    Samuel Cook, Jr
    Benjamin Dealand, Jr.
    Henry Jacobs, Jr.
    Ebenezer Goldthwaite
    Perley Putnam
    George Southwick, Jr
    Jonathan Webb
    Nathan Putnam
    Dennison Wallis

    ** Captured: Joseph Bell

    Danvers men also held the distinction of traveling the furthest distance of a community engaging in the fighting on April 19th . The men from Danvers stayed in Menotomy until the next day when they loaded their dead onto a cart and returned them to their families. Although the majority of men from Danvers did participate in the following Siege of Boston, many later returned to town for the remainder of the war, A number of men enlisted to serve in State and Continental Line Regiments."

    Source: http://www.justice101us.com/danbattle.htm

  • Deacon James Chute marched on the Cambridge alarm under Capt. Jacob Gerrish. He is listed along with David Chute in the Muster-roll of Capt. Jacob Gerrish's company that marched to Cambridge in the Alarm, April 19, 1775.
  • Source: "Putnam's Monthly Historical Magazine", Jan.-Dec. 1895, New Series, Vol. III (also publ. as The Salem Press Historical and Genealogical Record VOL. V); Eben Putnam, Publisher and Editor, Salem.

    "Chute, David. Private, Capt. Jacob Gerrish's co., which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775, to Cambridge; service, 6 days."

    Source: Office of the Secretary of State, State of Massachusetts, Massachusetts soldiers and sailors of the revolutionary war, A compilation from the archives by Massachusetts. Vol. 3 CAAL - CORY. Wright and Potter Printing Co., State Printers in Boston, pages 464-465, "Chute" entries. 1896.

    " CHUTE, JAMES. b. 1751, d. 1828, m. 1775 Mehitable Thurston, b. 1753, d. 1819. SERVICE: Pvt. in Capt. Jacob Gerrish's Co., which marched on the alarm of 19 APR 1775 to Cambridge, service 6 days. Pvt. in Col. Pike's Regt. under command of Capt. William Harris, service from 27 Sept. 1779 to 23 Oct. 1779 at Falmouth in defense of seacoast. Pvt. in Capt. Isaac Parson's Co., Col. Prime's regt. Enlisted 2 May 1780, discharged 23 Dec 1780 under Brig. Gen. Wadsworth at Eastword [Eastward]. CHILDREN: Hannah, b. 1780, m. John Poore.

    Source: Indiana DAR, Roster of Revolutionary Ancestors, date unknown, pages 118-119.

    Chute, James. Private, detachment from Col. Pike's (Cumberland Co.) regt. under command of Capt. William Harris; service from Sept. 27, 1779, to Oct. 23, 1779, 26 days, at Falmouth in defence of seacoast.1

    Chute, James. Private, Capt. Isaac Parsons's co., Col. Prime's regt.; enlisted May 2, 1780; discharged Dec. 23, 1780; service, 7 mos. 22 days, under Brig. Gen. Wadsworth at the Eastward. Roll sworn to at North Yarmouth.1

    1Source: Office of the Secretary of State, State of Massachusetts, Massachusetts soldiers and sailors of the revolutionary war, A compilation from the archives by Massachusetts. Vol. 3 CAAL - CORY. Wright and Potter Printing Co., State Printers in Boston, pages 464-465, "Chute" entries. 1896.


    The Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775

    At least one Chute may have been within hearing distance the first time �Do not fire until you see the whites of their eyes!� was spoken: Captain Daniel Chute of Newbury was reimbursed on April 15, 1777 �for losses at Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775.� The story behind that famous saying stemmed from the Americans being short of ammunition when they faced a much larger British army at Bunker Hill. (actually Breed�s Hill), north of Boston. In order not to waste an ounce of precious gunpowder, the men were ordered to hold their fire as the British advanced towards them, and only fire their muskets when the British were 40 or 50 feet away. The plan worked. �With magnificent discipline and courage, they waited . . . fired . . . and thus began the War for Independence.� At least 1,000 British troops were killed at the famous opening battle (although not the skirmish) of the Revolutionary War, �The Battle of Bunker Hill�.

    Most historians consider that earlier �skirmish� to be the confrontation of American �rebels� and British troops on April 19, 1775, the night of Paul Revere�s famous ride.

    "Chute, Daniel. Captain, order dated Newbury, April 15, 1777, signed by Amos Poor and payable to said Chute, for reimbursement for losses at Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775."

    Source: Office of the Secretary of State, State of Massachusetts, Massachusetts soldiers and sailors of the revolutionary war, A compilation from the archives by Massachusetts. Vol. 3 CAAL - CORY. Wright and Potter Printing Co., State Printers in Boston, pages 464-465, "Chute" entries. 1896.


    Individual Skirmishes

    "Chute, Josiah, Corporal, Capt. Richard Mayberry's co. Col. Ebenezer Francis's regt.; pay abstract for travel allowance, etc., from Dorchester Heights home; credited with 7 days allowance; warrant allowed in Council Nov. 29, 1776.

    " ... return of men enlisted into Continental Army from Capt. Thomas Trott's co., Col. Timothy Pike's (4th Cumberland Co.) regt., dated Nov. 24, 1778."

    "... residence, Windham; enlisted for town of Windham; joined Capt. Mabury's co., Col. Francis's regt [see above]; enlistment, 3 years ; reported mustered by Col. Yarrick ; also, Sergeant, Capt. Maybery's co., Col. Benjamin Tupper's regt. ; Continental Army pay accounts for service from Jan. 1, 1777, to Dec. 31, 1779; reported as serving 13 mos. as Corporal, 23 mos. as Sergeant; also, Capt. Richard Maybery's co., Col. Ebenezer Francis's regt [see above]; subsistence allowed from date of enlistment, Jan. 14, 1777, to time of arrival at Bennington; credited with 64 day's allowance; also. Col. Tupper's (l0th) regt.; muster roll for March, 1779, dated West Point; enlisted Jan. 1, 1777."

    Source: Office of the Secretary of State, State of Massachusetts, Massachusetts soldiers and sailors of the revolutionary war, A compilation from the archives by Massachusetts. Vol. 3 CAAL - CORY. Wright and Potter Printing Co., State Printers in Boston, pages 464-465, "Chute" entries. 1896.


    Fishkill Supply Depot, Fishkill, New York

    ""Chute, Thomas, Windham. Descriptive list of men enlisted from Cumberland Co. for the term of 9 months from the time of their arrival at Fishkill, June 16, 1778; Capt. Thomas Trott's co.. Col. Pike's (Cumberland Co.) regt.; age, 16 yrs. [calc. birth year 1762]; stature, 5 ft. 4 in.; complexion, dark; residence, Windham ; also, list of men enlisted from Cumberland Co. for the term of 9 months from the time of their arrival at Fishkill, returned as received at Fishkill June 25, 1778, of Maj. James Johnson, Superintendent for Cumberland Co., by Jonathan Warner, Commissioner ; also, Private, Col. Benjamin Tupper's ( 15th) regt. ; muster roll for March, 1779, dated West Point; enlisted June 16, 1778; discharged March 16, 1779; also, Capt. Nathan Merrill's co. ; marched from home July 8, 1779; discharged Sept. 25, 1779, at Falmouth ; service, 2 mos. 17 days, with a detachment raised in Cumberland Co., and commanded by Col. Jonathan Mitchell, on Penobscot expedition; roll sworn to at North Yarmouth."

    Note: During the Revolution, Fishkill was the site of a large supply depot. The depot supplied the northern department of the Continental Army, who were responsible for securing the Highlands and keeping the British from moving north of New York City. .. thousands of Continental Army soldiers weathered the winters of 1776 to 1783 and blocked the British strategy of advancing unopposed up both sides of the Hudson to secure a line of communication from New York City to Canada. If the patriot forces had failed in this effort, it could have spelled defeat for the patriots and assured the ultimate victory of the Royalist cause in North America.


    Battles of Saratoga (New York), September 19 and October 7, 1777

    The two Battles of Saratoga (New York) were fought on September 19 and October 7, 1777, and, according to Wikipedia, "marked the climax of the Saratoga campaign giving a decisive victory to the Americans over the British in the American Revolutionary War. British General John Burgoyne led a large invasion army down from Canada; he was surrounded by American forces in upstate New York. Burgoyne fought two small battles to break out. They took place eighteen days apart on the same ground, 9 miles (14 km) south of Saratoga, New York. They both failed. Trapped by superior American forces, with no relief in sight, Burgoyne surrendered his entire army on October 17." The event is still commemorated by quilters who make use of the "Burgoyne Surrounded" pattern when making quilts. Thomas Walker served in the Revolutionary war, and was in several important battles � Saratoga, White Plains and Brandywine", according to the Farmer and Moore Gazetteer.

    "Thomas Walker, sent to New England with other soldiers in the service of England during the French war, found opportunity to desert, and located somewhere in eastern Massachusetts or New Hampshire ... Before coming to Sutton to live Thomas Walker served in the Revolutionary war and his son George served with him some portion of the time ... The book [Farmer and Moore Gazetteer] says that he served in the French war, and in the Revolutionary war, and was in several important battles � Saratoga, White Plains and Brandywine." [Full text in his Notes.

    Source: Worthen, Augusta H., The History of Sutton, New Hampshire, 1890, Republican Press Association, Concord, in two volumes. New edition published in 1974 in one volume by the Town of Sutton, New Hampshire. Produced by the New England History Press, Somersworth, NH. Includes Index for the one volume edition, compiled by the Sutton Historical Society. Pp. 992-993.


    Seacoast Defense

    "Chute, Josiah, (also given Joseph), Windham. Private, Capt. Samuel Knight's (Seacoast) CO.; enlisted July 12, 1775; service, 6 mos. 5 days, at Falmouth, Cumberland Co.

    Source: Office of the Secretary of State, State of Massachusetts, Massachusetts soldiers and sailors of the revolutionary war, A compilation from the archives by Massachusetts. Vol. 3 CAAL - CORY. Wright and Potter Printing Co., State Printers in Boston, pages 464-465, "Chute" entries. 1896.

    Descent from Daniel Bissell, "The Spy"

    The family of Daniel Bissell Bentley was proud to be descended from Daniel Bissell, who was identified in some sources as a "deserter" during the Revolutionary War. Later, it came to light that Bissell had only posed as a deserter in order to gather valuable intelligence for the American side. He served for a time in Benedict Arnold's unit, before delivering his intelligence to the Americans. Daniel Bissell Bentley>Daniel Bissell Bentley had two children who married into the Chute family.

    "Under the direct orders of General George Washington, Bissell posed as a deserter in the city of New York from August 14, 1781, to September 29, 1782. He realized that to get the information Washington needed, he would have to join the British Army: for 13 months, he served in the British Infantry Corps led by Benedict Arnold. Bissell memorized everything he was able to find out and then made his way back to friendly lines where he was placed under arrest until Washington verified his story. Sergeant Bissell was able to furnish valuable information including detailed maps he drew of the enemy's positions. He was to become the last recipient of the Badge of Military Merit in June 1783, one of only three awarded by Washington himself. The award was lost in a house fire in 1813."

    Sources: http://www.revwartalk.com/Spies/daniel-bissell.html


    March from Springfield, 1780

    Israel Potter, b. in Sudbury, Middlesex county, Mass., July, 1763; in 1780 he joined a company of six-months' men in Shrewsbury, Worcester county, to reinforce the Continental Army, and marched from Springfield with Lieut. Taylor of the 2d Mass. Regt., July 6.

    Source: Chute, William Edward. A Genealogy and History of the Chute Family in America: With Some Account of the Family in Great Britain and Ireland, with an Account of Forty Allied Families Gathered from the Most Authentic Sources. Salem, Massachusetts, 1894. Pages cli - clii. Allied Familes: Potter.



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