William M. Main (aka Maine): Revolutionary War Soldier and Settler of the Town of Scipio, Cayuga Co., New York

Family Origins of William M. Main (aka Maine)

John Maine (aka Mayne, Mayn) and wife, Elizabeth Laurie, of Casco Bay

John Maine, reputed to have come from England to America ca. 1629, is said to have been the first member of the Maine family in New England. By 1648, if not before, John was present in York Co., Maine. John purchased a house and 60 acres of land on the west side of the Wescustogo River (now called Royal River) on Casco Bay between 1652 and 1657. The area became known as Mayne's Point (now Prince's Point) in what is today's Town of Yarmouth, Cumberland Co., Maine. John's wife was Elizabeth, maiden name given variously as Laurie, Lawrie, etc., but solid documentation of her identity is lacking. The couple had four known daughters and possibly a son, Ezekiel.

Ezekiel Main, Sr. (aka Maine, Mayne) and Wife, Mary

Ezekiel Main, Sr., born in 1641 at York Co., Maine, is reputed to be the son of John and Elizabeth Maine of Mayne's Point. This relationship is not solidly documented but seems generally accepted. Ezekiel appears several times in the records of the Plymouth Colony as a resident of today's Scituate, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts beginning in 1660/61 when he was fined 20 shillings for helping a couple elope without consent or benefit of lawful marriage. His next appearance in the records (not related to the preceding case) was in 1666 when Ezekiel more respectably served on a jury for an inquest into the death of one Mary Totman who mistakenly collected and ate a poisonous root at Scituate. Ezekiel was still in Scituate in 1668 when the Court at Plymouth exempted him from further militia service on account of his having only one eye, making rifle practice both difficult and dangerous. "One-eyed Zeke's" Scituate militia company rather agreed with this assessment.

Ezekiel Main, Sr., the first of the Mains of Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut, removed there from Scituate in or before February 1668/69 (i.e., old calendar/new calendar date) as shown by a census of the 43 inhabitants or heads of families present in Stonington at that time. Ezekiel received land grants from the Town in 1670 and 1672, presumably for his house lot and farmland, respectively. He soon became a Freeman and a member of the First Congregational Church of Stonington. Ezekiel purchased additional land and subsequently received a large land grant from the Town in 1680. Perhaps by virtue of being a substantial landowner, in 1680, 1687, and 1696 Ezekiel represented Stonington as a Deputy to the Colonial General Court (somewhat equivalent to a legislature) held at Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut.

Ezekiel and his wife, Mary, were married at Stonington in 1669. Some have given Mary's maiden name as Hatch, but this cannot be verified from available original sources. The couple had at least six children. Ezekiel died 19 June 1714 at Stonington. In his Last Will and Testament, Ezekiel left Mary one-third of his movable estate, with another one-third to be divided by two daughters, and the final one-third to be divided between two sons. No mention of Ezekiel's real estate appears in his Will so perhaps he had divested his lands to his sons prior to its apparent execution in 1711 (ambiguous date written as 17011). The date of Mary's death has not been found but presumably was subsequent to probate of Ezekiel's Will at New London, New London Co., Connecticut on 13 July 1714.

Jeremiah Main and Wife, Widow Ruth Brown

The second son of Ezekiel and Mary Main was Jeremiah. His birth date is supposed to be 1 April 1678. Jeremiah married Widow Ruth Brown 11 October 1699 at Stonington. Ruth bore 11 children with Jeremiah, in addition to her daughter by her first marriage, Ruth Brown. By the time of Jeremiah's death in 1727, the family was living at or near North Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut and had joined with the new Congregational Church established there earlier that year. The fact that Ezekiel Main, Sr. had acquired land extending along the Shunock River nearly to North Stonington may account for Jeremiah's residence in that vicinity.

Deacon Thomas Main, Sr. and Wife, Ann Brown

Deacon Thomas Main, Sr. was the eldest son of Jeremiah and Ruth Main, born 19 July 1700 at Stonington. Thomas married Ann Brown, daughter of Eleazer Brown and Ann Pendleton, on 20 April 1720 at Stonington. Thomas and Ann had eight children, beginning with Thomas Main, Jr. Deacon Main lived until 1771.

Thomas Main, Jr. and Wife, Mary Pendleton

The birth of Thomas Main, Jr. occurred on 13 February 1720/21 at Stonington. It is likely that most of his youth was spent in North Stonington given that his grandfather, Jeremiah, had removed there before 1727. Thomas, Jr. married Mary Pendleton at North Stonington 3 February 1741/42. Mary bore four children before 1750. Birth records for subsequent children have yet to be found, but Thomas, Jr.'s Last Will and Testament shows that he had living in 1770 three additional daughters and a son, William, to whom he left a portion of his farm lands. This William Main would become the Revolutionary War soldier whose military service and life are explored in the following paragraphs.

Life of William M. Main (aka Maine)

Before the Revolutionary War

William M. Main was born ca. 1758, apparently in the Town of Stonington based on his father's residence in 1770. Thomas Main, Jr., William's father, probably died during the summer of 1771 because his Will was probated in September of that year. William would have been about 13 years old at the time. Thomas left three parcels of land to William:  Thomas's so-called "Fairbanks Farm," 25 acres previously purchased from Benajah Main, and part of a farm previously purchased from Benajah Pendleton.

William's mother, Mary Pendleton Main, received life use of one-third of her husband's real and personal estate. She also was Executrix of her husband's estate, with her son Thomas III as co-Executor. The date of Mary Pendleton Main's death has not been found, but she may have lived until William was grown. We can speculate that William M. Main worked his inherited land during his older teen years, perhaps with the assistance of his brothers Thomas III and Benajah.

Revolutionary War Service - Rhode Island

William M. Main began his Revolutionary War service as a Private in Captain Joshua Babcock's Company (later Lieutenant Andrew Stanton's Company), Colonel John Topham's Regiment on 16 March 1778 after enlisting from Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut. William served for one year and participated in the Battle of Rhode Island before being discharged on 16 March 1779. A partial account of William's participation in the Battle of Rhode Island appears in his military pension claim filed more than 50 years later.

[Preceding text illegible] that the regiment was stationed at Howlands Ferry in the town of Tiverton, that the American forces stationed there until August, when the army under the command of General Sullivan moved to Newport Island in[?] Rhode Island with the view of driving the Brittish forces from the Island; that the French fleet lying off the Island, which was expected to act in concert with Gen. Sullivan moved off and then[?] the American army activates[?] the rear guard for which he was and fought on the retreat which then arrived at Butts hill when the army made a stand for a short time when the whole army recrossed the Howlands ferry; where he remained until the sixteenth day in March 1779 when he was discharged. . . .

-- United States of America, Revolutionary War Pensions (Washington, DC, National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group: 15, NARA M804, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files), Fold3 https://www.fold3.com/, National Archives Catalog ID: 300022; National Archives Catalog Title: Case Files of Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Based on Revolutionary War Service, compiled ca. 1800 - ca. 1912, documenting the period ca. 1775 - ca. 1900. 

Revolutionary War Service - Fort Trumbull, New London, Connecticut

William M. Main returned to military service about 3 months after his discharge from duty in Rhode Island. He again would serve for the period of 1 year from June 1779 until June 1780 in Captain Richard's Company, Major Ledyard's Regiment (8th Regiment Connecticut Militia composed of men from Stonington, Preston, and Groton) at Fort Trumbull located at New London, New London Co., Connecticut. William again left an account of his service in his military pension application.

That he enlisted again under Capt. Richards to serve in Fort Trumble [Trumbull], Major Ledyard was the commandant of the fort, the day that he enlisted he does not remember but thinks it was in the month of June; it was in the year 1779; that he enlisted for one year; that he was appointed sergeant and did the duties of sergeant during the term on one year, at the expiration of which he was discharged. . . .  

-- United States of America, Revolutionary War Pensions (Washington, DC, National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group: 15, NARA M804, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files), Fold3 https://www.fold3.com/, National Archives Catalog ID: 300022; National Archives Catalog Title: Case Files of Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Based on Revolutionary War Service, compiled ca. 1800 - ca. 1912, documenting the period ca. 1775 - ca. 1900. 

In later years, William contended that he always served as a Sergeant after his initial year as a Private although official records show him only as a Private. William made a great effort for his claimed rank to be recognized by military pension officials to no avail. Thus, he describes himself as Sergeant in the above account of his service. William's time at Fort Trumbull appears to have been garrison duty during a period when there were no significant attacks on New London.

Revolutionary War Service - New London and Groton, Connecticut

Between 11 November 1780 and  9 January 1781, William served as a Private in Captain Hungerford's Company, Colonel Samuel McClallen's [various spellings] Regiment, in which his uncle Jonas Main was Ensign, when ordered "on a tower" at New London and Groton and received £4 s4 d10 in wages and mileages with s4 deducted. Being ordered on a tower presumably meant marching to New London and Groton to man defensive positions such as Fort Trumbull and Fort Griswold (at Groton) or smaller lookout posts. William is not likely to have faced combat during this short alarm.

Revolutionary War Service - Stonington Point Redoubt, Stonington, Connecticut

William enlisted for the third time in April 1781 in Lieutenant Sheffield's Company to serve at the Redoubt on Stonington Point until January 1782, a term of 9 months. Sheffield's Company consisted of 24 "matrosses." Matrosses were artillery soldiers that assisted gunners. William M. Main may have been a lucky man because Stonington escaped the slaughter perpetrated by the British under command of the traitor Benedict Arnold at New London and Groton in early September 1781.

William later unsuccessfully claimed the rank of Sergeant in his military pension application for this service, as he had done for his earlier duty at Fort Trumbull.

In the year 1781, he enlisted for nine months; to guard the redoubt at Stonington Point; that he has forgotten the day he enlisted but thinks it was in the month of April; that he served in the rank and duties of Sergeant *** during the whole time[?]. . . .

-- United States of America, Revolutionary War Pensions (Washington, DC, National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group: 15, NARA M804, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files), Fold3 https://www.fold3.com/, National Archives Catalog ID: 300022; National Archives Catalog Title: Case Files of Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Based on Revolutionary War Service, compiled ca. 1800 - ca. 1912, documenting the period ca. 1775 - ca. 1900. 

Revolutionary War Service - Fort Trumbull, New London, Connecticut After Arnold's Raid

William M. Maine took a short break from military duty following his discharge from artillery duty at Stonington in January 1782 but re-enlisted 2 months later in Captain Durkee's Company, Colonel Samuel McLellan's (various spellings) Regiment at Fort Trumbull. William later claimed to have been a Sergeant of the Guard on an American prison ship until July 1783 for a total enlistment of 16 months and obtained a deposition by Mr. John Brown in support of William's claim.

State of New York - Tompkins County} ss  John Brown being duly sworn deposes and says that he personally knew William Main of the Town of Stonington in the County of New London in the state of Connecticut who now resides in the Town of Venice in the County of Cayuga and State of New York; That Said William Main enlisted as a Sergeant in the Army of the United States in the Connecticut line, on the 7th day of March 1782 for the term of one year in Capt'n. Benjamin Durkees Company in the regiment Commanded by Colonel M'Clallen and went to Fort Trumbul [Trumbull] where he Served during the term of one year that this deponent saw the Said William Main as often as once in each week or more during the best part of Said term - Sworn & Subscribed this day of September 1832 before me Alvah Jarvis Justice of the Peace}  John Brown. . . .

-- United States of America, Revolutionary War Pensions (Washington, DC, National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group: 15, NARA M804, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files), Fold3 <https://www.fold3.com/>, National Archives Catalog ID: 300022; National Archives Catalog Title: Case Files of Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Based on Revolutionary War Service, compiled ca. 1800 - ca. 1912, documenting the period ca. 1775 - ca. 1900.

William submitted his own deposition in 1840 as to his service as Sergeant in Captain Durkee's Company in his attempt to be receive a Sergeant's pension. In his submittal, William explained that he had not retained his Sergeant's warrant over the 50 years that had passed since he had received it. The following is his account of his last enlistment at New London.

That after the death of Col. Ledyards this deponent was in the Company of Capt Benjamin Durkee in the regiment of Col. Mc'Clallen stationed also at the same fort that this deponent enlisted with Capt. Durkee as a Sergeant and immediately received from under the hand of said Capt Durkee a sergeants warrant and continued to serve as a Sergeant for about one year and three months without intermission - that during a considerable part of the time this deponent had the command of the prison ship kept at that place - that this deponent continued to serve as the sergeant of the guard on board of said prison Ship until a general exchange of prisoners took place. . . . 

-- United States of America, Revolutionary War Pensions (Washington, DC, National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group: 15, NARA M804, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files), Fold3 <https://www.fold3.com/>, National Archives Catalog ID: 300022; National Archives Catalog Title: Case Files of Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Based on Revolutionary War Service, compiled ca. 1800 - ca. 1912, documenting the period ca. 1775 - ca. 1900

Pension officials stood on the technicality that William couldn't prove his service as Sergeant, and as far as known he only received a Private's pension of $80/annum retroactively payable from 4 March 1831.

William M. Main's Marriage to Sally Wheeler

Little is known of William's movements and activities during the period immediately following the Revolutionary War. He may not have returned to the farmlands that he had inherited from his father and indeed could not have been actively engaged in farming after 1777 given his nearly continuous military service for the remainder of the War. Perhaps one of his brothers purchased the land in question. We do know that William married Sally Wheeler, daughter of Jonathan and Mary Wheeler shortly after the end of the War.

William's brother, Thomas Main III, and his wife Lucy Tyler were living at Ashford, Windham Co., Connecticut in 1786 where the birth of their son, William, was recorded as 13 March 1786 although the tombstone of William (son of Thomas III and Lucy Tyler) gives 11 March 1786. It seems plausible that Revolutionary War veteran William M. Main was present in Windham Co. with his brother Thomas III and there met Sally Wheeler, probably of Canterbury in the same county. Sally died on 27 March 1786 and was buried in Wheeler Cemetery at Canterbury.

William M. Main's Marriage to Lucy Fish

William must have married his second wife, Lucy Fish, ca. 1787. Lucy's origins are unclear, as are the place and date of her marriage to William. We do know from census data that their first son, Silas G. Main, was born 25 October 1789 in Connecticut as was their second son, Charles P. Main, ca. 1794 and their daughter, Lucy Main, ca. 1796. Perhaps William and Lucy remained for a time in the Windham Co. area because William's brother, Thomas III, was recorded at Ashford in that county in the federal censuses of 1790 and 1800.

William M. and Lucy Fish Main Settle at Scipio, Cayuga Co., New York

Census data indicate that William and Lucy settled in the Town of Scipio, Cayuga Co., New York ca. 1815 near the present-day south line of the Town. Storke (1879) gives their location as the farm occupied by Hiram Wheat in 1879. This farm was on present-day Burns Road south of Covey's Corners (intersection of the Sherwood Road and Burns Road in Scipio Section 40). Storke (1879) states that William and Lucy removed to the adjacent Town of Venice, Cayuga Co., New York ca. 1835, but the 1830 census shows that the family was already in Venice. William was by this time over 70 years old and about to begin the paper battle with officialdom to obtain his Revolutionary War pension.

Charles P. Main, William and Lucy's unmarried second son, appears to have been living with his parents in 1830 and 1840. Their older son, Silas G. Main, had married and removed to Chautauqua Co., New York before 1820 and their daughter, Lucy, had married Elisha A. Covey before 1819. Lucy Fish Main died 28 April 1847 in the Town of Moravia, Cayuga Co., New York at the age of 91. She was buried in the Stewart's Corners Cemetery in Venice.

The 1850 census shows William residing in the household of his son-in-law, Elisha A. Covey, in the Town of Venice, as does the 1855 census. William M. Main died on 14 August 1855, presumably at the Covey residence. William was buried with Lucy in the Stewart's Corners Cemetery.

William Main, aged 98 years [NOTE:  97 years by tombstone inscription - R. A. Post], died on Tuesday [14 August]. He goes to join his brothers in arms, already in the spirit land, who fought for American Liberty. Another Hero has departed. He was a resident of the town of Venice. Years ago he was connected with the office of the Auburn Journal as a carrier of papers. He did this from choice, preferring labor to idleness. Thus one by one, the sainted heroes' of the revolution are dropping into the grave. 

-- Thomas Tryniski (scan), Roger Post (transcriber), MAIN, William:  Obituary (Auburn, Cayuga Co., NY, Auburn Weekly Journal, Wednesday, 22 August 1855), Old Fulton New York Post Cards http://www.fultonhistory.com

Thus ends the story another Revolutionary War veteran who, like William Smead and Roger Strickland, Jr., settled in southern Cayuga Co., NY and contributed to its history. William M. Main left a large number of Covey and Main descendants, some of whom still reside in southern Cayuga Co.