Jonathan Burrows of Lebanon, was the son of Deacon Edward and Mary Burrows. He was born in Lebanon about 1753 and would have reached adulthood just before the Revolutionary War.
Mr. Burrows is of interest in particular because he enlisted in the military three separate times.
Along with 4 brothers and 1 sister, Burrows was baptized by Reverend Isaac Hasey, the first settled pastor of the First Parish Church of Lebanon, on May 23, 1766.
On May 20, 1775, young Jonathan enlisted with Captain Phillp Hubbard's Company and was stationed to Bunker Hill in Boston. The Battle of Bunker Hill was actually fought on the soil of Breed's Hill, but Captain Phillips' Company was not involved in battle on that famous day. The unit was disbanded shortly after that battle took place on June 17th.
Burrows' second enlistment was for a 3 year term, enlisting on March 10, 1776. He had been stationed as a recruiter in Berwick, Maine but he soon marched to Boston and joined Captain Sullivan's company and marched to NY with those troops from which point, they embarked on a sailing vessel and sailed to Albany and were part of the troops that marched on Montreal, Canada. Although Burrows was listed at the time as a First Seargent, a letter is recorded to Valley Forge on January 10, 1778, which describes Burrows as being 23 years of age, 5 foot 8 inches tall and with light eyes and complexion. The letter goes on to say that Burrows was left behind in New Hampshire due to "sickness".
On December 20, 1781, Burrows again enlisted, joining Captain Bowman's Company of the 5th Massachusetts Regiment. He once again did not complete his office, and instead, on March 27, 1783, found a substitute in one Joseph Stephens of Lebanon. Stephens agreed voluntarily to complete Burrows remaining term and stood in Burrows' place until April 15 of 1788, allowing Burrows to return to Lebanon to his young wife, Elizabeth (Witherell), daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Witherell who were among the original settlers of Lebanon. For the remainder of his days, Jonathan Burrows resided on the Witherell-Burrows Farm, serving as Town Selectman in 1784, 1786, and 1787.
Jonathan Burrows was buried on the long since abandoned plot of the family cemetery in the area once known to locals as "Poplar Hill". His stone has not been well cared for and lies in pieces, but you can make out the words, "Liet. Jonathan Burrows, Died January 2, 1817, Aged 64 years".
It is very interesting that as this piece was being researched, I came upon the information that the First Parish Congregational Church, located on Center Road in Lebanon will be presenting historical programs containing some of the early works of Reverand Isaac Hasey, the pastor who baptized Jonathan Burrows and his siblings. The church's website says thus: Rev. Isaac Hasey was the founding pastor of First Parish and served in Lebanon, ME for 47 years (1765-1812.) This year marks the 250th for us as a church. In celebrate, we will embark on a sermon series that examines the preaching Rev. Hasey delivered over 200 years ago. The Congregational Library in Boston holds a small number of original Hasey sermon manuscripts. Members of our church and the Lebanon Historical Society have lovingly and painstakingly transcribed five of those manuscripts. Now what was “lost” to the ravages of time is available to us. Maybe you are historically curious as to what was taught at the foundation of our country. Perhaps you wish to compare what has been lose and/or gained over the intervening years. For me, I wish to understand the power of the gospel which set our church on such a faithful course for a quarter-millennium. Join as we look through a tunnel in time to peer at the work of God in us.
photo from First Parish Congregational Church's website
I am so excited to hear that these sermons will be delivered and examined at the First Parish Congregational church this year by Pastor Mark Kraines!!
You can find out more about the plans for these sermons by LIKING First Parish Congregational Church on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Parish-Congregational-Church/150639418336434?fref=ts
